Newsletter August 2025
- maja9628
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Government published budget plan for 2026
The budget draft for 2026 in a nutshell shows
GDP growth expectation of 3,5%, inflation at 3% and wage growth 6,4%
Expenses at PLN 919 billion; deficit PLN 272 billion
Deficit to GDP ratio as high as 6,5%
"State public debt" at 53,8% of GDP in 2026 // general government debt 66,8%
Biggest allocations: defense spending at PLN 200 billion (4,8% of GDP), healthcare up to 248billion
More tax revenues are expected from the new planned tax for banks, from VAT (due to higher consumption), and tax increases in alcohol, tobacco products and similar
Small growth in exports
Poland’s central bank NBP (National Bank of Poland) reported that in June 2025, exports rose by 1.9% year-on-year to 28 billion EUR, while imports slightly dropped by 0.2%, mainly due to lower oil prices and weaker industrial demand.
According to the Polish Economic Institute (PIE), Poland’s main imports remain fuel, cars, and car parts, accounting for 13% of total imports. Oil and related products totaled €9.4 billion (-17% y/y), cars reached nearly €9 billion (+3.1%), while car parts fell to €5.75 billion (-5.5%). Imports of medicines rose 18.1% to €4.17 billion, and computers & data carriers surged 34%. Telecommunications equipment imports stayed stable at €3.13 billion, despite an 8.7% volume drop.
Major suppliers were Germany (20% of imports) and China (14.7%). Imports from China grew 16%, led by electronics, while Germany mainly supplied fuels and automotive products. The US became the third-largest source (5% of imports), focused on jet engines, natural gas, and petroleum products.
The Polish złoty’s depreciation played a strategic role, making domestic goods more competitive abroad and boosting export volumes. Food exports alone surged by 12%, while electronics climbed 9%.
FDI inflows down in 2024
Foreign direct investments (FDI) in Poland has slowed in 2024, the amount of FDI was USD 7,3 billion (down 56% y/y). Greenfield projects have fallen by more than half compared to last year. In the past, Poland attracted significant capital thanks to its low labor costs, but rising wages and higher energy prices are eroding its competitiveness. At the same time, limited access to capital in general is holding back innovation. Statistics by PIE (Polish Economic Institute) shows that Poland USD 364 billion of FDI investments between 1990-2023, which consisted 40% of all CEE area FDI's.
Inflation in Poland is dropping
In July 2025, Poland’s inflation rate was 3,1%, down from 3.4% in June. The EU average was 2.4%. Some remarkable changes occurred, for example prices of chocolate in Poland rose 37.3% year-on-year, and eggs went up 19.6%. On the other hand, preschool and daycare costs fell 37.6%, sugar dropped 27.4%, and mobile phones were 21% cheaper. A stronger Polish złoty (up 12% vs. the dollar) helped lower fuel and electronics prices. For comparison, Czechia had lower inflation at 2.5%.
Businesses lobbying for lower energy costs
According to PZU, the largest financial institution in Poland, high energy prices make Polish companies less competitive. As a result, they do not want to invest - demand for business loans is low. However, consumer loans are growing slowly but steadily and retail sales increased more than expected in July (4,8%).
Salaries vary across industries and regions
In most parts of Poland, companies are cutting jobs, both unemployment has grown and employment decreased. Only Małopolska and Wielkopolska saw a small rise in employment this year. Big cities like Kraków and Warsaw still pay better, but the gap between regions can be even 705 EUR difference between Mazowsze and Warmia-Masuria. Katowice leads with 2,630 EUR average pay, while Białystok stays near 1,740 EUR. The drop in jobs ranges from 0.6% to 4.1% depending on the region.
Cool-down on the job market
In July 2025, average employment in Polish companies fell 0.9% compared to last year. The biggest drop was in retail, down 2.5%. Employers are reacting to rising labor costs and weaker consumer demand. Many are not renewing temporary contracts or hiring new staff. The average monthly gross salary was 8,905.63 PLN, which is about 2,095 EUR. Wage growth slowed to 7.6%, below market expectations of 8.6%. Fewer job offers and rising youth unemployment show the market is losing strength.
Layoffs continues in big and small firms?
According to Business Insider's article, Polish employers are preparing for significant layoffs, with more than 80,000 job cuts expected still in 2025. This represents a sharp increase compared to previous years and reflects growing pressure on key sectors such as manufacturing, energy, and retail. Rising costs, weak demand, and global uncertainty are driving companies to reduce staff, with both small firms and large enterprises scaling back. In parallel, demand for recruitment services is declining. Small statistics piece is also that the number of employment agencies fell to 8,550 in 2024, down by 194 from the previous year.
Businesses have historically low profitability
Between January and June 2025, more than 3,700 companies in Poland ran into serious financial trouble and had to start official procedures to deal with their debts - almost 18% more than during the same period last year. Coface (a French credit insurance firm active in Poland) reports that most cases involved restructuring rather than bankruptcy, aiming to preserve jobs and stabilize operations. Sectors like services, retail, and construction were hit hardest due to weak demand and rising costs.
PKO BP sees loan growth in H2 2025
PKO BP expects stable mortgage growth and stronger corporate and consumer lending in the second half of 2025. Total client financing reached PLN 307.4 billion by June, up 10.3% YoY, with new mortgages at PLN 7 billion and consumer loans PLN 8.1 billion. The bank remains Poland’s largest mortgage lender and reported strong interest in its new 5-year savings product.
MANUFACTURING
Polish industrial output rose 2.9% year-on-year in July 2025, with a slight 0.2% increase from June. Adjusted for seasonal factors, production grew 1.1% year-on-year and 0.9% month-on-month.
Chinese company JD Energy Europe bought a factory in Konin, Poland, from the UK’s Johnson Matthey. The plant will start operations in 2026 with 300 employees, potentially growing to 800 after modernization finishes later this year.
Luma Automation (metal processing and industrial investments, Poland) has acquired Aludesign (high-pressure aluminum casting, Poland), expanding its portfolio with a supplier to brands like Bentley and Rolls-Royce and announcing plans for technological development.
Polish window manufacturer Drutex, founded in 1985, has become an official partner of FC Bayern Munchen.
Sanok Rubber is ready for acquisitions, focusing on European firms outside the automotive sector.
MAN Truck & Bus (German automotive manufacturer) will invest "billions of złoty" in its Polish operations, focusing on electric vehicle production and modernizing its Starachowice and Kraków facilities.
Poland is the fastest-growing country in the EU for making ice cream. Polish factories made 52% more ice cream in 2024 compared to the year before, in total 298 million liters, partially thanks to better production methods.
Melvit (Polish food producer) has acquired One Day More (healthy cereal brand) to expand its product range in the breakfast and functional food segment.
Euromilk (based in Wysokie Mazowieckie, a Polish agricultural machinery manufacturer specializing in dairy tech equipment) keeps on innovating new products. For example Falcon (their world's first fully electric, self-loading feeding robot for livestock) has installations currently underway in Poland, with deployments to foreign farms planned from late 2026 to early 2027.
Piątnica (Polish dairy company) is investing 115 million EUR to expand its production and increase export. They won three awards in the 2025 Consumer Quality Leader program.
Runoland (Polish organic food producer) received investment support from Legnica Special Economic Zone to expand its production and reach more customers in Poland and abroad.
Biowen (Polish supplement maker) plans to make three times more products this year. The company’s CEO, Damian Olędzki, says they achieved 100% growth compared to 2024. He also talks about their plans and success.
Galinta (Lithuanian grain company) wants to buy Cenos (Polish brand for groats and rice) to grow in Poland and offer more products to local customers.
Sokołów (Polish meat producer) plans to introduce new snack products and is actively organizing campaigns and events to strengthen its market position and diversify its portfolio.
Volkswagen Group Polska will pay a 17.3 million EUR fine over "Dieselgate". Source
IT, AI, HI-TECH NEWS
50m PLN for 3 Polish startups.
Value4Capital (private equity fund) has finalized the acquisition of Univio (Polish IT and automation firm).
McDonald’s is considering opening a global AI center in Poland to develop and manage artificial intelligence tools for its restaurants worldwide.
Polish startup CampusAI raised $5 million in a seed round to expand globally. The platform teaches individuals and companies how to work effectively with AI, with over $1 million from Group One supporting business AI transformation.
Polish IT company Euvic plans to continue consolidating the local market and aims to raise capital for further acquisitions. The company provides IT services, software development, and digital solutions for businesses.
Mennica Polska signed a contract with Warsaw’s public transport authority (ZTM) to implement a public transport ticketing system. The deal is worth around 283 million PLN and runs until September 19, 2037.
PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC, MEDICAL, TECHNICAL AND OTHER SERVICES
Synektik, a medical technology company, will equip the Radomsko hospital pharmacy with robots to support medicine storage and preparation.
Fluence Technology, a Polish developer of femtosecond fiber lasers, secured $7.7 million (PLN 28 million) to expand in industrial, medical, and research sectors and support international growth.
Portugal issued its first-ever license for space launch operations, allowing construction of a launch center on Santa Maria Island in the Azores. The site will host the upcoming launch of SpaceForest’s Polish suborbital rocket, Perun.
The Vinci fund, part of the BGK group, has invested more than PLN 40 million in the Polish-Finnish company Iceye and signals that further investments are likely.
TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS
Centralny Port Komunikacyjny (planned transport hub in Poland, known as CPK) informs that the high-speed rail between Warsaw, CPK Airport, and Łódź is progressing, with permits underway and opening planned for 2032.
Also, the CPK transport hub and high-speed rail network will be updated with 350 km/h trains cutting Warsaw-Poznań travel to under 100 minutes and a 460 million EUR expansion of the A2 motorway; the first airport-rail segment opens by 2032.
Port Gdynia plans to invest €105.8 million in 2025 to modernize its docks and boost cargo capacity. The port has also joined the 8Foundry Alliance to collaborate with scientific and industry partners.
RegioJet, a Czech private rail operator entering the Polish market, is entering Polish passenger rail traffic market. It has begun recruiting staff for its new services in Poland. First route is assumed to be Warsaw-Krakow
PESA, the tram manufacturer, signed a contract to deliver 30 two-way trams to Kraków for €131.2 million. The first tram is scheduled to arrive in 2028.
Q2 2025 automotive market report (by KPMG, PZPM) shows that Poland’s automotive market saw a 62% year-over-year increase in electric vehicle registrations (14,400 units) and a fourfold surge in Chinese car imports (16,500 units) in H1 2025.
According to PZPM and PSNM ((Polish mobility associations), Poland had 186,590 electric cars on the road at the end of July 2025 and the number of publicly available charging points rose to over 10,700.
Driveway Poland (car fleet management company) has acquired Inter Fleet, one of Poland’s top vehicle rental firms, and plans to grow the fleet to 2,000 cars by mid-2026.
Warszawa Wschodnia station will undergo a 930 million EUR overhaul starting in 2026, including rebuilt platforms, improved accessibility, and a new tunnel linking Praga Północ and Południe.
Record summer for Polish automotive market
July 2025 saw 380,000 vehicle registrations in Poland, up 11% from June, despite weaker consumer sentiment. The market is projected to grow 3% in 2025, with individual buyers favoring new cars and companies importing more vehicles.
Used cars are selling faster, with fewer low-cost listings and shorter listing durations. Chinese brands gained ground, reaching 13.5% of individual new car registrations, while hybrids and plug-ins continue to replace gasoline models.
Buyers aged 55+ are increasingly active, and motorcycles hit peak season with strong demand. Heavy machinery sales also rose despite reduced supply, indicating a shift toward higher-value equipment.
RETAIL & FMCG
In July 2025, Poland saw a strong rebound in retail activity - sales exceeded expectations across several key categories, signaling renewed consumer confidence.
CRIF (credit data firm) reports that nearly 20% of Poles used “Buy Now, Pay Later” services in 2025, with average transaction value at 66 EUR, showing faster growth than in major EU markets.
Jeronimo Martins, the Portuguese owner of Biedronka, Poland’s largest discount chain, is considering acquiring Carrefour stores in Poland to strengthen its market position.
Kaufland (German supermarket chain) will open up to 300 new service points in Poland by 2026, investing approximately 70 million EUR in expansion and digital upgrades.
Żabka, the Polish convenience store chain, opened more than 800 stores in the past six months and plans to launch an additional 1,300 locations in Poland and Romania by the end of 2025.
Polish fashion group LPP plans to open over 20 Sinsay stores in Uzbekistan by the end of 2025, expanding into cities like Tashkent, Bukhara, Samarkand, and Andijan.
IKEA (Swedish furniture giant) opened a Planning and Ordering Studio in Włocławek, Poland. In addition, Rebl Industries (robotics, Sweden) signed deals with H&M and IKEA to install smart AI-powered warehouse robots that sort and move goods, helping staff avoid heavy tasks.
DRM-LND (creative DIY retail brand founded by Happy Socks' Mikael Söderlindh) opened its first Polish store on August 22 in Warsaw’s Złote Tarasy, targeting teens with customizable fashion accessories and immersive shopping experiences.
Kuchnia Vikinga (Polish catering company) has overtaken Maczfit (meal delivery brand owned by Żabka, offering tailored diet plans) to become the market leader in Poland’s meal delivery segment. They also published a new menu and offers on August 5th.
Mex Polska (Polish restaurant group) opened all planned locations for 2025, including the new Pijalnia Wódki i Piwa venue.
German online beauty retailer Flaconi has launched its first marketing campaign in Poland to build brand awareness and challenge Notino’s position in the market.
Empik, the Polish retailer of books, music, and toys, is growing at double-digit rates and aims to accelerate further through its expanding marketplace, broader product range, and store network expansion.
Smyk, a well-known Polish retail chain offering products for children, has opened a store in Bratislava. “This is part of the Group’s international expansion in Central and Eastern Europe.”
Dolci Sapori, a gastronomic franchise, has more than tripled its revenue in a year and plans to open at least 200 new locations.
German discount chain Woolworth now has 56 stores in Poland and plans to grow to 400 locations nationwide.
Nuclear plant equipment approval
Poland’s first nuclear power plant is getting closer to reality. The Technical Supervision Office (UDT) is now checking the paperwork for machines that will be used in the plant. These include reactor parts, steam generators, and cooling systems. The plant will use American AP1000 tech from Westinghouse. Once UDT gives the green light, production can begin. The plant will be built in Lubiatowo-Kopalino and is planned to start working in 2036.
Gas power plant in Rybnik
Polska Grupa Energetyczna (PGE) plans to build a second gas-fired power plant in Rybnik, Poland, with a capacity of around 600 MW and is scheduled for completion by 2029. It will operate in open-cycle gas turbine (OCGT) mode, ideal for peak demand periods. This investment aligns with PGE’s strategy to develop 10 GW of gas power over the next decade, including 6 GW in OCGT technology. A tender for design, construction, and 12-year servicing is underway.
The Ostrołęka power plant project money negligence
The Ostrołęka C power plant was originally planned as a coal-fired facility, but due to environmental concerns and EU climate policies, it was later redesigned as a natural gas-powered combined-cycle plant. Poland’s Supreme Audit Office (NIK) revealed that over 230 million EUR was spent on the coal-based version of the project in a rushed and poorly controlled manner. The investment lacked proper analysis and expert review, leading to its cancellation and major financial losses and damage to public trust.
PKN Orlen posts strong H1 2025 results with PLN 5.9 billion net profit
PKN Orlen reported strong financial results for the first half of 2025, with revenue of PLN 60.7 billion and an operating profit (EBITDA LIFO) of PLN 9.2 billion, nearly double compared to H1 2024. Growth was driven by high crude throughput and favorable market conditions, despite lower refining margins. Investments focused on energy transformation projects.
Holcim and GreenWay partner to power heavy industry with electric transport in Poland
Holcim has partnered with GreenWay to electrify heavy industrial transport in Poland. The project installs high-power charging stations (up to 400 kW each) for machinery like loaders and excavators at quarries, cement plants, and ports. Four sites are already equipped, with more planned, scaling capacity from 1.3 MW to 3 MW. GreenWay oversees the full process, delivering durable, dust-resistant, and liquid-cooled charging systems for harsh environments.
New rules about energy sales
Poland’s Energy Ministry plans to bring back a rule that forces producers to sell a bit more than half of electricity through the energy exchange. This is to improve price transparency and market access. The rule was removed in 2022, but now prices are harder to track and more open to speculation. Some producers will be excluded, like small renewable energy units under 10 MW and high-efficiency cogeneration. The ministry also wants to raise the gas trading requirement from 55% to 85%, hoping to lower wholesale prices.
KHNP withdraws from Polish nuclear project
South Korea’s KHNP exited Poland’s Konin-Pątnów nuclear project after a 760 million-per-reactor EUR settlement with Westinghouse in January 2025. The deal restricts KHNP from operating in most EU countries, the US, UK, Japan, and Ukraine. Poland still plans two nuclear plants totaling 9 GW by 2040. Meanwhile, the country is advancing its infrastructure: high-speed trains reaching 350 km/h will cut Warsaw-Poznań travel to under 100 minutes, and the A2 motorway will expand to four lanes, with the first airport-rail segment opening by 2032.
Read more in English by NfP: Source
German company is buying Polish flats
Germany’s TAG Immobilien bought over 5,300 rental flats in Poland from Resi4Rent for about 567 million EUR. The deal includes buildings in Warsaw, Kraków, Wrocław, Gdańsk, Poznań, and Łódź. It’s the biggest sale ever in Poland’s rental housing market. Resi4Rent is backed by Echo Investment and Griffin Capital. The buyer, Vantage Development, plans to grow its rental portfolio to 8,700 units. The expected return is 6.3%. The sale should close by December 15, 2025, once it gets approval from Poland’s competition office and banks.
Developers reach records
Polish housing developers are experiencing strong growth, says PropertyNews. In 2025, several companies reached record stock market valuations, with one developer’s shares rising by 35%. Bonds are offering returns of 8–9%, reflecting strong investor appetite for the sector. Demand for new apartments remains high, particularly in major cities, and developers are actively planning new projects to meet this demand.
Modular construction to hit 1.6 billion EUR
By 2030, modular houses' popularity could reach revenue of 1.6 billion EUR in Poland. These kinds of homes are built in factories and then moved to the site. In 2025, more companies started using modular systems for homes, schools, and offices. Such buildings are also better for the environment. The government may support this trend with new rules and funding.
Source. The report by PAIH is here: https://www.paih.gov.pl/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Nowoczesne-budownictwo-prefabrykowane-polska-szansa-eksportowa-2025.pdf
Apartments in Wrocław are getting expensive
In Q2 2025, new apartment prices in Poland remained mostly stable, though Wrocław recorded a sharp increase of 5.4%, reaching around €3,500 per square meter. Other major cities, including Warsaw and Kraków, saw only minor price movements. While developers are starting more projects, overall supply remains limited, meaning buyers could face further price increases if demand continues to grow.
1,000 homes in Spain bought by Poles this year
In Q2 2025, buyers of Polish origin purchased over 1,000 properties in Spain, mainly in popular coastal destinations such as Alicante and Marbella. Spanish real estate prices rose 14.8% year-on-year, with new apartments in Marbella averaging around €400,000. Local banks offer up to 70% financing for foreign buyers, making the market more accessible. Many Poles are choosing Spain as a destination for holidays or retirement, and this trend is expected to grow as travel becomes easier and interest rates remain low.
New gunpowder production
Poland is building a new gunpowder factory in Pionki, near Radom. The project is led by Mesko, part of the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ), and will cost about 651 million PLN (around 153 million EUR). It’s meant to boost local production of ammunition, including small, medium, and large calibers, plus rocket components. The government is supporting the plan with 150 million PLN (about 35.4 million EUR) from its investment fund. Completion is expected within the next few years.
Mesko will receive also 205 million EUR to increase its production of 155mm artillery shells. These shells are used in Krab self-propelled guns. Mesko will build new halls and install over 1,000 machines. By 2028, it plans to produce 180,000 large-caliber shells yearly, with 100,000 from Mesko alone. Most parts will come from Polish suppliers.
Poland awards $3.8 billion contract to modernize F-16 Fleet
Poland has signed a $3.8 billion contract with the U.S. to modernize its 48 F-16 fighters to the advanced F-16V standard. The program, carried out at Military Aviation Works No. 2 in Bydgoszcz, will add new avionics, AESA radar, electronic warfare systems, and extend service life. Deliveries will run from 2028 to 2038, strengthening NATO interoperability and Poland’s defense industry.
Drone crash sparked tensions in Eastern Poland
A military drone - believed by Polish officials to be of Russian origin - crashed and exploded in a cornfield near the village of Osiny in eastern Poland, close to the Ukrainian border. The blast damaged crops and shattered nearby windows, but caused no injuries. Authorities are investigating multiple scenarios, including a Russian or Belarusian drone, smuggling activity, or sabotage. Radar systems did not detect any breach of airspace, though officials warned that such systems are not foolproof. Poland is preparing a diplomatic protest, viewing the incident as a potential provocation amid ongoing peace negotiations in the region.
Netherlands deploys 300 troops and patriot systems to bolster Polish air defenses
In late 2025, the Netherlands will send 300 military personnel to Poland, accompanied by two Patriot air defense missile systems, along with NASAMS and anti-drone technologies. The mission begins on December 1, 2025, and runs at least through May–June 2026. This layered defense deployment is aimed at protecting the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU) logistics hub and deterring Russian aggression along NATO’s eastern flank.
Poland celebrates Army Day with artillery showcase
During the 2025 Armed Forces Day parade, Poland highlighted its modern artillery capabilities. Key systems on display included the Krab and K9A1 howitzers, alongside Homar-K multiple launch rocket systems, M142 HIMARS, WR-40 Langusta launchers, M120K Rak mortars, and the advanced "flying artillery" reconnaissance-strike system Gladius, all of which were featured both statically at Warsaw’s Citadel and in motion along Wisłostrada.
European hub for K2 tank production with Hyundai Rotem
Poland plans to be the main European center for producing South Korea’s K2 tanks. Poland signed a €6 billion deal with Hyundai Rotem to buy 180 more K2 tanks and 81 support vehicles. This is Korea’s biggest defense export ever. The first batch of 180 tanks was ordered in 2022. Of the new tanks, 116 will be made in Korea, and the rest will be built in Poland by PGZ. Production will start after the first batch is delivered by the end of 2025. The deal also includes training and future cooperation on submarines and other weapons.
Saxdor Shipyard wins award at Polboat Festival
Saxdor Shipyard, a Finnish yacht and motorboat manufacturer, received an award at the Polboat Yachting Festival in Gdynia, Poland. The recognition highlighted the company’s contribution to marine education through the Saxdor Academy and its role in establishing a new Industrial Skills Center for yacht building. The award was accepted on behalf of the company by Paweł Błaszak.
Vinci Fund from BGK Group invests in ICEYE
The Vinci fund, part of BGK Group, has become a new investor in ICEYE. CEO and co-founder Rafał Modrzewski emphasized that the investment reflects the growing strategic importance of space technologies for security and the global economy. He noted that innovative New Space companies like ICEYE are transforming the space industry and that this step is an investment in the future that will also benefit Poland.
Tamtron expands in Poland with MASA acquisition
Tamtron Group has strengthened its position in Central and Eastern Europe by acquiring 100% of Polish company MASA Sp. z o.o. The deal, completed on August 14, 2025, gives Tamtron access to a modern 2,200 m² facility and builds on MASA’s strong expertise in vehicle and rail weighing solutions. With MASA’s 2025 net sales budgeted at around €2 million, the acquisition boosts Tamtron’s ability to serve customers in Poland and neighboring markets. MASA’s founder, Zenon Kolankowski, will continue in an operational role to ensure smooth integration and continuity for clients.
Merus Power breaks into Polish market with first battery storage project
Merus Power has secured its first international battery energy storage order - an 8 MW/8 MWh system valued at €2.5 million to be delivered to the Smolnica power station in northwestern Poland. Scheduled for delivery in autumn 2026, the project was awarded through a public tender and will be executed alongside Polish partners Elektropaks and EPQS for end client Enea Operator. It's not only Merus Power’s milestone entry into the European market, but also marks Poland’s first grid-stabilizing energy storage facility.
IQM’s Country Director of Poland mentioned in Forbes
Sylwia Barthel de Weydenthal, CCO and Country Director Poland at IQM Quantum Computers, was honored in the #50po50ForbesWomen list by Forbes Polska and Forbes Women Polska. She expressed joy and pride in joining a group of inspiring women from different fields. Sylwia thanked her team at IQM for making her work enjoyable, whether in Espoo, Warsaw, or elsewhere. She also congratulated all the other winners and celebrated the global impact of their work in science and technology.
Recovery fund’s money misuse
A big scandal hit Poland after people found out how some companies spent public money from the EU’s recovery fund (KPO). The cash was meant to help small businesses bounce back after COVID, but instead, some used it for goods like yachts, tanning beds, fancy coffee machines, and even “nutritious beer.” One pizzeria added a solarium, and a restaurant rented a lakeside cabin. Social media exploded with outrage. Politicians promised checks and consequences. The government site listing these projects was taken down after the backlash. Investigations are opened and proceeding.
Poland’s Finance Ministry plans a new savings tool called OKI
With OKI people will be able to invest up to 5,900 EUR tax-free in savings like deposits or bonds, and up to 23,500 EUR in stocks or ETFs. Anything above that will be taxed under 1%. The plan starts mid-2026 and aims to help families grow wealth long-term. It’s inspired by similar systems in the Nordics and meant to work alongside existing tax-free accounts like IKE and IKZE.
Poland plans sharp alcohol tax hike in 2026-2027
The Polish government plans to raise alcohol excise taxes by 15% in 2026 and 10% in 2027, surprising producers and causing concern in the industry. Previously, under PiS, a multi-year plan of moderate tax increases had been designed to provide stability for producers and predictable budget revenue. Similar to recent changes in tobacco taxation, the new policy departs from these long-term plans. Brewers in particular worry that the proposed increases could triple the rate of growth compared to previous forecasts, resulting in a cumulative rise of over 60% between 2022 and 2027.
Tax on sweets for 2026
In 2026, Poland will raise the sugar tax on sweetened beverages to combat obesity: the fixed rate will increase from 0.12 to 0.17 EUR per liter, and the variable rate from 0.01 to 0.02 EUR per gram of sugar above 5g/100ml. Drinks containing caffeine or taurine will face a surcharge of 0.24 EUR per liter, with the maximum total tax rising from 0.28 to 0.42 EUR per liter. Despite parliamentary approval, the President vetoed the bill in August, citing concerns over its economic impact.
Higher CIT for banks in 2026
In 2026, Poland will raise the corporate income tax (CIT) for banks from 19% to 30%. In 2027, it will drop slightly to 26%, and then to 23% in later years. The change aims to help fund national defense. At the same time, the bank tax will be reduced by 10% in 2027 and 20% in 2028. In 2025, Poland expects to collect over 1.6 billion EUR from the bank tax. The government may adjust the tax system again in the future.
Data security is weak in healthcare
A new report from Grant Thornton and ResilientX shows that 29 out of 50 top hospitals in Poland had login data leaks. In total, 2,209 passwords were found online, with 55 marked as high or critical risk. Experts also found 668 weak spots in hospital websites and IT systems, including 297 serious ones.
Finland open to possibility of sending troops to Ukraine
Polish media reports that Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo confirmed that Finland is considering military involvement in Ukraine’s security - potentially including a limited deployment of air or naval forces - though any such decision would require parliamentary approval. He emphasized that sending Finnish soldiers to a combat mission is a serious step and must be carefully debated. Finland continues its support through arms and training and remains part of the "coalition of the willing" led by the UK and France.
UK sends air defense to Ukraine
The UK will give Ukraine short-range air defense systems called RapidRanger. These systems can detect and destroy targets up to 7 km away. The UK will also send over 5,000 LMM missiles. The full support package is worth 2 billion EUR and includes a loan from the UK export agency. Ukraine will receive technology to help produce missiles locally. The project will run until 2030 and improve Ukraine’s defense independence.
Sweden offers security help to Ukraine
Ukraine’s Defence Minister Denys Shmyhal held talks with Swedish Defence Minister Pål Jonson and Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans regarding the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) initiative. Sweden, Norway, and Denmark are jointly contributing 418.8 million EUR, while the Netherlands pledged 500 million EUR to procure U.S.-made weapons, including Patriot missiles. The Netherlands and Ukraine also discussed joint defence production to ensure steady arms supply.
Testing a robot with grenade launcher, Milrem
Ukrainian company Frontline and Estonian firm Milrem Robotics tested a new weapon system in Ukraine. It combines a 40mm grenade launcher with a robot vehicle called THeMIS. The system hit targets over 1,100 meters away. It keeps soldiers safe by working remotely. The launcher is already in mass production. The project is part of a 108 million EUR EU-Ukraine defense program. Germany’s Quantum Systems owns 10% of Frontline and may increase its share to 25%.
Osaka World Expo: Ukraine and Finland participated
On August 6th, Ukraine hosted “After the Line” at EXPO 2025 in Osaka. The event, led by Metinvest and DTEK, focused on rebuilding infrastructure, energy security, and investment. Nordic and Ukrainian officials joined to discuss economic recovery and future cooperation.
Second-hand clothing market booming in Poland
Poland’s second-hand clothing market has grown 34% annually over the past six years, fueled by platforms like Vinted, OLX, and Allegro Lokalnie. By 2029, one in three garments purchased is expected to be second-hand, with the market exceeding €3 billion. Online buyers are mainly aged 18 - 45, though 40% are over 46, attracted by lower prices, product uniqueness, style experimentation, and eco-consciousness. The market is expanding faster than in Western Europe, creating challenges for companies that must adopt new strategic directions to remain competitive.
Book of Polish-Finnish relationships released
The new book of Toni Stenström: “Poland and Finland: A History of Cooperation” (Puola ja Suomi: Yhteistyön historia) is now published and available in bookstores in Finland!
Polish readers can now experience “Bolla”
Pajtim Statovci’s novel Bolla, a deeply emotional exploration of love, identity, war, and myth, is now available in Polish (2025) thanks to translator Adam Sandach. Partnering with Kirja, a Finnish-Polish Literary Translator Collective, Adam brought this complex Finnish work to Polish audiences.
In an interview for Finnish Business & Culture in Poland 2025, he shared insights on the translation process, why Bolla resonates with Polish readers, and how working on Finnish literature shapes his understanding of both cultures. Adam is also preparing the Polish translation of Statovci’s next book.
Read the whole interview with Adam here
The Polish Culture Week at Expo 2025 in Osaka
The Polish Culture Week at Expo 2025 in Osaka will be held from September 4 to 10, 2025, showing the nation's rich cultural heritage and contemporary creativity. Hosted at the Poland Pavilion, the event will feature a diverse program encompassing music, literature, and art, bridging the classical with the avant-garde.
Source: expo.gov.pl
Polish teenager named to TIME’s first “Girls of the Year” list
TIME magazine has included 17-year-old Kornelia Wieczorek from Poland among its inaugural “Girls of the Year 2025” honorees, recognizing her as a remarkable young science innovator. Kornelia made headlines for co-developing a biodegradable fertilizer using Rhizobium bacteria that improves seed growth while preserving soil quality - a timely innovation aligned with the EU’s sustainability goals. Her portfolio also includes advanced projects such as an app to detect skin lesions, stem cell research for Parkinson’s disease, and the development of an oncology app for brachytherapy in collaboration with a major Polish oncology center.
FinnCham seminar on CEE businesses
FinnCham organized CEE business opportunities event in Helsinki, 20th August. The event gathered wide audience both on-site and via online. Tuomas Asunmaa (CEO of Spondeo) moderated two panel sessions with Finnish ambassadors from the region. Company experts from Mehiläinen, Taaleri Energia, and Lindström also presented their success stories from CEE markets. See more info at FinnCham's post.
SOFTIQ Software House joins #NBForum2025 as first Polish partner!
SOFTIQ Software House has become an official partner of Nordic Business Forum 2025, marking the first Polish company to join the event. With expertise in AI, system integrations, and tailor-made IT solutions, SOFTIQ serves businesses, governments, and institutions across Europe.
Source: Nordic Business Forum
The event is sold out, with over 7,300 tickets, attracting participants from more than 40 countries, mostly senior decision-makers.
Upcoming events
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
November: Rebuild Ukraine - the largest annual event on Ukraine’s recovery,
Warsaw, on 13-14th of November 2025
Spondeo, as always, will be attending ReBuild Ukraine, one of the most important fairs in the region focused on the reconstruction and recovery of Ukraine. Let us know if you’ll be there, let's meet! Registration for the event is on in advance by the link:
In addition, check out the similar event in Poznan: Common Future.
Read here
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