In 2026, entrepreneurs have access to many funding sources — from employment offices to EU funds. Find out how to effectively apply for grants and subsidies for your business.
Starting your own business comes with considerable start-up costs — equipment, marketing, and the first ZUS obligations. Fortunately, in 2026 there are many financial support programmes available, which can be used by both new entrepreneurs and companies that have been operating for several years. Grants from the District Employment Office (PUP), ZUS reliefs, EU funds, and training subsidies through BUR are just some of the options. In this article we present specific funding sources, the conditions for obtaining them, and practical tips that will help you navigate the entire process efficiently.
A one-off grant from PUP for opening a business is one of the most accessible sources of support for unemployed individuals planning to start a company. In 2026, the grant amount can reach up to six times the average salary, giving a real figure of several tens of thousands of złoty. To apply for this support, you must: • hold the status of an unemployed person registered with PUP, • submit an application together with a business plan and expenditure schedule, • commit to running the business for at least 12 months. Expenditure from the grant funds must be documented with invoices. After the settlement, the office may demand the return of funds if the terms of the agreement have not been met. It is worth preparing a thorough application — that is the key to a positive decision.
ZUS offers several mechanisms for reducing the cost of contributions at the start of business operations, which is of key importance for the financial liquidity of many new companies. 1. Start-up relief – for the first 6 months of running a business, the entrepreneur pays only the health insurance contribution, with no social contributions. 2. Preferential ZUS contributions – for the following 24 months, social contributions are calculated on a reduced assessment base. 3. Mały ZUS Plus – entrepreneurs with low revenues (up to a defined threshold) may pay contributions proportional to their income for 36 months. Please note that from 2025 the health insurance contribution is calculated according to revised rules, which may affect the actual cost of running a business. It is worth consulting an accounting office before registering a company in order to choose the optimal form of taxation.
Poland still has significant funds from the European Union budget under the 2021–2027 financial perspective. In 2026, entrepreneurs may apply for support from, among others: • the Funds for a Modern Economy (FENG) – dedicated to innovation, R&D, and digitalisation, • Regional Operational Programmes (RPO) – managed by individual voivodeships and targeted at SMEs, • the Funds for Eastern Poland – for companies from the eastern macro-region. Calls for applications are announced by the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development (PARP) and the RPO Managing Authorities. It is essential to monitor competition schedules, as calls have specific deadlines. An application for EU funding requires, among other things, a detailed business plan, a financial analysis, and a description of the project's result indicators.
BUR is a platform administered by PARP through which entrepreneurs can obtain subsidies for training courses and advisory services. In 2026, support is provided mainly through Regional Financing Institutions in individual voivodeships. BUR is available to: • micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, • business owners and their employees. The subsidy can cover from 50% to as much as 80% of the cost of a training service, depending on the voivodeship and the company's status. Training covers areas such as financial management, sales, e-commerce, and the use of payroll and HR software. This is a particularly beneficial solution for companies that want to develop competences without committing their own funds in full.
Alongside non-repayable grants, there are repayable instruments — preferential loans and credit guarantees — which can be equally attractive, especially when a company does not meet competition requirements. Among the available options, it is worth mentioning: • Loans from Loan Funds managed by BGK or regional financial institutions — with low interest rates, often below market level, • BGK de minimis guarantees – facilitating access to credit at a commercial bank, • EU loans provided through regional loan funds. These instruments are particularly useful for purchasing equipment, expanding infrastructure, or financing working capital. It is worth comparing the available offers and checking what requirements a specific intermediary institution imposes.
Applying for grants requires good organisation and the preparation of appropriate documentation. A few principles worth following: 1. Start by analysing the available sources — match the type of support to the stage and sector of your business. 2. Read the competition regulations carefully — each programme has its own eligibility and expenditure criteria. 3. Prepare a reliable business plan — evaluation committees assess the realism of the assumptions and the financial coherence of the project. 4. Document all expenditure from the very beginning — invoices, contracts, and payment confirmations will be required at the settlement stage. 5. Keep track of application deadlines — a late application will not be considered. If you have no experience with grant applications, working with a financial adviser or an accounting office can significantly increase your chances of success and protect you from formal errors.
Grants and subsidies for businesses in 2026 represent a real opportunity for a lower-cost start and dynamic business growth. The key is knowing the available programmes and navigating the maze of formal requirements efficiently. If you need help choosing the optimal form of taxation, settling a grant, or preparing financial documentation for an application — contact Danexis. Our specialists are available by phone at +48 780 760 666 and by email at kontakt@danexis.pl.