Business News from Poland October 2026
Welcome to Spondeo's monthly package on the economy, business and society news from Poland! Happy to see you have opened our newsletter, and remember to at least scroll till the end ;) In case you have some questions or doors to be opened - our team is ready to help!
In this issue: Economic update & 2026-27 forecasts · Business news across manufacturing, IT, science, logistics, retail & FMCG · Energy · Housing & construction · Defence · Finnish companies spotlight · Politics & society · News from Ukraine · Events & fairs
Disclaimer words: The news are hand-picked by the Spondeo team, and our own in-house developed, AI-powered tool, is helping in summaries.
Few own words about the economy
GDP: Polish economy does well when it comes to GDP growth. This year's forecasts are generally in the range of 3,3-3,7%, which is pretty much the same level as in 2025. For 2027, however, cristal balls are showing bit of slower growth, around 2,7-2,9%.
It can be said that the Polish economy has been quite resilient to global turbulences. The strong domestic demand is one key factor behind - for example retail sales are constantly growing over 3% speed.
PMI: Manufacturing industry PMI indicator is again close to 50 (49). There has recently been relatively big monthly deviations, and it is quite difficult to draw any serious conclusions on this indicator. However, it is worth noting that the indicator for Germany is 54,2 and the Euro Zone average 52.4 - showing pretty positive moods.
Inflation: CPI inflation latest reading showed clearly increasing inflation to 4,1% from 3,4% in August, which is of course mainly driven by fuel prices (where the government has taken several actions). October forecasts are around 4%.
Reference rate has been at 3,75% since March 2026 and no major movements is expected.
Polish Zloty: This is now super interesting to follow. PLN has, some say finally, weakened and reacted to global winds and is trading at 4,40 vs Euro - first time since early 2024. As this is a budgeting time, it is worth having a look at the below long-term PLN/EUR graph when making budget scenarios for 2027. Last 1,5 years have been extraordinary stable times for PLN, and probably boring for analysts.
Salaries: - Minimum salary for 2027 will increase 3% to 4950PLN per month, and minimum hour rate to 32,30PLN. In euros these are 1128€ per month and 7,36€ per hour, as per today's FX rate 4,39. NOTE: Minimum salary increase is less than current inflation, and about half of average salary growth.. and next year is an election year (just a thought).
Average salary growth in September vs. the year before was 5,9%. The growing inflation is lowering real-wages growth - it is worth noticing real-wage growth in September was the weakest since 2023.
Unemployment is relatively stable at 5,8%. Highest this year has been 6,2%.
When it comes to the economy, the figures that cannot be overlooked are the fiscal deficit (forecasted over 7% in 2026) and trend in public debt (reaching 67% of GDP). These are podium figures in the European Union currently, and of course its needless to say that defence investments play a big role here.
by Tuomas Asunmaa (amateur analyst)
Inflation rises to 4.1%, highest since June 2025
Inflation in Poland reached 4.1% year on year in September, according to the final reading from Statistics Poland (GUS), which revised the flash estimate of 4.0% upwards. This is the highest rate since June 2025 and above the upper limit of the central bank’s target range. Fuel was the main driver, with petrol up 33.9% and diesel 45.9% year on year. Analysts at mBank (Bank, 🇵🇱 PL) expect inflation to ease towards 3.5% in the coming months, depending on fuel prices. Source, Source, Source, Source
IMF: Poland to overtake Switzerland in 2027 in nominal GDP rankings?
The International Monetary Fund expects Poland to overtake Switzerland in 2027 and become the world’s 20th-largest economy by nominal GDP, a position it should keep until at least 2031. Poland’s nominal GDP is forecast to grow from about $1.04 trillion (~€0.93 trillion) in 2025 to $1.50 trillion (~€1.34 trillion) in 2031. The IMF kept its 2026 growth forecast at 3.4% and raised the 2027 forecast to 2.5%. “The race is on!” wrote Finance Minister Andrzej Domański. Source, Source
Budget deficit and debt are going to be big topics ahead 2027 elections
Poland’s general government deficit is expected to fall slightly to 7.06% of GDP in 2026 from 7.2% in 2025, according to PAP Biznes calculations based on the fiscal notification published by Eurostat. The deficit is forecast at PLN 293.2 billion (~€66.6 billion), while public debt is set to rise to 67.6% of GDP. The central government deficit is expected to reach PLN 294.9 billion (~€67.0 billion), partly offset by a PLN 7.9 billion (~€1.8 billion) surplus in local governments. Source
Polish manufacturing PMI edges up to 49.0 in September
Poland’s manufacturing PMI rose to 49.0 in September 2026 from 48.3 in August, according to S&P Global. The index stayed below the neutral 50.0 mark - a seventeenth straight month of deteriorating conditions - but the move up points to a gentler downturn.
New orders fell for an eighteenth consecutive month on soft demand and price pressures, with export orders shrinking faster. Even so, the decline eased from August, and production, new orders and employment all fell more slowly. The 12-month outlook brightened to its best since May, but Germans (54.2) and EU in general (52.4) seem to be in more positive mood. Source
Złoty fights the 4.40 line - first time since early 2024
Good news for many Polish export companies - Poland’s currency is battling to pull back below 4.40 PLN per euro, a line it broke through about a week ago. "A less hawkish-than-expected US Federal Reserve gave the złoty some breathing room: the Fed left rates unchanged for a second meeting, and chair Warsh declined to clearly signal the December hike markets still expect. That softened the dollar, though it recovered most losses by Thursday, when the euro traded at 4.3988 PLN and the dollar around 3.9486 PLN - both near multi-year highs against the złoty".
The weakness is structural as much as momentary. With both the Fed and the ECB - which was expected to hold at 2.50% - seen hiking in December, while Poland’s Monetary Policy Council avoids even discussing hikes, the złoty’s relative appeal is fading. PKO BP sees EUR/PLN and USD/PLN staying elevated. Source
Real wage growth slows to a three-year low
The average gross wage in Poland’s corporate sector rose 5.9% year on year in September to PLN 9,266.48 (~€2,105), below the 6.1% analysts expected, according to Statistics Poland (GUS). With inflation at 4.1%, real wage growth slowed to about 1.8%, the lowest since August 2023. The outlook for pay and consumer spending will depend on inflation, January pay reviews and the 3% minimum wage increase planned for 2027. Source, Source
PRODUCTION & MANUFACTURING
(Including food production)
A Taiwanese delegation with Foxconn (Electronics manufacturer, 🇹🇼 TW) visited Miękinia near Wrocław on 12 October, the former Intel site, where a technology park with factories and an R&D centre is planned. Reported investments, including a hub in Jaworzno, could reach ~€17.8 billion, but are not yet binding. Source, Source
The Polish Development Fund (PFR) will invest PLN 100 million (~€22.7 million) for a minority stake in Metalkas (Steel shelving and ladder manufacturer, 🇵🇱 PL). The money will support expansion in the US, where the company plans a new assembly plant, and in Western Europe. Source
The Warmian-Masurian Special Economic Zone has approved 3 investments worth over PLN 121 million (~€27.6 million). Sofidel Poland (Tissue paper manufacturer, 🇮🇹 IT / 🇵🇱 PL) will invest PLN 73 million (~€16.6 million) in a new facial-tissue line, and Marbo (Production line manufacturer for the dairy and food industry, 🇵🇱 PL) PLN 43 million (~€9.8 million) in a new hall. A bakery in Piecki will invest PLN 5.45 million (~€1.24 million). Source
Adamed (Pharmaceutical group, 🇵🇱 PL) plans to invest about PLN 300 million (~€68.1 million) in a new inhaled-medicines factory in Pabianice, with first products in 2029. It will also invest over €100 million by 2034 in its Riells plant in Spain, bought from Sanofi. Source, Source
Grupa Atlas (Construction materials manufacturer, 🇵🇱 PL) has bought the paint factory infrastructure in Dębica from PPG (Paints and coatings group, 🇺🇸 US), which is moving production to Wrocław. Atlas will make plasters, fillers and paints there, but did not take over PPG's brands or employees. Source, Source
KAEM (Painting tools manufacturer and distributor, 🇵🇱 PL) is preparing to buy a manufacturing or distribution company in Central and Eastern Europe. It holds about 20% of the Polish paint roller market. Source
Fameg (Bentwood furniture manufacturer, 🇵🇱 PL) filed for bankruptcy on 29 September after a net loss of PLN 14.2 million (~€3.2 million) in 2024. More than 500 jobs may be affected. Source, Source
HOMAG (Woodworking machinery manufacturer, part of Dürr Group, 🇩🇪 DE) has opened a production and engineering site in Środa Wielkopolska, one of the largest investments in its history at more than €50 million. The 50,000 m² site employs about 650 people and includes a customer centre for Eastern Europe. Source, Source
Pratt & Whitney (Aircraft engine manufacturer, part of RTX, 🇺🇸 US) has started building a $100 million (~€89.2 million) expansion of its plant in Rzeszów for critical engine parts for commercial and military aircraft. The site should open in 2028 and create more than 120 jobs, and RTX already employs over 9,500 people in Poland. Source
Sokołów (Meat producer, 🇵🇱 PL) will invest PLN 77.5 million (~€17.6 million) to expand and automate its plant in Czyżew. The company has received a tax exemption under the Polish Investment Zone. Source, Source
Polmlek (Dairy group, 🇵🇱 PL) is diversifying its export markets as traditional buyers such as China and Algeria build up their own dairy production, after completing a modernisation programme worth almost PLN 1.5 billion (~€341 million), partly funded by the EU Recovery Fund. Exports bring in 55-60% of the group's revenue of around PLN 10 billion (~€2.27 billion), and it has started producing high-value ingredients such as lactoferrin. Source
Zdrovit (Medicines and dietary supplements manufacturer, 🇵🇱 PL) has received a Polish Investment Zone tax exemption for a new plant in Komorowo, Ostrów Mazowiecka county, with investment costs of over PLN 100 million (~€22.9 million). The plant will make medicines, dietary supplements, medical devices and cosmetics, and create 20 jobs. Source
State-owned Krajowa Grupa Spożywcza (Food group and largest sugar producer, 🇵🇱 PL) expects to break even this financial year after a loss of about PLN 300 million (~€68.1 million) a year earlier. Its strategy includes acquisitions and up to six biomethane plants, with the first two starting in 2027. Source
IT, INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION
ElevenLabs (Voice artificial intelligence company co-founded by Poles, 🇺🇸 US / 🇵🇱 PL) was valued at $22 billion (~€19.6 billion) in a sale of employee shares. This is twice its valuation in the February funding round. Source, Source
Kepta Legal (Legal services technology start-up, 🇵🇱 PL) is launching AI-supported legal services in Poland for companies with up to about 1,000 employees. It offers fixed-price subscriptions instead of hourly billing. Source, Source, Source
Symfonia (Business software provider, 🇵🇱 PL) has acquired dvo Software (Accounting and payroll software for tax advisers, 🇦🇹 AT), its first step into the German-speaking DACH market. The deal comes a month after an acquisition in Romania. Source
Orange Polska (Telecommunications operator, 🇵🇱 PL) will launch Cyfrowa Firma, a subscription platform with four AI assistants for small businesses. It will also be open to companies that are not Orange customers. Source
Aikido Security (Software security company, 🇧🇪 BE) has acquired the Warsaw start-up Cyberly (AI-based security awareness and attack simulation platform, 🇵🇱 PL), whose tools protected over 300,000 employees. Its technology will be used in a new tool against AI-driven fraud, developed largely in Warsaw. Source
Asseco Data Systems (IT and trust services provider, part of Asseco Group, 🇵🇱 PL) and Aruba (Cloud and data centre provider, 🇮🇹 IT) are setting up a joint venture to build a European hub for cross-border qualified e-delivery services. The hub will connect national systems such as Poland's e-Doręczenia and Italy's PEC, following a successful Polish-Italian pilot in 2025. Source, Source
ARP (Industrial Development Agency, 🇵🇱 PL) will open a PLN 40 million (~€9.1 million) call in its Dig.IT programme on 2 November, offering grants of PLN 150,000-850,000 (~€34,100-193,100) for digital projects in industrial SMEs. Source
SmartLunch (Employee meal platform, 🇵🇱 PL) has filed a prospectus and plans to list on the Warsaw Stock Exchange this year. It serves more than 860 companies and 118,000 users. Source, Source
PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC, TECHNICAL, FINANCIAL AND OTHER SERVICES
BGK (State development bank, 🇵🇱 PL) has launched the PLN 500 million (~€113.6 million) Vinci Space Tech Fund, Poland's first fund for space technology companies. It will invest PLN 10-100 million (~€2.3-22.7 million) in each of 15-20 firms. ICEYE (Radar satellite operator, 🇫🇮 FI / 🇵🇱 PL) is one of the strategic partners. Source, Source, Source, Source
The Łukasiewicz Research Network (State research network, 🇵🇱 PL) launched a PLN 2.4 billion (~€545 million) space programme in March, running until 2035. It aims to launch satellites of up to 200 kg with mobile launchers and aircraft, and the first satellite, SPARK, should reach orbit within two years. Source, Source, Source
International Personal Finance (Consumer lending group, owner of Provident, 🇬🇧 UK), now owned by BasePoint Capital (Private equity fund, 🇺🇸 US), plans faster growth through new markets and acquisitions. IPF operates in Poland through Provident (Consumer lender, 🇵🇱 PL).Source
BGK (State development bank, 🇵🇱 PL) has issued more than one million loan guarantees to around 380,000 small and medium-sized firms since 2013. The guarantees, worth PLN 384 billion (~€87.2 billion), helped secure about PLN 598 billion (~€135.8 billion) in loans. Source
Pale Fire Capital (Investment group, 🇨🇿 CZ) plans to invest €400 million in Central and Eastern Europe over five years, including at least €100 million in Poland. Its Polish portfolio includes Mubi (Insurance comparison platform, 🇵🇱 PL) and Fly.pl (Travel comparison website, 🇵🇱 PL). Source
PZU (Insurance group, 🇵🇱 PL) plans to merge with its wholly owned insurer LINK4 (Direct insurer, 🇵🇱 PL) to simplify the group and sell LINK4 products through PZU's channels. Shareholders vote on 3 November, and the merger should be registered in early January 2027. Source
TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS
Poland plans to tender long-distance passenger rail services after PKP Intercity (Long-distance rail operator, 🇵🇱 PL)'s contract ends in December 2030. The new contracts for 2030-2034 are estimated at about PLN 26 billion (~€5.9 billion) and should be signed in September 2028. Source, Source
DHL Group (Logistics group, 🇩🇪 DE) plans to invest more than €400 million in Central and Eastern Europe by 2030, with Poland as a key growth market. It is also developing a new air terminal in Katowice. Source
Poczta Polska (Postal operator, 🇵🇱 PL) has signed a contract with Aleet and OnTwo for a new transport management system for parcels. The full system should be ready within 12 months. Source
InPost (Parcel locker and delivery company, 🇵🇱 PL) and Packeta (Parcel delivery and locker network, 🇨🇿 CZ) have launched parcel deliveries from Polish online shops to Czechia and Slovakia. InPost customers get access to over 14,000 Packeta lockers and pickup points, with delivery within two days. Source
Glovo (Delivery platform, 🇪🇸 ES) has invested €150 million in Poland so far and has opened a new 1,600 m² office in Warsaw. It plans to expand quick deliveries from supermarkets. Source
More than 300 of the 1,500 exhibitors at September's IAA Transportation fair came from China, including BYD (Automaker, 🇨🇳 CN), Sany (Industrial equipment manufacturer, 🇨🇳 CN) and Foton (Commercial vehicle manufacturer, 🇨🇳 CN). They are offering cheaper trucks in Europe, helped by China's large electric truck market. Source, Source
Kompania Piwowarska (Beer producer owned by Asahi Europe & International, 🇵🇱 PL) has opened a PLN 230 million (~€52.2 million) automated warehouse in Poznań. It raises the brewery's storage capacity from 23,000 to about 58,000 pallets and allows more direct deliveries to customers. Source
Rossmann (Drugstore chain, 🇩🇪 DE) will invest PLN 500 million (~€113.6 million) to expand its distribution centre in Pyskowice, its largest investment in Poland. The project will create 300 new jobs. Source
SHEIN (Online fashion retailer, 🇸🇬 SG) created more than 3,000 jobs in 2026 at its logistics centre near Wrocław. It plans to hire thousands more people in Poland. Source
Trans Polonia (Fuel, liquid chemicals and glass transport company, 🇵🇱 PL) is negotiating the purchase of a Dutch logistics company four times its size, with about €500 million in annual revenue. The deal would lift the group's revenue to about PLN 2.4 billion (~€545 million). Source
InPost (Parcel locker and delivery company, 🇵🇱 PL) was delisted from Euronext Amsterdam on 23 October after the €7.8 billion takeover by a consortium including Advent and FedEx. The buyers now hold 98.49% of the shares. Source
Poczta Polska (Postal operator, 🇵🇱 PL) has confirmed it is negotiating to buy 100% of Orlen Paczka (Parcel delivery business of ORLEN, 🇵🇱 PL). Allegro (E-commerce platform, 🇵🇱 PL), which has over 11,000 One Box lockers, is also interested in the business. Competition for parcel volumes has grown since duties on parcels from China worth under €150 were introduced in July, prompting global platforms to ship from warehouses in Europe. Source
LPP (Clothing retailer, 🇵🇱 PL) will install more than 1,500 warehouse robots that climb storage racks in its new e-commerce centre in Tczew, the largest installation of its kind in Europe. The centre will handle over 60 million orders a year and should open in spring 2027. Source
PKP Cargo (Rail freight operator, 🇵🇱 PL), which is in restructuring, has paused preparations for a new share issue while a court-appointed administrator reviews its finances. Some creditors, including the European Investment Bank, objected to its repayment proposals. Source
Panattoni (Industrial real estate developer, 🇺🇸 US) has started building a 5,600 m² manufacturing facility for Atlas Copco (Industrial equipment manufacturer, 🇸🇪 SE) in Okmiany, Lower Silesia. The plant will include production, warehouse and equipment repair areas, and is due to start operating in the second quarter of 2027. Source
RETAIL & FMCG
Online sales in Poland rose 15.9% year on year in September, and the Base Index of Base (E-commerce software company, 🇵🇱 PL) reached a record 188 points. The average basket was PLN 199.9 (~€45.4). Source
Poland is the EU's largest carp producer, but its fish farms produce only about 48,000 tonnes a year, while processors need over one million tonnes of raw fish. Universities in Szczecin and Olsztyn are training new specialists for the sector under the EDU-FISH programme. Source
Tommy's Express (Automated car wash chain, 🇺🇸 US) is preparing to enter Poland through franchising. The minimum investment is PLN 11.5 million (~€2.6 million) per site. Source
Empik (Book, media and lifestyle retailer, 🇵🇱 PL) has opened its 400th store in Poland. About two-thirds of Empik.com orders are collected in stores, and online sales grow faster near new stores. Source
Grupa Specjał (FMCG distributor and owner of SPAR Polska, 🇵🇱 PL) plans to buy Drogerie Natura, Poland's third-largest drugstore chain with over 190 stores, from Mutares (Investment company, 🇩🇪 DE). Natura lost PLN 87.4 million (~€19.9 million) in 2025 on revenue of PLN 327 million (~€74.3 million). Source, Source
Grupa PSB (Building materials and DIY retail group, owner of PSB Mrówka, 🇵🇱 PL) aims to reach 1,000 outlets and a 20% market share by 2030. The group had 755 outlets and revenue of PLN 9.3 billion (~€2.11 billion) in 2025. Source
Dino Polska (Supermarket chain, 🇵🇱 PL) has received a permit for a 47,000 m² distribution centre in Lulkowo near Gniezno, which could employ up to 600 people. A second centre, in Zawiercie, is due in early 2027 at a cost of PLN 150 million (~€34.1 million). Source
Żabka Group (Convenience store chain, 🇵🇱 PL) increased revenue by 14.3% to PLN 23.1 billion (~€5.25 billion) in the first nine months of 2026 and now has 13,405 stores in Poland and Romania. Couche-Tard's takeover offer, valuing Żabka at about PLN 32.6 billion (~€7.4 billion), should close by December. Source
LPP (Clothing retailer, 🇵🇱 PL)'s market value passed PLN 50 billion (~€11.4 billion) on 21 October, up from PLN 29 billion (~€6.6 billion) at the end of 2024. The company paid a record PLN 536.5 million (~€121.9 million) in corporate income tax for 2025, when its net profit grew 36% to PLN 2.4 billion (~€545 million). Source
Polish program supports home energy storage
From 20 October 2026, consumers in Poland can apply for up to PLN 19,000 (~€4,316) towards household electricity and heat storage under a PLN 1 billion (~€227 million) program run by the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management. Support includes up to PLN 16,000 (~€3,634) for electricity storage, PLN 1,000 (~€227) for heat storage and a PLN 2,000 (~€454) bonus for equipment made in the EU. The program is expected to support around 1,250 MWh of storage, enough to supply about 170,000 households for one day. Applications can be submitted until 1 October 2027, and electricity storage systems must have energy management and backup (islanding) capability. Source
Government launches third edition of fuel price program
Poland is running the third edition of its "Fuel Prices Lower" program from 3 October to 31 December 2026, cutting VAT on fuel from 23% to 8%, lowering excise duty and setting maximum retail prices. For 3-5 October, the gross price caps were PLN 6.73 (~€1.53) per litre for 95-octane petrol, PLN 7.59 (~€1.72) for 98-octane petrol and PLN 7.88 (~€1.79) for diesel. Energy Minister, Miłosz Motyka, said the program should reduce costs for households and businesses, and it is partly financed by a new tax on fuel companies' excess profits. Source
New call for loans for energy-intensive companies investing in renewables
The National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management will open the third call of its "Energy-intensive industry - renewables" program on 2 November, with applications accepted until 30 April 2027. Preferential loans will cover up to 100% of eligible costs, ranging from PLN 5 million to PLN 300 million (~€1.1-68.1 million), and up to 30% of the loan may be written off depending on the installation's performance. Separately, the government has adopted a draft law on electricity-cost support for energy-intensive companies, under which at least half of the aid must be spent on decarbonisation and other environmental investments. Source, Source
Polish business leaders invest in small nuclear reactors
A group of Polish entrepreneurs will invest PLN 500 million (~€113.6 million) in Synthos Green Energy (Small modular reactor developer, 🇵🇱 PL), led by Michał Sołowow, to develop BWRX-300 small modular reactors. Investors include Rafał Brzoska, founder of InPost (Parcel locker and delivery company, 🇵🇱 PL), and Mati Staniszewski, CEO of ElevenLabs (Voice artificial intelligence company, 🇺🇸 US / 🇵🇱 PL), as well as executives from Oshee, Maspex, Wirtualna Polska and ZPUE. Together with PLN 1.35 billion (~€307 million) from foreign investors, the funding should cover two years of work on projects in Poland, Central and Eastern Europe and the UK. Source, Source
Six small reactors planned at Pątnów power plant site
Synthos Green Energy (Small modular reactor developer, 🇵🇱 PL) and ZE PAK (Energy group, 🇵🇱 PL) have signed an agreement on cooperation and financing and will set up PAK BWRX, which plans to build six BWRX-300 small modular reactors with a total capacity of about 1,800 MW at Pątnów. SGE will contribute the technology rights for the site and ZE PAK the land. The project is meant to replace part of the coal-fired capacity being closed in Poland. Source
TAURON invests in new heat source for Jaworzno
TAURON (Energy group, 🇵🇱 PL)'s generation subsidiary has signed a design-and-build contract with AB Industry for a new heat plant in Jaworzno worth more than PLN 300 million (~€68.1 million), which will replace worn-out hard-coal heat sources. The plant will combine gas and electrode boilers, gas cogeneration engines and a 400 MWh heat accumulator, with total heat capacity above 126 MWt and nearly 14 MWe of electrical capacity. The boiler plant should be ready before the 2028/2029 heating season, and cogeneration is planned from the second quarter of 2029. Source
Gravity energy storage towers planned near Wrocław
Promet-Plast (Industrial company owned by Andrzej Jeżewski, 🇵🇱 PL) is building two 212-metre towers in Gaj Oławski, about 20 km from Wrocław, as a gravity energy storage facility worth PLN 447 million (~€101.5 million). The facility will use 1,415 concrete blocks of 60 tonnes each to store about 70 MWh and generate electricity for up to seven hours, while five electrolysers on site will produce about 1,700 tonnes of RFNBO hydrogen a year for transport and industry. The work is expected to be completed in about a year. Source, Source
TAURON buys BME Jawor battery storage project
TAURON (Energy group, 🇵🇱 PL) has bought the ready-to-build BME Jawor battery energy storage project with a capacity of 28.27 MW and 120 MWh, made up of 40 containers, which should start operating in February 2027. The project has a capacity market contract for 2029-2045 with annual remuneration of PLN 264.9/kW (~€60.2/kW), and the acquisition brings the storage capacity TAURON plans to commission in 2026-2029 to more than 600 MW. Source
PGE launches tender for 22 energy storage facilities
PGE Energia Odnawialna (Renewable energy subsidiary of PGE, 🇵🇱 PL) is seeking a general contractor for 22 distributed battery storage facilities with a total of 111 MW and 260 MWh, split into four packages in north-eastern, central and south-eastern Poland, with bids due by 16 November 2026. In a separate tender, Elektrotim (Electrical engineering contractor, 🇵🇱 PL) submitted the best offer, worth PLN 254.4 million (~€57.8 million) net, for four storage systems. Source, Source
Smart meter factory opens in Wałbrzych
Elgama Smart Energy (Smart electricity meter manufacturer, part of Elgama-Elektronika, 🇱🇹 LT / 🇵🇱 PL) has started producing single-phase and three-phase smart electricity meters in the Wałbrzych Special Economic Zone, after investing several million euros. Capacity should exceed one million meters a year, and employment is expected to grow from about 40 to more than 100 people. The company plans to supply the Polish market first and then other European markets. Source, Source
About 6,800 workers have left coal mining this year
Around 6,800 people have left Poland's mining sector since the start of 2026, reducing employment by nearly 10%, Deputy Energy Minister Marian Zmarzły said, while the Bobrek, Wujek and Bielszowice coal mines are being phased out. Coal will remain important for energy security during the transition, with one scenario still requiring 10 million tonnes in 2040 and the first nuclear unit planned for 2036. The government has asked the European Commission to approve changes covering support for mining companies, worker protections and subsidies for reduced production. Source
Poland updates nuclear plans: first plant in 2036, second in 2040
The government's updated nuclear power programme, the first in six years, delays the first plant in Choczewo to 2036 and the second to 2040, with both together reaching up to 9 GW and about 15-16% of electricity by 2040. On 15 October, the energy ministry signed an agreement with Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe and PGE (Energy group, 🇵🇱 PL) to prepare the second plant, with Bełchatów and Konin as preferred sites. A technology partner will be chosen in 2027 from Westinghouse, EDF and AtkinsRéalis, and Polish companies are expected to supply 40% of the first reactor project's value. Source, Source
All turbines installed at Poland's first offshore wind farm
ORLEN (Energy and fuels group, 🇵🇱 PL) and Northland Power (Power producer, 🇨🇦 CA) have installed all 76 turbines at Baltic Power, which will have up to 1.2 GW of capacity and supply over 1.5 million households. The farm is now being commissioned, with more than a third of the turbine nacelles made at the Vestas factory in Szczecin. Polish companies are expected to receive about 21% of spending over its life. Source
EU funds ORLEN's CO₂ storage project in Norway
The Atlas project, in which ORLEN Upstream Norway holds 20% alongside operator Aker BP (Oil and gas company, 🇳🇴 NO), has received €223 million from the EU Innovation Fund. It plans to store 6 million tonnes of CO₂ a year under the seabed, shipped in liquid form and injected directly from vessels. A final investment decision is planned for 2028 and first injection for 2031. Source
ORLEN opens LNG trading office in Singapore
ORLEN (Energy and fuels group, 🇵🇱 PL) will open an LNG trading office in Singapore in early 2027, alongside its London trading team, to serve Asian customers and manage its global supply portfolio. The group operates eight LNG carriers and has already delivered six cargoes to China, Korea and Thailand. Source
Former ORLEN managers were charged over 2023 fuel price cuts
Prosecutors have charged five current and former senior managers of ORLEN (Energy and fuels group, 🇵🇱 PL) over fuel price cuts before the 2023 election, which they say caused over PLN 4.1 billion (~€931 million) in damage to the company. Former CEO Daniel Obajtek, now an MEP, rejects the allegations. Source
Construction output falls 9% in September
Construction and assembly output fell 9.0% year on year in September but rose 3.0% from August, according to Statistics Poland. All segments declined, with building construction falling the most. Source
Ministry of Finance plans measures against undeclared construction work
Poland's Ministry of Finance is preparing measures to limit undeclared activity in construction, including possible changes to invoicing rules, wider use of construction-log data and closer monitoring of cashless payments. A report estimates undeclared construction turnover at about PLN 6.6 billion (~€1.5 billion) a year, and an expert estimate puts the maximum VAT shortfall at around PLN 4 billion (~€909 million). According to the ministry, 32.6% of surveyed consumers who hired tradespeople usually paid without any receipt or invoice. Source
Swedish investor Eastnine plans more office purchases in Poland
Eastnine (Office property investor listed on Nasdaq Stockholm, 🇸🇪 SE) plans to strengthen its position in Warsaw and Poznań over the next three to five years, after buying The Bridge office tower in Warsaw's Wola district in September for €241 million, against a valuation of €285 million. It now owns four office buildings in Poland, Warsaw Unit and The Bridge in Warsaw and Nowy Rynek D and E in Poznań, and says it holds about 9% of the Wola office market. The company will also take over management of its Warsaw buildings in the first quarter of 2027. Source
Building permits up 12% this year
Developers and individuals received permits for 216,000 homes in January-September, 12.3% more than a year earlier, according to Statistics Poland (GUS). Construction started on 173,600 homes (+4.5%) and 149,200 were completed (+3.1%), while 863,100 homes were under construction at the end of September. Source
Budimex consortium selected for Czech motorway PPP
A consortium including Budimex (Construction group, 🇵🇱 PL) (10%), Cintra, Strabag and Invesis was selected by the Czech Ministry of Transport for the D35 motorway public-private partnership, with an offer of CZK 71.3 billion (~€2.9 billion). The 28-year concession covers 35.4 km of new motorway, and Budimex's Czech subsidiary will carry out 40% of construction. The deal still needs approval from the Czech government and parliament. Source
TOYA buys build-to-own complex from Hillwood for €41.6 million
Hillwood Polska (Industrial real estate developer, 🇵🇱 PL) has sold a warehouse and office complex of about 57,800 m² in Oddział, Żabia Wola municipality, to TOYA (Tools distributor, owner of the YATO brand, 🇵🇱 PL) for €41.6 million net. The complex was built in the build-to-own model to TOYA's operating needs and includes warehouse, production and service space and offices. Source, Source
Government supports PGZ investments worth PLN 1.3 billion
Three PGZ (State-owned defence group, 🇵🇱 PL) companies, Jelcz (Military truck manufacturer, 🇵🇱 PL), Rosomak (Armoured vehicle manufacturer, 🇵🇱 PL) and Bumar-Łabędy (Tank manufacturer and repair plant, 🇵🇱 PL), will receive PLN 386 million (~€87.7 million) in tax exemptions under the Polish Investment Zone for projects worth nearly PLN 1.3 billion (~€295 million). Bumar-Łabędy plans investments of PLN 711 million (~€161.5 million), Jelcz about PLN 470 million (~€106.8 million) with 200 new jobs, and Rosomak PLN 112 million (~€25.4 million). Jelcz and Rosomak are using former Rafako halls in Racibórz, where chassis for the Narew air defence programme and Rosomak hulls will be made. "The defence industry has the potential to become a new engine of the Polish economy," said Finance and Economy Minister Andrzej Domański. Source
Construction starts on CAMM-ER missile component factory
Grupa Antczak (Construction and development group, 🇵🇱 PL) and EBS BUD (Construction company, 🇵🇱 PL) will build the infrastructure for MESKO (Ammunition and missile manufacturer, part of PGZ, 🇵🇱 PL) to produce complete rocket motors and warheads for CAMM-ER air defence missiles, under the Narew programme. MESKO's project is worth PLN 360.3 million (~€81.8 million), of which PLN 304.4 million (~€69.1 million) comes from the Capital Investment Fund, and runs from 2025 to 2030. The missiles are being produced in Poland through technology transfer agreements worth over PLN 50 billion (~€11.4 billion), signed with PGZ in 2023. Source, Source
EU funding for Polish warheads for loitering munitions
The European Commission has selected E-WARP, a consortium including ZSP Niewiadów (Precision equipment manufacturer, part of Niewiadów Polska Grupa Militarna, 🇵🇱 PL), KNDS (Land defence systems group, 🇫🇷 FR / 🇧🇪 BE) France and Belgium and Latvian partners, for €25.83 million in funding under the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP). The project will build European production capacity for warheads and explosives for loitering munitions, and was one of eight chosen from 83 proposals. ZSP Niewiadów's share will be set in the grant agreement. Source, Source
Gdańsk shipyard builds vessels for the Danish Navy
Karstensen Shipyard Poland (Shipbuilder, part of Karstensens Skibsværft, 🇩🇰 DK / 🇵🇱 PL) laid the keel on 20 October in Gdańsk for the first of four multi-role ships for the Royal Danish Navy, the yard's first naval project. The order covers three 60-metre ships and one 72-metre ship, worth about DKK 1.9 billion (~€255 million), designed for oil and chemical spill response, minelaying, patrol and training. The hulls will be built in Gdańsk and outfitted in Denmark, with deliveries planned for 2028-2030. Source
MESKO and Territorial Defence Forces sign security agreement
MESKO (Ammunition and missile manufacturer, part of PGZ, 🇵🇱 PL) and the 10th Świętokrzyska Territorial Defence Brigade signed an agreement on 13 October in Skarżysko-Kamienna to jointly develop security procedures and prepare for emergencies at the company's plants. Selected MESKO facilities can also be used for joint training. The agreement is part of PGZ's "Partnership for Resilience" initiative, which links defence companies with the Territorial Defence Forces to protect strategic plants against growing sabotage threats. Source, Source
Kongsberg to build anti-drone factory near the Tricity
Kongsberg (Defence and technology group, 🇳🇴 NO) will invest more than PLN 200 million (~€45.4 million) in a factory for counter-drone systems near Gdańsk, Gdynia and Sopot, creating over 100 jobs. Construction starts this year and production in the first half of 2028. The company signed an agreement with PGZ in January to supply a new anti-drone system to Poland. Source, Source
PIT-RADWAR expands plant for the SAN anti-drone system
PIT-RADWAR (Radar and radio manufacturer, part of PGZ, 🇵🇱 PL) will spend about PLN 90 million (~€20.4 million) to expand its site in Czernica near Wrocław with more than 100 robotised machines. The plant will build communication elements for the SAN anti-drone system and assemble components for the IBCS air defence system with L3Harris, and employment there should grow by 50%. Source
WB Electronics wins PLN 599 million orders from Huta Stalowa Wola
WB Electronics (Defence electronics manufacturer, part of WB Group, 🇵🇱 PL) has received two orders for military products from Huta Stalowa Wola (Armoured vehicle and artillery manufacturer, part of PGZ, 🇵🇱 PL) worth PLN 598.9 million (~€136 million) and $8.6 million (~€7.7 million) gross. Deliveries are planned for 2027-2029. Source
Saab orders propulsion units for Poland's Orka submarines
Saab (Defence and security company, 🇸🇪 SE) has signed a contract with Jeumont Electric (Electrical machines manufacturer owned by Framatome and Naval Group, 🇫🇷 FR) for three electric propulsion units for the A26 submarines that Poland is buying under the Orka programme. The same motors, which the manufacturer says offer high acoustic stealth, will be used in Swedish A26 and Australian Collins-class submarines. Construction of hull sections for the Polish submarines is under way at Saab Kockums in Karlskrona; the contract value was not disclosed. Source
Sweden to deploy Patriot air defence to Rzeszów
🇸🇪 Sweden will send Patriot air defence systems and around 100 soldiers to Rzeszów in December to protect the NATO logistics hub that handles aid to Ukraine. They will stay until mid-2027, taking over from the Netherlands, which has operated two Patriot batteries in Poland since last December. The deployment follows closer defence cooperation between Sweden and Poland. Source
Poland and Norway sign strategic partnership declaration
🇳🇴 Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre signed a declaration on strategic partnership in Warsaw on 12 October. The talks covered NATO solidarity, Euro-Atlantic ties and continued support for Ukraine, and Tusk described Polish-Norwegian relations as stronger than ever. Source
Permanent US base to top National Security Council agenda
President Karol Nawrocki has called a National Security Council meeting for 3 November, which will focus on the planned permanent US military base in Poland and current security threats. Talks with Washington cover the base's location, infrastructure and financing, and further consultations at the Pentagon are planned for mid-November. Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz expects a decision in December and points to intensifying Russian actions, including sabotage and the need to scramble aircraft. Source
Poland chosen for European PAC-3 missile service centre
Poland has been selected to host the European maintenance centre for PAC-3 missiles used in Patriot air defence systems, with Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands supporting the supply chain. Lockheed Martin (Defence and aerospace company, 🇺🇸 US) says the centre will handle repairs, overhauls and re-certification, which today can take over a year in the US but could take a few weeks in Europe. The company, which received a $58.63 billion (~€52.3 billion) multi-year contract for PAC-3 MSE missiles this year, says the centre will create skilled jobs for Polish suppliers. Poland's next goal is to move from servicing to producing PAC-3 MSE missiles. Source, Source, Source
Polish-Greek defence industry cooperation agreement signed
PONAR Wadowice (Hydraulics manufacturer for defence and industry, 🇵🇱 PL) and ELVO - Hellenic Vehicle Industries 2020 (Military vehicle manufacturer, 🇬🇷 GR) have signed a memorandum of understanding on technological and industrial cooperation. ELVO, which assembled several hundred Leopard 2HEL tanks for the Greek army, announced a €40 million investment programme in September. The partnership could also help PK MIL, PONAR's Polish-Ukrainian joint venture planning to produce 155 mm artillery systems such as the Bohdana self-propelled howitzer, build a wider European market. Source
Poland and the US strengthen counterintelligence protection for F-35s
The head of Poland's Military Counterintelligence Service, Brig. Gen. Jarosław Stróżyk, met Brig. Gen. Laura DeJong, head of the US Air Force Office of Special Investigations, to expand information sharing and protect Poland's F-35A programme against foreign intelligence. Poland has ordered 32 F-35A fighters, the ninth of which arrived in early October, with all deliveries due by 2029. A possible order for about 32 more aircraft is under discussion. Source
Defense News from Poland
Full Defense News Digest from last 10 months available upon request 👉 Tuomas Asunmaa or tuomas@spondeo.fi
Sanoma's Nowa Era grows digital offer with Fluentbe
Nowa Era (Educational publisher, 🇵🇱 PL), part of Sanoma (Education and media group, 🇫🇮 FI), generated about PLN 580 million (~€131.7 million) in revenue and PLN 85.9 million (~€19.5 million) in net profit in 2025 and expects further growth despite falling student numbers and pressure on its print business. It is expanding its digital offer through the acquisition of Fluentbe (Language-learning company, 🇵🇱 PL), and digital solutions are the fastest-growing part of the group, although printed textbooks and teaching materials still account for about 70% of revenue. Sanoma says it has about €300 million available for further acquisitions. Source, Source, Source
Business Breakfast at the Embassy of Finland
On Oct 22nd, the Embassy of Finland in cooperation with Scandinavian-Polish Chamber of Commerce organized a business breakfast for the local Polish-Finnish business community. For the first time, this event was hosted by new Ambassador H.E. Maimo Henriksson, who greeted the guests and briefed them about the Embassy’s plans and expressed ideas for cooperation.
Finnish start-up Ambio raises €5.1 million with Polish Montis VC as one investor
Ambio (AI platform for recycled plastics procurement, 🇫🇮 FI) has raised €5.1 million in a seed round led by b2venture (Venture capital investor, 🇨🇭 CH), with participation from the Polish fund Montis VC and existing investor Lifeline Ventures (Venture capital investor, 🇫🇮 FI). Ambio connects European manufacturers with recycled plastic suppliers and uses AI agents to source and verify material and handle logistics, quality checks and financing. Founded in Helsinki in 2023 by Tommi Bergström and Elmo Pakkanen, it serves customers mainly in construction and packaging in the Nordics and Germany, started operating in France in October, already has Polish customers, and will use the funds for European expansion, sales hiring and technology development as manufacturers face growing recycled-content requirements. Source, Source, Source
Russian military satellite moves close to ICEYE radar satellite
The Russian military satellite Kosmos 2612 has made a series of precise manoeuvres that placed it on almost the same orbit as ICEYE-X36, a radar reconnaissance satellite of ICEYE (Radar satellite operator, 🇫🇮 FI / 🇵🇱 PL) that supplies imagery to Western governments and armed forces, including Ukraine. According to satellite trackers, it was about 475 km away in mid-October and came within about 5 km on 16 October, which experts describe as a deliberate approach. It is unclear what Russia intends, but such proximity could allow reconnaissance or interference, and Space24 argues that NATO and the EU need a clear deterrent response. Source
Finnish car relocation start-up Flovi grows fastest in Poland
Flovi (Car relocation platform, 🇫🇮 FI) has reached about 2,000 car relocations a month and more than 100 clients after one year in Poland, its fastest-growing market in Europe, using a network of nearly 4,000 independent drivers who move cars for dealers, leasing companies and fleet operators. Managing director Michał Borek wants to increase monthly relocations fivefold to about 10,000 within two years, although the size of the Polish market, estimated at 300-400 potential client companies, may limit growth. Source
Finnish fitness app FeelHobby continues building trust in Poland
FeelHobby (Fitness and wellbeing app, 🇫🇮 FI) now offers a fully Polish-language app, more than 200 workouts in Polish and has hundreds of paying customers in Poland, co-founder and CMO Mirva Putro wrote. The company's biggest lesson has been that trust must be earned, as Polish customers and partners are more cautious about new brands and every arrangement is made with a formal contract. At the same time, Finnish work culture and wellbeing thinking are highly valued in Poland. Source
Finland considers special economic zones modelled on Poland
A special economic zone model is being prepared for Finland's Imatra region and Kajaani, aiming to attract investment and jobs with tax incentives, following Poland's experience, according to a commercial article in Kauppalehti published on 19 October. "Poland has dared to try new solutions, and their impact is visible in the country's economic development," said Tuomas Asunmaa, CEO of Spondeo, adding that Finland could now test a similar model in Eastern Finland. Source
Lyyti Embassy Breakfast at the Embassy of Finland
In the end of October, The Embassy of Finland in Poland and Lyyti (Event management platform, 🇫🇮 FI) hosted a breakfast seminar, "Best Practices for Diplomatic Events", for representatives of diplomatic missions in Warsaw. Presentations by Petri Hollmén, Adriana Knispel and Quentin Nourry covered organising events efficiently, managing participant lists and complying with GDPR, and showed how Finnish digital solutions can help. Source
Read here
Poland's parliamentary elections one year away
Poland's next parliamentary elections are due in autumn 2027, on 17, 24 or 31 October or 7 November, with the date set by President Karol Nawrocki. Polling averages put the Civic Coalition (KO) on about 32%, Law and Justice (PiS) on 20%, Confederation on 14% and Grzegorz Braun's Confederation of the Polish Crown on 9%, leaving the government-aligned parties (about 47%) and the right-wing opposition (about 48%) close. Sovereignty and the EU, security, Ukraine, migration and the economy, including fuel prices, inflation and public debt, are expected to be the main issues. READ IN ENGLISH: Source
Poland leads EU industry ministers' call for competitiveness
Finance and Economy Minister Andrzej Domański hosted the Friends of Industry conference in Warsaw on 26 October with 21 EU member states and European Commission Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné, where 15 countries backed a Polish "Warsaw Declaration" on industrial policy. It calls for lower energy costs, a stronger single market, faster trade defence and making competitiveness a principle of all EU policies. At the Polish-German Economic Forum the same day, German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche called Poland "an example of great success", with bilateral trade above €180 billion last year. Source, Source
Warsaw has the EU's highest employment rate
The Warsaw region had the highest employment rate in the EU in 2025, at 86.9% of people aged 20-64, ahead of Prague and Finland's Åland Islands, according to Eurostat. Poland's national rate was 78.8%, above the EU average of 76.1%, and its unemployment rate of 3.3% in August was the second lowest in the EU. Source
Poland seeks more trade with India and Vietnam
Prime Minister Donald Tusk visited India with nearly 100 Polish companies, where the two countries aimed to double trade by 2030 from €5.68 billion in 2025, helped by the EU-India trade agreement. In Hanoi, Poland and Vietnam announced a strategic partnership, with talks on Vietnam buying Krab howitzers and Rosomak vehicles and LOT resuming Warsaw-Hanoi flights in early 2027. Source, Source, Source
Sejm approves night-time ban on alcohol sales in shops
The Sejm approved a bill banning off-premises alcohol sales from 22:00 to 06:00 nationwide, by 400 votes to 33, while allowing municipalities to extend the ban to 21:00-09:00; bars and restaurants are exempt. The bill also bans all alcohol advertising, including for beer, with fines of PLN 30,000 to PLN 1 million (~€6,800-227,100), raises licence fees and requires health warnings on packaging. It still needs approval from the Senate and President Karol Nawrocki and is planned to take effect on 1 January 2027; nearly 200 municipalities already have night-time sales bans. Source, Source
Large companies face higher corporate tax from 2027
Poland’s Ministry of Finance plans to raise the corporate income tax rate from 19% to 22% from 2027 for companies with annual revenue above the equivalent of €50 million. The change would affect about 4,500 firms and bring in an extra PLN 8.6-8.7 billion (~€1.95-1.98 billion) a year. Business organisations warn that higher taxes could reduce investment and job creation. Finance Minister Andrzej Domański argues that Poland’s tax system will remain attractive to foreign investors. Source, Source
Man charged with planning attack on government
A 66-year-old man, identified as Krzysztof N., has been charged with planning to overthrow the government by force, including with explosives. Investigators found around a dozen improvised explosive devices and other weapons at his home, and he faces nine charges, the most serious carrying up to 15 years in prison. In a separate case, a 46-year-old man was charged with inciting the murder of Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Sejm Speaker Włodzimierz Czarzasty. Source
Companies can be registered only online from 1 November
From 1 November 2026, new sole traders can register in the business register CEIDG only online, through Biznes.gov.pl, the mObywatel app or banks. From 2028 all other applications will also move online, with one application replacing separate filings to the tax office, GUS and ZUS. Source
More towns allowed to charge a tourist fee
A new law signed by the president allows many more municipalities to charge a nightly visitor fee from 2027, of up to PLN 5 (~€1.14) per night, covering hotels and short-term rentals. Kraków, which had 16.25 million visitors in 2025, can now reintroduce the fee. Source
Police break up group that laundered €77 million
Polish authorities detained nine people suspected of laundering PLN 337 million (~€76.5 million) from online scams through currency exchange offices and cryptocurrency between February 2025 and July 2026. The government also withdrew a proposal to criminalise helping migrants staying in Poland illegally after protests from 61 organisations. Source, Source
Sick leave for mental health reasons rises
In 2025, 1.8 million sick-leave certificates related to mental and behavioural disorders accounted for 34.1 million days of absence, or 7.9% of all certificates recorded by ZUS, the Polish social insurance institution. The number of such certificates has risen by more than a third in recent years, with stress-related and adjustment disorders the most common cause, followed by depression and anxiety. ZUS offers eligible workers free 24-day rehabilitation, including psychological therapy. Source
Two thirds of Poles want a more liberal abortion law
A survey by SW Research for Rzeczpospolita found that 67.2% of Poles want the abortion law liberalised, including 37.7% who support abortion on demand up to 12 weeks. Support is higher among women (73.8%) than men (60.3%), and protesters returned to the streets on 23 October. Source
Poland and Lithuania: plan for Baltic residents in emergencies
Poland and Lithuania are preparing plans to evacuate one million or more Baltic residents to Poland in case of war, after Lithuania's first exercise that included cross-border evacuation. Poland has also extended border checks with Lithuania and Germany until at least March 2027, and almost 80% of Poles say Poland should help the Baltic states if attacked. Source
ICEYE and Nokia to develop sovereign satellite communications for Ukraine
ICEYE (Radar satellite operator, 🇫🇮 FI / 🇵🇱 PL) and Nokia (Telecommunications equipment company, 🇫🇮 FI) have signed a letter of intent with Ukraine's Ministry of Defence to explore cooperation on a sovereign satellite communications capability for Ukraine, announced on 22 October during the Finnish Prime Minister's visit to Kyiv. The plan builds on the companies' earlier partnership to develop secure broadband low Earth orbit satellite communications that governments own and control. "Ukraine needs secure, sovereign and high-performance satellite communications systems that it controls," said ICEYE CEO Rafał Modrzewski. Source, Source, Source
Ukrainian refugees added 2.4% to Poland's GDP in 2025
A study by UNHCR and Deloitte (Professional services firm, 🇬🇧 UK) estimates that Ukrainian refugees increased Poland's GDP by 2.4% in 2025, equal to PLN 94 billion (~€21.4 billion), with nearly one million refugees living in the country. Their employment rate rose to 76%, slightly above that of Polish citizens, with no evidence of negative effects on Polish jobs or wages. The report estimates that their economic activity raised government revenue by 2.6%, but notes lower job security and pay among refugees. Source
Cersanit and Barlinek halt production in Ukraine after Russian attacks
Cersanit (Ceramic tiles and sanitary ware manufacturer, part of MS Galleon, 🇵🇱 PL) has completely halted production at its factory in Zviahel, Zhytomyr oblast, after Russian drone attacks on 11-12 September and 15-16 October caused damage that cannot currently be repaired. Barlinek (Wood flooring manufacturer, part of MS Galleon, 🇵🇱 PL) has also stopped production at its plant in Vinnytsia, which employs more than 800 people and can make over 12 million m² of flooring a year. The plant was already hit by a Russian drone strike in July 2025. Both companies cited frequent air-raid alarms, evacuations and power cuts, and said they can no longer guarantee workers’ safety. The two plants, both owned by Michał Sołowow, employ about 1,800 people, and neither company has said when production might restart. Source, Source, Source, Source
ArcelorMittal unable to restart Kryvyi Rih steelworks after missile strikes
ArcelorMittal (Steel and mining group, 🇱🇺 LU) told the Ukrainian government on 25 September that it cannot restart operations at its subsidiary ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih in a safe and sustainable way, after four missile strikes in five weeks, the latest on 21 September, killed five people, injured 17 employees and caused extensive damage to production facilities. The company is discussing the plant's future with the government and will focus on preserving the infrastructure so that production can restart when peace returns. ArcelorMittal has provided more than $700 million (~€624 million) to keep the Ukrainian business running since the war began and expects to record a non-cash impairment charge of about $1 billion (~€892 million). Source, Source, Source
Finland and Ukraine sign agreements worth €300 million
During Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo's visit to Kyiv, the countries signed seven documents worth about €300 million, including ten Finnish locomotives for Ukraine's railways. Patria (Defence company, 🇫🇮 FI) and General Cherry plan a joint venture in Finland for unmanned systems, Insta (Defence and technology company, 🇫🇮 FI) and Bavovna Miltech will set up heavy drone production in Finland, and Elematic (Precast concrete technology company, 🇫🇮 FI) will work on a precast concrete plant in Ukraine. See also Patria’s Q3 report. Source, Source
Pepco in Ukraine
Pepco (Discount clothing and home goods retailer, 🇵🇱 PL) opened its first store in Ukraine on 28 October in Kyiv's Respublika Park shopping centre, followed by two more Kyiv stores on 30 October, as a pilot entry into its 20th market. The chain plans stores in Ternopil and Chernivtsi by the end of 2026, depending on the results. Source, Source
Ukraine to buy Polish weapons with €125 million loan
Ukraine expects to agree by the end of 2026 on a €125 million Polish loan to buy Polish weapons such as Piorun air defence missiles, said Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. He added that Ukraine is ready to sign a "Drone Deal" with Poland and to produce weapons jointly under the EU's SAFE programme. Source
Poland to send two more MiG-29s to Ukraine
Poland will transfer two more MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine in a new aid package worth about €50 million, which also includes artillery ammunition and Piorun missiles. Poland will also provide five more PAC-3 MSE interceptors for Patriot systems, after giving 14 MiG-29s in 2022-2023. Source
Netflix series "Lalka" among most-watched non-English series
Netflix (Streaming platform, 🇺🇸 US)'s series based on Bolesław Prus's novel "Lalka" (The Doll) had 2.5 million views worldwide on 14-20 September, ranking third among the platform's most-watched non-English series. It reached the top lists in 26 countries and was praised by international viewers and media, including Helen Mirren and The New York Times. In Poland, many viewers criticised its modern language and departures from the novel. Source, Source
Engineer creates live 3D map of Warsaw
Turkish software engineer Bedirhan Yildirim has built a free, live 3D map of Warsaw with nearly 200,000 buildings, trams running to real timetables and real-time weather and lighting. He created it in days with AI coding tools and public data from Poland's mapping office, transport authorities and OpenStreetMap. Source
Competition for Polish Capital of Culture 2030 announced
The Ministry of Culture will continue the Polish Capital of Culture programme, after Bielsko-Biała in 2026, Katowice in 2027 and Kołobrzeg in 2028. Cities of up to 500,000 residents can compete, with the winner receiving up to PLN 10 million (~€2.27 million), and the first stage opens in 2027. Source
Poland's Venice Architecture Biennale project chosen
"The Most Expensive Plot in the World", curated by Artur Jerzy Filip and Grzegorz Laszuk, will be shown in the Polish Pavilion at the 2027 Venice Architecture Biennale. The performative exhibition and multimedia cantata questions the dominance of the property market in architecture, and was chosen from 48 entries. Source
Government to review Paramount's takeover of TVN
The state assets ministry will review whether Paramount Skydance can take control of the broadcaster TVN after its $110 billion (~€98 billion) acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. TVN is on a list of companies protected from hostile takeovers, and the ministry has 90 days to approve or block the change. Source
New portal from Spondeo: ~400 B2B events in Poland listed in one place
Clients, prospects and partners often ask us which events are worth attending in Poland, so our team has published B2B Events Poland, a free site listing over 300 Polish fairs, expos, conferences and other business gatherings. As sales advisors we visit events regularly, because in a new market the first contacts and trust are still built in person, and we decided to share our internal events list openly. This is the first version and work is still in progress, so please add any missing events on the site or let us know. Source, Source
Past events
OCTOBER:
8th Biomass and Alternative Fuels Conference, 6-7th of October, Grudziądz
Andrzej Wiśniewski from Spondeo took part in the 8th Biomass and Alternative Fuels Conference, where nearly 100 experts from the energy and district heating sector discussed the heat transformation strategy to 2040, agro-biomass, alternative fuels from waste and shortages of timber supply. Participants also visited the OPEC Grudziądz heating plant, which runs Poland's only loose-straw steam boiler. Magazyn Biomasa featured Andrzej in its photo report from the event. Source
XXII Polish LPG Market Meeting, 7-8th of October, Poznań
Nearly 180 LPG industry representatives from Poland and abroad met in Poznań for the 22nd Polish LPG Market Meeting, organised by Information Market. Speakers discussed new supply routes after the end of Russian imports, the 2026 Middle East crisis, US exports and upcoming regulatory changes. Finnish company Punta participated the event. Source
Polish Oil & Gas Congress, 21-22nd of October, Warsaw
The Polish Oil & Gas Congress (Polski Kongres Naftowy i Gazowniczy) took place at the Museum of Polish History in Warsaw, bringing together oil and gas sector leaders and representatives of the state administration. Discussions covered energy and raw material sources in a multipolar world, supply chain disruptions, reindustrialisation, energy security and the future of upstream exploration and production. Source
Biogas and biomethane in Poland and Finland, 26th of October
During Circular Week 2026, the Embassy of Finland in Poland and INNOWO hosted an event on developing biogas and biomethane in Poland and Finland. Finnish experts Saija Rasi and Ulla Palander showed how the bioeconomy affects the national economy, while presentations covered Poland’s production potential, regulatory changes and investor support. Permanent Secretary Timo Jaatinen of Finland’s Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment greeted participants. Source
SPCC Behind the Business visit to Promeco, 29th of October, Gościcino
On 29 October, the Scandinavian-Polish Chamber of Commerce (SPCC) took member companies behind the scenes at the production facility of Promeco Group (Electrical and mechanical assemblies manufacturer, 🇫🇮 FI) in Gościcino near Gdańsk. Hosted by Production Unit Director Sebastian Bryczkowski, participants toured the production floor and learned how Promeco combines Finnish engineering with Polish production for the marine and offshore, energy, industrial machinery and railway sectors. Source
Upcoming events
Webinar: Business opportunities in Hungary, 3rd of November, online
FinnCham, the Finland Chamber of Commerce, the Helsinki Region Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise Europe Network Finland are hosting a free webinar on doing business in Hungary on 3 November, 15:00-16:30 Finnish time. Speakers include Pekka Kaihilahti, Finland’s Ambassador to Hungary, Professor Katalin Miklóssy on Hungary’s prospects after the change of power, Rödl Hungary on legal issues and Márton Sármásy, COO of Supercharge, part of Siili Solutions. Registration
See more events, full calendar of B2B events in Poland on our page: https://b2beventspoland.com/events
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