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Travel Advisory: Doing Business in Poland

If you’re considering investing or operating a business in Poland, it’s essential to be aware of the key points that can impact your operations. This travel advisory provides an overview of the labor laws, business environment, human trafficking and labor exploitation, bribery and corruption, terrorism, protective security/organized crime, and intellectual property rights in Poland.

Labour Laws

Poland has a relatively high level of labour protection, with employees allowed to strike under specific conditions. Trade unions are legal and recognized.

  • Labour Protection: Poland’s labor laws prioritize employee rights, including the right to strike.
  • Trade Unions: Recognized trade unions play an essential role in negotiating labor agreements.
  • Strikes: Employees can only strike under specific conditions, as outlined by Polish law.

Business Environment

The Polish Investment and Trade Agency provides valuable information on doing business in Poland, including economic statistics and trends. Foreign trade details and inter-EU trade data are also available.

  • Polish Investment and Trade Agency: A one-stop-shop for information on doing business in Poland.
  • Economic Statistics: Access to up-to-date economic data and trends.
  • Foreign Trade Details: Information on foreign trade, including inter-EU trade data.

Human Trafficking and Labour Exploitation

Poland is a Tier 2 country in the TIP report, meaning it does not fully comply with minimum standards but makes significant efforts to achieve compliance. A National Action Plan has been published to combat human trafficking and labor exploitation.

  • TIP Report: Poland’s ranking as a Tier 2 country.
  • National Action Plan: Measures taken to combat human trafficking and labor exploitation.
  • Source Country: Poland is a source country for revealed victims of labor exploitation in the UK.

Bribery and Corruption

Bribery is illegal in Poland, and British nationals or companies are subject to UK laws on bribery. The Polish Anti-Corruption Bureau has been established to tackle corruption.

  • Bribery Laws: Poland’s laws prohibiting bribery.
  • UK Bribery Act: Relevant laws for British nationals and companies operating in Poland.
  • Anti-Corruption Bureau: Efforts to combat corruption in Poland.

Terrorism

Attacks in Poland cannot be ruled out, and the UK Counter Terrorism Policing provides information and advice on staying safe abroad. A high threat of terrorist attack exists globally affecting UK interests and British nationals.

  • Terrorism Threat: Potential for attacks in Poland.
  • UK Counter Terrorism Policing: Information and advice on staying safe abroad.
  • Global Threat: The high threat of terrorist attack globally.

Protective Security / Organised Crime

Most visitors to Poland experience no difficulties, but caution should be taken in securing premises where goods of value are stored. Levels of organized crime in Poland remain low, but corruption, fraud, and theft do exist.

  • Protective Security: Measures to secure premises with valuable goods.
  • Organized Crime: Low levels of organized crime in Poland, but other crimes still occur.
  • Corruption: Efforts to combat corruption in Poland.

Intellectual Property

Poland adheres to EU laws regarding copyright and intellectual property. The local branches of international watchdogs monitor breaches that may occur.

  • Intellectual Property Laws: Relevant laws for protecting IP rights in Poland.
  • EU Copyright Law: Adherence to EU laws on copyright and IP.
  • Watchdog Organizations: Monitoring of potential breaches of IP rights.

For further information, please visit the following resources:

  • Department for Business and Trade (DBT) team in the British Embassy Warsaw
  • British Embassy Warsaw on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.