What is CEIDG?

CEIDG (Centralna Ewidencja i Informacja o Dzialalnosci Gospodarczej -- Central Register and Information on Economic Activity) is a nationwide register maintained by the minister responsible for the economy, recording natural persons running a sole proprietorship (JDG) in Poland. The register is available online at biznes.gov.pl and serves both registration and information purposes -- anyone can check the data of an entrepreneur registered in CEIDG free of charge.

CEIDG replaced the business activity registers previously maintained by municipalities in 2011. The legal basis is the Act of 6 March 2018 on the Central Register and Information on Economic Activity and the Information Point for Entrepreneurs.

What Data Does CEIDG Contain?

A CEIDG entry contains the following information about the entrepreneur:

  • full name and business name (firma),
  • NIP number and REGON,
  • correspondence address and permanent address of business activity,
  • start date of the business,
  • business activities according to PKD codes (Polish Classification of Activities),
  • form of taxation (progressive scale, flat tax, ryczałt),
  • suspension or resumption data,
  • information about proxies and commercial agents,
  • bank account number associated with the business,
  • insurance information -- ZUS or KRUS.

Some data is publicly accessible (e.g., business name, NIP, address, business activities, status), while sensitive data (e.g., home address, PESEL number) is not disclosed.

How to Register in CEIDG?

Registration in CEIDG is free of charge and is done by submitting form CEIDG-1. Available methods:

Online (fastest method)

  1. Go to biznes.gov.pl.
  2. Log in using a trusted profile (profil zaufany), an electronic ID card, or a qualified electronic signature.
  3. Fill in form CEIDG-1, providing: personal data, business name, address, PKD codes, form of taxation, start date.
  4. Sign the application electronically and submit.
  5. The entry is made no later than the next business day after submission.

At the municipal office

Form CEIDG-1 can be submitted in person at any municipal office (urzad gminy). The clerk enters the data into the system, and the entrepreneur signs the printout.

By post

The application can be sent by registered mail, but this requires a notarized signature.

What Happens After Registration?

Registration in CEIDG automatically triggers:

  • NIP assignment (if the entrepreneur does not already have one) and REGON,
  • ZUS registration or KRUS registration (as a contribution payer),
  • tax office notification (chosen form of taxation).

There is no need to separately contact GUS or the tax office -- the CEIDG system transfers data automatically. The only additional step is a personal registration with ZUS using form ZUS ZUA or ZUS ZZA (within 7 days of starting the business).

A detailed step-by-step guide can be found in the article How to start a business in Poland?.

Updating Data in CEIDG

Any change to the data covered by the entry requires an update in CEIDG using the same CEIDG-1 form. Changes that must be reported include:

  • change of address -- registered office or additional places of business,
  • change of business name,
  • adding or removing PKD codes,
  • change of taxation form (by the 20th of the month following the month of earning the first revenue in the new year, or by 20 February),
  • change of bank account,
  • appointment or revocation of a proxy.

Most changes must be reported within 7 days of their occurrence. Changes to the taxation form can only be reported within statutory deadlines.

Suspending Business Activity

An entrepreneur registered in CEIDG may suspend their business for an indefinite period (minimum 30 days). During suspension:

  • ZUS social insurance contributions do not need to be paid (health insurance becomes voluntary),
  • tax returns (VAT, PIT) do not need to be filed for periods during which the business is suspended,
  • business activity cannot be conducted and no revenue can be earned (except for actions necessary to preserve the source of revenue),
  • payments for previously completed services or delivered goods can be received.

Suspension and resumption are reported through form CEIDG-1 on biznes.gov.pl.

Deregistration from CEIDG (Business Closure)

Closing a business requires submitting an application for removal from CEIDG. Form CEIDG-1 with the appropriate designation is submitted on biznes.gov.pl or at the municipal office. Additionally, it is necessary to:

  • deregister from ZUS (form ZUS ZWUA),
  • file a final VAT return (if the entrepreneur was an active VAT taxpayer),
  • prepare a physical inventory (remanent likwidacyjny) for VAT and PIT purposes,
  • file an annual PIT return for the year of closure.

CEIDG vs. KRS -- Differences

| Feature | CEIDG | KRS | |---|---|---| | Applies to | Natural persons (sole proprietors) | Companies, foundations, associations | | Registration fee | Free | 500 PLN (companies) | | Registration method | Online (biznes.gov.pl) | Through the Court Registers Portal | | Registration time | 1 business day | Several days to several weeks | | Identification number | NIP | KRS number (+ NIP and REGON) | | Share capital | Not applicable | Required (e.g., min. 5,000 PLN for sp. z o.o.) | | Liability | Unlimited (with all personal assets) | Limited (to contribution -- for sp. z o.o. shareholders) |

Read more about choosing a legal form in the article Sole proprietorship or limited liability company?.

CEIDG Search Engine

Anyone can check entrepreneur data free of charge using the CEIDG search engine at biznes.gov.pl/ceidg. Searches are possible by:

  • NIP number,
  • REGON number,
  • business name,
  • entrepreneur's first and last name.

The search engine allows you to verify whether a given entity is an active entrepreneur, their address, business activities, and entry status. It is a useful tool for verifying business partners before entering into cooperation.

Summary

CEIDG is the fundamental register for natural persons running a sole proprietorship in Poland. Registration is free, fast, and fully available online, making starting a business a straightforward process. Understanding how CEIDG works -- from registration, through data changes, to suspension and closure -- is essential for every entrepreneur. After obtaining your entry, it is also worth familiarizing yourself with tax obligations and choosing the appropriate form of taxation. If you have questions, contact LinTax Wrocław.