Polish cities in the fDi’s European Cities and Regions of the Future 2025 ranking – why invest in Poland?
Poland is strengthening its position as one of the best investment destinations in Europe. In the latest fDi’s European Cities and Regions of the Future 2025 ranking, prepared by fDi Intelligence, a unit of the Financial Times, several Polish cities ranked among the top performers. Warsaw secured third place among Europe’s largest cities in terms of investment potential, only behind London and Dublin. Meanwhile, Kraków and Wrocław also made it to the podium in their respective categories.
This ranking evaluates 521 cities and regions based on economic potential, human capital and quality of life, cost-effectiveness, connectivity, and business-friendliness. The strong presence of Polish cities at the top reflects Poland’s growing attractiveness as a destination for capital investment and business development.
Warsaw – the technological heart of Central and Eastern Europe
As Poland’s largest city, Warsaw has been attracting foreign investors for years. According to the fDi Intelligence report:
- The Polish capital ranked third in the main category for large cities, outperforming major European hubs such as Paris, Amsterdam, and Berlin.
- In the business friendliness and human capital and lifestyle categories, Warsaw ranked second, coming just after London.
- Warsaw also ranked sixth in economic potential and ninth in cost-effectiveness, highlighting its unique combination of dynamic economic growth and competitive business costs.
Why choose Warsaw?
Warsaw is a major European hub for technology and finance. It attracts the highest level of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Europe, as evidenced by investment decisions from giants like Google, Visa, and Microsoft, which have invested billions of dollars there.
In recent years, Warsaw has become a key center for software development, drawing more than $1 billion in IT sector investments since 2020. Additionally, the city boasts a highly skilled workforce, with over 260,000 students study in Warsaw, and around 50,000 graduates from renowned universities enter the labour market each year.
Kraków – a center for business services and innovation
Kraków, the second-largest city in Poland, ranked third in the “large cities” category, just behind Frankfurt and Hamburg.
Moreover, Kraków secured first place in two key subcategories:
- Human capital and lifestyle – the city attracts talented professionals from both Poland and abroad.
- Business friendliness – Kraków is a European leader in the shared services sector (SSC), as confirmed by major investments from companies like Heineken.
A staggering 83% of foreign investments in Kraków in 2024 came from Western European countries, indicating the city’s growing role as a key location for global business operations.
Wrocław – “the Polish Silicon Valley”
Wrocław has long been regarded as one of the most dynamically developing cities in Europe. In the latest fDi Intelligence ranking, it ranked first in the “mid-sized cities” category.
The city is often referred to as the “Polish Silicon Valley” due to substantial foreign investment in the IT and advanced technology sectors. Wrocław has attracted over USD 10.8 billion in FDI over the past five years, with the number of software development investment projects exceeding 50 since 2020. In addition, companies such as GlobalLogic (part of Hitachi) have chosen Wrocław as the location for their European technology hubs.
Investing in Poland – a strategic choice for foreign entrepreneurs
Not only the largest cities but also smaller Polish towns are attracting investor attention. Gliwice ranked second in the business friendliness category among small cities, while Legnica and Błonie placed in the top ten for cost-effectiveness and business friendliness, respectively.
What attracts foreign companies to Poland?
- A highly skilled workforce – Poland is one of the most educated countries in Europe, with strong expertise in engineering, IT, and finance.
- Competitive operational costs – both labour costs and office rental costs are significantly lower than in Western Europe.
- Strategic location – Poland’s central position in Europe makes it an ideal hub for logistics and manufacturing companies.
- Economic stability – Poland has consistently recorded strong economic growth for years.
- Modern infrastructure – an extensive network of highways, high-speed rail, and international airports facilitates business operations.
Conclusion
With rapidly developing cities, a business-friendly environment, and a stable economy, Poland is an excellent investment destination. The results of the fDi Intelligence ranking confirm that Warsaw, Kraków, and Wrocław are among the key investment locations on the European map.
