Accounting in Poland in 2026 – what a foreign entrepreneur should know

Poland remains one of the most attractive markets in Central and Eastern Europe for foreign investors and entrepreneurs. A stable economy, access to the EU market and a well-developed business infrastructure mean that an increasing number of companies decide to start their operations here. One of the key areas that requires a good understanding is accounting in Poland, along with the related legal and tax obligations.

The year 2026 brings not only a continuation of existing accounting principles, but also significant organisational and technological changes, including the widespread implementation of the National e-Invoicing System in Poland (Krajowy System e-Faktur – KSeF). For foreign entrepreneurs, this means the need to properly prepare financial processes and cooperate with an experienced accounting partner.

How accounting works in Poland

Accounting in Poland is primarily based on the Accounting Act of 29 September 1994, which sets out the rules for keeping accounting records, preparing financial statements and storing documentation. This Act constitutes the main legal framework governing accounting and applies to the majority of entities conducting business activity in Poland. These regulations are supplemented by tax legislation, in particular provisions relating to income tax and VAT, as well as national accounting standards, which further specify the recognition and valuation of individual economic transactions.

In certain cases, entrepreneurs may – or must – apply International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). This applies, among others, to companies listed on stock exchanges, financial institutions and entities belonging to international capital groups. Some companies may also choose to apply IFRS voluntarily if this facilitates reporting to foreign investors or parent companies.

The accounting system in Poland is formal in nature and strictly regulated, which means that entrepreneurs are required to keep their accounting records in a reliable, complete and compliant manner. In practice, this includes, among other things, the ongoing recording of all economic transactions, the timely preparation of financial statements and the archiving of accounting documentation for the periods specified by law. As a rule, accounting books must be kept in the Polish language and in Polish currency, regardless of whether the owner of the business is a domestic or foreign entity.

At the same time, Polish accounting law allows for a certain degree of organisational flexibility. Entrepreneurs may adapt the structure of the chart of accounts, accounting methods and detailed accounting solutions to the specific nature of their activity, industry and company size. The condition, however, is that these principles are properly described in the accounting policy, which constitutes a key internal document of each entity and is subject to review, for example during audits or tax inspections.

For foreign entrepreneurs, this means that although accounting in Poland involves meeting numerous formal requirements, with the appropriate design of the accounting system and the support of an experienced accounting firm, it is possible to effectively combine regulatory compliance with practical business needs.

Forms of accounting – simplified and full accounting

In Poland, there are two basic forms of accounting records, the choice of which depends on the legal form of the business, the scale of operations and the level of revenues generated:

• simplified accounting, including, among others, the tax revenue and expense ledger (KPiR) and revenue records maintained under lump-sum taxation,
• accounting books, i.e. so-called full accounting (pełna księgowość), based on the principles set out in the Accounting Act.

Simplified accounting is organisationally simpler and less formalised. Its main purpose is the correct determination of the tax base and settlement of taxes; therefore, the scope of financial information is limited compared to accounting books. This form may be used by selected entities, primarily individuals conducting sole proprietorships, as well as certain partnerships, such as civil partnerships, registered partnerships or professional partnerships of natural persons — provided that their revenues do not exceed the statutory threshold.

Accounting books, i.e. full accounting in Poland, provide a much broader and more detailed picture of a company’s financial situation. They include the recording of all economic events, the preparation of financial statements and the application of accounting principles defined by law. This model is more demanding in organisational and formal terms, but at the same time enables a thorough analysis of financial results, cost structure, assets and liabilities.

For many foreign entrepreneurs, a key piece of information is the fact that capital companies, such as limited liability companies or joint-stock companies, are always required to keep accounting books, regardless of the level of revenues generated. This obligation results directly from the legal form and applies from the very beginning of operations. In practice, this means that foreign investors planning to enter the Polish market through a capital company should be prepared from the outset to maintain statutory accounting in accordance with Polish regulations.

Increasingly, entrepreneurs – both domestic and foreign – also decide to switch voluntarily to accounting books, even if they are not formally required to do so. This is driven, among other things, by the need for more advanced financial reporting, investor or bank requirements, as well as the growing scale of operations and the need to adapt accounting systems to more complex business processes.

Digitalisation of accounting and the National e-Invoicing System in Poland (KSeF) in 2026

One of the most important and most transformative topics in the field of accounting in Poland in 2026 is the implementation of the National e-Invoicing System in Poland (Krajowy System e-Faktur – KSeF). This is a central, state-run ICT system that provides for the mandatory issuance and receipt of structured invoices in electronic form. These invoices will be transmitted and stored via KSeF, which represents a significant change in the way sales and purchase transactions are documented.

According to the current implementation schedule:

• from 1 February 2026, the obligation to use KSeF will apply to the largest taxpayers, in particular entities meeting the high turnover criteria defined by the Ministry of Finance,
• from 1 April 2026, the system will become mandatory for the remaining entrepreneurs, including small and medium-sized enterprises.

In practice, this means that the vast majority of entities conducting business activity in Poland will be required to adapt their accounting processes and IT systems to the new requirements. Once the KSeF obligation comes into force, invoices covered by the system should be issued as structured invoices via KSeF. Issuing invoices outside KSeF may be treated as a breach of applicable regulations and may result in organisational and tax consequences, as well as the risk of sanctions.

The implementation of the National e-Invoicing System in Poland (KSeF) requires the integration of financial and accounting systems with the government platform, changes to document workflows and adjustments to internal procedures, such as invoice approval processes, document archiving and financial reporting. Particular importance is attached to the automation of accounting processes and the proper structuring of data, as structured invoices must meet strictly defined technical and formal requirements.

For foreign companies operating in Poland, the National e-Invoicing System (KSeF) constitutes an additional challenge. Language barriers, different transaction documentation standards and a lack of familiarity with local regulations mean that the support of an experienced accounting and technology partner becomes crucial in this area. Proper preparation for KSeF not only helps to avoid the risk of errors and operational disruptions, but also allows digitalisation to be used as a tool to improve financial management and communication with the tax authorities.

In the longer term, KSeF is part of a broader process of accounting digitalisation in Poland, aimed at greater transparency, automation and standardisation of financial data. For entrepreneurs – particularly those operating internationally – this means the need to adapt to new realities, but also a genuine opportunity for more efficient and modern accounting.

Accounting outsourcing – a practical solution for foreign companies in Poland

For many foreign entrepreneurs operating in Poland, outsourcing accounting is not only a convenient but also a strategic solution. The Polish accounting and tax system is characterised by a high degree of formalisation, frequent regulatory changes and specific reporting obligations, which can pose a significant challenge for companies unfamiliar with local conditions. Entrusting accounting to an external partner helps minimise the risk of errors, delays and irregularities, while ensuring full compliance with applicable regulations.

Outsourcing also provides access to up-to-date knowledge of legal changes, tax interpretations and administrative practice. This is particularly important in the context of upcoming changes such as the mandatory National e-Invoicing System in Poland (KSeF), new reporting requirements and the continued digitalisation of accounting processes. For foreign companies, this means the ability to focus on operational and business development without the need to build an in-house accounting team in Poland.

getsix® supports foreign enterprises at every stage of their presence on the Polish market – from starting operations and implementing accounting compliant with Polish regulations, through ongoing financial, accounting and tax services, to advanced management reporting and support in dealings with public institutions. Services are provided in three languages (Polish, English and German) and tailored to the needs of international organisational structures.

An important element of the getsix® offering is also modern digital solutions. getsix® e-Services, including the Customer Extranet platform and the Customer Invoice and Workflow Portal, enable secure document exchange, digitalisation of invoice circulation and approval, and real-time monitoring of document status. The automation of accounting processes – including within the Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central environment – increases efficiency, transparency and control over financial data, which is of particular importance for companies operating in an international model.

Accounting in Poland in 2026 – summary

The year 2026 will mark another stage in the professionalisation and digitalisation of accounting in Poland. New regulations, mandatory National e-Invoicing System (KSeF) and the growing role of IT tools mean that accounting now requires not only knowledge of regulations, but also appropriate technological and organisational infrastructure. For foreign entrepreneurs, this represents both the emergence of new obligations and a real opportunity to streamline financial processes and improve the quality of management.

Understanding local accounting principles, the tax structure and upcoming changes – in particular those related to e-invoicing and digitalisation – is crucial for the safe, stable and compliant conduct of business in Poland. A lack of proper preparation may result in formal, tax and operational risks.

Cooperation with an experienced accounting partner in Poland allows foreign entrepreneurs to focus on business development, market expansion and the achievement of strategic objectives, while leaving accounting, tax and reporting matters in the hands of specialists. In a dynamically changing regulatory environment, professional support becomes one of the key elements of success on the Polish market. Contact us.

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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