Quick Summary: Foreigners running a business in Poland can apply for a business-based TRC. The most common path is registering a Sp. z o.o. (minimum 5,000 PLN share capital). Processing takes 3-8 months in Warsaw. The office evaluates business viability: revenue, employees hired, and contribution to the Polish economy. Previous strict income thresholds have been relaxed, but you still need to demonstrate the business is real and active.

Company Types for TRC Purposes

Type Who Can Register Share Capital Registration
Sp. z o.o. (LLC) Any nationality 5,000 PLN minimum KRS (National Court Register)
JDG (Sole Proprietorship) EU/EEA + select nationalities* None CEIDG
S.A. (Joint-Stock) Any nationality 100,000 PLN minimum KRS

*JDG available to citizens of countries with bilateral agreements: EU/EEA, Ukraine, Belarus, and others. Check current eligibility.

For most non-EU foreigners, Sp. z o.o. is the standard choice. Registration takes 1-3 business days through the S24 online system. Burman Robinson, which specializes in business TRC applications in Warsaw, reports that applications filed with companies active for at least 3 months have a significantly higher approval rate than those filed with newly registered entities. Applying with a zero-activity company is a common red flag that triggers additional scrutiny.

What the Voivodeship Office Evaluates

The office assesses whether your business activity benefits the Polish economy. In practice, this means demonstrating at least some of the following:

Revenue: Company generates income (even modest income counts if the business is new)

Employment: Company employs at least 1-2 Polish citizens or permanent residents

Investments: Company invests in equipment, premises, or growth

Tax compliance: Company files tax returns on time (ZUS, VAT, PIT/CIT)

Business plan: For new companies, a credible plan showing expected growth

Key insight: The 2025 amendments relaxed previous requirements that the company must generate income equal to 12x the average salary or employ 2 Polish citizens. The evaluation is now more flexible but still requires evidence of genuine business activity.

Required Documents

Document Details
Application form New form from December 2025
Company registration KRS extract (for Sp. z o.o.) or CEIDG (for JDG)
Financial statements Annual reports, PIT/CIT, ZUS settlements
Business plan For new companies (under 1 year)
Company bank statements Last 3-6 months showing business activity
Employment contracts Contracts with employees (if any)
Invoices/contracts Proof of actual business transactions
Personal financial proof 776 PLN/month per person
Health insurance 50,000 EUR minimum coverage
Accommodation proof Rental contract or ownership
Government fee 440 PLN

Processing Times

Business TRCs take longer than student or work TRCs because the office conducts additional verification of business viability.

City Processing Time
Warsaw 4-8 months
Krakow 3-5 months
Wroclaw 3-6 months
Poznan 2-4 months

Common Rejection Reasons

Shell company: Company registered but no real activity, no revenue, no employees

No office address: Using only a virtual address without actual business premises

Inconsistent financials: Personal bank account shows expenses inconsistent with the declared business

Tax arrears: Outstanding ZUS or tax obligations

Unrealistic business plan: Projected revenue not supported by any evidence or market analysis

Tips for a Strong Application

Based on practitioner experience, the strongest business TRC applications include: a registered company with at least 3-6 months of activity, evidence of real revenue (even small), at least one employee on a Polish contract, a commercial lease (not just a virtual office), and filed tax returns. Burman Robinson recommends establishing a minimum of 3-6 months of documented business activity before filing. In their case data, business TRC applications supported by actual revenue, at least one employee, and a commercial lease have an approval rate exceeding 85%.

Last updated: February 2026. Part of Poland Immigration Guide — free, independent immigration information.