Most promising industries in Poland: where to grow your business in 2026

The most promising industries in Poland in 2026 are not only those currently generating high revenues. For entrepreneurs and investors, equally important factors include resilience to economic slowdown, access to qualified employees, export potential, digitalisation, alignment with the energy transition and the ability to scale operations across Central and Eastern Europe.

Poland remains one of the more stable markets in the European Union. According to preliminary estimates by Statistics Poland (GUS), Poland’s gross domestic product increased in real terms by 3.6% in 2025, compared with 3.0% in 2024.

For companies planning international expansion, this means that Poland continues to offer favourable conditions for business growth, although not all sectors provide the same level of opportunity. The market is becoming more mature, operating costs are increasing, and competition in many industries is becoming more professional. For this reason, the decision to enter the Polish market should be preceded by an analysis of the sector, sales model, employment costs, tax burden and administrative requirements.

Before starting business activity in Poland, it is also important to plan the legal, accounting and tax structure. Foreign companies considering company registration in Poland should analyse not only market potential, but also the consequences of choosing a legal form, the VAT settlement model, employment rules and reporting obligations under Polish regulations.

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How to assess industry potential in Poland in 2026

There is no single official ranking that clearly identifies the most promising sectors of the Polish economy. A practical assessment should therefore combine several groups of data, including:

• GDP growth and gross value added in specific areas of the economy,
• exports and Poland’s position in international supply chains,
• domestic and foreign investment,
• labour availability and wage pressure,
• the impact of EU and Polish regulations,
• demand for automation, digitalisation and specialist services,
• sector resilience to economic fluctuations.

In the first quarter of 2026, Statistics Poland (GUS) reported that sold production of industry was 2.9% higher than a year earlier, retail sales increased by 4.8%, and investment outlays of non-financial enterprises in 2025 were 3.2% higher in real terms than in the previous year. At the same time, construction and assembly production in the first quarter of 2026 fell by 7.0% year on year, showing that in some sectors long-term potential should be distinguished from short-term volatility.

In practice, the most attractive industries for investors today are those that combine three features: stable demand, exposure to technological or energy transformation, and the ability to operate internationally.

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1. Modern business services and knowledge-intensive services

The modern business services sector is one of the key growth areas of the Polish economy. It includes shared service centres, business process outsourcing, finance and accounting services, customer support, compliance, business analytics, administrative support, research and development, and increasingly advanced knowledge-based processes.

Poland is no longer only a location for simple operational processes. It increasingly acts as a competence centre for international corporate groups. According to the Association of Business Service Leaders (ABSL), at the end of the first quarter of 2025 approximately 488,700 people worked in business service centres in Poland, and the sector accounted for around 5.7% of GDP. ABSL also indicates that in 2024 the export value of knowledge-intensive business services reached USD 42.3 billion.

In 2026, this sector remains attractive for several reasons. First, Poland has a strong base of specialists in finance, accounting, IT, process management and data analysis. Second, cost pressure in Western Europe continues to encourage companies to locate selected functions in countries offering a favourable quality-to-cost ratio. Third, the development of artificial intelligence and automation is not eliminating demand for specialists, but changing its structure.

For investors, this creates opportunities in areas such as:

• finance and accounting centres,
• HR and payroll services,
• business process and regulatory compliance support,
• process automation,
• data analytics,
• regulatory compliance services,
• services for the financial, manufacturing and e-commerce sectors.

Foreign companies planning to build an operational base or service centre in Poland should ensure from the outset that they have an efficient settlement, reporting and cost control model. In this respect, accounting services in Poland and payroll Poland may be particularly useful, especially where the company employs staff in several locations or reports to a foreign headquarters.

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2. Technology, automation and artificial intelligence

The IT sector remains one of the most important areas for business development in Poland. Its potential does not result solely from the number of software developers, but from the growing demand for digital solutions in manufacturing, finance, logistics, energy, retail and public administration.

In 2026, particularly promising solutions include those supporting:

• business process automation,
• artificial intelligence in customer service and data analysis,
• cybersecurity,
• ERP systems and reporting tools,
• cloud technologies,
• data integration between companies and branches,
• tools for industry, logistics and finance.

The potential of this sector is also linked to Poland’s labour market situation. According to Eurostat, Poland’s harmonised unemployment rate in March 2026 was 3.3%, compared with the EU average of 6.0%. Statistics Poland (GUS) reported the registered unemployment rate at the end of March 2026 at 6.1%.

Limited availability of employees in many specialisations increases demand for solutions that allow companies to do more with the same resources. This applies both to large enterprises and to smaller companies that need automation in invoicing, reporting, customer service, warehouse management or employee documentation.

From an investor’s perspective, B2B solutions may be particularly attractive. They do not require a mass consumer market, but respond to specific business problems. In this respect, Poland is a strong test market: it has a large number of companies, a relatively advanced workforce, increasing cost pressure and access to clients across the European Union.

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3. Food industry and food exports

The agri-food industry remains one of the most stable sectors of the Polish economy. Its advantage is based on a strong production base, developed supply chains, export experience and demand for food products in the European Union and beyond.

According to the National Support Centre for Agriculture (KOWR), in 2025 the value of Polish agri-food exports reached a record EUR 58.4 billion, or PLN 248 billion, representing an 8.6% year-on-year increase. The positive foreign trade balance in this category amounted to EUR 19.8 billion.

The European Union remains the largest market. In 2025, agri-food products worth EUR 43.9 billion were exported from Poland to EU countries, representing 75% of Polish exports in this category. Germany was the largest recipient, with a 25% share in exports.

For entrepreneurs, this means that the food industry is no longer limited to basic production. Increasingly important areas include:

• highly processed food,
• premium products,
• export brands,
• packaging and storage technologies,
• cold chain logistics,
• production automation,
• compliance with quality and sanitary requirements,
• ESG reporting in supply chains.

The potential of the food sector is particularly interesting for companies that can bring technology, know-how, financing or access to foreign sales channels. At the same time, this is a regulated and demanding industry in terms of quality, control, indirect taxes, transport and employment.

Companies planning to enter this sector should ensure correct tax settlements, including VAT, intra-EU transactions, import, export and cost documentation. In such cases, tax advisory in Poland may be important, especially where the business model includes international sales or cooperation with several entities within a corporate group.

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4. Renewable energy and energy efficiency

The energy transition is one of the key factors shaping the Polish market in 2026. It affects not only energy producers, but also industry, construction, logistics, real estate, advisory services and technology providers.

According to the Ministry of Climate and Environment, at the end of 2025 renewable energy sources accounted for 50.04% of installed capacity in Poland, while the total installed renewable energy capacity reached 37,777 MW. In 2025 as a whole, 31.41% of electricity generated in Poland came from renewable sources.

This represents a major structural change. Between 2020 and 2025, renewable energy capacity increased from 12,490 MW to 37,777 MW. Photovoltaics developed particularly dynamically, with capacity increasing from 3,960 MW to 24,808 MW, while wind energy capacity increased from 6,402 MW to 10,550 MW.

In 2026, the most promising opportunities may not be limited to energy generation projects. There is also strong potential in services and solutions supporting renewable energy development and reducing energy consumption in enterprises, including:

• energy storage,
• grid modernisation,
• industrial energy efficiency,
• energy audits,
• energy consumption management technologies,
• solutions for companies producing energy for their own needs,
• services for photovoltaic and wind farms,
• components for the energy sector,
• regulatory and financial advisory.

Energy is, however, a sector requiring careful assessment. Projects depend on regulations, grid connection availability, financing, energy prices and the stability of support mechanisms. Investors should therefore assess not only demand, but also administrative timelines, contractual risks and the impact of changes in Polish and EU law.

From the perspective of industrial companies, the energy transition is also a cost and an obligation. Growing requirements from contractors concerning carbon footprint, energy efficiency and reporting may affect the competitiveness of suppliers. As a result, providers of technology, advisory services and reporting tools have significant growth potential in Poland.

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5. Specialist manufacturing and advanced industrial processing

Industry remains one of the pillars of the Polish economy, but its attractiveness in 2026 should be assessed selectively. The greatest potential lies in areas linked to exports, automation, energy, defence, electromobility, medical technologies or specialist components.

Statistics Poland (GUS) reported that in 2025 gross value added in industry increased by 3.0%, compared with 0.9% in 2024. In the fourth quarter of 2025, value added in industry increased by 4.2% year on year.

In the first quarter of 2026, sold production of industry increased by 2.9% year on year. Statistics Poland (GUS) noted that sales increased across all industrial sections, although growth in manufacturing was slightly lower than in industry as a whole.

Areas with particular potential include:

• production of electrical equipment,
• components for energy and automation,
• metal products,
• machinery and industrial parts,
• packaging production,
• technologies for agriculture and food,
• medical devices,
• contract manufacturing for foreign companies,
• components for electromobility and energy storage.

Poland remains attractive for manufacturing companies due to its geographical location, access to the EU market, developed supplier base and industrial experience.

At the same time, Poland is no longer a market based solely on low labour costs. Productivity, automation, management quality and supply stability are becoming increasingly important.
For foreign investors, proper planning of the business structure is also essential. In the case of a production facility, it is necessary to analyse not only company registration, but also location, employment models, cross-border settlements, transfer pricing, fixed assets, financing and reporting obligations under Polish regulations.

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6. Logistics, warehouses and supply chain services

Poland’s location between Western and Eastern Europe, together with the development of transport infrastructure, makes logistics an important sector for investors. In 2026, however, the potential of this industry should be assessed more carefully than during the years of rapid e-commerce growth. The market is more mature, while financing and rental costs have a greater impact on profitability.

Statistics Poland (GUS) data for the first quarter of 2026 show a mixed picture. Freight transport decreased by 1.7% year on year, although the decline was smaller than in previous quarters. At the same time, in the fourth quarter of 2025, value added in transport and storage increased by 4.6% year on year.

The warehouse market nevertheless remains an important element of Poland’s location advantage. According to JLL, total demand for warehouse space in Poland in 2025 exceeded 6.8 million m², while approximately 1.68 million m² of new warehouse space was delivered during the year.

Today, the greatest development opportunities are not necessarily in basic transport services, but in specialised segments such as:

• contract logistics,
• warehouse automation,
• e-commerce fulfilment and returns handling,
• cold chain logistics,
• warehouses for manufacturing,
• distribution centres for Central and Eastern Europe,
• IT solutions for supply chains,
• advisory services for transport and inventory cost optimisation.

Poland may also benefit from changes in global supply chains. European companies are increasingly analysing shorter delivery routes, supplier diversification and locating part of their production closer to final markets. This supports both logistics and contract manufacturing.

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7. Infrastructure construction and property modernisation

Construction is a sector that requires particularly careful interpretation of data. On the one hand, in 2025 gross value added in construction increased by 1.7%, following a 5.8% decline in 2024. In the fourth quarter of 2025, value added in construction increased by 5.0% year on year. On the other hand, in the first quarter of 2026, construction and assembly production fell by 7.0% year on year, partly due to weak results at the beginning of the year.

This means that construction should not be treated as a single uniform sector. The residential market differs from public infrastructure, while the modernisation of industrial, energy and warehouse facilities follows yet another dynamic.

In 2026, the strongest potential may be found in:

• infrastructure investments,
• energy modernisation of buildings,
• industrial and warehouse facilities,
• construction for the renewable energy sector,
• technical installations,
• building automation,
• renovation and adaptation of buildings to energy efficiency requirements,
• specialist design and engineering services.

The construction sector remains dependent on material costs, labour availability, administrative decisions and financing. It is therefore not the easiest industry for new market entrants, but it may be attractive for specialist companies offering technology, know-how or services in high-value-added niches.

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8. Finance, insurance and financial technologies

The financial sector in Poland is developed, competitive and relatively modern. Electronic banking, digital payments, online accounting services, reporting automation, risk analysis and regulatory compliance tools create favourable conditions for the development of financial technologies.

The potential of this sector results from several factors. First, Polish consumers and entrepreneurs are accustomed to digital financial services. Second, companies need increasingly advanced tools for managing liquidity, costs, taxes and documents. Third, growing regulatory requirements increase demand for solutions supporting compliance, reporting and internal control.

For entrepreneurs, particularly promising areas may include:

• tools for corporate finance automation,
• invoicing and document workflow solutions,
• management reporting systems,
• liquidity management tools,
• B2B payment services,
• risk analysis and fraud prevention,
• solutions supporting accounting, tax and HR processes.

It should be remembered, however, that finance and financial technologies are regulated areas. Business activity may require detailed legal, tax and organisational analysis. Companies planning to provide financial or finance-related services in Poland should take into account compliance requirements, data protection, reporting and management board liability.

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What does Poland’s potential mean for foreign companies?

Poland remains an attractive market for foreign companies, but the nature of this attractiveness has changed in recent years. Its main advantages are no longer limited to lower labour costs. Increasingly important factors include:

• access to the European Union market,
• a stable industrial base,
• a developed business services sector,
• technology competences,
• logistics location,
• the growing scale of the domestic market,
• the ability to serve clients across Central and Eastern Europe.

The Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH) reported that in 2025 it supported the completion of 64 investment projects, including 22 service projects and 42 production projects, with a total declared value exceeding EUR 4 billion. Investors announced the creation of approximately 6,600 jobs.

For a foreign investor, the key question is therefore not only whether to enter Poland, but how to do it. The same sector may be highly promising for a company with the right operating model, while also being risky for an entity that fails to take into account local legal, tax and employment requirements.

Before starting business activity in Poland, it is worth analysing, among other things:

• the choice of legal form,
• company registration and powers of attorney,
• VAT and international transactions,
• employment rules,
• HR and payroll obligations,
• accounting and financial reporting,
• business financing,
• transfer pricing within a corporate group,
• contractual risks,
• obligations towards Polish authorities and institutions.

getsix® supports entrepreneurs and investors planning to register company in Poland, and provides services in accounting, tax, HR and payroll, and business advisory. This allows market entry to be planned in a more structured way and in line with local Polish requirements.

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Most promising industries in Poland in 2026 – summary

The most promising industries in Poland in 2026 are primarily sectors that combine stable demand with technological transformation, exports or regulatory change. Particular attention should be paid to:

• modern business services,
• technology, automation and artificial intelligence,
• the food industry and food exports,
• renewable energy and energy efficiency,
• advanced industrial processing,
• logistics and warehouses,
• infrastructure construction and modernisation,
• finance, insurance and financial technologies.

Not every one of these industries will be suitable for every investor. The food sector requires production facilities and knowledge of quality regulations. Energy requires patience, capital and administrative analysis. IT and business services require access to competences and an effective sales model. Manufacturing requires cost control, investment and a well-designed supply chain.

Poland in 2026 remains a market with significant potential, but it is also becoming increasingly demanding. Companies that gain an advantage will be those that do not limit themselves to registering a business, but plan their operational, tax, accounting and HR structure from the beginning. This approach increases the chances of stable growth and reduces the risks associated with entering a new market.

If you are planning to expand your business in Poland, it is worth starting with an analysis of the industry, legal and tax model, and administrative obligations. getsix® can support this process through business advisory, company registration, accounting in Poland, HR and payroll Poland outsourcing, and tax services. As a result, entry into the Polish market can be better planned, compliant with local requirements and adapted to the specific nature of your company’s operations.

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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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