Poland: The benefits of operating in a special economic zone

International Tax Review is part of Legal Benchmarking Limited, 1-2 Paris Garden, London, SE1 8ND

Copyright © Legal Benchmarking Limited and its affiliated companies 2026

Accessibility | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Modern Slavery Statement


Poland: The benefits of operating in a special economic zone

intl-updates-small.jpg
dziedzic.jpg

Monika Dziedzic

Until 2027, most of businesses operating in Polish special economic zones (SEZs) may be exempt from profits tax and real estate tax. There are 14 SEZs located all around Poland, but the SEZ status may be also given to nearly any appointed location.

The level of profits tax exemption is a consequence of either qualifying investment costs or new employment.

The exemption equals from 15% to 50% of investment costs (depending on the location of the SEZ – higher level is in more rural areas), or from 15% to 50% of two-year labour costs of newly employed workers. For small and medium-sized enterprises the investment aid may be increased by 20% and 10%, respectively.

The prime condition to do business in the SEZ is to obtain a special SEZ permit, which defines among others allowed scope of business, minimum investment and/or minimum employment.

Qualifying investment cost is the expenditure incurred after obtaining the SEZ permit for mainly fixed assets (including land), development or modernisation of existing fixed assets or purchase of intangible assets related to the transfer of technology through the acquisition of patent rights, licenses, know-how or non-patented technical knowledge. Rent cost and finance leasing may also qualify as expenditure giving the title to the tax exemption.

The exemption applies only to profits from business defined in the SEZ permit.

The loss incurred from business activity in the SEZ cannot be carried forward.

Disposal of qualifying fixed asset within five years from completion will result with in the loss of the right to tax exemptions.

In 2017, there are approximately 1,700 businesses operating in SEZs in Poland including multinationals, as well as local large and small entrepreneurs.

Monika Dziedzic (monika.dziedzic@mddp.pl)

MDDP

Tel: +48 22 322 68 88

Website: www.mddp.pl

more across site & shared bottom lb ros

More from across our site

Ex-EY and Hourani & Partners leader Zain Satardien is using flexible staffing and AI-enabled systems to test a leaner model for specialist legal and tax advice
The big four firm is rightfully prioritising transparency and accountability as it seeks to rebuild from its scandal, but a glaring structural issue remains
A recent hiring flurry has taken the firm’s number of partner appointments this year to 121 and put it on track to hit 160 partner target early
The move brings specialist tax and litigation capability to EY as it seeks to close the gap on Baker McKenzie and Venezuela’s leading local firms
The industry’s response to AI requires an unfamiliar ingredient as firms battle to shape their futures
The ambitious big four challenger firm has also appointed ex-RSM partner Brad Ashton to build out its customs and global trade practice
The big four firm allegedly reviewed backdated documents and signed off on accounts that removed hundreds of millions of dollars of Abramovich’s assets
New Tier 1 entrants and an expanding cohort of established players indicate that law firms are becoming increasingly credible challengers in Europe's TP market
Awards
Leading firms and individuals gathered in Dubai to celebrate standout legal, dealmaking and tax work across the region
Tax authorities want more revenue, have better tools to find it and are increasingly willing to fight for it
Gift this article