How to Start Your Own Business – Step by Step

Planning to start your own company? You don’t even have to leave your home. You can register your own business in moments. We advise you on what you need to know before registering your company and how to do it online.

Who is Entitled to Start a Company in Poland?

How to start a business? Before discussing who has the right to open their own business in Poland, it is worth first clarifying what a business activity actually is. According to the Entrepreneurs’ Law Act, it is an organized, for-profit activity, conducted in one’s own name and on a continuous basis. A natural person, a legal entity, and an organizational unit without legal personality can all be entrepreneurs. Furthermore, partners in a civil partnership are also considered entrepreneurs in the scope of the activity performed. Although Polish regulations are quite flexible regarding starting one’s own company, there is a possibility that a specific person may be excluded from conducting business activity if ruled by a court.

In some cases, a concession is required to conduct business activity, for example, in the case of the production or trade of ammunition or weapons, which is granted by the minister competent for the subject of the business activity requiring such a concession. Additionally, for some services, such as passenger transport, it is necessary to obtain a permit, which is granted by the appropriate authorities. In both cases, obtaining a concession or permit may depend on meeting specific conditions.

Running a Business by Retirees, Minors, and Foreigners

Business activity can also be conducted by retirees and minors, provided the latter obtain consent from their statutory representative. In the case of minors, the statutory representative files the application for entry into the Central Register and Information on Economic Activity (CEIDG) at the commune office, but exclusively in the paper version.

Furthermore, foreigners who are citizens of EU member states and the European Economic Area, citizens of the USA, and the Swiss Confederation can conduct business activity in Poland. Citizens from outside the European Union and the European Economic Area can establish a business activity in Poland, provided they have a residence title that entitles them to do so.

Unregistered Business Activity and the Company Registration Process

Business activity can also be conducted in an unregistered form, also called “unregistered business activity“. If the revenues from the activity do not exceed a specified monthly limit, and other conditions are met, such as not conducting business within a civil partnership or not conducting regulated activity, there is no need to register the company.

However, if you decide to establish your own business, it will be necessary to register it with CEIDG, the Central Register and Information on Economic Activity.

Key Information for Company Registration

Registering a company with CEIDG requires providing several key pieces of data, such as the company name, the business address, the choice of PKD code (Polish Classification of Activities), and the form of taxation. For the form of taxation, the entrepreneur has three options: taxation under general rules according to the progressive tax scale, according to the flat tax rate, or the lump sum tax on registered income.

Step 1: Preparing Necessary Documents and Information

Before starting the registration process, ensure you have all the necessary information and documents. You will need:

• Full personal data (name, surname, PESEL number, residence address).
• Identity document (e.g., ID card).
• Correspondence address, if different from the residence address.
• Information about the planned business activity, including the company name, business address (if different from the residence address), and selected PKD codes.

Step 2: Filling Out the Registration Form

• Go to the official CEIDG website (ceidg.gov.pl) and select the “Submit application” option.
• Fill out the registration form online, providing all required information. The form includes sections for personal data, business activity information, and the choice of taxation form.

Step 3: Choosing the Form of Taxation

• During the application process, you will have to decide on the form of taxation. You can choose general rules taxation, the flat tax rate, or the lump sum tax on registered income. It is important to familiarize yourself with the characteristics of each form of taxation before making a decision and choose the one that best suits your situation.

Step 4: Providing Social Insurance Information

• In the form, you will also be asked to provide information regarding social insurance (ZUS). You can choose to benefit from the Start Relief, which allows for exemption from paying ZUS contributions for the first 6 months of operation.

Step 5: Reviewing and Approving the Application

• After filling out the form, thoroughly review the information provided for any potential errors or mistakes.
• Approve and submit the application electronically. This may require the use of a secure electronic signature or the ePUAP Trusted Profile.

Step 6: Awaiting the Decision

• After submitting the application, it will be processed by CEIDG. If the application is approved, you will receive confirmation along with the assigned NIP (Tax ID) and REGON (Statistical Number) for your business.

Remember that the entire CEIDG registration process is free of charge and can be carried out independently. However, if you have doubts or need help, it is advisable to use the services of a tax advisor or accountant.

Setting Up a Profile on the ZUS Electronic Services Platform (PUE ZUS)

After successfully registering your company with CEIDG, it is worthwhile to set up a profile on the ZUS Electronic Services Platform (PUE ZUS), which will allow for easier management of your social insurance.

Step 1: Visiting the ZUS Website

• Start by visiting the official website of the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS), found at: www.zus.pl.
• Find and click on the “PUE ZUS” or “Electronic Services Platform” option, which should be visible on the homepage.

Step 2: Registering a New Account

• On the PUE ZUS page, you will find the „Register” or “Create Profile” button—click it to begin the process of creating a new account.
• You will be redirected to the registration form.

Step 3: Completing the Registration Form

• In the registration form, provide your personal data, such as your name, surname, email address, phone number, and PESEL number.
• Set and enter your username and password, which you will use to log in to PUE ZUS. Make sure the password is strong and difficult to guess.

Step 4: Identity Verification

• After filling out the form, you will need to verify your identity. You can do this in several ways, the most popular being:
  • PTrusted Profile (ePUAP) – if you have a Trusted Profile, you can use it for quick and secure verification.
  • E-ID – if you have an ID card with an electronic layer, you can use it for verification.
  • In Person at a ZUS Branch – if you prefer, you can also go to the nearest ZUS branch to verify your identity in person.

Step 5: Account Activation

• After successful identity verification, you will receive an activation link at the provided email address. Click on it to activate your PUE ZUS account.
• In some cases, an activation code may also be sent via SMS to the provided phone number. In this event, you will need to enter this code in the appropriate place on the PUE ZUS website to activate the account.

Krok 6: Logowanie do PUE ZUS

• After account activation, you can log in to your PUE ZUS account using the established username and password or the chosen identity verification method (Trusted Profile, e-ID).
• Once logged in, you will gain access to your profile and the wide range of electronic services offered by ZUS.

Krok 7: Korzystanie z PUE ZUS

• On the PUE ZUS platform, you can, among other things, check the status of your insurance account, submit documents online, apply for benefits, and manage your contact details and much more.

Remember that setting up a profile on PUE ZUS is entirely free. It is worth using to have easy access to information and services related to social insurance.

Summary

In conclusion, setting up your own company requires going through several key steps, but thanks to the available online tools, the registration process is becoming simpler and more accessible to every entrepreneur. However, we always recommend that if you have any doubts, you use the services of experienced accountants or lawyers, such as those you will find at Biurze Rachunkowym Precyzja.