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Karol Andruszków
Karol is a serial entrepreneur who has successfully founded 4 startup companies. With over 11 years of experience in Banking, Financial, IT and eCommerce sector, Karol has provided expert advice to more than 500 companies across 15 countries, including Poland, the USA, the UK, and Portugal.
Why Software Nearshoring to Poland Is Worth It in 2025
Updated:
Mon, Mar 31
Reading time: 12 minutes
Poland has established itself as a top nearshoring destination for software development in 2025. The country offers a rare mix of benefits. Cost-effectiveness, abundant skilled talent, and domain-specific expertise, all within a stable EU economy.
In this article, we explore the key reasons why Poland is the top destination for IT nearshoring. We compare costs and highlight the project types where Polish teams excel.
We also examine why world-known companies are choosing Poland as a nearshoring hub.
We also examine why world-known companies are choosing Poland as a nearshoring hub.
What Is the Cost of Software Nearshoring to Poland?
One of the main reasons companies choose software nearshoring in Poland is the cost. Developer salaries in Poland are much lower than in Western Europe or North America. In fact, businesses can reduce their development costs by up to 60–65%.
Let’s look at the numbers.
A mid-to-senior software developer in Poland earns around $4,350 per month, according to the latest data. In contrast, the same role in the United States commands between $10,400 and $13,300 per month (source).
The pay gap stays just as big when you look at full-year salaries. A Full Stack Developer in Poland earns about $55,900 annually, while in the U.S., this figure jumps to $153,000 per year.
This difference helps companies grow their teams faster while still maintaining high quality. It’s one of the strongest financial arguments for nearshoring software development to Poland.
The 2× to 3× cost savings from software nearshoring to Poland allow companies to reinvest in innovation. These savings aren’t about developer salaries. They also free up budgets, speed up project scaling, and create room for R&D.
Poland still competitive in terms of cost, even compared to other Eastern European tech hubs. While places like Romania or Ukraine may have lower developer rates, this difference is not significant. In the world of Eastern European outsourcing, Poland compensates with clear long-term value.
In my experience, the good ones really aren't that cheap. If you go for the cheap ones, they will have the bad devs. Doesn't really matter of you outsource to the US, to Eastern Europe, Western Europe or India. If you pay peanuts, you get monkeys.
Shared one Redditor.
Among EU countries, Poland offers some of the lowest software developer salaries. It stays well below markets like France and Germany. However, Poland combines affordability, a large talent pool, and an established business environment.
For Western European firms, this creates an ideal balance. Poland delivers the “sweet spot” of cost and quality, making it a preferred location for dedicated development team.
Poland offers a combination of quality education, cultural similarities, and high English fluency.
notes Forbes
This alignment with Western work culture reduces miscommunication, shortens onboarding, and improves collaboration.
The cost benefits also extend beyond wages. Office space, IT infrastructure, and support services are cheaper than in Western Europe. Additionally, generous R&D tax incentives help companies stretch budgets even further.
Companies avoid the hidden costs associated with offshoring to distant regions. Poland’s proximity to Western Europe reduces travel time and expenses. Operating within the EU also means lower legal complexity and fewer time zone challenges.
Engineering Skills and Other Reasons to Nearshore to Poland
Polish IT engineers have strong skills in building large systems and handling complex setups. These abilities are exactly what enterprise projects need. Whether it’s a big cloud migration, an IoT system, or a custom SaaS platform, Polish teams have likely done it before.
But their strengths go beyond coding. Polish developers bring clear thinking and teamwork. Many have worked with clients from the U.S. or Western Europe, so they understand how to follow Agile methods and manage projects well. That makes them reliable partners, not like usual "contractors".
Culture also plays a big part. Polish developers speak English well and share a similar work style with Western companies. They ask the right questions, solve problems quickly, and fit in with teams at headquarters.
Poland also offers a safe and stable place for long-term tech projects. It’s part of the EU, which means strong protection for IP rights, clear legal rules, and safety for business data. This matters a lot when your software handles sensitive or high-value processes.
Poland has emerged as a dynamic and attractive destination for investment, offering a blend of economic stability, strategic location, and a skilled workforce.
KPMG wrote in a recent report
On top of that, Poland’s tech scene is large and growing fast. The country has over 50,000 tech companies and more than 1,300 IT service firms, from small startups to large development centers (source).
Many already work with global clients. The reason is clear: Poland gives companies access to skilled teams, fast.
Many already work with global clients. The reason is clear: Poland gives companies access to skilled teams, fast.
That kind of environment leads to results. Companies that move their software work to Poland often see faster releases and better products. Why? Because they can hire strong teams quickly and work in a place that supports growth.
For tech investors, this is the place to grow your business. Poland is a large country with highly qualified workers. People are innovative and work hard.
Shared Brad Smith, President of Microsoft, in June 2024
Smith even called Poland a possible “AI Valley”, and praised its growing role as a tech hub and NATO ally.
Why Poland is a Place for Innovation?
Poland has become a rising tech innovator. As of 2025, the country has produced several successful tech companies that now compete on a global scale. These include:
- Allegro – one of Europe’s largest e-commerce platforms
- Brainly – a global leader in education technology
- DocPlanner – a digital health platform with millions of users (Polish Unicorn)
- CD Projekt – the studio behind the popular Witcher and Cyberpunk game franchises
- LiveChat – a SaaS customer support platform used by thousands of businesses
Another standout is ElevenLabs, a fast-growing AI company that has attracted global attention.
Founded by Polish entrepreneurs, company is building some of the world’s most advanced AI voice synthesis technology. ElevenLabs offers tools that turn written text into speech that sounds natural and human-like.
At the beginning of 2025, ElevenLabs raised $180 million in Series C funding. The goal? To become the voice of the digital world.
This funding round highlights more than just the company’s success. It reflects a larger trend in Poland’s growing VC ecosystem. As more Polish startups reach unicorn status, global investment funds are turning their attention to the country. Poland’s VC market is expanding now. Local investment firms are seeing successful exits from high-growth companies.
Poland remains a hotspot for startups in Europe and that won’t stop anytime soon.
Noted CoFounder Magazine
In just two years, users created the 1,000 years of audio with its tools. Today, people at over 60% of Fortune 500 companies use ElevenLabs for voice generation.
For companies considering software nearshoring to Poland, success stories like ElevenLabs show why it’s a smart move. Polish talent is skilled, creative, and fast to deliver. Working with teams in Poland means tapping into a culture of innovation and speed. Developers often bring fresh ideas and know how to build products quickly.
💡 Ready to Accelerate Your Project with Poland’s Top Tech Talent?
Let’s discuss your project!
📨 business@ulansoftware.com
Let’s discuss your project!
📨 business@ulansoftware.com
What Software Projects Nearshore to Poland?
Poland's tech workforce is not just large. It is also well-educated, flexible, and skilled in new technologies. That makes Poland a great choice for many types of software projects.
Here are three areas where Polish teams stand out.
AI & Machine Learning Development
Poland is becoming one of Europe's top hubs for AI. The country produces skilled AI researchers and engineers. Many now work at the leading edge of global innovation.
Even CEO of OpenAI, noticed Poland’s impact
I don’t know what Poland does… to create such incredible engineering and research talent… it’s quite remarkable the impact that it’s had.
Said Sam Altman
The numbers back it up.
At one point, 20% of OpenAI’s team came from Poland. In the company’s early days, 10 out of the first 50 employees were Polish. In 2024, 5 of 7 lead researchers on the OpenAI o1 project were also Polish. The Core Team includes six Polish members, including the Chief Scientist.
At one point, 20% of OpenAI’s team came from Poland. In the company’s early days, 10 out of the first 50 employees were Polish. In 2024, 5 of 7 lead researchers on the OpenAI o1 project were also Polish. The Core Team includes six Polish members, including the Chief Scientist.
Why does Poland produce so many AI experts?
The answer lies in its strong focus on math and computer science. Polish universities rank among the best in Europe for STEM fields. Every year, they produce thousands of AI graduates.
The answer lies in its strong focus on math and computer science. Polish universities rank among the best in Europe for STEM fields. Every year, they produce thousands of AI graduates.
Last year, a team from Poland even placed 2nd at the first International Olympiad on Artificial Intelligence (IOAI).
This rich talent pool makes Poland a smart place to nearshore AI and ML projects. Developers in Poland have deep knowledge of topics like:
- Natural language processing
- Computer vision
- Predictive analytics
- AI for healthcare, finance, and gaming
Fintech & Financial Software Solutions
Fintech is another area where Poland shows results. Developers here have deep experience in banking, payments, and insurance. They’ve worked on projects for both large global companies and fast-moving startups.
Why is that?
Poland’s banking market is known for its high level of digital maturity. Banks in Poland were early adopters of online and mobile banking. A Delloite report titled “CE Banking Outlook: Winning in the Digital Arms Race” showed that three of the top five most modern banks in Central Europe are Polish.
One example is mBank, a pioneer in online banking across Europe. Early focus on digital tools gave Polish engineers strong skills in building scalable financial systems. Today, those skills are used in projects around the world.
Big names in finance are now turning to Poland.
For example, Visa is opening a global tech and product hub in Poland to boost its AI-driven payment technology.
For example, Visa is opening a global tech and product hub in Poland to boost its AI-driven payment technology.
Fintech startups are also tapping into this talent pool. Companies like Revolut, Klarna, and N26 have all hired Polish developers or opened tech offices in the country. They say Poland’s developers understand finance, regulations, and security. Plus, they’re easy to hire within EU frameworks like PSD2 and GDPR.
If you’re building a fintech product, nearshoring to Poland gives you access to engineers who already speak the language of banking. They know how to build systems that meet the strictest security standards.
Web & Mobile App Development
Poland is one of the top global hubs for web and mobile development. Developers here are skilled and well-trained. In fact, Harvard Business Review ranked Poland 5th in the world for tech skill levels.
Polish engineers work with all the popular tools and languages. They know JavaScript, Java, Python, PHP, C#, and mobile frameworks quite well. The most common languages in Poland’s developer community include JavaScript, SQL, HTML/CSS, and Python. These perfectly address today’s web development needs.
Scale is another strength. Poland has over 430,000 developers, the largest tech talent pool in Central and Eastern Europe. That makes it easy to build teams of any size. Whether you need a small team to launch an MVP or dozens of engineers to rebuild an enterprise app, Poland can deliver.
Poland also contributes to the global tech community. One example is NestJS, a popular Node.js framework. It was created by Kamil Myśliwiec, a developer from Poland.
NestJS helps build fast, reliable, and scalable server-side apps. It now has over 70,000 stars on GitHub and is used by top companies like:
- Siemens
- Sainsbury’s
- Accenture
- Trivago
- Taboola
- Fiverr
- DriveWealth
This shows that Poland doesn’t just produce great coders - it builds tools used by developers around the world.
Read our article: Why Choose NestJS Framework for Building Server-side Apps
What Companies Established Software Nearshoring and R&D Hubs in Poland?
Many of the world’s top tech companies have chosen Poland as a place for nearshoring and R&D. They’re attracted by the country’s specialists, strong infrastructure, and location within the EU. These hubs focus on AI, software development, product innovation, and IT services.
- ByteDance (TikTok) - Established an R&D center in Poland, focusing on artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.
- NVIDIA - Opened a technology center in Poland, specializing in advanced graphics processing and AI research.
- Google - Established an AI and machine learning development hub.
- IBM - Provides software development and IT services through its Polish centers.
- Accenture - Offers IT consulting and software development services, with a strong presence in Poland.
- Cisco - Focuses on networking solutions and software development within its Polish operations.
- Dell - Expanded its innovation business with a Software R&D Center in Poland.
- Nokia - Operates telecommunications software R&D facilities in Poland.
- Ericsson - Maintains R&D and software development centers specializing in telecommunications.
- Siemens - Engages in industrial automation and software development through its Polish centers.
- Motorola - Specializes in software development for communication systems within its Polish operations.
- HP Inc. - Provides software development and IT services through its Polish centers.
- Fujitsu - Offers IT services and software development, with a significant presence in Poland.
- Klarna - Established a fintech and AI technology hub in Warsaw, focusing on innovative payment solutions.
- Visa - Develops AI-driven payment solutions through its R&D hub in Poland.
- Revolut - Maintains an engineering and product development hub, contributing to its global fintech services.
How to Find a Company for Nearshore Services in Poland?
Poland offers hundreds of software companies. But not all are the right fit for your business. Here’s how to find a trusted nearshore partner that meets your needs:
1. Define Your Needs First
1. Define Your Needs First
Start by listing your project goals. Do you need a full product team, or just a few developers? What tech stack do you use? Having clear answers will help you filter vendors faster.
2. Look for Industry Experience
Choose companies that have done similar projects before. For example, if you’re building a fintech product, look for a partner with finance or banking clients in their portfolio.
3. Check Tech Skills and Certifications
Visit their website and LinkedIn profile. See which programming languages and tools they use. Check if their developers hold certifications in cloud platforms, Agile methods, or security.
4. Read Client Reviews
Explore platforms like Clutch, GoodFirms, or The Manifest. These sites list verified reviews, case studies, and client references.
5. Test Communication Style
Set up an intro call. Good partners ask questions, challenge ideas, and show interest in your business. English fluency and time zone overlap with your team also matter.
6. Ask About Team Structure and Process
Find out how they build teams. Will you get dedicated developers? What does their onboarding process look like? Ask how they handle planning, delivery, and reporting.
7. Test with a Small Project
Before committing to a long-term contract, start with a discovery phase or MVP development. This helps you see their quality, speed, and collaboration in action.
If you want to explore in more detail how to interview a potential software development partner, read our full guide: How to Choose a Bespoke MVP Software Development Company
In the article, you’ll find a list of 48 practical questions to ask during a discovery call. Article covered everything from team structure to delivery process, security, and post-launch support.
Final Recommendations on Nearshoring to Poland
By now, you’ve seen why Poland is a smart choice for your next software project. If you're looking for a reliable, high-quality nearshore partner, Poland deserves serious consideration.
At Ulan Software, we’re here to help. We're a Poland-based team with experience in building secure, scalable, and business-ready software. We support clients from early discovery through MVP and long-term growth.
👉 Get a free project estimation or book a discovery call to learn how we can support your goals.
It’s time to build something great - together.
Karol Andruszków
Karol is a serial entrepreneur who has successfully founded 4 startup companies. With over 11 years of experience in Banking, Financial, IT and eCommerce sector, Karol has provided expert advice to more than 500 companies across 15 countries, including Poland, the USA, the UK, and Portugal.
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