In most cases, a foreigner does not need to travel to Poland to register a company. Polish law allows most companies to be registered entirely electronically, without the founders being physically present. The standard registration procedure is carried out remotely using a qualified electronic signature.
What is required for remote registration?
For remote registration, the following is usually enough:
- a valid passport;
- about 30 minutes to complete video identity verification;
- obtaining a qualified electronic signature.
The citizenship of founders or board members does not in itself affect the possibility of obtaining a qualified electronic signature and the subsequent remote registration of a company in Poland.
Once the signature is obtained, the registration documents are signed electronically.
How does remote registration work?
Before registration, the founders, board members and other participants of the company who need to sign the registration documents obtain qualified electronic signatures.
Once the signatures are obtained, the registration documents are signed and submitted through the state PRS portal, which is used for electronic registration of legal entities in Poland.
How long does registration take when using an electronic signature?
Obtaining a qualified electronic signature usually takes about one business day.
After the registration documents are signed and filed, registering the company usually takes about a week.
When is a notary required?
In most cases, no notarial procedure is required.
Electronic registration uses a standard template of the company's articles of association. If the company needs an individual (custom) set of articles with non-standard provisions, they are drawn up in the form of a notarial deed.
If the founders are outside Poland, the required notarial actions can be performed by a representative acting under a notarial power of attorney. Once the notarial articles of association are drawn up, the registration documents are filed electronically in the standard way.
This procedure applies only in cases where the standard template of the articles of association does not fit the chosen structure or specifics of the company.