Polish register of activities
Every person who decides to run a business in Poland is required to register their activities. In Poland, we distinguish three business registers:
– National Court Register (KRS)
– Central Register and Information on Business Activity (CEIDG),
– Register of Foreign Entrepreneurs.
Assigning an entrepreneur to a specific register depends on the legal form of conducting business.
National Register of court
Currently, it is possible to search for a specific entity registered in the National Court Register using an internet browser available on the website of the Ministry of Justice. Among the entities registered in the National Court Register, we distinguish: associations, social organizations, foundations, public health care institutions, an important part are entrepreneurs running a business activity in the form of:
– general partnership – this company has no legal personality, it can be established by a minimum of two natural persons or organizational units without legal personality, in this form of business partners are responsible for private liabilities for the company, a written contract is required to enter into a general partnership,
– a partnership company – this company is intended for people involved in the liberal professions, namely lawyers, legal advisors, certified auditors, tax advisors, doctors, dentists, veterinary surgeons, nurses and midwives, pharmacists, architects, construction engineers, patent attorneys, sworn translators, insurance brokers, notaries, bailiffs, etc. The company is founded by at least 2 natural persons authorized to perform a free profession, the company has no legal personality, but it has legal capacity, the conclusion of the articles of association requires a notarial deed,
– a limited partnership – is intended for running a business under its own name (which means that the company’s name should contain the name of at least one partner), the company may set up at least two natural persons, legal entities or entities without legal personality, the company is unable to however, it has the capacity to enter into legal transactions, and the form of a notarial deed is required for its establishment. In a limited partnership, one of the partners is unlimitedly liable for the company’s obligations (the limited partner), the other’s liability is limited.
– limited joint-stock partnership – the form is very similar to a limited partnership, it is designed to run a business under its own company (which means that the company’s name should include the name of at least one partner), the company may set up at least two natural, legal or legal persons. entities that do not have legal personality, the company has no legal capacity, but it has the capacity to enter into legal transactions, the form of a notarial deed is required for its establishment. In a limited joint-stock partnership, one of the partners is unlimitedly liable for the company’s obligations (the limited partner), while the other is a shareholder and is not liable for the company’s obligations. This legal form usually applies to large enterprises.
– limited liability company – it has legal personality, it can be established by one or more natural or legal persons or an organizational unit without legal personality. The company is liable for the liabilities of the company by its assets, the shareholders are not responsible, the share capital of PLN 5,000 is required to set up a company.
– a joint-stock company – it has legal personality, it can be established by one or more natural or legal persons or an organizational unit without legal personality, the share capital of PLN 100,000.00 is required to set up a company. The company is liable for the liabilities of the company by its assets, the shareholders are not responsible.
Central Register and Information on economic activity
It is a collection of entrepreneurs who are natural persons. Among the forms of running the business of natural persons registered in CEIDG, we distinguish:
– a civil partnership – it is designed to conduct activities to a small extent, it can be set up by at least 2 natural persons. A civil partnership has no legal personality, the partners are liable with their assets for the company’s obligations.
– individual running a business (self-employment) – running a business by one natural person. This is the simplest form of doing business.
Register of Foreign Entrepreneurs
This register is kept by the Minister of Economy. It applies to entrepreneurs of origin other than Polish, who form their representative offices in Poland.