Poland’s Legislative Reforms in 2025: What Citizens and Businesses Need to Know

giuliapedrinivisio
Jun 24
4 min read

Updated: Jun 25

Author: Zuzanna

Poland is going through one of its most active periods of legislative transition since joining the EU. The new administration has pledged to update the national legal and administrative framework after the 2023 parliamentary elections. Now that we are almost halfway through the legislature, many of these promises are starting to materialise in the form of new laws, amendments, and regulatory changes. Understanding these changes is not only crucial but essential for businesses and citizens alike.

These measures are expected to transform everyday life and business in Poland, whether you are a resident monitoring your civil rights or a company managing your compliance needs.

Key Legislative Reforms in 2025

This year has witnessed substantial developments in a number of legal fields, particularly the judiciary, taxation, business regulation, and digital governance.

One of the major improvements is the restructuring of the legal system, which includes measures to promote judicial independence and restore public trust. The government has revoked some problematic judge selections from previous years in response to the European Commission's recommendations. An official announcement from the Ministry of Justice provides more information on these developments.

Another important reform is the implementation of a streamlined corporate tax system with incentives for new and small businesses. Polish procedures will be more in line with EU digital standards and less bureaucratic, thanks to new tax brackets and digital reporting requirements. Companies will benefit from more online resources and fewer paper documents, but there will also be additional compliance deadlines.

There has also been a significant change to the national digital governance strategy. With the adoption of the new Digital ID Act in March 2025, residents can use a secure mobile ID to access most government services online.

Empty parliamentary chamber with curved wooden desks and blue chairs. Abstract red and purple wall art in the background under a lit ceiling.

The Motivation Behind the Reforms

The government's main objective is to increase openness, by ensuring that the law is in line with European Union requirements and stimulating economic growth. Given these goals, officials say a modern legal system is essential to attract international investment and promote innovation.

However, the public has had a mixed reaction to the changes. For some, the speed as well as the scope of the changes are worrying, especially in areas such as data protection and digital monitoring, while others believe the reforms are long overdue.

Impacts on Citizens

Reforms, both those planned and those currently being implemented, represent both opportunities and challenges for Polish citizens. Access to banking, healthcare and tax services will be easier with the new digital ID card system, especially for those living in remote areas. However, the centralisation of personal data has not gone without criticism from privacy advocates.

In terms of civil rights, recent legislation has strengthened anti-discrimination safeguards, including clearer protocols for reporting abuse or misconduct in the workplace. Welfare benefits have also changed, with a more income-based and digitised approach to the distribution of welfare benefits.

While some people, particularly the elderly and those without internet access, have expressed irritation with the learning curve associated with the transition to digital systems, these reforms have the potential to accelerate and adapt services.

Impacts on Businesses

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and international investors are watching the reform package closely. Startups are benefiting from the streamlined corporate tax system, as it lowers barriers to entry and streamlines VAT procedures.

The new compliance framework also introduces stricter audit guidelines, especially for tech and financial services companies. From April 2025, Polish corporate reporting will also be required to disclose ESG information, bringing it in line with the objectives of the EU Green Deal.

Challenges and Controversies

Despite the many positive impacts, the changes have not been without criticism. The speed of their implementation has been criticised by opposition parties, who claim that it limits parliamentary oversight and public discussion. There have also been concerns that, despite good intentions on the part of parliamentarians, the judicial reforms will still allow political interference in the selection of judges.

Reports from international organisations such as the Venice Commission have called on the Polish government to introduce greater protection for the independence of the judiciary. The digital ID card law and concerns about mass data collection were the main topics of many public demonstrations that took place in major cities in the meantime.

Future Outlook

These changes show clearly and directly the path of development: Poland wants to belong to the European Union as a technologically advanced, business-friendly and legally open member. The regulation of artificial intelligence, increased flexibility of the labour market and changes to public procurement rules are expected to be the main topics of future legislation.

In addition, constitutional amendments that would explicitly include judicial protection and digital rights are being discussed in the Sejm. Both domestic politics and the reaction from European institutions will determine whether these suggestions will be implemented.

Conclusion

As stated in the article, Poland plans to implement large and ambitious legislative reforms by the end of 2025. These changes, which range from corporate taxes and digital transformation to judicial independence, are reshaping the relationship between the state, its citizens, and the business sector.

Everyone who lives or works in Poland now must make these changes. As the legal landscape evolves, individuals and businesses must keep an eye out for legislative changes, stay up to date on legislative developments, and, if necessary, seek professional guidance and make use of the wealth of internet resources.