• German trade is characterised by high expenditure on research and development, which promotes innovation and competitiveness.
• Before entering the German market, Polish companies need to be aware of and comply with specific rules and regulations, including VAT requirements and local rules.
• When starting a business in Germany, consider creating a local GmbH, which can increase trust with German customers and partners.
• Knowledge of business culture, customer preferences and business conditions is essential to successful expansion.
• Successful marketing in Germany requires a locally tailored SEO strategy to build brand awareness.
• An analysis of the successes and failures of companies such as Orlen and Jeronimo Martis demonstrates the importance of adapting strategies to local market conditions.

More details below.

Why can the German market be crucial for the development of Polish SMEs?

Market entry into Germany is important for Polish SMEs due to the size of the German economy. Its size is constantly growing, as evidenced by the fact that it is the largest in the European Union and the fourth largest country in the world by GDP . Polish companies can see growth opportunities through trade with the German economy, primarily through online commerce. In addition, the sophisticated insurance market offers strong protection against various business risks, which is crucial for stability and growth in such a competitive market.

Germany leads the EU in research and development spending, which translates into innovation and competitiveness of goods from Germany . Expansion in this market can be beneficial for Polish SMEs, especially if their products are innovative or technologically advanced.

Trade between Poland and Germany offers Polish SMEs access to a large and well-off consumer market and the opportunity to work with business partners from abroad. Food products on the German market, trade in Germany and comercio electrónico are the areas where Polish SMEs most often find their markets.

In addition, Germany has a favourable trade balance and is an important export direction for Poland , which can make it easier for SMEs to gain market share and build relationships with German business partners. It is worth noting that Germany ranks high in the Doing Business report. This indicates that there is a favourable business environment for German companies.

German market analysis: key trends and opportunities

Expanding into the German online market offers great opportunities  special database  for business development, but there are a few key aspects to consider. One of them is the translation of the offer that allows you to reach German customers. According to data from the German Retail Institute (EHI), there are no less than half a million online shops in a country with 83 million inhabitants. In order to conquer the market, it is necessary to meet the high expectations of German customers, which is important for establishing long-term customer relationships.

An important aspect for German trade is the payment methods and delivery of goods to Germany. Customers who access the website for the first time will also pay attention to environmental protection and corporate social responsibility . Suppliers of German products should take note of this, as even thrifty people are willing to spend more money on a product if it has environmentally friendly packaging  consulting firm vs. research agency: similarities and differences  or if the delivery of the goods takes place via a shorter transport route.

When conquering a new market, Polish exporters should focus on innovative solutions and digitalisation in the procurement sector. Online sales can be increased by registering in e-Procurement systems or platforms such as SupplyOn that allow verification of the counterparty . German business partners value not only the price, but also the reliability and quality of the products, which is an advantage of Polish goods.

The automotive, engineering and chemical industries are key to the German economy and attract investors due to their dynamic growth and importance in industry and exports. According to a report by the OMP, the most important export products are motor vehicles and pharmaceuticals.

It is worth noting that Germany’s insurance market is the second largest market in the  fans data  world, as it attracts numerous international companies and investments. This encourages its innovation and competitiveness, leading to the development of more diverse and customized insurance products.

Rules and regulations: What do you need to know before entering the market?

Before entering the German market, Polish entrepreneurs must pay attention to compliance with a number of formal requirements, EU regulations and country-specific provisions. The basic element is the implementation of sales within the framework of an intra-community supply of goods ( WDT ). This requires entrepreneurs to register as EU VAT taxpayers and meet the conditions for benefiting from the preferential 0% VAT rate. It is important to have a valid buyer identification number and appropriate sales documentation . In addition, goods exported to Germany must comply with the following local rules and regulations and their proper labelling is ensured by the German Institute for Quality Assurance and Labelling. Registration of products in the German central packaging register is also necessary, which entails paying additional fees and finding business partners for packaging recycling. Failure to register goods can lead to a severe fine of up to 200,000 euros.