Poland

Economy & industry overview

Poland is the largest economy in Central and Eastern Europe and a member of both the European Union and NATO, classified as an emerging market by MSCI. Its economy is driven by manufacturing, financial services, energy, retail, and a growing technology sector. Poland has achieved sustained convergence toward EU income levels, with real GDP per capita rising from roughly 50% to 80% of the EU27 average over two decades. The country is a major hub for foreign direct investment in the region, benefiting from a large domestic consumer base and a skilled, cost-competitive workforce. Key export goods include vehicle parts, electric batteries, machinery, and food products.

Key sectors

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Macro

GDP nominal, USD	$914.70B
GDP growth real, annual	2.9%
Inflation annual	3.6%
Population people	36.5M
GDP per capita USD	$25,055
Market cap total listed, USD	$701.56B
Market cap / GDP	76.7%
Unemployment	2.8%
Listed companies	399
Exchange	Warsaw Stock Exchange (Giełda Papierów Wartościowych w Warszawie) (GPW)

Data year: 2024. Sources: IMF World Economic Outlook (October 2024), IMF Article IV Consultation – Republic of Poland (January 2025), World Bank GDP Data (2024), Statistics Poland (GUS), Warsaw Stock Exchange (GPW) – February 2026, Macrotrends / ILO Unemployment Data, Polish Economic Institute (PIE), iShares EPOL ETF Holdings (April 2026), Wikipedia – Warsaw Stock Exchange, Wikipedia – Economy of Poland.

Local exchange & access

Exchange	Warsaw Stock Exchange (Giełda Papierów Wartościowych w Warszawie)
Code	GPW
Website	www.gpw.pl
Currency	PLN

Local broker access

Foreign investors can access Warsaw Stock Exchange-listed equities through international brokers offering European market access (e.g., Interactive Brokers, Saxo Bank, XTB — the latter headquartered in Warsaw). US-based investors most commonly gain exposure via the iShares MSCI Poland ETF (EPOL) or through ADRs where available. Direct account opening at Polish brokers (e.g., Biuro Maklerskie PKO BP, DM BOŚ, XTB) is possible for non-residents but requires KYC/AML documentation and may involve PLN currency conversion. Settlement follows a T+2 cycle under EU regulations. Dividend withholding tax for non-residents is generally 19% under Polish domestic law, reduced by applicable double tax treaties.

Global brokers with foreign-market access

• Interactive Brokers — Direct access to 90+ markets worldwide, including many emerging exchanges.
• Saxo Bank — Multi-market access across Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
• Charles Schwab (Global) — Foreign ordinary shares on select markets; US-listed ADRs and ETFs.
• Fidelity International Trading — International stock trading on a number of developed and emerging markets.

Listed for convenience only — not a recommendation. Available markets, fees and onboarding rules differ by broker and by your country of residence.

Relocation & residency

Foreign-investor access

EU/EEA citizens may reside and work in Poland without a permit. Non-EU nationals require a residence permit; the most common route for investors is the Temporary Residence Permit for Conducting Business Activity, renewable every 1–3 years. Poland uses the Polish Złoty (PLN) and is not part of the Eurozone. The cost of living is moderate by EU standards. Warsaw, Kraków, and Wrocław are the main international business hubs. Healthcare is publicly funded for residents; private healthcare is widely available. English proficiency is high among professionals and younger populations.