International corporations in Poland: why global companies choose the Polish market
9 July 2026
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Poland is no longer selected by global companies only because of labour costs. It is now a location for technology, R&D, business services, manufacturing, logistics and digital infrastructure. For investors, strategic advisory in Poland should cover talent availability, regional specialisation, costs, legal and tax processes, and scalability.
In this article:
Why do global companies choose Poland?
Poland has become a mature location for international business. Global companies now invest not only in sales, administration or basic operations, but also in technology centres, R&D facilities, financial hubs, logistics platforms, manufacturing plants and digital infrastructure.
According to ABSL, at the end of Q1 2025 Poland had 2,081 business services centres operated by 1,258 investors from 50 countries. Between January 2024 and March 2025, 61 new centres were created, mainly in IT and R&D.
This means that Poland has become a permanent location for global functions: technology, finance, accounting, HR, cybersecurity, logistics, research and development, and advanced manufacturing.
How important are technology and R&D?
The clearest shift is visible in technology. Poland is increasingly used not only for operational support, but also for developing solutions used across international markets.
Visa is developing a global Technology and Product Hub in Poland, initially planned for up to 1,500 specialists. The centre focuses on digital payments, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, payment network resilience and product development.
Google is expanding a Google Cloud engineering centre in Warsaw, with its Polish organisation employing nearly 3,000 people. Intel has built one of its largest European R&D centres in Gdańsk.
Microsoft announced PLN 2.8 billion in investments by June 2026 for cloud, AI and cybersecurity infrastructure in Poland. This strengthens the country’s role as a digital infrastructure point in Central and Eastern Europe.
How are business services in Poland evolving?
Kraków, Wrocław, Warsaw, Tricity, Łódź, Katowice and Poznań support international groups in finance, accounting, HR, payroll, procurement, compliance, data analytics and cybersecurity.
Shell Business Operations in Kraków shows both the scale and the transformation of the sector. Simple processes are being automated, while financial analytics, data management, cybersecurity and digital transformation support are becoming more important.
UBS announced restructuring in Poland in 2025, including job reductions and the planned closure of its Warsaw office. At the same time, Poland remains important for UBS, especially Kraków and Wrocław. HSBC Service Delivery in Kraków supports the group globally in technology, operations, finance and risk.
Why do manufacturing and logistics still matter?
Poland remains an important part of European supply chains. It combines manufacturing competencies, access to qualified technical workers, logistics infrastructure and proximity to major EU markets.
Volkswagen Poznań employs around 9,000 people and operates four production plants. The wider Volkswagen Group employs more than 22,000 people in Poland, creating a broader ecosystem of suppliers, technical services and logistics partners.
Mercedes-Benz Manufacturing Poland invested around EUR 600 million in an engine and battery factory in Jawor. At the end of 2025, the plant employed around 1,200 people and is linked to the automotive sector’s shift towards electromobility.
Amazon illustrates Poland’s logistics potential. By the end of 2024, it employed more than 19,000 people in Poland, while its distribution centres also supported a wider European sales and delivery network.
What does this mean for foreign investors?
Poland is not a uniform low-cost labour market. It can serve as an operational centre, technology hub, manufacturing base, logistics point or competence centre for an entire capital group.
Location choice matters. Warsaw attracts management, finance and professional services. Kraków is strong in business services, finance and IT. Wrocław combines technology, engineering and industry. Tricity offers potential in R&D, logistics and advanced technologies.
Investors should assess rising labour costs, energy costs, demographics, specialised talent availability, automation pressure and geopolitical uncertainty. Poland’s advantage increasingly depends on process quality, specialisation and market entry strategy, not only employment scale.
Read the full article here:
International corporations in Poland: why global companies choose the Polish market.
If you have any further questions or require additional information, please contact your business relationship person or use the enquiry form on the HLB Poland website.
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