Creating your own business is a great opportunity for self-realization, financial independence and career growth. It is probably the cherished dream of any modern person. According to GUS data, in 2024 there will be more than 2.6 million active business entities registered in the country. Moreover, businesses are being actively opened not only by citizens of the Republic of Poland, but also by migrants from neighboring countries.
Instead of opening a physical store, more and more entrepreneurs are choosing online commerce: lower costs, wider coverage, easier to scale. However, here an important question arises - is it necessary to register a business to launch an online store? If yes, what form should you choose? In this article we will look in detail at what forms of business exist, whether it is possible to do without registration, and how to properly formalize entrepreneurial activity in Poland.
Real examples of marketplaces and stores
The best solution is to look at real success stories. Almost everyone has heard of big platforms such as Amazon and Ebay. Poland also has its analogs - for example, Allegro. This is the most relevant option if you are going to work inside Poland. Moreover, most likely you have even used them before. These are all large marketplaces that provide the opportunity to sell and buy goods on the site. That is why most stores place their entire catalog on the above mentioned marketplaces. However, individuals cannot place their goods there, you must act as an online store. In other words, you must have an open sole proprietorship at least.
The second option - you want to create your own online store without being tied to marketplaces or partially sell there.. You definitely can’t do without registering a company. Why is it so? At least, the online store must have a payment feature. You must integrate a payment system and add bank accounts. This can only be realized if you have a registered firm. For example, one of the most common options for accepting payments in online stores is called Stripe. It has all the solutions for your online store, you don't need to be an it specialist, it's really simple. That service provides a good experience for entrepreneurs and allows you to accept payments with most cards, including Apple Pay, invoicing and subsequent integrations with CRM if needed.
What other useful and interesting facts are there? Stores (including online) are always about financial accounting and bookkeeping. Most entrepreneurs hire outsourced accountants. However, things can be much simpler. For example, Stripe allows integration with online accounting, it even has its own partners in Poland in 2025. As an example, we can mention InFakt, a well-known solution among entrepreneurs.
Main forms of business activity
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So, we suggest you first familiarize yourself with the most common forms of doing business in Poland. Generally, small business owners choose sole proprietorships, while larger companies prefer LLCs. Each of them has its own peculiarities and nuances:
IE (jednoosobowa działalność gospodarcza). This is the simplest and fastest form of registration, available to both Polish citizens and foreigners with the appropriate documents. It is suitable for startups: low costs, simplified accounting, VAT-free operation is possible in case of low turnover.
LLC (spółka z o.o.). This is a good choice for a scalable project or business with partners. It has a more complex structure, mandatory accounting and start-up capital (minimum 5000 PLN), but it protects personal property.
Business incubator. This is a conditional intermediary between end customers and the company. Such a business does not require separate registration and generates net income. Learn more details about running a business in Poland through a business incubator here.
What to choose? If you are just starting out and are planning a small online store, it is best to start with a sole proprietorship. It is faster, cheaper and easier to manage. However, if you have a high turnover or a partnership business, you should think about setting up an LLC.
Is it possible to conduct entrepreneurial activity without registration?
In fact, in Poland it is possible to legally run an entrepreneurial activity without registering your business. This is called Działalalność nierejestrowa, when you can try yourself as an entrepreneur without any risks, paying taxes, etc. To take advantage of this option, you need to meet the following requirements:
The income from the business must not exceed 75% of the minimum monthly wage (in 2025 it is about 3181.50 PLN).
The entrepreneur has not been engaged in business for the last 60 months.
The activity does not require licenses or permits.
This format can be convenient for a startup - you can set up a small store and test the market. Do you want to know more about doing business in Poland without registration? Read our article here!
How to register a business in Poland for an online store?
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Registering a business for an online store in Poland is a fairly straightforward process and does not require a significant amount of time, especially when it comes to individual entrepreneurship. The first step is to choose the legal form of organization. For online trading, jednoosobowa działalność gospodarcza, i.e. sole proprietorship, is most often used, as it is easier to formalize and manage. If for some reason, you can't open a jednosobówka, then head to one of the incubators.
Newbie stores on marketplaces may never get into the top. Therefore, always take option B, so that it is easier and cheaper to stop your online business for further restart. As practice shows, many people either buy warmed accounts, or put on pause and with new prudence to start again. Be nimble in the beginning.
After choosing the form, it is necessary to apply for registration. This can be done online through the CEIDG (Central Register and Information on Entrepreneurial Activities) website, using an electronic signature or zaufany profile. The application includes basic data: personal information, business address, intended type of activity according to the PKD code, and the choice of taxation form.
When the application is accepted, the entrepreneur is automatically assigned a NIP (tax identification number) and REGON (business unit registration number). Further it is necessary to open a bank account in the name of the business, especially if it is supposed to work with legal entities, as well as to register in the social insurance system ZUS. This is mandatory even if there are no employees, because the entrepreneur is obliged to pay contributions to his insurance. We told you more about opening a sole proprietorship in Poland in our article.
Where to get professional assistance?
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As you may have already realized, you can open an online store in Poland today even without officially registering a sole proprietorship or a company. However, in this case you are limited in your potential income. If you expect to earn more, then you will definitely need to officially register a company. Most often, eCommerce business owners in Poland choose a business form such as Jednoosobowa działalność gospodarcza (JDG). However, you can also choose another option including Spółka z ograniczoną odpowiedzialnością.
Usually, the process of registering a sole proprietorship and LLC in Poland raises many questions and hassles for newcomers. Is there a solution? Yes, you can turn to experienced aksis agents for official registration of any form of business activity in Poland. We have more than five years of experience in migration and legal processes. We provide a personalized approach to each client and full support at every stage. Contact us in any convenient way for a free consultation!
