Why focus on Poland to accelerate your growth in 2026?

Poland, a country at the heart of Europe, has become a major economic player in just a few decades. Its market now offers development opportunities for international companies. In this article, Alexandre Souvannavong, Director of Business Development at Valians International, shares his analysis of the Polish economy, drawing on his Franco-Polish background, which has enabled him to follow this transformation and grasp its scale.

Thirty years of growth and integration into the European Union

Poland’s rapid transformation

Thanks to his frequent trips between France and Poland, Alexandre has been a privileged witness to Poland’s development: “When I was a child in the 1990s, the country was emerging from communism and was one of the poorest in Europe. To get there, the car journey took days on roads that were sometimes poorly maintained. We brought certain products from France that were not yet available in Poland, or were difficult to find. When we went shopping, my mother even avoided speaking French in stores so as not to see the prices “multiplied by 10.”

From visit to visit, Alexandre saw the country transform rapidly. Over the years, new infrastructure was built: shopping malls, expressways, modern bridges across the Vistula River, and more.

Today, Poland has modern infrastructure and buildings. The tallest skyscraper in the European Union is located in Warsaw, and the city has a highly developed electric public transportation system.

The Polish economic miracle in figures

In 30 years, Poland has gone from being a sourcing destination for sectors such as the automotive industry, with the early establishment of groups such as Valeo, to a strategic investment and consumption destination. The “small workshop of Europe” is now the sixth largest European power and last year joined the circle of the world’s 20 largest economies. Its GDP exceeds that of countries such as Sweden, Belgium, Ireland, and Switzerland, and its GDP per capita has even surpassed that of Japan since the end of 2023. Poland continues to grow, as evidenced by OECD projections, which estimate that the country could exceed France’s GDP per capita in less than 10 years.

Several factors explain this sustainable and resilient growth in the Polish economy:

• A vast domestic market of 37 million inhabitants.
• A diversified and robust industrial base, ensuring a good balance between agriculture, industry, and services.
• Low deindustrialization compared to other Western European countries.
• Resilience in the face of crises, being the only EU country to have maintained positive growth in 2008.
• A strategic geographical position in the heart of Europe, with borders with seven countries, access to the Baltic Sea, and major road links making it a logistics hub.
• Status as the leading beneficiary of European funds, which have contributed significantly to its development.
• A skilled and competitive workforce, trained by numerous universities, with costs that remain attractive despite a sharp increase in salaries. In fact, the minimum wage has doubled in 10 years thanks to this economic growth, rising from less than €500 to €1,130. The average wage now stands at around €2,000 per month, helping to improve the standard of living and purchasing power of Poles.
• The situation in Ukraine, which has accelerated massive investments in defense and energy. The country has also benefited from the arrival of Ukrainian workers, who have helped to meet the unmet demand for labor (Poland has a very low unemployment rate).

With growth forecast at 3.5% for 2026, Poland remains one of the most dynamic economies on the European continent.

Strengthened Franco-Polish relations

The ties between France and Poland are historic and have been consolidated by the recent signing of the Treaty of Nancy. This agreement on friendship and enhanced cooperation, signed on May 9, 2025, covers security issues, with a mutual defense clause, and energy (renewable and civil nuclear). This new bilateral agreement strengthens an already solid economic relationship: France is a key partner for Poland, being its third-largest customer, sixth-largest supplier, and fourth-largest foreign investor.

Poland: what are the promising sectors and growth opportunities?

Several sectors have been identified as growth drivers for the coming years:

• Infrastructure: significant investments are planned in road infrastructure (€50 billion), rail infrastructure (€40 billion, with major contracts such as the one with Alstom), river navigation, and deep-water ports. This momentum is particularly evident in the Central Communication Port (CPK) project, whose mega-airport, capable of handling 45 million passengers per year, will see significant investment from 2026 onwards.
• Energy: Poland is in the midst of an energy transition, with €135 billion in investments needed by 2030. The goal is to move from 90% dependence on coal to 74% non-fossil fuels by 2040. The country is a leader in photovoltaics and hydrogen. At the same time, Poland is embarking on one of Europe’s most ambitious civil nuclear programs with the construction of its first nuclear power plant, paving the way for major industrial, technological, and energy investments.
• Aeronautics and defense: Poland devotes the highest percentage of its GDP to defense within NATO (5% in 2026), with massive arms orders and a €2 billion anti-drone system project. The country is also home to a large civil aviation hub (“Aviation Valley”) and is investing in space.
• Digital and cybersecurity: In line with its defense strategy, Poland is strengthening its cybersecurity in the face of external threats. The country is highly digitized and is investing heavily in the cloud and artificial intelligence, attracting industry giants such as Microsoft and Google. Poland is also making a name for itself in the gaming sector.
• Manufacturing industry: Polish industry (automotive, electromobility) is modernizing rapidly, with a strong need for Industry 4.0 solutions, robotization, and automation.
• Medical and medtech: Poland produces low value-added medical devices, with 80% of high value-added medical technologies being imported, creating significant opportunities for foreign companies.
• Consumer goods and agri-food: the enrichment of the population and the increase in purchasing power are accompanied by a change in consumer practices, with an appetite for premium products, organic and healthy food. High-end fashion, beauty, and cosmetics are growing rapidly.

How to successfully enter the Polish market?

For foreign companies wishing to set up in Poland, Valians International, an expert in the Polish market, shares its advice and warns against certain mistakes:

Strategies to focus on in order to understand and access the Polish market:

• Trade shows: Few Polish trade shows are conducive to direct business development, except in the defense (MSPO), rail (TRACO), and Ukrainian reconstruction (ReBuild Ukraine) sectors. It is often more effective to meet with Polish delegations at major German trade shows (ANUGA, MEDICA).
• Flexible partnerships: distributors are often reactive rather than proactive and act more like logisticians, requiring commercial support. Considering partnerships with local manufacturers or service companies (installers, repairers, maintenance) can be very effective in compensating for the lack of a commercial strategy.
• Mergers and acquisitions (M&A): The Polish market has many family-owned SMEs with succession issues, offering attractive acquisition opportunities for rapid market entry.
• Outsourced sales development: Providing a part-time sales representative on site can enable rapid and sustainable market entry in Poland.

Some cultural mistakes to avoid:

• Don’t come across as “preachy”: Poles are proud of their history and their country. A humble and respectful approach is essential.
• Understand the Polish mentality: in Polish business culture, great importance is attached to short-term profits. A clear vision and a short-term action plan are therefore appreciated. A good understanding of the country’s history can help you grasp the nuances of interactions, especially with the older generation.
• Language: Although the younger generation speaks English well, a few words of Polish are always appreciated.

A development project in Poland in 2026?

Poland has achieved exemplary economic catch-up in Europe, offering significant opportunities for accelerated growth for foreign companies in 2026 and beyond, thanks to the rapid transformation of its market, its economic resilience, and its major investment projects. To successfully enter the Polish market, it is essential to establish a strategy tailored to the specificities of this market. Each year, Valians International supports nearly 150 projects in Poland and Central and Eastern Europe. Drawing on its in-depth expertise of the Polish market and the region, Valians International helps companies succeed in their export, business development, sourcing, and establishment projects.