Poland ranks 33rd in terms of investment attractiveness among 190 countries worldwide, 3rd in the Central and Eastern Europe region, and 9th for the number of greenfield investments. Investors are drawn by low taxes, effective protection of investor rights, ease of starting businesses, a stable macroeconomic environment, and access to a skilled workforce. Additionally, Poland is a regional leader in development, innovation, and supporting start-ups.
Investors looking to grow their money consider our country one of the best places in the world. For the first time since 2015, we are at the forefront. In the FDI Confidence Index® 2024, published by the international consulting firm Kearney, Poland ranked 23rd and 7th among emerging markets (the survey was conducted in January 2024 and involved senior representatives of globally operating companies from 30 countries). According to the survey, the advanced technology, automotive, aerospace, and IT sectors have been key for foreign direct investments in Poland for years. When asked about the most important factors in choosing an investment location, investors most frequently pointed to Poland’s technological and innovative potential (17% of responses). The efficiency of legal and regulatory processes (15%), ease of capital transfer (14%), transparency of government regulations (13%), and strong investor position and property rights (12%) were also positively assessed.
Poland is located in central Europe, making it a natural logistics hub for international trade. Thanks to a developed road network within the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) and numerous seaports like Gdańsk and Szczecin, both eastern and western markets are easily accessible. In recent years, Poland has experienced steady economic growth despite global financial crises. According to the Central Statistical Office (GUS), Poland’s gross domestic product (GDP) has shown consistent growth, further supported by European funds. The National Bank of Poland’s forecasts indicate GDP growth of over 3.5% in 2019 and 2020, while the European Union average is about 2%.
From an investor’s perspective, Poland offers many benefits, such as special economic zones with preferential tax rates for entrepreneurs and various support programs available on the Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH) website. National legal regulations make it easy for interested entities to start operations in the Polish market. Poland has an extensive internal market, encompassing over 38 million consumers, making it one of the largest markets in Europe. High levels of domestic consumption also drive the development of the service and retail sectors.
The Research and Development sector in Poland is growing dynamically, thanks to investments from both domestic and foreign companies. Advanced research centers collaborate with industry, and technological development is supported by government initiatives such as the “Innovative Economy” program. In 2017, Poland improved its position in the Global Innovation Index from 56th out of 107 countries to 38th out of 127 countries.
There are many sources of funding available for investment projects in Poland, both domestic and international. Investors can also benefit from support from commercial banks and institutions like the National Development Bank (BGK).
According to the “Market Outlook 2024” report by CBRE, commercial real estate investments in Poland are expected to gain momentum in 2024, with a projected year-on-year growth of up to 10%. A growth trend is anticipated in the industrial, logistics, and residential sectors in the second half of 2024. Regarding the office market, major cities in Poland will see tenants remain active, and the retail market will experience significant development due to lower inflation and increased consumer purchasing power. The only risk factor for investors remains the geopolitical situation and high core inflation.
In the Polish office market, there has been a focus on optimizing space and improving quality. This is related to the need to enhance the attractiveness of offices to encourage employees to work on-site. This is also linked to the significant development of new elevators and the potential for modernization and maintenance of existing vertical transport infrastructure, which currently accounts for more than half of all implementations in Poland. As a result, the number of tenants is growing. In 2023, demand in Warsaw reached 749,000 square meters, an increase of 15-20% compared to the pandemic years (2020-2021). Regional cities recorded record demand of 740,000 square meters, a 9% increase compared to the previous record.
Investing in Poland is a decision that offers tremendous potential and numerous opportunities. With its strategic location, stable economic growth, high investment attractiveness, valuable human resources, developed market, and innovative environment, Poland is an ideal place for business in the 21st century.
Further infrastructure development, a stable political and legal system within the European Union, and a continuously growing R&D sector favor both small and large investment ventures. Poland has undergone many transformations, making it one of the most attractive investment options in Europe today.