“Delivered from Poland” Report – Poland Remains Attractive for Business Services Sector Investment

Poland is consistently solidifying its position on the global map of business services sector investments. Stable economic foundations, access to qualified specialists, and a well-developed system of financial and tax incentives mean that the country enjoys unwavering investor interest. These conclusions come from the latest “Delivered from Poland” report (visit the report page and download a free copy), which was prepared by experts from ALTO, JLL Poland, Hays Poland, and the Polish Investment and Trade Agency.

In 2025, Poland maintains its status as one of the major economic powers in the European Union, ranking sixth in terms of size, just behind Germany, Italy, France, Spain, and the Netherlands. On the 21st anniversary of joining EU structures, the latest analyses indicate that GDP per capita is currently 40% higher than it would have been without membership in the Community. The scale of economic transformation since 2004 is best illustrated by the fact that Polish GDP has tripled over the past two decades. Active participation in EU economic and social structures continuously strengthens Poland’s position in Europe and globally, cementing its role as a leader in the Central and Eastern European region. In recent years, the Polish economy has been developing at a stable pace, and the country’s key assets include well-educated workers, a mature and innovative economy with a high degree of digitalization, and a favorable system of investment incentives.

“Macroeconomic benefits, the country’s political position, and stability are key factors in making investment decisions. However, ultimately it is people who determine the success of a given venture. Polish specialists are known for their excellent language skills, adaptability to new technologies, and innovative thinking. Years of close cooperation with Western companies have allowed them to deeply understand international business practices and management standards,” says Radosław Pituch, Manager in the Investment Department, PAIH.

Inflation Under Control and Stable Labor Market

Recent years have brought significant change in consumer price dynamics. After a period of high inflation in 2022, reaching 17-18% caused by the war in Ukraine and turbulence in the energy market, in 2023 this indicator fell from 16% in January to 6% in December. 2024 brought further stabilization at 3.5-4.5%, approaching the NBP inflation target. In July 2025, the situation remains stable, which for investors is a signal of predictability. Poland also maintains a relatively low unemployment rate, which in the first four months of 2025 ranged from 5.4% to 5.2%. The availability of highly qualified personnel remains one of the main magnets for foreign investors, and the labor market is additionally strengthened by an influx of nearly one million foreign workers, mainly from Ukraine, Belarus, and Central Asia. A key investment advantage of Poland in the business services sector is the wide pool of diverse talents. As the most populous country in the CEE region and fifth in the EU, Poland offers a significant demographic advantage. Approximately 35% of the population has higher education, and 63% of Poles are of working age. About 1.2 million students study in the country, with 25% in engineering fields. Poland also ranks high in the EU in terms of the number of STEM graduates and is a leader in terms of the share of women in these fields.

“Investors who have trusted Poland and opened their shared service centers here often decide to expand their operations, for example by adding production facilities or R&D centers. Increasingly, they are also transferring positions with international responsibility to Polish centers. Although the number of job offers for less experienced workers in the local business services sector is declining, demand for experts continues to grow. These factors perfectly illustrate the ongoing evolution of Poland’s image – from a market competing for investors with low costs to a strategic location for advanced and highly specialized projects,” says Łukasz Grzeszczyk, Executive Director CEE, Investors Consulting & Talent Location Strategy, Hays Poland.

Urban Centers as Drivers of Expansion

The dynamic development of the business services sector has become permanently embedded in the country’s economic landscape. According to ABSL data, 55 new centers were established in 2024, and in the first quarter of 2025, another 6 opened, creating approximately 5,400 new jobs. Although Warsaw and Krakow remain the most mature locations, the sector is also thriving in other agglomerations, each with unique investment advantages.

Polish Business Services Sector in Numbers:

• Over 2,000 BPO, SSC/GBS, IT, and R&D business service centers operating throughout the country in 2025 (over 1,800 in 2024)
• $42.3 billion in knowledge-based business services export value in 2024 ($36.8 billion in 2023)
• Employment in the sector – over 480,000 jobs
• The sector’s estimated share of Poland’s GDP in 2025 will be 5.7% (5.3% in 2024)
• 61 business service centers began operations from the beginning of 2024 to the end of Q1 2025
• Nine locations where business service centers operate employ over 10,000 people
• Two cities where employment in this sector exceeds 100,000 people: Warsaw and Krakow
• 19.6% – share of foreigners employed in the sector
• 58.6% – share of work requiring high levels of knowledge in sector centers at the end of Q1 2024

The Role of Investment Incentives

The system of investment incentives plays an increasingly important role in decision-making processes regarding the location of new projects, allowing for significant reduction of initial costs and supporting long-term profitability.

“Only a small percentage of investors fully utilize the available opportunities to support their investment plans. This results from a combination of factors: first, lack of comprehensive information about available incentives; second, the complexity of application procedures; and third, time constraints rarely aligned with investment timelines. However, it should be emphasized that failure to use investment incentives can directly affect companies’ competitiveness and their development dynamics. In this context, the Polish incentive system is considered relatively attractive for several reasons. The level of permissible state aid in Poland is among the highest in European Union countries. For example, large enterprises can count on support reaching up to 50% of eligible investment costs. Moreover, the Polish incentive system offers various instruments, so every investor can find the most suitable form of support. Importantly, companies can also count on clear application procedures and institutional support,” comments Iwona Chojnowska-Haponik, Business Location Consulting Director, JLL.

One of the most frequently used instruments is the R&D tax relief, with Poland offering some of the most competitive incentives for R&D activities among OECD countries.

“The development of highly competitive tax incentives combined with rapidly developing electronic administration demonstrates Poland’s commitment to creating an investor-friendly business environment. Companies from the BSS sector find in our country not only a cost-effective operational base but also an increasingly predictable and cooperation-friendly tax system. A key role is played by the dynamically advancing digitalization of settlements, a flagship example of which is the currently implemented National e-Invoice System,” states Tobiasz Dolny, tax advisor and partner at ALTO.

Transformation in the Office Market

The last decade in the Polish office real estate market has been marked by dynamic growth, driven by the influx of international corporations. Between 2015 and 2025, total office resources in the country grew from 7.1 million sqm to over 13 million sqm. Regional cities particularly benefited from this, where the business services sector now accounts for over 60% of demand. Recent years, however, have brought a significant change in how office space is used. The introduction of hybrid work models has prompted many tenants to transform their workspaces. There is a strong emphasis on space optimization and adapting it to new needs. As a result, the number of lease extensions has increased, and with limited new demand and high vacancy rates in some cities, developers are holding back on new projects. This in turn leads to growing competition for the highest quality offices in the best locations, especially in Warsaw and Krakow.

“Due to lower supply of new office developments over the next 2-3 years and concentration of available space in less attractive buildings and locations, competition for the best offices will continue to intensify. Companies must carefully define their expectations for the space they seek and actively search for it. The most sought-after will be projects located in central business districts, buildings with high ESG standards and environmental certifications, as well as ‘destination workplaces’ that can help attract and retain top talent,” says Karol Patynowski, Head of Regional Markets Office Leasing, JLL.