Vitaliy Kolomiets is an experienced lawyer specializing in assisting with obtaining residence permits and residence cards in Poland. He has in-depth knowledge of Polish law and many years of experience in migration matters. He has over 5 years of experience.
How to open a transportation company in Poland?
Poland is at the crossroads of many transportation routes. It handles a huge traffic of trade. Thus, a transportation company here is an ideal business idea. This niche can also be filled by foreigners. Learn more about how to register a freight transportation company in Poland below.
Features of transportation companies in Poland
Poland's geography makes it advantageous for establishing logistics companies. The country is located at the intersection of trade routes between the western and eastern parts of Europe, between the north and south of the continent. Roadways and transportation infrastructure are well thought out, thanks in particular to EU funding programs.
Several reasons to open a transport business in Poland:
- rules for non-residents to conduct business are fairly simple;
- tax conditions are favorable;
- convenient geographical location.
A significant freight flow passes through Poland. In the DuingBusiness 2020 ranking, this country ranked first in the "international trade" criterion.
Business registration
The registration period for a new enterprise in Poland usually takes 2-3 weeks. This can also be done remotely. The main requirements for a non-resident intending to start a business in the freight transport sector:
- no criminal record in Poland;
- experience in transportation, preferably confirmed by a certificate of competence;
- a set amount to ensure a specific number of vehicles.
When registering, it is necessary to determine the form of organization and PKD codes that would correspond to transport companies. Usually, the chosen form of activity is Spółka z o.o., which can be considered the equivalent of a limited liability company in Ukraine.
You can also buy an already established company. This is simpler: the transportation schemes, work organization, and client base are already developed. However, re-registration will take more time. It is necessary to ensure changes in the founding agreement and the KRS register. Only after this can the bank account be updated and most changes made.
Bank account
A Polish company needs an account in a Polish bank. To do this, you will need to visit any bank branch. It is advisable to open an account in several currencies. You can also choose an account exclusively in zlotys. However, in this case, when funds are credited in foreign currency, they are automatically exchanged for zlotys at the current exchange rate on the day of receipt.
It is also necessary to register as a VAT payer. To do this, you need to contact the tax office. This is a mandatory step since almost all transactions in Poland and the EU are subject to VAT.
Purchase of vehicles
To become a carrier, the company must have at least one vehicle. The vehicle can be purchased from a legal or natural person. In the first case, at the time of purchase, you must already have VAT payer status. Otherwise, you lose 23% of the tax from the purchase.
When purchasing, pay attention to the validity of the insurance policy and technical inspection. If they are close to expiration, don't forget to renew the documents. Otherwise, you risk being fined. The purchased vehicle must be registered and accounted for at the company's registration location.
Transportation license
You need to obtain a transportation license within Poland and for international transport before opening a logistics company. Both documents can be done simultaneously. The registration fee is about 250 euros, the license fee for up to 5 years is 900 euros, and for up to 10 years is 1800 euros. The processing time is 1-1.5 months.
An obligatory condition for licensing is hiring a transport manager who has the appropriate qualifications in the maintenance of vehicles for transportation. The qualification must be confirmed by a certificate. To save costs, a contract is often made with this specialist for ¼ or ⅛ of a full-time position, rather than full-time.
A professional liability insurance policy is also required for the license. For the first vehicle, it should be for at least 9,000 euros, and for each subsequent one, at least 5,000 euros. The policy costs about 200 euros. The license also requires specifying the parking location of the vehicle.
Hiring employees
The next step is to hire drivers. If the employee is not an EU citizen, they need to obtain a work permit. There are two options:
- short-term permits (oświadczenia) — for a period of 180 days per year;
- long-term permits (zezwolenie typ A) — for a term of 1 to 3 years.
This is done when the license is available. In the case of transportations, employees can only be hired on the basis of an employment contract. The driver undergoes a medical and psychotechnical examination before starting work — without this, they are not allowed to work.
If transportation is carried out not only within Poland, it is necessary to issue a cross-border delegation certificate in the form of "A1".
Organization of freight transport operations
When the transport company in Poland is ready to operate, has a certificate, and the staff is formed, it is necessary to correctly organize the transport operations. Common mistakes include:
- incorrect calculation of working and rest time for employees;
- compliance with weight limits of the cargo;
- permits for entering other countries, including Ukraine.
It is necessary to understand Polish regulations for organizing work in such enterprises. For this, you can study all the nuances yourself, guided by legislation. Or you can consult a specialist on these issues.
When organizing a transport business, many questions and nuances always arise. It is better not to study every detail yourself but to seek help from lawyers. You can find specialists at consultant.net.pl. They will help you do everything correctly the first time.
