The Central Register and Information on Economic Activity (CEIDG) is a key register of entrepreneurs in Poland. We have prepared a comprehensive guide with relevant information about CEIDG in Poland. We explain how to set up a company and what documents are necessary to register and manage your business.
Table of Contents
- CEIDG – What Is It?
- Who Can Be an Entrepreneur Registered in CEIDG?
- CEIDG – Functions of the Register
- How Does Registration in CEIDG Proceed?
- What is the Application for Entry in CEIDG?
- What Data Should Be Provided in the Application for Entry in CEIDG?
- What are the Effects of Registration in CEIDG?
- What Changes Concerning the Company Should Be Reported in CEIDG?
- The Central Register and Information on Economic Activity – Summary
- FAQ – Questions and Answers
CEIDG – What Is It?
CEIDG is a nationwide electronic register of entrepreneurs in Poland. It has been in operation since 2011 and is managed by the Minister of Economy. The Central Register and Information on Economic Activity collects information about:
- Individuals running sole proprietorships
- Partners in civil partnerships
Its primary goal is to simplify the processes of registering and managing a business. The entire process is conducted electronically, eliminating the need to submit paper documents. Thanks to this, there is no need to spend time at government offices.
Who Can Be an Entrepreneur Registered in CEIDG?
In Poland, there is a principle of freedom of economic activity. This means that anyone can start, run, and end a business. The status of an entrepreneur can be obtained by:
- natural persons
- legal persons,
- entities without legal personality, which the law grants legal capacity to conduct business
As a rule, any adult can be an entrepreneur. However, the legislator allows individuals under the age of 18 to run a business with certain restrictions. Foreigners can also run their own business in Poland.
CEIDG – Functions of the Register
The Central Register of Business Activity is a huge database. It is intended to make it easier for entrepreneurs to run and manage a company. The most important functions of this register include:
Availability | The entrepreneur can manage most registration and company-related formalities free of charge. |
Security of economic relations | Information disclosed in CEIDG is publicly available. Everyone can verify the entrepreneur’s data, which guarantees transparency of the company’s operations. |
Convenience in managing the company | The system works 24/7, which allows you to complete formalities at any time. |
How Does Registration in CEIDG Proceed?
Submitting an application for entry in CEIDG is free of charge. There are two ways to register a company:
- Online – by filling out the form on the ceidg.gov.pl website (follow the instructions there). After completing all the fields, you need to sign the application with a Trusted Profile or with an e-ID.
- Stationary – either personally or by mail at the municipal or city office.
After submitting the application, the entrepreneur receives a confirmation of registration. The office verifies the data provided in the form. If the application is incorrect, the system notifies about the need for corrections. In the case of applying traditionally, you will receive by post a request to complete missing information within a specified period.
If the registration process is successful, the entry in CEIDG is made no later than the next business day. The data of the company’s owner is sent to the relevant tax office and the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS).
What is the Application for Entry in CEIDG?
An application for entry in CEIDG, which is submitted by a natural person setting up a sole proprietorship, has several functions. It is at the same time:
- identification application to the tax office,
- a statement on the choice of the form of income taxation, e.g. lump-sum on registered income
- an application for entry in the National Official Register of Economic Entities (REGON)
- a notification regarding the payer of contributions to the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) or the Agricultural Social Insurance Fund (KRUS).
The Office will assign a tax identification number (Polish: NIP) within 1 working day. REGON number will be assigned within 7 days from the date of submitting the application. Remember, the CEIDG form serves as a notification to both the tax office and ZUS. However, the entrepreneur must still submit additional declarations for ZUS registration and VAT purposes.
What Data Should Be Provided in the Application for Entry in CEIDG?
The CEIDG application should include the entrepreneur’s basic identifying data and certain business details. You can find them below.
Personal data (name and surname) |
Parents’ names |
Date and place of birth |
PESEL (Polish National Identification Number) |
Type, series and number of a valid identity document, e.g. ID card |
All held citizenships |
Tax identification number and REGON, if they have been assigned |
Residential address and any other addresses related to the business activity being established |
Company name and shortened name |
Type of business activity – the appropriate code resulting from the Polish Classification of Activities (PKD) should be indicated. |
The number of employees that the entrepreneur plans to hire |
Starting date |
Information about insurance in Polish institutions (ZUS, KRUS) or abroad |
Details of the tax office competent for the place of residence |
What are the Effects of Registration in CEIDG?
Establishing a business means that the entrepreneur is automatically registered with:
- ZUS as a payer. This is associated with the obligation to pay contributions,
- Tax office as a taxpayer. If the entrepreneur is a VAT payer, he must additionally register to VAT. One should do it no later than the day before the start of selling goods or providing services subject to VAT.
If the business activity requires a concession, permit, or license, it must be reported to the appropriate register.
What Changes Concerning the Company Should Be Reported in CEIDG?
Any change in the conducted business must be reported in CEIDG. This can include:
- suspension of business activity,
- reactivation of business activity
- deletion from CEIDG,
- change in the form of taxation.
Changes in the Central Register of Business Activity can be made online or in person. Filling out the online form is much more convenient. When modifying data, it is not necessary to re-complete all fields. Some will be mandatory, regardless of the type of change. The rest pertains to the specific request. The entrepreneur should select the option “application for change of entry in CEIDG” and follow the instructions.
The Central Register and Information on Economic Activity – Summary
Central Register and Information on Economic Activity is not only a tool for registering a business. It is also a platform that facilitates access to information about entrepreneurs and their activities. With online applications, anyone can register a business in just a few minutes. Any changes to the data can be made without leaving home.
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FAQ – Questions and Answers
What is Central Register and Information on Economic Activity?
Central Register and Information on Economic Activity is a public register of sole proprietorships and civil partnerships in Poland. The full name is Central Register and Information on Business Activity. It allows entrepreneurs to manage their data and access information about other entities.
How to register a business in Central Register and Information on Economic Activity?
Registration of a business in Central Register and Information on Economic Activity primarily takes place online. You can use a form available on the Ministry of Development and Technology’s website. You just need to fill out the appropriate fields and submit the application. With the online platform, you can do it without leaving home.
What documents do I need to register?
To register a business in Central Register and Information on Economic Activity, you only need an ID card and basic information about the planned business. The data should include the company name, address, and type of activity.
Can I change my company’s data in CEIDG?
Yes, changing company details is possible and also takes place online. All you need to do is log in to the CEIDG system and update the relevant information. These changes are immediately visible in the registry.
Is registration in CEIDG free?
Registration of a business in CEIDG is free of charge. You do not incur any costs related to the registration process itself or updating your data.
What are the benefits of registering in CEIDG?
Registration in CEIDG gives entrepreneurs many benefits, such as:
– legal running of a business,
– the possibility of using various reliefs and subsidies,
– easier access to information about other entrepreneurs,
– quick and convenient management of company data.
What are the obligations of the entrepreneur after registration in CEIDG?
After registration, the entrepreneur must keep accounting records, submit tax declarations, and inform about any changes related to the business. For example about changing the address or company name.
Can I run a business without registering in CEIDG?
No, running a business without registration in CEIDG is illegal. It may have legal and financial consequences.
How long does the registration process in CEIDG take?
The registration process in CEIDG is usually very quick. Most applications are processed immediately. Confirmation of registration can be received even on the same day.
Where can I get more information about CEIDG?
More information about CEIDG can be found on the official website of the Ministry of Development. You can read more also on the websites of institutions supporting entrepreneurs. For example: the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development (PARP).