Shelf Company

How to buy a shelf corporation in Poland? – Shelf corporations in Poland

A ready-made company in Poland (also referred to as a shelf company) still attracts interest among certain groups of investors. However, its overall attractiveness has significantly decreased since the introduction of online company registrations into the Polish company law system.

Today, investors more frequently choose a newly incorporated company rather than acquiring an older entity with potential historical risks. The traditional advantage of saving time through quick acquisition has largely disappeared, as a bespoke company can now be incorporated within 1–5 working days. Nevertheless, for certain categories of investments or projects, acquiring a ready-made company remains a reasonable and practical option.

Buying a Ready-Made Company in Poland – How the Process Works?

The acquisition of a ready-made company in Poland follows a straightforward and standardised process. In practice, it focuses on corporate changes rather than on incorporation itself.

Transaction process – key steps

The process typically includes the following stages:

• consultation with incorporation lawyers of a Polish law firm in order to determine the investor’s needs,
• selection of a company from the list of available shelf companies,
• execution of corporate changes and their filing with the Polish Company Register (KRS), including in particular:
  • transfer of shares,
  • appointment or change of directors,
  • amendments to the Articles of Association or registered address,
• reporting relevant changes to Polish authorities.

What Is the Cost of a Shelf Company in Poland?

Under Polish professional regulations, law firms are not permitted to publish price lists online. As a result, the cost of acquiring a shelf company is provided individually, depending on availability and the specific features of the company.

Detailed pricing information is therefore made available upon direct request.

How Long Does It Take to Buy a Shelf Company in Poland?

From a practical perspective, the majority of corporate changes – including the transfer of shares and changes of directors – are effective immediately upon execution of the relevant documents.

As a result, the purchase of a ready-made company in Poland can, in many cases, be completed within one day, and the new owner may operate the company during the registration process.

However, certain corporate changes – most notably amendments to the Articles of Association – require prior registration with the Polish Company Register to become effective. Such registration proceedings usually take from 2 to 8 weeks.

For this reason, the transaction structure and sequence of steps should always be designed in advance together with experienced incorporation lawyers.

What Is Included in a Ready-Made Company?

The exact features of a ready-made company depend on current availability. Nevertheless, shelf companies typically meet the following criteria:

Feature	Included
KRS number	Yes
Paid-up share capital	Yes
Corporate files	Yes – book of shares, shareholders list, book of resolutions, corporate statements
Domiciliation	At the law firm address
NIP tax number	Yes
VAT number	Yes
EU VAT number	Yes
Accounting and reporting	Opened accounts with an affiliated accounting firm in Poland
Banking	Ready business bank account, including VAT split payment account
REGON number	Yes

Is It Safe to Buy a Shelf Company in Poland? Why Some Investors Still Choose a Ready-Made Company

Despite procedural simplifications, a number of investors continue to prefer acquiring a shelf company instead of incorporating a new one. This approach is primarily driven by restrictions that newly incorporated companies may encounter during the initial months of operation on the Polish market.

In practice, experienced investors often require a company with an existing registration history in order to:

• bid for commercial contracts,
• participate in public procurement procedures,
• apply for corporate credit,
• apply for public funding or grants.

By contrast, freshly incorporated companies may face limitations in these areas due to statutory requirements or internal policies of institutions, including banks.

Shelf Companies with Licences

Ready-made companies that already hold licences remain particularly attractive in Poland. In such cases, the time-saving aspect continues to play a decisive role.

Depending on the regulated sector, the licensing process may take from several weeks to several months. As a result, acquiring an already registered company furnished with a valid licence can significantly accelerate the execution of an investment project.

The most commonly sought-after licences in connection with shelf companies include:

• road transport licence,
• payment services licence,
• e-money licence,
• fuels trade licence,
• HR labour agency licence.

The acquisition of a shelf company in Poland may involve risks if the company is purchased from an unknown or uncertain source. In such cases, future shareholders and directors may be exposed to undisclosed obligations or compliance issues.

For this reason, when a ready-made company is acquired from a third party, it is strongly recommended to conduct legal due diligence with the support of a local Polish lawyer before completing the transaction.

By contrast, shelf companies offered by a professional law firm may be treated as risk-free, provided that they have been formed and registered exclusively by the firm’s attorneys acting as fiduciary agents. This approach allows the seller to confirm that the company has no operational history and no hidden liabilities, as all corporate actions since incorporation remain fully documented and controlled.

Conclusion

A ready-made company should be viewed as a situational tool, not a universal solution. In the Polish context, the existence of a shelf structure does not create business credit, an established credit history, or automatic access to credit lines, as local market practice does not rely on standalone business credit bureaus in the same way as in some other jurisdictions.

That said, a ready-made company may still serve a practical purpose in specific circumstances. For example, where formal requirements or market expectations apply – such as participation in government contracts or initial cooperation with clients and partners – an earlier registration date may help boost credibility at an early stage. From a transactional perspective, the sale of a shelf company is typically efficient, allowing immediate transfer of control within a short timeframe, provided that the corporate paperwork is properly structured and verified.

FAQ – Ready-Made (Shelf) Companies in Poland

What is an aged shelf corporation and how is it classified under Polish law?

An aged shelf corporation (also referred to as an aged corporation, aged shelf company or aged entity) is a registered business entity with an earlier incorporation date that has not carried out operational business activities. Such entities are sometimes grouped as aged companies and remain inactive until transferred to a new owner.

Are shelf companies completely legal in Poland?

Yes, shelf companies are completely legal, provided they were properly incorporated, maintained in good standing, and transferred in compliance with corporate regulations.

Can a shelf company improve access to financing?

An earlier incorporation date may support initial discussions with lenders regarding financing, but it does not replace financial assessment or eliminate the relevance of personal credit, particularly for small business owners.

Why do some investors prefer older businesses over newly incorporated ones?

For older businesses, factors such as an existing company name, filed annual reports, and continuity over several years may increase perceived credibility and customer trust during early-stage negotiation.