Poland Surpasses Britain in German Relocations: Why They Choose the Neighboring Country

In 2025, 4,942 citizens of Germany moved to Poland, more than to Great Britain, Italy, or the Netherlands. Among the reasons for choosing the country, young migrants cite family ties, digitization of services, and opportunities for starting their own businesses. This is reported by inPoland with reference to Handelsblatt.

German Relocation to Poland: What the 2025 Data Shows

According to the provided data, 4,942 citizens of Germany chose Poland, while 4,444 moved to Great Britain. The difference is 498 people, or approximately 11%. At the same time, this comparison reflects specific directions rather than an assertion that Poland has become the main country of emigration for Germans.

Handelsblatt highlights young migrants, particularly those from mixed Polish-German families. For them, relocation is connected not only with work but also with family ties and familiarity with the language and local environment.

One of the heroes of the publication, Kevin Wörner, moved from Berlin to Warsaw. His mother is Polish. In the Polish capital, he runs a company that creates content for social media.

According to the entrepreneur, modern Poland is significantly different from past perceptions of it. He notes the optimism, the development of Warsaw, and the quality of urban infrastructure. These are his personal impressions that help understand the motivations for relocation.

Business in Poland: What Advantages Migrants Mention

Wörner positively assesses the speed of company registration. According to him, the process took two days in Poland, whereas in Germany, he faced delays in obtaining a tax number and difficulties with registering with a notary.

At the same time, the timeframes depend on the form of business, documents, and the method of application submission. Notably, the registration of sole proprietorships and the creation of partnerships are different procedures, so one entrepreneur's experience does not determine the timelines for all.

Another argument he mentions is taxes. In Poland, a lower corporate income tax rate of 9% is available for some companies instead of the standard 19%.

However, having a turnover of up to 2 million euros is not enough for the automatic application of the benefit. Factors such as small taxpayer status, startup activity, established income limits, and other legislative conditions matter. The reduced rate does not apply to capital gains.

In a German comparison, Wörner considers not only the corporate tax rate of 15% but also the solidarity surcharge and local industrial tax. The overall burden on the company can be about 30% or more, depending on the municipality.

Moreover, the corporate rate does not reflect all the owner's expenses. When comparing European tax systems, it is essential to separately consider taxation on payments from the company, social contributions, and personal tax residency. Therefore, the profitability of relocation depends on the specific business model and individual circumstances.