For many years, Poland has been one of the most popular outsourcing destinations for IT projects. In this article, I will describe the main reasons behind this popularity and discuss why you should consider outsourcing your project to Poland.

High-skilled and experienced developers

Polish programmers are known worldwide for their skills and professionalism. This results from several factors, including the high level of education provided at technical universities, years of experience in international companies , and strong work ethic. The numbers speak for themselves. According to the HackerRank report, Poland is third among the countries with the best developers and first in the best Java developers ranking.

Poland in HackerRank report — source HackerRank

Agile methodologies are another strong suit of Polish specialists. They prioritize continuous feedback, iterative progress, and cross-functional teamwork, aligning with Agile principles to deliver high-quality products.

Well-educated specialists — source Polish Investment and Trade Agency

Top-level software developers will form the solid core foundation upon which your application is built and ensure high development performance. Thanks to their skills and professional experience, they can engineer solutions that best address your project needs.

Cultural similarity

Poland shares many cultural values and norms with Western European countries and the United States, such as the importance of quality, customer satisfaction, and continuous improvement. Polish work culture is team-oriented and collaborative, which aligns well with the nature of IT projects and leads to more cohesive project teams.

The English language is standard in the Polish IT industry, commonly used for documentation, programming languages, and project management. Polish IT professionals are fluent in English and have strong communication skills, enabling them to collaborate effectively with international teams and clients.

Education First English Proficiency Index — the world’s largest ranking of countries and regions by English proficiency placed Poland in 13th position among 113 countries in their ranking. The result is impressive and proves the high level of English proficiency in Poland.

Poland in EF EPI ranking of countries and regions by English proficiency — source EF EPI

While technical skills are fundamental, other factors should not be underestimated. A similar work ethic, English proficiency , and other soft skills contribute to effective communication, seamless collaboration, and successful project outcomes.

Localized in Central Europe

Poland’s geographical location is very convenient from an outsourcing perspective. It is in the same time zone as the DACH region, and there is a six-hour difference between Poland and the East Coast of the United States. When the six-hour difference may not look so attractive, Polish companies often adjust working hours to partners’ time zones to minimize the gap and maintain efficient communication.

The main Polish cities are well connected to the rest of Europe. There are daily direct flights from many major European cities. The flight from Berlin to Kraków takes one hour and fifteen minutes, and Vienna to Krakow only one hour. Poland’s largest cities, such as Warsaw and Krakow, have regular flights to the United States. It takes nine and a half hours to fly from New York to Warsaw and about ten hours from Chicago to Krakow.

Krakow Airport summer 2024 regular connections — source Krakow Airport

Similar working hours significantly speed up the communication process. There is no need to wait several or even more hours for a response because other people are not working at the moment. Organising face-to-face meetings like project kick-offs or workshops is much easier with short and frequent flight connections.

Stable economy

Poland has shown economic stability and robust growth over the years. According to the World Bank, Poland maintained a steady gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate and demonstrated strong resilience to the financial crisis in 2008 and the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in 2020.

Poland GDP 2000–2022 (U.S. dollars) — source The World Bank

Furthermore, economic forecasts by institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the European Commission predict continued growth for Poland, solidifying its position as a stable economic environment.

Economic forecast for Poland — source European Commission

The role of the IT sector in the economy of Poland is continuously growing. After joining the European Union, Poland became one of the most attractive investment destinations. The IT sector accelerated significantly, attracting investments from global tech giants and driving the growth of local tech companies. The IT sector in Poland currently employs more than half a million people and is worth USD 16.41 billion in exports.

Poland ITC service export 2000–2023 (U.S. dollars) — source The World Bank

Top 10 importers of Polish IT/ITC services in 2021 (EUR billion) — source Polish Agency for Enterprise Development

The Polish government actively supports innovation and development of the IT sector. Programs and grants are being introduced to develop digital infrastructure, promote innovations, support local companies, and enhance digital skills. One important element of government policy is support for the start-ups. The introduction of a number of programs and initiatives to support the development of young technology companies has made Poland a leading location for startups, which now number more than 3,000.

A stable economy provides a reliable foundation for businesses. Companies seeking to outsource IT projects can have confidence in Poland’s ability to offer consistent and predictable economic conditions. This stability is crucial for long-term projects and investment in outsourcing partnerships.

European Union (EU) memberships

Poland has been a member of the EU since 2004. Being part of the EU single market allows for the free movement of goods, services, capital, and people. This facilitates easier collaboration and integration with other EU-based companies. EU regulations and standards ensure that business practices align with those in other developed markets, including the United States. It simplifies legal and contractual aspects of outsourcing, providing assurance regarding compliance and quality standards. The most important EU regulations concerning software development:

• General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) — ensures a high level of data protection and mandates compliance with stringent security requirements for handling personal data in IT projects.
• Network and Information Security Directive (NIS2) — enhances cybersecurity by imposing stricter security requirements on essential and important entities. It requires organizations to adopt security measures, report incidents, and cooperate with national authorities.
• Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) — aims to strengthen the digital resilience of the financial sector. It sets requirements for financial institutions to ensure they can withstand and recover from ICT-related disruptions, by enforcing robust risk management and incident response measures.
• Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act) — focus on the safe and ethical use of AI. It categorizes AI systems by risk levels, imposing stricter requirements on higher-risk applications. Developers must ensure transparency in AI functionality and data usage, particularly for high-risk systems, while also emphasizing the need for quality data in training to prevent bias.

An important aspect of membership in the EU is strong protection for intellectual property (IP) provided through a unified legal framework. This includes comprehensive regulations on patents, trademarks, copyrights, and designs. Polish companies are bound by these regulations facilitating the legal aspects of outsourcing.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) membership

Poland’s NATO membership adds an extra layer of security and stability, making it a safe destination for outsourcing. As a NATO member, Poland benefits from collective security arrangements that enhance its geopolitical stability. This reduces the risk of political turmoil affecting business operations. In the face of instability to the east, Poland emerges as a safe location for companies seeking stable and secure locations for their IT operations. The war in Ukraine has highlighted the importance of stable NATO countries as reliable business partners.

European membership of the EU and NATO — source Wikipedia

Rich in history and culture

Poland is home to rich history, beautiful architecture, and stunning natural landscapes.

The capital city, Warsaw, is a lively metropolis that perfectly merges its abundant history with a modern, dynamic atmosphere. Rebuilt after World War II, Warsaw’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, with the Royal Castle and Castle Square. The Palace of Culture and Science is a symbol of the city. Built in 1955, it houses theaters, museums, and an observation deck offering views across the capital.

Warsaw City Center — source Go to Warsaw

Krakow, the country’s former royal capital, is a living museum of medieval history. Wawel Castle, the former seat of Polish kings and the nearby Wieliczka Salt Mine are just two examples of the rich heritage preserved for centuries. Just a short drive from the city is Auschwitz-Birkenau, the former Nazi concentration and extermination camp. Today, it is a memorial and museum that reminds of the terrible events of World War II.

The Wawel Castle and Cathedral — source Historic Hotels of Europe

Nestled at the foot of the Tatra Mountains, Zakopane is often referred to as the “Winter Capital of Poland.” Famous for its wooden architecture and highlander culture, Zakopane’s Krupówki Street is a lively spot for local crafts and cuisine. In summer, visitors can hike scenic trails to spots like Morskie Oko and Giewont, while in winter, the town becomes a hub for skiing and snowboarding at Kasprowy Wierch and Gubałówka.

Morskie Oko — source Alpin Sport

Tricity, a unique urban area in northern Poland located along the Baltic Sea, consists of three cities. Gdańsk is rich in history, featuring colorful architecture and landmarks like the Neptune Fountain and Gdańsk Crane. Gdynia is a modern port city known for its contemporary buildings and scenic beaches, with a lively waterfront promenade. Sopot boasts a long sandy beach and a famous wooden pier, making it a popular resort town with lively nightlife.

Gdańsk Old Town — source Dziennik Bałtycki

Summary

Outsourcing IT projects to Poland offers numerous advantages. Top-class developers, a stable economic environment, and a convenient geographical location make it an excellent choice for outsourcing projects and long-term partnerships. Communication and everyday work with Polish IT companies is convenient due to high work standards, good English language skills, and a similar culture. Compliance with international security standards and regulations ensures data privacy and security. These factors make Poland an attractive and strategic choice for outsourcing IT projects. This is evidenced by the fact that many international companies have recognized Poland as the best country to outsource their IT projects and big technology companies such as Microsoft, IBM, Google, Oracle, and ABB have established their headquarters and R&D centres in Poland.