Business News from Poland April 2026 | Monthly Newsletter

Shelters conference by YIT, Warsaw, 16 April 2026. Photo by Anna Golińczak (Spondeo)

In this issue of Business News from Poland April 2026: Economic Update and Forecasts for 2026 | Brief Business News in Manufacturing, IT, Science, Logistics, Retail & FMCG | Energy Market Insights | Housing & Construction | Defense Sector Update | Finnish Companies Spotlight | Politics & Society | News from Ukraine | Events & Fairs

Economic indicators

Poland gained 42% higher GDP per capita thanks to EU membership

According to the Polish Economic Institute (PIE), Poland’s GDP per capita in 2024 was approximately 42% higher thanks to its membership in the European Union. The estimate is based on a counterfactual model comparing Poland’s actual development with a hypothetical scenario in which the country had never joined the EU. In that scenario, Poland’s real GDP would be around 30% lower and equivalent to the level recorded in 2015. The gains from EU membership range from 22% in the most pessimistic scenario to 61% in the most optimistic, with 42% as the average estimate. Source, Source

World Bank cuts Poland’s GDP growth forecast

The World Bank has slightly lowered its growth outlook for Poland, pointing to a more challenging economic environment. GDP growth for 2026 is now expected at 3.1% (down from 3.2%), and for 2027 at 2.6% (down from 2.9%). The revision reflects broader pressures affecting Central and Eastern Europe, including global trade uncertainty and slower recovery in the EU. Geopolitical tensions, particularly in the Middle East, are also adding to economic risks. Despite this, Poland remains one of the stronger performers in the region, supported by public investment and EU funds, which are expected to partly offset weaker consumption. Overall, the outlook suggests continued growth - but at a slightly slower pace than previously expected. To notice, World Bank's forecast is lower than consensus.  Source

Polish inflation above EU average 2.8% in March 2026

According to the latest Eurostat data released on 16 April 2026, annual inflation in the euro area increased to 2.6% in March 2026, up from 1.9% in February. Inflation in the European Union as a whole rose to 2.8% in March, compared to 2.1% in the previous month.

• The lowest inflation rates were recorded in Denmark (1.0%), Czechia, Cyprus, and Sweden (all at 1.5%).

• The highest rates were seen in Romania (9.0%), Croatia (4.6%), and Lithuania (4.4%).

Source

Poland’s foreign trade had slight declines at the start of 2026

Exports in euros amounted to EUR 58.7 billion, while imports reached EUR 58.8 billion (compared to January-February 2025, exports decreased by 0.9% and imports by 1.8%).

The trade balance was negative at EUR -0.1 billion (compared to a also negative balance of EUR -0.6 billion a year earlier). Source

Rising labour costs across the EU in 2025

Labour costs across the European Union continued to increase in 2025, highlighting ongoing pressure on businesses and labour markets. According to Eurostat, average hourly labour costs reached €34.9 in the EU and €38.2 in the euro area, marking annual increases of 4.1% and 3.8% respectively.

There are still major differences between countries. The lowest labour costs were recorded in Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary, while the highest were in Luxembourg, Denmark and the Netherlands.The rise is driven by both wages and non-wage costs such as employers’ social contributions, which account for about a quarter of total labour costs on average in the EU.

Overall, the data shows a continued upward trend in labour costs across Europe, with particularly strong growth in Central and Eastern European countries, including Poland.

Source

Layoffs on the rise in Poland: Construction and manufacturing under pressure

Companies in Poland are increasingly planning layoffs, particularly in the construction and manufacturing sectors. The slowdown in demand, rising costs, and ongoing economic uncertainty are pushing businesses to reduce employment.

Construction firms are affected by weaker investment activity and fewer new projects, while manufacturing companies face declining orders, especially from abroad. As a result, more employers are considering workforce reductions or have already begun the process.

At the same time, the labor market remains mixed - while some sectors are cutting jobs, others still report shortages of skilled workers. Overall, the outlook suggests a more cautious approach from companies in the coming months, with employment adjustments likely to continue.

Source

Poland and Romania have the biggest budget deficits in the EU

New EU data shows that in 2024  Romania had a budget deficit of 9.3% of GDP, the biggest in the EU. Poland was second at 6.5%. The EU rule says countries should not go above 3%, so both countries are breaking it by a lot. Germany stayed just under 3% and followed the rules. Poland also added the most new debt in the EU in 2024. Both Poland and Romania must now fix their finances under EU supervision. Source, Source

Polish industrial output surges 9.4% YoY in March 2026 as German industry stagnates

Polish industrial output rose 9.4% year-on-year in March 2026 - nearly double market expectations of 4.2% and the strongest reading since the post-pandemic reopening in 2022 - according to GUS (Polish Central Statistical Office, 🇵🇱 PL). Growth was broad-based across 28 of 34 industrial sectors, led by transport equipment (+19.5%) and machinery repair (+35.3%). The result stands in sharp contrast to Germany, where almost all industrial segments continued to decline - with only pharmaceuticals and computer production posting growth. Poland is increasingly absorbing production capacity migrating from its western neighbor. Source, Source, Source, Source

PRODUCTION & MANUFACTURING

Polmlek (dairy & food group, 🇵🇱) - Fortuna, part of the Polmlek Group, completed the purchase of the Kampol-Fruit processing plant in Milejów (Lublin region) for ~14 mln EUR. A second Kampol-Fruit plant in Ryky received no bids. Source

Maspex (food & beverages, 🇵🇱) and Purcari Wineries (part of Maspex Group) signed a deal to acquire Romanian winemaker 🇷🇴 SERVE Ceptura SRL, adding ~60 ha of vineyards and capacity for 500,000 bottles annually. SERVE Ceptura, founded in 1994, was the first private winery established in Romania after the transition and holds an established international brand presence. Source, Source 

Grupa Atlas (building chemicals manufacturing, 🇵🇱 PL) - Poland's largest building chemicals producer is launching investments to build three new factories. One confirmed project is an expansion of the Dąbrowa Górnicza plant worth ~31 mln EUR, backed by the Katowice Special Economic Zone. The new facility will focus on polymer-dispersion products. Source

Sushi & Food Factor (fresh food production, 🇵🇱 - acquired by 🇯🇵) - Japanese giant Zensho Holdings (via UK subsidiary Wonderfield Group) filed with Poland's UOKiK in late March 2026 to take over Sushi & Food Factor, a Polish ultra-fresh sushi producer based near Poznań. Source

PsiBufet (fresh dog food subscription, 🇵🇱) and Butternut Box (fresh pet food, 🇬🇧 GB) opened "Sam's Kitchen" in Zabrze on 20 April 2026 - Europe's largest fresh dog food factory, covering 40,000 square meters in CTPark Zabrze within the Katowice Special Economic Zone. Source

SuperDrob / LipCo Foods / CPF (poultry & multifood, 🇵🇱 / 🇹🇭) filed with UOKiK to create a new joint venture under LipCo Foods International. The new entity will handle administrative functions and seek to acquire food sector companies across Europe and globally. Source

Cukiernia Sowa (Polish family-owned confectionery chain, founded 1946, Zgorzelec, 🇵🇱 PL) is combining steady financial growth with an ambitious store network modernization strategy - refreshing interiors, introducing new product lines and improving cafe-style formats. Source

After nearly two years of integration, Beko (home appliances manufacturing, 🇹🇷 TR / 🇺🇸 US - 75% Arçelik, 25% Whirlpool) and European Appliances Poland (former Whirlpool) merged into a single legal entity in Poland as of 1st of April 2026, creating a fully unified operating model covering production, R&D, sales, and service. Source

Grupa Kęty (aluminum extrusions & flexible packaging, 🇵🇱 ) - The listed aluminum group is preparing for acquisitions, with up to ~460 mln EUR in available firepower. Source, Source

Mo-Bruk (hazardous waste processing, 🇵🇱) is leading consortium that has signed a contract with Zgierz municipality for the removal of hazardous waste linked to the former "Boruta" dye factory site - one of Poland's most significant environmental contamination cases. Mo-Bruk has secured ~150 mln PLN (~35 mln EUR) in waste-removal contracts for 2026, representing about 50% of its entire 2025 turnover. Source

Pratt & Whitney (aircraft engine manufacturer, part of RTX Corporation, 🇺🇸 US) is building a new production facility in Rzeszów, southern Poland, investing more than 500 thousand EUR. The plant will manufacture advanced components for commercial and military aircraft engines. Source

Great Wall Motor (GWM, Chinese SUV and EV manufacturer, 🇨🇳 CN) is entering Poland, launching vehicle sales and building a dealership and service network with Astana group. Source

IT, INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION

NASK institute, acting on behalf of the Ministry of Digitization, filed a criminal complaint against bidder Galaxy Systemy Informatyczne (IT procurement, public sector, 🇵🇱 ) in the country's largest-ever public IT tender - a ~431 mln EUR contract for 12,000 AI lab sets for schools. NASK can now proceed to sign contracts with four suppliers for 192,000 laptops and 12,000 desktop PCs destined for school computer labs. After Galaxy company withdrew its appeal to the National Appeals Chamber (KIO). The tender had been blocked for months. Source, Source

Smartschool (AI edtech, 🇵🇱  - US-based) - The Polish-founded AI tutoring startup closed a $3 mln (~2.8 mln EUR) seed round backed by co-founders of ElevenLabs, Snowflake, and Booksy, as well as funds including Inovo.vc and a16z. Source

Vectra (telecom infrastructure, 🇵🇱 ) raised ~693 mln EUR in long-term debt financing from a consortium of six banks led by Bank Pekao, which contributed ~231 mln EUR, the largest single share. Source, Source

Data4 (data centers, 🇫🇷 )  launched its second data center at its Jawczyce campus near Warsaw, with 10 MW of IT capacity. The company has invested 200 milllion EUR in Poland to date and plans to triple that to 600 milllion EUR by 2030. Source, Source

A planned 3 billion EUR AI-ready data center project in Konin (Wielkopolska) is expected to receive its building permit in April 2026. The facility targets over 260 MW of IT capacity, making it one of the largest such projects in the region. Source, Source

CGI (IT consulting, 🇨🇦) completed its acquisition of Comarch Polska (public sector IT, 🇵🇱 ) in January 2026, adding 460 specialists and expanding its Poland and Baltic headcount to over 1500. Now it has finalized the CGI targets double-digit organic growth in the Polish public sector and is actively considering further acquisitions. Source

Sovereign AI Holdings Poland (AI infrastructure, part of British Sovereign AI technology group, 🇬🇧 GB), advised by BearLake Group (investment advisory, 🇵🇱 PL), is seeking ~238 million EUR from Polish investors to finance its planned AI factory - a large-scale GPU compute facility. Construction is planned to start in Q1 2027. Source

PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC, TECHNICAL, FINANCIAL AND OTHER SERVICES

XTB (online brokerage, 🇵🇱 ) - XTB launched options trading for clients in Spain and Germany at the end of Q1 2026, offering access to American-style options on 110 popular US stocks and ETFs, including 0DTE contracts. Source, Source, Source

Zurich Insurance Group (corporate insurance, 🇨🇭) is entering the Polish corporate insurance market as a branch of Zurich Austria, headquartered in Warsaw, targeting both local companies and international corporations. The branch will be led by Rafał Tokarz, a manager with nearly 30 years of experience from Warta and Generali, and will work closely with Polish brokers as an insurer, co-insurer, and reinsurer. Source, Source, Source

PragmaGo (SME fintech, 🇵🇱) - After Romania and Spain, Polish fintech PragmaGo is entering Croatia - its fourth international market - offering embedded lending for local SMEs via its PragmaCash Merchant Cash Advance product. Source

Santander Bank Polska (🇪🇸 ES, third-largest bank in Poland by assets) completed its rebranding to Erste Bank Polska on 24-26 April 2026, following the acquisition of Santander's Polish operations by Erste Group (🇦🇹 AT). Source

Polish company Widmo has developed an advanced ground-penetrating radar capable of scanning over 40 meters below the surface, significantly deeper than typical systems while maintaining high resolution. Despite this technological breakthrough, the company is currently focusing its work in Japan, where there is greater demand and support for such solutions than in Poland. Source, Source

On 20 April, a major outage in Poland caused widespread problems with card and mobile payments, affecting Visa, Mastercard and BLIK users across the country. The disruption was linked to a failure in the Polcard payment terminal system, leading to rejected or failed transactions in shops and some online services. Source

All members of the supervisory board of BB Trade Estonia, operator of the Polish cryptocurrency exchange Zondacrypto, resigned amid a deepening crisis. They cited serious concerns about transparency. Source, Source, Source

TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS

RegioJet (passenger rail, 🇨🇿 CZ) - Czech carrier is exiting the Polish market, ending domestic services on the Krakow-Warsaw-Gdynia and Poznan-Warsaw routes from 3 May 2026. Passengers will receive full refunds and a 100 PLN (~23 EUR) compensation. International routes to Prague will continue. RegioJet alleges PKP Intercity blocked its marketing on stations, denied it ticket sales points, and cut ticket prices by up to 70% in what it calls predatory pricing. PKP Intercity firmly denies any anticompetitive conduct. Source & Source

PKP Cargo (largest Polish freight rail operator, listed on WSE, 🇵🇱 PL) signed a letter of intent with Korean rail vehicle manufacturer, covering cooperation on a project to produce specialised rolling stock for defence logistics in Poland. Source

Three new stations on the western extension of Warsaw's Metro Line M2 - Karolin, Chrzanów and Lazurowa - are nearing completion, with track laying finished and first train runs imminent.  Source, Source 

Budimex (listed construction group, 🇵🇱 PL)  submitted the winning bid of around PLN 146 million (EUR 34 million) to build deep foundations for the passenger terminal under the Port Polska (CPK) project, beating five other offers. Source

March 2026 saw a record number of new truck registrations in Poland, with about 3,600 vehicles registered, up around 40% year-on-year, driven mainly by strong demand for tractor units. Source

Polish clothing group LPP is building a large, highly automated e-commerce warehouse in Tczew, designed to handle over 8 million items and process up to 400,000 products daily. Source

Panattoni is developing a built-to-suit (BTS) logistics facility of around 11,000 m² for InPost in Sosnowiec, tailored to the company’s operational needs. The modern cross-dock warehouse will feature advanced sorting technology and energy-efficient solutions, with completion and launch planned for later in 2026. Source

CPK (airport developer, 🇵🇱 PL) chose a consortium led by Hill International (project management, 🇺🇸 US) to oversee the construction of the new Port Polska airport, in a contract worth ~370 million EUR. Hill International will manage all contracts and supervise the build, with construction starting in late 2026 and the airport set to open in 2032. Source

ORLEN (energy, 🇵🇱 PL) has launched a pilot of parcel lockers powered by solar panels and energy storage, capable of operating for over seven months without a fixed electricity connection. The solution, already being tested in Warsaw, is intended to expand the network into locations without grid access and accelerate the growth of ORLEN’s parcel infrastructure. Source

Amazon (e-commerce and cloud technology, 🇺🇸 US) announced plans to invest over 23 billion PLN (~5.5 billion EUR) in Poland by the end of 2028. Source

RETAIL & FMCG

Polish retail sales up 8.7% YoY in March 2026 - highest growth in four years. Source, Source

Rex Concepts (QSR operator - Burger King & Popeyes, 🇱🇺) - Rex Concepts, master franchisee of Burger King and Popeyes in Poland, Czech Republic, and Romania, announced plans to IPO on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, targeting up to ~130 mln EUR in gross proceeds from new shares. Source

LPP (fashion retail, 🇵🇱 PL) opened the first physical Mohito store in Greece - a 570 sqm salon in Thessaloniki - where the brand has been available online since 2022. Further openings in Crete and the Peloponnese are planned for spring 2027.Source, Source

Biedronka’s (retail stores, PL) owner Jeronimo Martins Polska terminated its supply contract with Wawel (confectionery, 🇵🇱 PL) on 31 March 2026 with a three-month notice period. The contract accounted for nearly 20% of Wawel's annual revenues (~147 mln PLN / ~34 mln EUR). Source

Groupe Mousquetaires / Intermarché (grocery retail, 🇫🇷 FR) - The owner of Intermarché and Bricomarché is analyzing the potential acquisition of up to 500 Carrefour franchise locations in Poland. If completed, the group's store count would nearly double, fundamentally reshaping the Polish retail landscape. Carrefour in the meantime published Q1 sales results. Source, Source

Kaufland has introduced product and category labels written in the Silesian dialect alongside Polish in selected stores in the Silesia region, including Katowice and Knurów. The initiative is part of a campaign promoting the use of Silesian as a living regional language in everyday communication. Source

Burgermeister, the German burger chain, will open its second restaurant in Poland in Łódź, inside the Manufaktura shopping centre. The new venue is part of the brand’s rapid expansion in the country following its debut in Szczecin. Source

TrustMate (e-commerce review platform, 🇵🇱 PL) acquired Zaufane (consumer review platform, 🇵🇱 PL), pushing its market share above 50% of Polish online stores using external review software. Source

Power grid boom attracts new players to Poland’s construction market

Large-scale investments in electricity transmission infrastructure in Poland are increasingly drawing interest from construction companies, with new players looking to enter the segment. One example is Unibep, which is considering expansion into power transmission projects as part of its strategy to diversify its order portfolio. The company already holds a strong backlog and sees energy infrastructure as a promising growth area.

The sector is gaining momentum due to multi-billion investments planned in power grids, driven by energy transition needs and the modernization of infrastructure. These projects are seen as both an opportunity and a challenge, as they require specialized competencies and resources. 

The growing scale of transmission investments is reshaping the construction market, attracting new entrants and intensifying competition in a segment expected to expand significantly in the coming years. Source

129 million EUR from Recovery Fund to boost Poland’s energy IT systems

Poland’s transmission system operator Polskie Sieci Elektroenergetyczne (the sole operator of Poland’s high-voltage electricity transmission network) will receive around 0.5 billion PLN (129 million EUR) from the National Recovery Plan (KPO) to develop key IT systems in the energy sector. The funding will support major projects, including the Central Energy Market Information System (CSIRE) and systems for monitoring electricity quality, as well as upgrades to core grid management tools. Source

Harmony Link project advances with key environmental approvals

Poland’s transmission operator Polskie Sieci Elektroenergetyczne has secured environmental decisions for two new substations - Norki and Wigry - marking an important step in the strategic Harmony Link project, a second electricity interconnection between Poland and Lithuania. The project also includes a 100 km underground 220 kV cable line, expansion of the Ełk Bis substation, and modernization of existing infrastructure. It is designed to strengthen energy security in northeastern Poland and enhance cross-border stability in the region. Next steps include location permits and construction approvals, with building works planned to start around 2027–2028, and the first electricity flows expected by 2030.

Harmony Link is co-financed by the EU and will play a key role in integrating energy systems across the Baltic region. Source

Europe’s largest solar farm to be built in Poland

GOLDBECK SOLAR Polska has signed a major contract to deliver the Sidłowo-Kikowo-Dobrowo project, set to become the largest photovoltaic farm in Europe. Located in northwestern Poland, the project will reach a total capacity of 722 MWp, surpassing all existing solar installations on the continent. It will also be the first large-scale PV project in Poland directly connected to the 400 kV transmission grid operated by Polskie Sieci Elektroenergetyczne. The development includes three solar plants, high-voltage infrastructure, and full grid integration. GOLDBECK SOLAR Polska will act as the EPC contractor, overseeing the entire process from design to commissioning. Backed by partners including European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the project is part of a broader renewable platform exceeding 2 GW in Poland, marking a significant step in the country’s energy transition. Source

PGE selects contractor for Poland’s largest battery storage project

PGE Polska Grupa Energetyczna has chosen a consortium of two Polish firms - Spec Bau Polska and El Professional - to deliver its flagship Gryfino battery energy storage project, one of the largest of its kind in the country. The installation will have a capacity of up to 400 MW and 800 MWh, with a contract value of over PLN 1.1 billion (EUR 269 million). The project will be executed on a turnkey basis, covering design, construction, and commissioning, with launch planned for 2028. Source

Poland and Germany begin construction of cross-border renewable heating system

Poland and Germany have started building a joint district heating system linking the border cities of Zgorzelec and Görlitz. The project, called United Heat, will connect the two cities’ heating networks and fully switch to renewable energy sources such as biomass, solar thermal, and heat pumps. It is expected to be completed around 2030. The system will serve about 85,000 residents and includes a 25 MW biomass plant in Poland, along with infrastructure on both sides of the border. It aims to replace fossil fuels, improve energy security, and cut CO₂ emissions by around 50,000 tonnes per year. The EU is funding about half of the estimated EUR 190 million cost, with additional contributions from Germany and Poland. Source

Formosa Smart Energy moves European HQ from Germany to Łódź

Formosa Smart Energy (energy technology company, part of Formosa Group - one of Asia's largest industrial conglomerates, 🇹🇼 TW) relocated its European office from Germany to Łódź, Poland, establishing a joint venture with Polish Grupa SKB (energy engineering and construction, 🇵🇱 PL) under the name Formosa SKB Energy Solutions. The move positions Łódź as a new Central European hub for energy technology and signals growing Taiwanese industrial interest in Poland. Source, Source, Source

Poland cleared to launch EU's first hydrogen grid operator

Poland received regulatory clearance to establish the European Union's first dedicated hydrogen grid operator, according to Notes From Poland (🇵🇱 PL). The designation - a first for any EU member state - gives Poland a structural first-mover advantage as the EU builds out its hydrogen transmission infrastructure under REPowerEU. GAZ-SYSTEM (Polish gas transmission system operator) is expected to take on the hydrogen operator role, building on existing gas infrastructure and Baltic connectivity projects. Source

Erbud signs 226 million PLN cogeneration contract in Ostrów Wielkopolski

Erbud (construction and energy services group, listed on Warsaw Stock Exchange, 🇵🇱 PL) signed a contract to build gas cogeneration sources and adapt the electrical switchgear at Ostrowski Zakład Ciepłowniczy (district heating company, Ostrów Wielkopolski, 🇵🇱 PL). Contract value: 225.9 million PLN + 6.35 million EUR net. Additionally, Erbud will provide 10-year maintenance services for 142,950 PLN + 133,530 EUR per month from commissioning. Source

NFOŚiGW launches record 37 billion PLN green building and infrastructure programme

NFOŚiGW (Poland's National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management, 🇵🇱 PL) is launching a record 37 billion PLN (~8.8 billion EUR) financing programme for 2026, with a significant portion targeting thermal modernization of residential and public buildings alongside green infrastructure investments. The programme combines EU Modernisation Fund resources with national co-financing and is Poland's largest-ever single-year environmental investment commitment. Source, Source

Budimex excluded from two PSE high-voltage line tenders

Poland's National Appeals Chamber (KIO) ruled that PSE (Polish power transmission system operator, 🇵🇱 PL) must reject Budimex (listed construction group, 🇵🇱 PL) bids in two high-voltage line tenders worth 338 million PLN (~80 million EUR) - between Trębaczew-Wielopole and Dobrzeń-Ostrów - after competitors Aldesa and SPIE Energy Poland/Elfeko Gdańsk appealed. KIO found Budimex failed to disclose a 55 million PLN (~13 million EUR) damages claim by Warsaw water utility MPWiK, and that its self-cleaning procedure was insufficient as it never admitted wrongdoing in a prior cartel case. Source, Source

Poland dominated CEE investment real estate market in 2025 with 38% share

According to Cushman & Wakefield, Poland accounted for 38% of all real estate investment volume in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) in 2025. The total CEE investment market reached EUR 11.8 billion, up 34% compared to 2024 - the strongest result since 2019. Poland led the region with approximately EUR 4.5 billion in investments. Offices were the most popular sector, while warehouses and logistics also remained strong. Notably, 65% of the capital came from domestic investors. Source

Housing market in Poland heats up: demand rising, supply falling, prices accelerating

A report from RynekPierwotny shows that Poland’s housing market strengthened in Q1 2026, especially in major cities like Warsaw.

• Apartment sales rose 17% quarterly and 19% yearly, with Warsaw up nearly 33%.

• Developers cut new supply by 25% year-on-year, tightening availability.

• The number of available homes fell in most cities, especially in the cheapest segment.

• Prices increased, with Warsaw averaging +7% to 19,600 PLN/m².

• Experts say Warsaw is becoming a seller’s market, while other cities remain more balanced.

Rising demand and shrinking supply are pushing prices higher, particularly in the capital.

Source

House prices continue rising across the EU (Eurostat Q4 2025)

House prices in the euro area increased by 5.1% year-on-year in Q4 2025, while prices in the EU rose by 5.5%. This marks a continuation of steady growth, similar to the previous quarter. On a quarterly basis, prices also rose: +0.6% in the euro area and +0.8% in the EU compared with Q3 2025. Across member states, most countries saw annual price increases. The strongest growth was in Hungary (+21.2%), Portugal (+18.9%), and Croatia (+16.1%), while Finland (-3.1%) was the only country with a decline. Compared with the previous quarter, prices rose in most countries as well, led by Slovenia (+5.1%), Hungary (+4.2%), and Portugal (+4.0%), while small declines were recorded in France, Finland, and Estonia. Source

Access to land and mortgage registers in mObywatel will have some changes

mObywatel application is becoming a one-stop tool for property registry access, reducing paperwork and simplifying real estate administration in Poland. The mObywatel app is about to include access to land and mortgage registers (księgi wieczyste).

From late March 2026, users will be able to:

• Check and browse their property records directly in the app

• Order and download official documents such as excerpts, copies, and certificates of closed registers

• Use a simplified system that may work even without knowing the register number, relying on PESEL-based identification

• Pay for official documents directly in the app

The goal is to make access to property information faster and easier, without needing to visit courts or use separate government portals. The digital documents will have the same legal force as traditional court-issued versions. Source

First office building in Poland with a certified shelter under construction

A new office building is being developed in Poland that will include a fully certified civil shelter, officially approved by the military. This is the first project of its kind in the country. The building is being designed so that its underground levels can function as a protective shelter in emergency situations, meeting specific safety and construction standards required by the armed forces. The project reflects growing interest in integrating security infrastructure into modern commercial buildings, influenced by increased awareness of crisis preparedness in Europe. Developers and officials say the certification ensures the shelter can effectively protect people in case of extreme threats, while the rest of the building will function as a standard office space. Source

Poland brings in new rules for short-term rentals like Airbnb

Poland is drafting a new law to regulate short-term rentals such as Airbnb and Booking.com, with a deadline set by the EU for May 2026. All owners who rent out apartments for short stays - defined as under 31 days - will need to register in a national database and display their registration number on every listing. Fines for not complying can reach 50,000 PLN (~12,000 EUR). Cities will also get the power to ban or limit short-term rentals in certain areas. Poland has an estimated 80,000-100,000 such apartments, mostly in Warsaw, Kraków, and Gdańsk. Source

Polish housing demand accelerates - supply cannot keep pace

Housing demand in Poland is strengthening, with buyers undeterred by geopolitical uncertainty or the upcoming holiday season. Developers are launching new projects to capitalize on the moment, but supply is lagging demand - particularly in Warsaw, Kraków, Wrocław and Gdańsk. The market is supported by rising real wages, a large young adult demographic and continued migration of workers from across Poland to major urban centers. Source

Czech JET Investment starts 50 million EUR logistics park near Gdańsk

Czech real estate fund Jet Industrial Lease (industrial and logistics real estate, part of JET Investment group, 🇨🇿 CZ) broke ground on Jet Industrial Park Gdańsk in northern Poland, investing 50 million EUR. The production-logistics complex is located south of Gdańsk and targets manufacturers and logistics operators serving the Pomeranian region and Baltic port infrastructure. The park adds to JET Investment's growing Polish portfolio alongside existing projects in Warsaw, Łódź and Silesia. Source, Source

Czech SCF group acquires 7th Polish shopping centre - Jantar in Słupsk

Czech investment group Star Capital Finance (SCF, commercial real estate investor, 🇨🇿 CZ) acquired Jantar shopping centre in Słupsk, northern Poland - its 7th Polish retail asset. SCF has been one of the most active retail real estate acquirers in Poland over the past three years, building a portfolio across secondary Polish cities with stable long-term tenant anchors. The deal reflects continued investor confidence in Polish retail despite broader European headwinds. Source

Mirbud in acquisition talks in railway and energy sectors

Mirbud (construction and infrastructure group, Warsaw Stock Exchange listed, 🇵🇱 PL) is conducting acquisition talks in both the railway and energy sectors. The company is looking to expand beyond its traditional building and housing core into higher-growth infrastructure segments driven by Poland's record defence and energy investment cycle. No deal values or target company names have been disclosed. Source

Poland's condo hotel market faces new rules - not the end, but investors must adapt

Poland's Ministry of Development and Technology is advancing an amendment to the Law on Condominium Ownership that would prohibit selling individual units in collective accommodation buildings - targeting aparthotels used de facto as apartments. New rules require units to meet residential technical standards and a local council resolution to enable subdivision. Source, Source, Source, Source

Airbus, Thales Alenia and Polish RADMOR to build Poland's first geostationary military satellite

A consortium of Airbus Defence and Space (🇫🇷 FR/🇩🇪 DE), Thales Alenia Space (🇫🇷 FR/🇮🇹 IT) and Gdynia-based RADMOR (military electronics and communications, part of WB Group, 🇵🇱 PL) will jointly build Poland's first geostationary military communications satellite. The agreement was signed during an official French government delegation visit to Gdańsk in April 2026, reinforcing Polish-French defence-industrial cooperation. Source

Polish F-16 jets intercept and escort Russian aircraft over the Baltic Sea

Polish Air Force F-16 fighter jets intercepted and visually identified a Russian reconnaissance aircraft flying over the Baltic Sea, before escorting it out of the area. The operation was carried out by a pair of duty pilots as part of standard NATO air policing procedures. According to Polish military authorities, the Russian aircraft was monitored in international airspace and did not violate Polish borders. Officials said such interceptions are routine in the region and are used to quickly identify foreign military aircraft and ensure airspace security. The incident is part of a series of recent encounters between NATO and Russian aircraft over the Baltic Sea. Source

BGK to invest billions in defence and state resilience companies

Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego (BGK), Poland’s development bank, plans to invest billions of złoty in companies linked to defence and national resilience. The bank will create a special-purpose vehicle called “Chrobry”, which will provide capital support to firms developing military technologies, production capacity, and security-related infrastructure. Around 7 billion PLN (EUR 1.65 billion) is expected to be allocated directly for equity investments in companies, while the broader fund connected to the EU’s KPO programme could reach around 23 billion PLN (EUR 5.44 billion) in total. The goal is to strengthen Poland’s defence industry, cybersecurity, dual-use infrastructure, and overall state resilience, including support for both start-ups and established companies. Officials say the mechanism will allow the state to take equity stakes in strategic firms, helping them scale production and innovate in critical sectors, while also attracting additional private investment. Source

Polish Armed Forces expand cooperation with ICEYE for satellite reconnaissance

The Polish Armed Forces are strengthening their cooperation with Finnish-Polish space company ICEYE, focusing on the use of satellite imagery for military operations. During a recent meeting between military commanders and ICEYE representatives, discussions centred on operational use of radar satellite data to improve battlefield awareness, targeting, and reconnaissance capabilities. The talks also covered the integration of satellite information into command-and-control (C4ISR) systems and the use of artificial intelligence to speed up data analysis and improve decision-making.

ICEYE already supplies Poland with SAR (synthetic aperture radar) satellites under existing defence programmes, forming part of a broader effort to build a Polish satellite reconnaissance capability. Source

WB Electronics signs ~228 mln EUR defense contract with Korean-Polish joint venture

On 31 March 2026, WB Electronics (part of WB Group, PL) signed a contract worth approximately 228 mln EUR net with Hanwha WB Advanced Systems - a Polish-Korean joint venture - for the supply of specialized military components. Deliveries are planned for 2029-2033. The JV was established in September 2025 at the MSPO defense fair in Kielce by WB Group and South Korea's Hanwha Aerospace, and is linked to the Homar-K rocket artillery programme. WB Group is Poland's largest private defense company, producing the Warmate and FlyEye drones, TOPAZ fire control systems, and FONET battlefield communication equipment. Revenues reached nearly 3 bln PLN in 2024, a near-tripling in three years. The company is planning a Warsaw Stock Exchange IPO for the second half of 2026. Source, Source, Source, Source

The Heart launches Defence Production Hub - bridging CEE industrial capacity with global defence demand

The Heart (venture builder, Warsaw, 🇵🇱 PL) launched Defence Production Hub as an independent company after a year of incubation. The venture identifies proven foreign defence technologies not yet available in Poland or CEE, integrating them with local manufacturers - currently a network of 60+ partners from Poland and Turkey across drones, UAV systems, aerospace components, hydraulics, composites and steel structures, many ISO 9001 and AQAP 2110 certified. The company is led by Dr. Marek Tomczuk, former VP of Bank Pekao and BGK board member. The network is planned to expand into Nordics. Source

Poland may open submarine negotiations with other suppliers if Swedish offer is unsatisfactory

A Polish Defence Ministry official has said that if Sweden’s final offer for new submarines under the Orka programme is not satisfactory, Poland will consider talks with other bidders. The statement refers to ongoing negotiations with Sweden for the purchase of A26-class submarines, which were previously selected as the preferred option. The deal is still under discussion, and key issues include delivery timelines, weapons systems, and operational capabilities. Poland has already indicated Sweden as its preferred partner, but officials stress that the government will not accept unfavourable conditions and may return to competing offers if needed. The submarine programme is one of Poland’s most important naval modernisation projects, aiming to replace its ageing fleet and strengthen Baltic Sea defence capabilities. Source

New missile production and service centre for CAMM-ER to be built in Zielonka

In Zielonka near Warsaw, Poland is launching the construction of a modern service and production centre for CAMM-ER anti-aircraft missiles. The facility, built by Wojskowe Zakłady Elektroniczne (part of PGZ), will allow production, assembly, maintenance, and servicing of CAMM-ER missiles, which are used in Poland’s air defence system (Narew programme). The project aims to strengthen Poland’s domestic defence industry capabilities and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers. It is also part of broader efforts to build a national “air and missile defence shield.” Construction is planned to be completed by 2028, and the investment includes new production halls, warehouses, and supporting infrastructure. Source

Polish defence firm builds new 155mm ammunition factory and prepares stock market move

Niewiadów Polska Grupa Militarna is investing in a new factory for 155mm artillery ammunition, supported by 250 million PLN (EUR 60 million) from the Fidera fund. The company is expanding its plant and has already contracted production lines, which are scheduled for installation in Q3 2026. Full production is expected to start in Q4 2026. The facility will reach a planned capacity of 180,000 rounds per year, with 120,000 rounds expected this year during ramp-up.

Alongside the industrial expansion, the company has received approval for its prospectus from Poland’s financial regulator (KNF). As a result, it will move to the main market of the Warsaw Stock Exchange, with its stock market debut set for 21 April 2026. Source, Source

Polish defence industry expands presence in Romania

Polish defence company WB Group is expanding its international operations by entering the Romanian market through the creation of a new subsidiary, WB Romania. This is the company’s first subsidiary in an EU country outside Poland and marks an important step in its broader strategy of expanding across Europe. The move aims to strengthen cooperation with Romania, which is increasingly important for NATO’s eastern and southern defence flank. WB Group plans to use the Romanian base to support local armed forces, develop industrial partnerships, and further deploy its unmanned systems and defence technologies in the region. Source

Mandatory reservist training may disrupt Polish transport companies in the coming months.

Carriers warn that call‑ups could remove up to 200,000 professional drivers from the market, deepening an already severe labour shortage. The West Pomeranian Association of Road Carriers (industry organisation, PL) says even short absences create high costs and operational delays. Employers receive no compensation, and companies fear decisions will be made without consultation. Training may also affect mechanics, technicians and logisticians - key roles across the TSL sector. Source

Mesko posts record 540 million EUR revenue in 2025 - Piorun MANPADS drives exports

Mesko (arms manufacturer, part of Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa PGZ, 🇵🇱 PL) reported record 2025 revenue of 2.28 billion PLN (~540 million EUR), up 33.2% year-on-year - the first time the company crossed the 2 billion PLN threshold in its 100-year history. Growth was driven by surging international demand for Piorun man-portable air defence MANPADS, now operated by Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Norway, Sweden, Belgium, the United States and Ukraine. Profitability tripled from 5% in 2023 to 16% in 2025. Source

Poland and Ukraine to jointly build drone armada 

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced at the Road to URC conference in Warsaw on 27 April that Poland will build a large-scale drone fleet with direct Ukrainian battlefield expertise and technology. The announcement was made jointly with Ukrainian Deputy PM Yuliia Svyrydenko, who stated Ukraine has evolved from an aid recipient into a supplier of cutting-edge defence technology and called on Polish companies to establish joint ventures in both countries. Plans include drone production lines in Poland similar to those operating in the UK and Baltics. Source, Source

YIT brings Finnish expertise in shelter construction to Poland

Finland is one of the few countries in the world able to provide shelter space for almost the entire population!

In our latest publication, we highlight how YIT - Urban developer and construction company has recognized the rising demand for modern, integrated shelter solutions in Poland. Their approach shows that modern shelters are not just empty concrete rooms hidden in basements. They are integrated, versatile, and increasingly essential components of residential buildings, public infrastructure, and strategic facilities.

Read the article here

Linkedin post here

Defense shelters: Finnish-Polish expertise

Rakennusbetoni- ja Elementti Oy (full-service civil defence shelter manufacturer, 40+ years experience, 🇫🇮 FI) signed a cooperation agreement with GK Polimex Mostostal (construction and infrastructure group, 🇵🇱 PL) in a ceremony attended by Finnish Ambassador to Poland Päivi Laine. The partnership targets civil defence shelter construction and precast shelter solutions in Poland, combining RAE's four decades of shelter expertise with Polimex's local market presence and execution capacity. Polimex Infrastruktura is separately piloting defence construction, shelter building and critical infrastructure protection projects in Poland, drawing on international best practices and collaborating with Polish research institutions to develop domestic solutions. Source Source

Polimex partners with Finnish firms to boost shelter construction

Polish construction group Polimex Mostostal has partnered as well with Finnish shelter specialist Verona Shelters Group Oy to develop modern civil defense infrastructure. The cooperation aims to bring Finland’s advanced shelter technologies and “dual-use” model to Poland, addressing the country’s shortage of protective infrastructure and improving resilience and security. Source

Interview: Forging the Baltic Future: Poland, Finland, and the Power of Diplomacy in Helsinki - Tomasz Chłoń, Poland’s Ambassador to Finland

Read the article here

Polish diplomat Chłoń has visited Finland  

Tomasz Chłoń (Polish diplomat, Chargé d'Affaires to Finland, MFA plenipotentiary for countering disinformation, 🇵🇱), who previously served as director of the NATO Information Office in Moscow, now leads Poland's anti-disinformation coordination across government bodies and international partners. On 25th of March 2026, he joined heads of Francophone diplomatic missions in Helsinki for a meeting with Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen, covering European security, multilateral cooperation, and democratic values. On the sidelines, Chłoń met French Ambassador Raja Rabia to prepare the annual Polish-French Friendship Day on 20th of April - a date marking the 1995 transfer of Marie Skłodowska-Curie's ashes to the Paris Panthéon.

Read on Polish diplomat’s reflections on Poland-Finland bilateral cooperation in our publication. You can find it in the 2026' edition or on our post on Linkedin.

Source, Source, Source

A panel discussion on Polish-Finnish relations was held on 10 April 2026

The panel discussion took place in Tieteiden talo (House of Sciences, Helsinki) bringing together academics, students from Helsinki and Tampere universities, and individuals interested in bilateral cooperation. The event was moderated by Dr. Ira Jänis-Isokangas of the Aleksanteri Institute (Finnish Centre for Russian and Eastern European Studies, 🇫🇮 FI). Panellists included Tomasz Chłoń, Head of the Polish Embassy in Helsinki, who outlined the current state of bilateral ties and growing Baltic Sea cooperation; Tiina Hirvonen of the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs who highlighted EU border security, NATO cooperation and strategic partnership as key shared priorities; Dr. Katalin Miklossy of the University of Helsinki, who presented Poland as one of the EU's most dynamic economies and a model of post-1990s political and economic transformation; and Toni Stenström, author of "Poland and Finland - A History of Cooperation," who encouraged Finnish students and graduates to explore career and academic opportunities in Poland. Source: Polish Embassy Helsinki. Source

Finnish machine producer closing in Sweden 🇸🇪

Valmet (industrial machinery, 🇫🇮) - The company is considering closing its Sundsvall paper machine plant in Sweden. The move would affect up to 170 jobs there, 55 in Gothenburg, and 130 at its component factory in Jelenia Góra, Poland. The restructuring targets 20 million EUR in annual savings by early 2027, driven by sustained global economic uncertainty affecting customer order volumes. Source

Satellites got to orbit - ICEYE and Polish Armed forces report

ICEYE / Polish Armed Forces (defence, 🇫🇮 / 🇵🇱) - All three POLSARIS satellites contracted under the MikroSAR programme (~200 mln EUR) are now in orbit. The first launched in November 2025; two more followed on 30 March 2026 via SpaceX Falcon 9 Transporter-16. SAR resolution reaches 25 cm - operational in all weather and at night. In mid-April, ICEYE CEO Rafał Modrzewski met the Polish Armed Forces Operational Command to discuss C4ISTAR integration and AI-assisted targeting. Poland plans to field up to nine satellites by the end of 2026. Source / Source

Wärtsila opening business services hub in Gdansk

Wärtsilä (marine and energy technology, 🇫🇮) is expanding in Gdańsk with a new Global Business Services hub - its second worldwide after Vaasa. The centre focuses on finance operations, SAP S/4HANA migration, master data management, and invoice processing. It will create around 100 expert positions by the end of 2026. Separately, Basware AP automation was also deployed for another industrial client in Pomerania, as highlighted by InvestPomerania (regional investment promotion agency, 🇵🇱). Source  Source 

Finnish-owned Markos near Słupsk plans 150 layoffs

Markos (fibreglass composite components for marine and heavy industry, 🇵🇱), majority-owned by Finnish Axopar (boat manufacturer, 🇫🇮) since 2024, plans group layoffs affecting up to 150 employees near Słupsk in May 2026. Management cites a significant drop in orders and a difficult financial position. The plant supplies parts for marine, energy, and heavy industry clients. Union consultations are underway; the final number of redundancies may still change pending negotiation outcomes. Source

Finnish car logistics startup Flovi enters Polish market 🇵🇱

Flovi (vehicle relocation platform, Finland's largest, 🇫🇮) entered Poland in late 2025 as its third market, connecting car dealerships, leasing companies, and rental operators with vetted drivers via an AI-based routing algorithm. Average delivery time stands at 24 hours. Within months Flovi signed over 30 Polish clients and built a driver network of more than 1,000. The startup targets 20,000 vehicle transfers in Poland in 2026 and is growing around 50% month-on-month. Read Spondeo’s article on Flovi journey in Poland: here (Finnish Business & Culture in Poland 2026) Source, Source, Source

Fortum made it to the best employers list WPROST announced its new list of the 50 best employers in Poland, and Fortum ranked 3rd nationwide. Fortum (energy company, Finland) was recognised for its strong culture, clear values and consistent communication on the Polish market. The result reflects the daily work of all Fortum teams in Poland across Heating and Cooling, Consumer Solutions and Enabling Functions. Source

Delegation of Energa-Operator to Finland

The Energa‑Operator delegation (electricity distribution operator, PL) has visited Finland. The company plays a major role in grid development and renewable integration in Poland. The team at Merus Power (power‑quality technology company, FI), together with partner Electrical Power Quality Systems Sp. z o.o. (EPQS) (also the representative for Poland of the Finnish company from Nokia, i.e. Merus Power Dynamic), presented solutions already operating in the Polish market. The visit offered a good exchange on future needs, ongoing projects and opportunities for further cooperation. Source

Finnish modular builder Warmatila looks to Poland for growth

Antti Poutiainen, CEO of Warmatila Oy (modular‑building manufacturer, FI), “did not plan to enter foreign markets when he bought a small factory in Varkaus”, he says in Kauppalehti interview. After joining a trade mission to Poland organised by Savon Yrittäjät, he now sees real export potential. Poland’s strong economy and active construction sector create demand for high‑quality modular buildings. Warmatila’s main market remains Finland, but Poland may open new opportunities, including future links to Ukraine’s reconstruction. Source

UEP partnership with Finnish cybersecurity company WithSecure

Poznań University of Economics and Business has formalised its cooperation with WithSecure (cybersecurity company, FI) by joining the UEP Partner Club. The agreement was signed by Rector Prof. Barbara Jankowska and Leszek Tasiemski from WithSecure. The partnership supports education, research and practical training for students. It also creates space for workshops, expert lectures and joint R&D initiatives. Source

Business Turku: Finnish companies explore maritime and industrial opportunities in northern Poland 

A recent trade mission to Gdańsk and Gdynia connected Finnish maritime and technology companies with key Polish industrial partners. The programme included meetings with Pomerania Development Agency (regional economic development agency, 🇵🇱 PL), visits to CRIST Shipyard (offshore and specialized vessel construction, 🇵🇱 PL), Baltic Towers (offshore wind tower manufacturer, joint venture of Polish Industrial Development Agency and GRI Renewable Industries, PL/ ES) and GP Baltic (wind tower components and industrial manufacturing, Gdańsk, 🇵🇱 PL), and a matchmaking session organised by EEN Finland (Enterprise Europe Network, business cooperation and innovation support, 🇫🇮 FI). Companies received updates on regional industry, offshore wind development and cooperation opportunities. The mission showed strong demand for Finnish expertise in northern Poland.

The next trip will take place in Gothenburg on 20th-22d of May, 2026. Source, Source, Source

Prometec (biomass tech) signs with Enea Połaniec, Poland

Prometec (automated biomass sampling and quality control systems, Kajaani, 🇫🇮 FI) signed a 25 million PLN (~6 million EUR) contract on 23 February 2026 with Enea Połaniec (one of Europe's largest biomass co-fired power plants, 🇵🇱 PL) for a turnkey automated biomass truck sampling system - Prometec's first contract in Poland. Delivery is carried out together with local partner Uniserv (industrial energy systems and construction, Katowice, 🇵🇱 PL). The system includes two automated truck samplers, biomass volume and weighing systems, and dedicated sampling buildings, with commissioning scheduled for the second half of 2027. Source, Source

Finnish-owned Sand Valley Golf Resort in Poland

A new golf season has started, and it’s a good moment to look at a strong year for Sand Valley Golf Resort. The course continued to grow its reputation and reached several major milestones. In 2025, it was named Poland’s Best Golf Course, ranked #1 in the country, and entered the Top 100 in Continental Europe. Sand Valley is known for its “inland links” style and steady, consistent quality. It is also a great place for company events. Read the story in Spondeo’s Publication “Finnish Business & Culture in Poland” 2026 or on our post on Linkedin

Read here: https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/70911869/finnish-business-culture-in-poland-2026 

Poland to receive up to 4.8 billion EUR for agriculture in new EU budget cycle

Poland's agricultural sector is set to receive up to 4.8 billion EUR from the EU's next financial perspective, according to government forecasts. The funds will cover direct payments to farmers, rural development programs, and support for the agri-food industry. Poland remains the EU's largest recipient of CAP payments. Disbursement timelines and final allocation figures remain subject to ongoing EU budget negotiations. Source

Poland's public deficit exceeds pandemic-era levels - fiscal warning grows 

Poland's general government deficit reached around 6.9% of GDP in 2025 - larger than during the COVID-19 pandemic peak - driven by surging defence spending, social transfers, public-sector wages, and healthcare costs. Public debt is projected to rise from 55% of GDP in 2024 to nearly 70% by 2027. Economists warn that without credible fiscal consolidation, Poland risks breaching its own constitutional 60% debt ceiling by the end of the decade. The European Commission has Poland under an excessive deficit procedure, and rating agencies are expected to grow more critical. Source, Source

Construction and logistics sectors keep hiring despite broad market slowdown 

Poland's construction and logistics sectors continue to grow headcount in Q1 2026, bucking a broader corporate employment contraction that has lasted nearly two years. Both industries rely heavily on foreign workers - over 225,000 people in warehousing alone hold non-Polish citizenship. The government abolished the Labor Market Test for most work permit categories in March 2026 to speed up recruitment. Structural shortages are projected to deepen, with analysts estimating over 800,000 unfilled positions across the economy. Source

Prisoners are sorting bottles returned under Poland's new deposit system

Poland's deposit-return system, launched in October 2025, has an unexpected backstage workforce: inmates at penal facilities are being contracted to manually count and sort bottles and cans returned from retail stores. By the end of March 2026, around 520 million containers had been returned across Poland. The multi-operator system - unique in Europe - runs at 52,000 collection points, with 78% of returns processed through reverse vending machines. If operators collect less than 77% of packaging, they pay a fine for each missing kilogram (about 0.24 Euro/kg). Source

Belgian court orders Poland to pay Pfizer 1.3 billion EUR over undelivered COVID vaccines

A Brussels court of first instance ruled on 1 April 2026 that Poland must pay Pfizer (pharma, 🇺🇸 US) approximately 1.3 billion EUR for vaccines ordered by the European Commission in 2021 but refused by the then-PiS government in April 2022. Poland cited falling infection rates and the financial strain of the Ukraine refugee crisis. The court rejected force majeure arguments. Romania was simultaneously ordered to pay 600 million EUR. Poland's health ministry confirmed it will appeal. Prime Minister Tusk publicly blamed the previous government; former PM Morawiecki defended the decision. Source

Polish dairy industry pushes for critical infrastructure status after 20 years

Poland's dairy sector has lobbied for two decades to be classified as critical national infrastructure - and on 9 April 2026, Agriculture Minister Stefan Krajewski finally committed to legislative changes. The minister acknowledged that dairy plants cannot interrupt operations even briefly: milk must be collected daily from farms, thermally processed, and refrigerated around the clock. Any energy disruption has immediate food security consequences. The ministry will now propose specific regulations guaranteeing continuous electricity and gas supply to dairies, regardless of national grid constraints. Source

Foreign employment in Poland down 8% in 2025

The total number of documents legalizing foreign worker employment in Poland fell 8% year-on-year in 2025. The number of entities submitting work permit applications also declined. Authorities note the drop may partly reflect reduced sham applications rather than genuine market contraction. Ukrainian workers remain the dominant foreign workforce group, though their numbers have also decreased compared to the 2022-2023 peak. Source

Polish seniors sign nearly 20,000 life-care property transfer agreements in 2025

Polish seniors signed over 19,800 dożywocie agreements - life-tenancy contracts in which a property is transferred in exchange for lifelong care and housing - in 2025, according to data from the Ministry of Justice (🇵🇱 PL). The number has been rising year-on-year, reflecting an ageing population, rising care costs and limited state social care capacity. Under Polish law, the recipient of the property assumes full maintenance obligations - housing, food, medical care and funeral costs. Notaries and legal advisors report growing interest particularly among single seniors and those without heirs. Source

Ukraine overtakes Russia in Polish export share

Russia's share of Polish exports collapsed from nearly 3% in 2021 to just over 0.5% in 2024, while Ukraine's share rose from 2% to 3.5% over the same period - making Ukraine Poland's most important eastern export partner, according to Polski Instytut Ekonomiczny (Polish Economic Institute, 🇵🇱 PL). The shift reflects both the impact of sanctions on Russia and Poland's deepening trade and reconstruction-related engagement with Ukraine following the 2022 invasion. Source, Source

Poland channels 175 million EUR in EC-backed guarantees to Ukraine investments

BGK (state development bank, 🇵🇱 PL) has secured 175 million EUR in European Commission guarantees under the Ukraine Investment Framework. Two projects have been approved: one worth around 155 million EUR targeting private-sector investments in energy, transport, and construction; a second of 20 million EUR for restoration of community infrastructure. BGK opened a Kyiv representative office in early 2025 and gained special legal status in Ukraine after parliamentary ratification of the intergovernmental agreement, making it the only Polish institution accredited under the EC's pillar-assessment to channel EU funds directly into Ukraine. Source

Ukraine approves first domestic nuclear fuel assembly plant

Energoatom (state nuclear operator, 🇺🇦 UA) received cabinet approval on 25 March 2026 to build a nuclear fuel assembly production facility in the Voznesensk district of Mykolaiv Oblast. The plant will use Westinghouse (nuclear technology, 🇺🇸 US) technology to produce assemblies for VVER-1000 reactors - Ukraine's dominant fleet type. Energoatom has already qualified component production lines with Westinghouse and passed an environmental review. Ukraine abandoned Russian fuel entirely in 2022 and aims to cover 50% of its fuel needs domestically from 2026. Source

DTEK contacts with Poland and other EU countries

DTEK Renewables (largest private energy investor in Ukraine, 🇺🇦) confirmed a 1.2 billion EUR investment in a 650 MW wind farm in region of Poltava - around 100 turbines from Vestas (wind turbine manufacturer, DK). DTEK CEO Maxim Timchenko stated Ukraine remains attractive for investment and called on international partners to join in building a modern European energy system. DTEK Renewables International also operates battery storage, solar and wind projects in Poland, Romania, Croatia and Italy. In Poland: DRI’s (the EU renewables arm of Ukraine’s DTEK Group) 133 MW Trzebinia project will be Poland’s largest battery energy storage facility under a 17‑year capacity market contract starting in 2027, with Fluence (renewables, US) supplying its Smartstack system to support fast response, grid stability, and lower energy costs.

Source, Source, Source, Source

Polish fintech ZEN.com acquires Ukrainian PINbank - bets 20 million EUR on post-war banking

ZEN.com (fintech and payment platform, founded 2018 in Rzeszów, EU e-money licenses in Lithuania, UK and Singapore, 35 countries, 🇵🇱 PL) won the 1 April 2026 auction for insolvent Ukrainian PINbank run by the Ukrainian Deposit Guarantee Fund. ZEN.com - dubbed "Polish Revolut" - plans to invest over 20 million EUR in Ukraine after the deal closes. CEO Dawid Rożek calls it a long-term play: Ukraine's central bank has issued no new payment licences since the invasion began, making a failed bank the fastest market entry route. Former Polish President Andrzej Duda, who joined ZEN.com's supervisory board in October 2025, participated in the pre-qualification process with the National Bank of Ukraine. The acquisition makes ZEN.com the second Eastern European fintech to enter Ukraine's banking market in 2026, after Estonia's Iute Group acquired RwS Bank in January. Source, Source, Source

Ten Ukrainian IT companies graduate from TechStep Sweden at TechArena 2026 in Stockholm

Ten Ukrainian IT companies - including Geniusee (software development, FinTech/EdTech/Retail/AI, Kyiv, 🇺🇦 UA), Acropolium (software development, 🇺🇦 UA) and SoloWay Technologies (IT services, 🇺🇦 UA) - graduated from the TechStep Sweden 2025/2026 programme at TechArena 2026 in Stockholm in February. The programme is organised by Open Trade Gate Sweden (part of the National Board of Trade Sweden, 🇸🇪 SE) in partnership with Ukraine's Entrepreneurship and Export Promotion Office and IT Ukraine Association. A dedicated lunch seminar titled "Fast-Track Innovation: Why Ukraine Is Sweden's Go-To Tech Partner" featured Geniusee CEO Taras Tymoshchuk and Acropolium CBDO Maryna Shuliak alongside Swedish investors from Hype Ventures and ProveOn AB. Contacts were established with partners across Sweden, Finland, Germany, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Netherlands and Luxembourg. A new TechStep Sweden 2026-2027 cohort call is now open. Source, Source

Saab and Ukroboronprom sign aviation and surveillance cooperation MoU Saab AB (defence and security company, manufacturer of JAS 39 Gripen, radar and surveillance systems, 🇸🇪 SE) and Ukroboronprom (Ukrainian state defence conglomerate, 🇺🇦 UA) signed a memorandum of understanding at the Munich Security Conference in February 2026, formalising cooperation in aviation and aerial surveillance. The agreement positions Saab as a key partner in modernising Ukraine's radar and aviation infrastructure. Ukraine is simultaneously launching an arms export strategy and plans to open ten Ukrainian defence export centres in 2026 across Northern Europe, the Baltics, Germany and the UK. A separate April 2026 survey by Tech Forces in UA found 90% of 42 Ukrainian defence firms received foreign cooperation requests in early 2026, with Sweden among the leading countries of interest alongside the US and Germany. Source, Source

Poland and Ukraine announce joint drone armada as Kyiv shifts from aid recipient to defence exporter

At a bilateral meeting in Rzeszów on 27 April 2026, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Ukrainian Deputy PM Yuliia Svyrydenko announced plans to jointly develop a large-scale drone programme combining Polish defence capacity with Ukrainian battlefield-tested technology. Svyrydenko stated Ukraine had moved from being a recipient of military aid to a supplier of "cutting-edge defence technology" and called on Polish companies to pursue joint ventures across both countries. Polish state defence group PGZ (Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa, 🇵🇱 PL) separately signed an agreement with Estonia's Frankenburg Technologies in March 2026 to produce up to 10,000 low-cost anti-drone missiles annually in Poland. EU defence loan facility SAFE is explicitly designed to encourage Ukrainian firm participation in EU defence programmes, with most national SAFE plans already including provisions for Ukrainian involvement. Source

Polish influencer Łatwogang raises world record 59 million EUR for children's cancer treatment

Polish TikTok and YouTube influencer Łatwogang (Patryk Garkowski, 23) raised over 250 million PLN (~59 million EUR) for Cancer Fighters Foundation (children's oncology support charity, 🇵🇱 PL) during a nine-day continuous livestream from his Warsaw flat starting 17 April 2026 - shattering the previous Guinness World Record of 16.6 million EUR. At peak, 1.4 million simultaneous viewers watched. Supporters included footballer Robert Lewandowski, tennis player Iga Świątek and Coldplay's Chris Martin. Source, Source

Polish HBO Max Series “Proud” Wins Major French Festival Award Ignacy Liss Honoured

The Polish HBO Max series “Proud” has won the main prize at the Series Mania festival in France, one of Europe’s most important TV events. The show also brought actor Ignacy Liss a best actor award. The drama follows a young man, Filip, whose life is turned upside down after a family tragedy. It competed in the festival’s main international section and was very well received. The win is seen as a big success for Polish television, showing that local productions are increasingly competitive on the international stage. Source, Source

Korea chooses Poland for Europe’s biggest K-pop festival

South Korean organisers will hold the largest K-pop festival in Europe on 4-5 September 2026 in Katowice, at the Katowice‑Muchowiec airport. A major Korean media group (entertainment company, KR) has signed on, guaranteeing top global K‑pop stars and actors from leading K‑dramas. A second, smaller festival will take place in August. Organisers expect at least 200,000 visitors, half from abroad, and will also open a free Festival Village promoting Korean culture. Source

Past events

APRIL

YIT Development: Shelters in Construction as a Foundation of National Security conference, under the patronage of the Embassy of Finland April 16, 2026, Warsaw

This month Anna Golinczak from Spondeo has attended the conference by YIT: “Shelters in Construction as a Foundation of National Security” in Warsaw. The event focused on civil‑defense shelters, Finnish S1/S2 standards, funding models and the needs of Polish local governments. Speakers covered case studies from Finland and Ukraine, legal and technical requirements, and dual‑use shelter design. The programme included expert presentations, BGK and PwC sessions, and technical and financial discussion panels.

Anna G.: “Very vital topic nowadays. I am impressed how Finns put in practice their citizens' security and at the same time combining economic & social aspects. Lots of valuable discussions conducted, meeting with Ambassador of Finland to Poland and her team, YIT President and Sales & Marketing Director, representatives of the Finish shelters industry, such as Verona Shelters and Rakennusbetoni and much more”.

Source

“Energy Transformation - New Technologies and Business Challenges”, 28-29th of April

Topics included:

Local content - the role of domestic industry in the energy transition

Distributed energy business models - how companies adapt to new market realities

Secure transformation - infrastructure, data and cyber‑resilience

Speakers included Antti Rahikka (Embassy of Finland), who shared Finland’s perspective on the energy transition, and Bartosz Koziński (British Embassy), who outlined how the UK government supports foreign investors. Sebastian Kondracki (Bielik AI) presented a practical view on AI in the energy sector.

A panel on secure transformation followed, moderated by Michał Lasocki (EEC Ventures), with experts from IBM, PGE Dystrybucja, TAURON Dystrybucja, Mikronika and Generpol. The day closed with a keynote by Dr Garvan Walshe (University of Manchester) on the economic shifts driving the energy‑transition revolution.

Source, Source

MARKET ENTRY SCANDINAVIA, PACKAGING TECHNOLOGY FAIR, PUBLIC TRANSPORT FAIR, TRANSPORT, FORWARDING & LOGISTICS FAIR, INDUSTRIAL PNEUMATIC TECHNOLOGY FAIR, HYDROGEN TECHNOLOGY FAIR, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FAIR, FAIR OF DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING TECHNOLOGY AND EQUIPMENT

Upcoming events

MAY

Impact’26, May 13-14th, Poznań

The 2026 edition of Impact will take place on 13-14th of May in Poznań, bringing together global leaders from politics, business, technology and culture. The programme includes 94 hours of debates, nearly 650 speakers, 9 stages and 25 thematic tracks, including new paths on AI, startups, health and philanthropy. Among the announced guests are Daron Acemoğlu, Amal Clooney, Kristalina Georgieva, Scott Galloway, Olga Tokarczuk and Justin Trudeau. The event focuses on geopolitics, the economy, technology, security and contemporary culture. The registration has closed.

Source, Source

Finnish companies can join the shared Finland Pavilion in ReBuild Ukraine - registration deadline is 15 May 2026

ReBuild Ukraine: Construction & Energy (international exhibition and conference for Ukraine reconstruction, organised by Premier Expo, 🇺🇦 UA) returns to Expo XXI Warsaw (congress and exhibition centre, 🇵🇱 PL) on 12-13 November 2026 for its 5th edition. Finnish companies can join the shared Finland Pavilion - registration deadline is 15 May 2026. Pavilion coordination is handled by TSEG Oy (trade and business development services, 🇫🇮 FI, Contact person: netta.kuismanen@tseg.fi).

Finnish pavilion info by EastCham Finland: https://www.eastcham.fi/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Presentation_Rebuild-Ukraine-2026.pdf

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AESTHETIC MEDICINE & WELLNESS FAIR, PHARMACEUTICAL FAIR, SENIOR LIVING & CARE FAIR, LABORATORY EQUIPMENT & TECHNOLOGY FAIR, SPA & WELLNESS TECHNOLOGY FAIR, INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION & ROBOTICS FAIR, LASER & OPTICAL TECHNOLOGIES FAIR, COIL & TRANSFORMER FAIR, PET & VETERINARY FAIR, CONSUMER ELECTRONICS FAIR, ENERGY STORAGE & POWER SOLUTIONS FAIR, WORKSHOP TECHNOLOGY FAIR, PARKING INFRASTRUCTURE FAIR, FURNITURE COMPONENTS & TECHNOLOGY FAIR, FURNITURE FAIR, DOOR TECHNOLOGY FAIR, FLOORING & SURFACE MATERIALS FAIR, WINDOW TECHNOLOGY FAIR, GLASS TECHNOLOGIES FAIR, CERAMIC TILES & BATHROOMS FAIR

JUNE

WARSAW CONSTRUCTION AND ENERGY WEEK, FUTURE ENERGY WEEK POLAND, PCI DAYS, POLAND & CEE RETAIL SUMMIT WARSAW FLOOR EXPO, WINDOW-TECH EXPO, GLASS-TECH POLAND, WARSAW HOME FURNITURE, ANIMALS & VETERINARY DAYS, LASER TECH POLAND, PARKING EXPO POLAND

SAVE THE DATE: MSPO (Defence, 8-11 September, Kielce)

ReBuild Ukraine: Construction & Energy (12-13 November 2026, Warsaw | Expo XXI)

ReBuild Ukraine (annual international exhibition and conference for Ukraine reconstruction, organised by Premier Expo, 🇺🇦 UA) returns to Expo XXI Warsaw on 12-13 November 2026 for its 5th edition, focusing on construction, energy, infrastructure and housing recovery. Polish construction groups active at previous editions include Budimex (🇵🇱 PL), Polimex Mostostal (🇵🇱 PL) and Erbud (🇵🇱 PL) - all of which have positioned Ukraine reconstruction as a strategic growth area. Source

RETAIL SHOW POLAND (November, Warsaw)

Business News from Poland April 2026

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