The S24 system allows you to set up a sp. z o.o. online within 24 hours. Find out how the registration process works, how much it costs and when it is worth choosing this method over the traditional notarial route.
Setting up a spółka z ograniczoną odpowiedzialnością has not required a visit to a notary for several years now — all you need is a computer and a trusted profile or a qualified electronic signature. The S24 system provided by the Ministry of Justice enables the registration of a sp. z o.o. entirely online, often within a single day. In this article we explain, step by step, how the registration of a sp. z o.o. via S24 works, how much it costs, how long it takes and what the limitations of this method are compared with the classic notarial route.
S24 is an online portal of the Ministry of Justice that allows you to establish and register commercial companies — including a sp. z o.o. — without leaving your home. The name comes from the intended registration time: 24 hours from the submission of the application. The system can be used by any individual who holds: • a trusted profile (free of charge, set up via mObywatel or online banking), • a qualified electronic signature, • a personal signature (e-ID card). Important: all shareholders and members of the management board must hold one of the above means of identification. If even one person lacks a valid signature, using S24 is not possible and the traditional notarial route must be followed.
The entire registration process via S24 can be divided into several stages: 1. Creating an account on the S24 portal (ekrs.ms.gov.pl) and logging in with a trusted profile or a qualified electronic signature. 2. Completing the template articles of association — the system offers a predefined form with limited options for modification. 3. Entering the details of the shareholders, the amount of the share capital (minimum PLN 5,000) and the share structure. 4. Submitting the application for entry in the KRS together with the required attachments (list of shareholders, declaration of contribution of share capital, management board details). 5. Paying the court fee and the fee for publication in the MSiG. 6. Waiting for the entry — usually from a few hours to a few business days. Once the company has been registered, it must still be reported to the tax office (NIP, VAT) and to ZUS if the company will be employing staff.
Registration via S24 is considerably cheaper than the notarial route. The basic fees are: • PLN 250 — court fee for entry in the KRS (when registering via S24; PLN 500 via the traditional route). Publication in the Monitor Sądowy i Gospodarczy is no longer required for online registrations, which reduced the overall cost. The total cost of submitting the application via S24 is PLN 250. To this must be added the minimum share capital — PLN 5,000, which must be contributed exclusively in cash (S24 does not allow non-cash contributions, e.g. in-kind contributions). If you are using the assistance of an accounting office or a law firm to prepare the documents, it is worth asking for a quote for comprehensive support — the cost varies depending on the scope of assistance.
The name S24 implies a one-day registration time, but reality can differ. The waiting time depends on: • the workload of the relevant registration court, • the completeness and correctness of the submitted documents, • the day of the week and the time of year (e.g. January and July tend to take longer). In practice, a correctly submitted application is most often processed within 1–5 business days. It does happen, however, that the court calls for supplementary information — this can extend the timeline by up to several weeks. It is therefore advisable to ensure that the documents are correct before submitting the application, ideally in consultation with an experienced accounting office or a lawyer.
The S24 method has clear advantages, but also significant limitations that are worth knowing before making a decision. Advantages: • Lower registration costs (PLN 250 instead of approx. PLN 600 in court fees + from PLN 1,000 notarial fee). • Fully online procedure — no visit to an office or a notary required. • Fast registration time when the application is error-free. Disadvantages: • Limited articles of association template — no possibility of introducing non-standard provisions (e.g. preferred shares, detailed rules for adopting resolutions). • Cash contributions only — in-kind contributions are not permitted. • All shareholders must have an active electronic signature. • Formal errors can delay registration and require corrections. If the company is to have an elaborate articles of association or non-cash contributions, the classic notarial route remains the better choice.
Entry in the KRS is only the beginning. After registering a sp. z o.o., a number of formalities await: 1. Registration with the tax office — choosing the form of taxation (standard CIT or Estonian CIT), and potential registration as a VAT taxpayer. 2. Registration with ZUS — if the company employs staff or the sole shareholder of a single-member sp. z o.o. is subject to social insurance. 3. Opening a business bank account. 4. Reporting beneficial owners to the CRBR (Central Register of Beneficial Owners) — the deadline is 14 days from the date of entry in the KRS. 5. Implementing the mandatory KSeF — from 2026, electronic invoicing will be compulsory for all VAT taxpayers. Failing to complete these formalities on time may result in financial penalties, which is why it is worth entrusting the accounting of the company to a professional accounting office from the very first day of operations.
Registering a sp. z o.o. via S24 is a convenient and more affordable solution for entrepreneurs who need standard articles of association and cash contributions. It is worth bearing in mind, however, that entry in the KRS is only the first step — the company faces tax, social insurance and record-keeping obligations. The team at Danexis sp. z o.o. based in Wrocław is happy to assist with the comprehensive management of your company — from registration through to ongoing accounting. Contact us at kontakt@danexis.pl or +48 780 760 666.