Buying a company in Poland: how an acquisition works, step by step

Buying a company in Poland takes five steps: finding the right business, getting to know the owners, due diligence, negotiation and the notarial transfer. The process resembles a Dutch or British acquisition, but the language, local law and business etiquette make a local partner all but indispensable.

Step 1: finding the right company

Poland’s market is full of family businesses whose founders are approaching retirement without a successor. That regularly brings healthy, profitable companies to market, such as the composite door manufacturer we are currently brokering. Much of this supply never reaches an international website: it circulates through local networks. Polska Consult Holland searches that network on behalf of foreign buyers.

Step 2: building trust, the Polish way

In Poland you do business once there is trust, not before. Expect at least one shared dinner and several visits before the numbers come out. Buyers who skip this and lead with an offer usually lose the deal to a more patient competitor. Read more in our article on Polish business culture.

Step 3: due diligence

The review covers the same ground as at home: accounts, contracts, staff, permits, real estate and claims. The difference is the source material: registers such as the KRS (company register) and the land registers are in Polish, and much SME documentation exists only in Polish. We translate, verify authenticity and bring in local lawyers and accountants where needed.

Step 4: negotiation and terms

Beyond price, you negotiate warranties, a transition period in which the seller stays on, and the treatment of real estate, which often sits inside the company. An interpreter who also understands the commercial context prevents expensive misunderstandings here.

Step 5: the notarial transfer

The transfer of shares in a Polish limited company (sp. z o.o.) runs through a Polish notary and is registered in the KRS. Well prepared, the notary, bank and registrations can be completed within days.

What PCH does for you

Polska Consult Holland guides the entire process: from sourcing companies through our local network to interpreting at the table and arranging legal advice on the ground. Poland is an attractive market to do this in: the economy grew 3.6% in 2025 and the number of foreign investment projects rose 13% in 2024. Get in touch for a confidential exploration.