To start a coffee shop in Poland, lock down compliance and location first: pick a legal form (sole proprietorship via CEIDG or sp. z o.o. via KRS/S24) and register PKD 56.30.Z, then sign a lease that allows gastronomy and meets Sanepid layout rules. Before opening, notify Sanepid as a food business, implement GHP/GMP/HACCP, equip separate hand/veg/dish sinks, pest control, potable water test, staff sanitary certificates, a waste-disposal contract, and basic fire safety (extinguisher, evacuation plan). Gastronomy must use an online fiscal cash register integrated with a POS; decide on VAT (often beneficial despite the PLN 200,000 exemption threshold due to input VAT on fit-out; expect 23% on hot drinks, 8% on some food). Register for ZUS, and prepare for KSeF e-invoicing. If serving alcohol, obtain municipal permits for on-premises sale (beer/up to 4.5%; 4.5–18%; >18%) and budget annual fees; for outdoor seating, secure a public-space permit. Choose equipment to match utilities (2‑group machine may need 400V and filtered water; buy/lease with service/loaner), grinders with micrometric adjustment, and a roaster with consistent supply. Target 70–75% gross margin; estimate break-even as rent+staff+utilities divided by per-cup contribution. Launch Google Business Profile, accept cards/BLIK, and license music (ZAiKS/STOART). Train baristas and standardize recipes daily.
