Euronews: Polish Economy Thrives And Begins Expansion
- 4.03.2026, 13:52
Polish companies buy well-known Western brands, not the other way around.
While the German economy has been treading water for several years, Poland has been experiencing strong GDP growth for two years. Estimates for 2025 suggest the Polish economy should grow by about 3.2 percent, Euronews reported.
"Poles can be proud of the achievements of the last decades, the development, the changes that have taken place here, what has been achieved and the companies that have emerged," Leo Mausbach, a Polish expert and consultant on Polish-German economic cooperation, told Polish Radio.
Economy: Poland thriving, Germany in stagnation
In recent years, both Germany and Poland have experienced economic ups and downs. However, in the rather difficult economic situation of recent years, Poland has shown impressive growth, while Germany, like many other EU countries, has not been able to keep up.
The European Commission estimates that the Polish economy grew by about 3.2% last year, while the German economy showed growth of only 0.2%. Germany's economy had previously stagnated, while Poland's economy continued to grow significantly well into 2024.
The European Commission also predicts higher GDP growth for Poland in the coming years. If Germany can return to positive growth this year and in 2027 at around 1.2 percent, the Polish economy will grow by 3.5 percent this year and 2.8 percent in 2027, according to European Commission estimates.
The question arises: has Poland fared better in the crises of recent years?
Economic consultant: Poland has become an "anti-Greek" country
In Germany, "there is no longer a sense that things are moving forward. Sometimes it seems that many things in life are getting more and more difficult," explains Leo Mausbach, a consultant for Polish-German economic cooperation.
On the other hand, in Poland there is "ambition, a desire for progress, a sense that things are moving forward. And everybody has the conviction that it will be better, it should be better, and we are working on it," says Mausbach. In his view, Poland is a country of progress, whereas in Germany this approach to life has largely been lost.
But, Mausbach says, this fundamental difference does not mean that Poland is in complete control of its economic situation. Unlike countries like Spain or Germany, "Poland's economic base - its national companies - still has to grow." Other European countries have had more time to strengthen their businesses, so they have larger and more resilient companies.
Mausbach noted on the radio program that the growing attention on Poland stems from the difficulties other countries have faced in recent years. That was the case during the financial crisis after 2008. Then Poland "became a kind of anti-Greek country."
What Poland can gain
Mausbach also emphasizes Poland's clear advantages as a place to do business:
"Approval procedures here are faster, often more digital than in Germany." He also reiterates the oft-used argument about the cleanliness of Polish cities.
"Back then, Poland advertised itself as a 'green island' that didn't face a downturn in economic growth," says Mausbach. Over time, for example, Poland has overtaken Spain in per capita income, and the quality of life in Europe is gradually leveling off.
Mausbach says there are two main levers that can continue to drive the Polish economy today: a strong focus on the Polish middle class and an equalization of asymmetric economic hierarchies.
In the past, Poland often produced parts for German companies as a supplier. But Mausbach says teams in which this asymmetry is reduced are more likely to succeed. "As a result, the quality of economic relations improves and we develop together."
Companies are increasingly willing to cooperate rather than maintain the previous asymmetry, where production takes place in one country and sales in another. "Especially in the face of succession issues and demographic changes, company owners are increasingly willing to sell businesses and are happy if the buyer comes from Poland rather than, for example, China," says Mausbach.
Many Polish SMEs have also developed over generations. Poles should "pay much more attention to them" because new lines of business are often developed abroad, sometimes through acquisitions.
Polish expansion strategy: buying German companies
When Mausbach talks about economic base, he is referring, for example, to Polish medium-sized companies. Thanks to their long-standing existence and the work of several generations, they have stayed on the market and developed - sometimes more slowly, but with greater stability and continuity.
In Poland it is always big news when a Polish company buys a German company. However, this is now happening more and more often and is no longer an exception. International expansion has become an important focus for Polish SMEs. There are even industry meetings where Polish companies share their experiences of acquiring or integrating German firms.
This strategy is an attempt to "buy a piece of the pie" in the already saturated markets of Western Europe, rather than creating a brand from scratch in a market where everything already exists. Mausbach sees this as the right way to enter difficult markets. Germany as Europe's largest domestic market is particularly interesting.
Donald Tusk: "The Poles are coming"
Polish-German business duos already exist, including in construction and industry. For example, Polish truck trailer manufacturer Wielton has acquired German company Langendorf. Together they operate a plant in Wieluni, which is set to become one of the group's most modern production facilities thanks to investment and automation.
Wielton has held an 80% stake in Langendorf since 2017 and plans to have a 100% stake in the traditional German company by 2025. The firm says the aim is to strengthen its position in the Western European market, especially amid trade complications caused by the 2014 war in eastern Ukraine. Nowy Styl, a Polish company, has subsidiaries in Italy, France, Germany and the UK.
Nowy Styl, founded in Poland in 1992, also has subsidiaries in Germany, France, Switzerland, Russia, Ukraine and other countries. It acquired German company Sato Office in 2011 and office furniture manufacturer Rohde & Grahl in 2013. Among other things, the company equipped Volkswagen Stadium in Wolfsburg with seats.
According to the Bloomberg platform, Polish companies announced 22 acquisitions in Western Europe last year, a record.
In mid-February, Prime Minister Donald Tusk was quoted by German media as saying, "The Poles are coming." He then wrote on the X network, "Look how the meaning of this phrase has changed in the last 30 years." Now Polish companies buy well-known Western brands - not the other way around.