HOW DO I REGISTER MY BUSINESS NAME IN POLAND?

I am currently in the process of setting up a fast food business and I have to register the
company name, I understand its a SP ZOO or something like this but where can I get this from and how much roughly does it cost.

Also I have another question, which bank is best for a joint business account I have looked at MBANK and BGZ and they both look quite good but I thought you guys might know of others which might be better.

If you want to set up an sp. z o.o. (limited liability company) then you need to front a 50 000 PLN security deposit. It is not a straight forward process - you will need to draw up court papers etc.. and this all costs money. I expect you will need the help of an accountant and possibly solicitor. I have heard it can take a couple of months too.

Setting up as a self-employed person or partnership is much much simpler and cheaper (and no deposit) but I guess you are after an sp. z o.o. as that is what you asked about.

There is no need to get sp zoo a simole dzialnosc will suffice, and to get that couldnt be easier.

Depends on what his needs are, which we don't know. Possibly this business needs to be a seperate legal entity. Also I am not sure if he can trademark a brand name country wide with just a simple działalność.

Maybe I can get a dzialnosc and while I am setting it all up I can apply for the SP ZOO which will enable expansion what do you think?

Also I asked a friend of mine and he said it might be best to just register the business name which will give me a tax number etc and then this will enable me to open a business account also, im still unsure whats best.

Here is how you set up a regular self-employed działalność: britishinpoland.com/blog/2008/09/opening-a-company-in-poland/

I recommend you see an accountant or someone qualified to advise you. No point setting up and having to pay for something you don't need, or pay to change it later.

To the original poster:

I'm not being funny, but you seem to have a lot of questions about some very basic things such as setting up a company and what permits/etc are needed. Do you really have the knowledge to succeed in Poland, particularly as the business culture here is quite different to the English speaking world?

I would put the business on hold for 6 months and research, research, research.

Hello Delphiandomine,

Have you ever heard a saying, ''He who acts last only ever has holes in his pockets''.

Well its the case that I have been so concentrated on getting everything in terms of products, equipment, insurances and a whole list of other things that I have only just got around to all of the legalaties.

I have done a lot of research and I now know what has to be obtained and from where I need to obtain these vital things.

But thankyou for all of your advice it was very helpfull.

This has just been (or is about to be) reduced to 5000PLN - hurrah!

But Ben is right - setting up a sp. z o.o. requires you to sign various documents in front of a notary, and then your accountant can help you with registering the company with the court, obtaining the various tax numbers, VAT registration and monthly accounts etc.

MILLENIUM BANK the best one. MBANK will do. but you know, to visit Polish Office you have to prepare your mental, but maybe you are Lucky later, will meet nice people and really know what they are doing. But maybe you will meet a people who have LITTLE power and they will make you alot of trouble(without sense), but this is because they don't really know what they are doing.DON'T FORGET TO DOUBLE CHECK, ANY INFORMATION YOU GET..! anyway Good Luck!!!!!

inkrakow and everyone here,
Effective Feb 1 2009, foreigner's are not allowed to register their own companies,
Is this true?
Please post the website where I could read all this information..

thanks!

No it's not true. Effective Feb 1, 2009 foreigners can only register limited liability company, joint stock company etc. Untill then they could open a single person economic enterpise.

So sleep well, You can still do business in Poland, just more paperwork...

Regards.

Foreigners as in non-EU, right?

I hope they aren't operating retroactively. That'd mean that they could retract what I have.

I wouldn't be so sure, delphi. It may mean non-Poles though I'd have to check.

I'd be willing to bet that this is just them closing the loophole where non-EU citizens can register a company and end up legally staying on this basis more than anything else.

I agree, it is a protective measure. Yet another instance of socialist control. It does have broader-ranging ramifications for many than most presume. Some elements of the EU are a bureaucratic blessing for them.

To be honest though, if it is just closing the door to non-EU citizens getting in without a work permit, I'm not too fussed. Less competition and all that ;)