Last updated: 27 Apr 2012
Doing business
Current business situation
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) provides advice for business travellers and tourists going to Poland. This is regularly updated, and should be checked before planning travel.
Business culture
Polish business people will want a clear understanding of what is to be dealt with in any meeting. A company profile and product literature should be provided.
Dress is conservative and wearing a suit and tie is the rule.
Surnames are usual until you are invited to use first names.
Polish people can be quite conscious of hierarchy.
Business cards are exchanged at the beginning of meetings and do not need to be translated.
English is widely spoken in business circles in big cities, but the option of interpreting should be offered.
Smoking is prohibited in public places.
Banking and finance
The largest banks in Poland include:
- National Bank of Poland
- Bank Gospodarki Zywnosciowej
- Bank Handlowy w Warszawie
- Bank Ochrony Srodowiska
- Bank Przemyslowo-Handlowy
- Bank Slaski
- Bank Zachodni
- BIG Bank Gdanski
- BRE Bank
- Citibank
- ING Barings
- Kredyt Bank
- PKO Bank Polski
Credit cards (ie. Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, etc) are accepted in the majority of shops in larger cities.
Links and resources
Government, business and trade
Customs Service – www.mf.gov.pl/
Ministry of Foreign Affairs – http://en.poland.gov.pl
Polish Information and Foreign Investment Agency – www.paiz.gov.pl/en
News and media
The Warsaw Voice – www.warsawvoice.pl
The Warsaw Business Journal – www.wbj.pl
Please note: this list of websites and resources is not definitive. Inclusion in this list does not imply endorsement by Austrade. The information provided is a guide only.
Top Business Risks
OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises
Multinational Enterprises should be aware of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises that provide voluntary principles and standards for responsible business behaviour in a variety of areas, consistent with applicable domestic laws. These Guidelines are endorsed and promoted by the Australian Government. For more information, go to the AusNCP website.
Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative
The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) is a voluntary mechanism which promotes and supports improved governance in resource-rich countries through the full publication and verification of company payments and government revenues from oil, gas, and mining.
The EITI is supported by governments, industry, and non-government organisations around the world. The Australian Government supports the EITI and encourages Australian companies operating internationally to comply with its recommendations.
Bilateral agreements
Australia has social security agreements with several countries that address the issue of 'double super coverage' for employees sent to work overseas. To take advantage of these agreements, Australian employers sending employees overseas to work must apply to the Tax Office for a Certificate of coverage.
For more details, please visit the Australian Taxation Office website.