Over the past two years, Ukrainians have registered 77.7 thousand individual enterprises in Poland
Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, a large part of the Ukrainians who were forced to leave for Poland not only adapted to the new conditions, but also made a significant contribution to the Polish economy. One of the most striking indicators of this process is the active development of entrepreneurial activity among Ukrainians. Thanks to simpler conditions for business registration and a favorable market situation, thousands of Ukrainians were able to start their own business, thereby strengthening economic ties between the two countries.
During the period of 2022-2024, Ukrainians registered 77,700 individual enterprises (JDG), which is 9% of all such enterprises in Poland. This number significantly exceeds the number of Polish companies in Ukraine. About this it is said in the study of the analytical center Gremi Personal.
It is noteworthy that 37% of them were founded by women, which indicates the high activity of Ukrainian women in the country’s business environment. In 2024 alone, 33,200 JDGs were opened, which is twice the figure of 2022 (15,900) and 16% more than in 2023 (28,600). Such positive dynamics indicate the growing interest of Ukrainians in entrepreneurial activity and gradual integration into the Polish business ecosystem.
The main industries in which Ukrainian business is developing remain stable. Most enterprises work in the field of construction (23%), information and communication technologies (18%) and services (13%). In particular, among construction companies, those engaged in finishing works dominate (32%). In the information and communication sector, almost 79% of enterprises specialize in software development, and in the service sector, 82% of businesses provide beauty and hairdressing services.
In addition to the growth in the number of individual enterprises, the number of companies with Ukrainian capital also increased significantly. Over three years, from 2022 to 2024, 11,300 such companies were registered in Poland, which is 31% of all enterprises with foreign capital and 7% of the total number of legal entities in the country. By the end of 2024, the total number of companies founded by Ukrainians reached 28,200, of which 3,279 were registered in 2024 alone.
Ukrainian business in Poland covers a wide range of industries, but most enterprises operate in the field of trade (24%), construction (16%) and administrative and support services (12%). Thanks to their high qualifications and entrepreneurial spirit, Ukrainians are actively developing their companies, creating new jobs and contributing to the economic development of the country that has given them shelter.
At the same time, as of February 2024, only 3,635 Polish companies were registered in Ukraine, which is 21 times less than the number of Ukrainian individual entrepreneurs in Poland. Almost a third of Polish firms, namely 31%, work in wholesale and retail trade, 17% in processing industry. About 8% specialize in professional, scientific and technical activities, and 7% focus on administrative and support services. The largest number of such companies are registered in Kyiv and Lviv region. The data is provided by the YOU Control analytical system.
The growth of Ukrainian entrepreneurship in Poland demonstrates not only the activity and flexibility of Ukrainians, but also significant transformations in the Polish labor market. As Yuriy Hryhorenko, a representative of the analytical center Gremi Personal, points out, many Ukrainians who previously worked as employees are now creating their own businesses or switching to self-employment. This is not only a way to adapt to changes, but also an opportunity to effectively use your experience and skills.
Polish employers are also changing their approach to cooperation. More and more companies are open to partnership with Ukrainian entrepreneurs, in particular in the fields of construction, logistics and industry. At the same time, there are difficulties – among the main challenges remain bureaucratic obstacles during business registration and finding reliable partners for long-term development.
Polish business is showing interest in opening companies in Ukraine, especially in the border regions, in particular in the Subcarpathian Voivodeship. The most promising areas for investment are construction, production and the hotel and restaurant business (HoReCa). At the same time, security risks play a key role in the decision-making process. Ukraine, for its part, seeks to attract Polish entrepreneurs and should already create conditions for their activities, so that after the war European business can work in the country.
According to research by the Forum for Responsible Development, immigration after 2014 has had a significant impact on Poland’s economy. In 2023, the country’s GDP would be 2.3% lower without this factor, and by 2050, migration can ensure economic growth by 12.5%.
Thus, Poland became not only a safe place for Ukrainians, but also a platform for the implementation of their business ideas. Given the positive dynamics of growth, it can be expected that Ukrainian business in Poland will continue to expand in the coming years, benefiting both its founders and the country’s economy in general.
