Registering a business in Poland from 1 Nov 2026: online only
Short answer: From 1 November 2026 an adult can file the CEIDG application to start a sole proprietorship only electronically, via Biznes.gov.pl, mObywatel, banks or partner platforms. Minors can still file on paper.
Registering a one-person business in Poland is about to change. From 1 November 2026, an adult who wants to start a sole proprietorship (jednoosobowa działalność gospodarcza, often shortened to JDG) can file the registration application with CEIDG only in electronic form. Paper applications at the town hall stop for new businesses. This guide explains what the Ministry of Development and Technology and the official business portal say, which dates matter, and what it means for a foreigner who plans to register a business. Information is as of 16 October 2026.
What changes on 1 November 2026
CEIDG is the Central Register and Information on Business Activity, the public register where sole traders are entered. According to Biznes.gov.pl, from 1 November 2026 the application to register a business in CEIDG can be filed only electronically. The ministry confirms the same in its autumn 2026 announcement: a new business can be set up online through Biznes.gov.pl, the mObywatel app, banks and platforms that support entrepreneurs.
The change comes from the act of 13 March 2026 amending the CEIDG act (Journal of Laws 2026, item 507). It is the first stage of making CEIDG fully electronic.
Who can still file on paper
The exception is a minor who starts a business. According to Biznes.gov.pl, a minor's application can still be filed only at a town or city office or sent by post. For adults, town and city offices stop accepting paper CEIDG-1 forms for new registrations.
Other CEIDG matters are not affected yet. Until 31 October 2028, changes to an existing entry, suspension, resumption and deletion can still be handled in an office. From 1 November 2028 the electronic form is planned to apply to all applications, and the ministry also plans a "one window" solution for civil partnerships (spółka cywilna), in which data would pass between CEIDG, the tax office, ZUS and the statistics office.
* Photos: Unsplash images on Wikimedia Commons, CC0 / public domain.
How to register online
Biznes.gov.pl describes the main route. You choose the service "Zarejestruj działalność gospodarczą", log in through Login.gov.pl (the system guides you through creating an account the first time) and complete the application wizard. The system prepares the CEIDG application together with the notifications to ZUS or KRUS (social and health insurance), to the statistics office (REGON number) and to the tax office (NIP number). You sign the application with a trusted profile (profil zaufany), a qualified electronic signature or a personal signature (e-ID card).
The mObywatel app also offers a "Firma" service. According to the ministry's April 2026 announcement, it lets you download the certificate of CEIDG entry, share company data for an invoice and start a business. The same announcement says that more complex matters, such as updating data or correcting applications, remain with the Biznes.gov.pl portal for now.
The act also allows signing methods other than those named in the law, as long as the CEIDG system accepts them and they identify the person, the time of filing and the integrity of the data. After you submit the form, the system sends an official confirmation of receipt to the e-mail address you gave.
New form and e-Doręczenia
Two other changes sit close to this one:
- New CEIDG-1 form. According to a municipal notice, new templates for CEIDG-1 and some attachments have applied since 14 October 2026.
- e-Doręczenia address. The Ministry of Development and Technology says that from 1 October 2026 all entrepreneurs must have an address for electronic deliveries. Businesses already registered must provide it when they update their data in KRS or CEIDG. A new business creates the mailbox when registering. You can set it up free of charge on Biznes.gov.pl or directly in the CEIDG application.
What it means for foreigners
The rule is about the way of filing, not about who may register. Whether a foreigner can run a sole proprietorship depends on residence status and other rules that this article does not cover. Our guides on registering as a sole trader and on a residence permit for self-employed people cover those questions. For the filing itself, a foreigner needs a way to sign and log in electronically, so it is worth checking in advance which login and signature method you can use. A paper application will not be an option for an adult after 31 October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still register a business on paper after 1 November 2026?
Not as an adult. From that date the application to start a business in CEIDG is accepted only electronically. A minor starting a business can still file in an office or by post.
Where can I file the application online?
According to the Ministry of Development and Technology, through Biznes.gov.pl, the mObywatel app, banks and platforms that support entrepreneurs.
Can I still change or close my CEIDG entry in an office?
Yes, until 31 October 2028. After that date the electronic form is planned for all applications.
Do I need an e-Doręczenia address?
Yes. From 1 October 2026 every entrepreneur must have one, and the ministry says you can create it free of charge on Biznes.gov.pl.
