Investing in Poland is entering a phase that differs significantly from the development model seen in previous years. For a long time, Poland’s economic growth was driven mainly by domestic consumption, supported by rising wages and a stable labour market. In 2026, investment is expected to become the main engine of GDP growth, and — according to announcements from the Ministry of Finance and Economy — its momentum may reach 10–11%.
From a foreign investor’s perspective, this signals a structural shift. Growth powered by public and private investment generates a different type of stability than growth based solely on consumption. It creates long-term demand for technology, infrastructure, financial services and industrial solutions.
The scale of planned public investment in 2026
The announced budget outlays for 2026 indicate a clear shift in the state’s economic policy priorities. Key items include:
- PLN 200 billion for defence,
- PLN 25.2 billion for road infrastructure,
- PLN 14 billion for rail infrastructure,
- PLN 8 billion for the first nuclear power plant,
- PLN 15 billion for environmental protection (including thermal modernisation),
- PLN 7.5 billion for the next phase of the Port Polska project,
- PLN 2.4 billion for investments in the maritime economy,
- PLN 16.2 billion in local-government investment planned by the largest cities.
Such a wide-ranging investment programme implies multi-year infrastructure, energy and logistics projects. For foreign entities, this means opportunities to participate in tenders, form consortia, supply technology, and cooperate with local partners.
You can read more about the role of foreign capital in the analysis of foreign direct investment inflows to Poland.
Investing in Poland in the context of security and economic resilience
Significant outlays on defence and infrastructure should also be analysed through the lens of economic security. In conditions of geopolitical instability and tensions in global supply chains, investors increasingly assess not only operating costs but also a country’s systemic resilience.
High spending on defence, the modernisation of transport infrastructure and the development of seaports strengthens Poland’s position as a stable link in European supply chains. For manufacturing and logistics companies, this directly affects decisions on where to locate operations.
Energy transition as a competitiveness factor
One of the key issues for foreign entrepreneurs remains the cost and availability of energy. Poland is simultaneously implementing several projects of strategic importance:
- construction of the first nuclear power plant,
- development of offshore wind energy (including the 1.5 GW Baltica II project),
- investments in large-scale energy storage,
- construction of flexible gas-fired units,
- deployment of IT solutions supporting the stability of the power system.
The aim of these measures is to increase energy security and reduce energy price volatility over the long term. For energy-intensive sectors such as the chemical industry, metallurgy or component manufacturing, predictable energy costs are crucial for investment planning.
Investing in Poland from an industrial perspective is increasingly assessed with this energy transition — and its impact on operational competitiveness over the next decade — in mind.
Mobilising domestic capital: PLN 100 billion by 2040
An important element of economic strategy is the development of the domestic capital market. The Ministry of Finance and Economy assumes that implementing instruments such as:
- Personal Investment Accounts (OKI),
- ETFs increasing access to the stock market,
- the PFR DeepTech fund,
- the Innovate Poland programme,
could generate as much as PLN 100 billion in new investment capital by 2040.
For foreign investors, the development of local financing sources means:
- greater opportunities for project co-financing,
- higher market liquidity,
- a stronger investment ecosystem,
- the ability to exit investments via the public market.
Growing domestic capital also reduces the risk of dependence on external funding during periods of global uncertainty.
High-tech sectors: AI, deep tech and space
Poland is increasing its engagement in high-tech sectors, including programmes of the European Space Agency. Higher spending on ESA optional programmes, as well as efforts to develop AI and deep tech, point to an attempt to build a more advanced economic structure.
For foreign technology companies, the most important factors are:
- access to skilled engineers and IT specialists,
- relatively competitive costs of conducting R&D work,
- access to public funding and EU funds,
- a growing startup ecosystem.
In practice, Poland can serve as an engineering and R&D hub for projects delivered within the European market.
Transport and logistics infrastructure
Significant funds allocated to roads, railways, seaports and projects such as Port Polska strengthen the country’s position as a logistics hub in Central and Eastern Europe.
For companies from Germany and other EU countries, key advantages include:
- geographical proximity,
- well-developed warehousing infrastructure,
- growing capacity of seaports,
- integration with the EU transport network.
In the context of shortening supply chains and diversifying production in Europe, Poland is a natural destination for relocating part of industrial activity.
Macroeconomic stability and the labour market
Poland maintains a low unemployment rate and a relatively stable banking sector. Rising wages support consumption while also increasing the purchasing power of the domestic market of more than 37 million consumers.
For a foreign investor, the following also matter:
- EU membership and access to the Single Market,
- access to European funds,
- a stable regulatory environment,
- a developed business services sector (accounting, tax and legal advisory).
These elements create an environment conducive to long-term operational presence.
Investing in Poland: a long-term perspective
The planned acceleration of investment in 2026, the development of the capital market, the energy transition and increased spending on infrastructure all point to a change in the economic growth model.
It is also worth analysing which regions of Poland are currently developing the fastest in terms of investment.
For foreign entrepreneurs, the key question is no longer only labour costs. Increasingly important are:
- energy security,
- access to capital,
- systemic stability,
- integration with the European market,
- the ability to scale operations across the CEE region.
Investing in Poland in 2026–2030 can be viewed as part of a strategy to build a lasting position in Central and Eastern Europe, rather than merely a cost-optimisation decision. In the current macroeconomic environment, markets that simultaneously increase investment outlays, develop infrastructure and strengthen their capital markets are among the most closely analysed by international capital. Poland belongs to this group.
