Offshore Development in Poland

- Overview of the IT Market in Poland
- An Overview of Poland’s Top Tech Hubs
- Polish Software Developers
- Number of Software Developers in Eastern / Western European Countries
- Average Annual Salary of Software Developers in Poland & Comparison by Country
- Why Moving Software Development to Poland
- Popular Options for Software Development in Poland
- Best Way of Hiring in Poland:A Step-By-Step Guide
- The Benefits of Choosing Staff Augmentation for Hiring in Poland and Beyond
- Offshore Software Development in Poland: Bottom Line
Poland has recently emerged as one of the top destinations for offshore development, thanks to its unique blend of technical expertise, competitive pricing, and a highly proficient workforce. In recent years, Poland’s IT sector has shown significant growth. It was in part driven by considerable tech investments and a rapidly developing startup culture.
Developers from Poland are renowned for their strong technical skills, particularly in areas such as software engineering, mobile app development, and data analytics. As a result, businesses around the world are increasingly turning to offshore development in Poland – either for local hiring or through global staffing providers that can help them get the best talents.
This blog will explore the benefits of hiring software developers in Poland, discussing the country’s competitive advantages, the quality of its tech talent, top options, and practical insights into successful collaboration. By understanding these key factors, you can make an informed decision about how to leverage Poland’s dynamic IT ecosystem for your next project.
Overview of the IT Market in Poland
Poland is considered to be well-established in the IT market and is one of the leading tech hubs in Europe. With a vast IT ecosystem supported by over 17,000 software development companies in Poland, its talent pool is currently made up of over 401,000 IT professionals.
The Polish software development industry has grown exponentially, turning the country into one of the most popular destinations for offshore development. The local software development services sector is expected to maintain its growth in the coming years, with Statista expecting a growth rate of approximately 8.25% between 2023 and 2028.
This optimistic forecast for the IT sector in Poland is driven by continuous innovation, increased investments in digital transformation, and a highly skilled workforce. Polish IT professionals are renowned for their expertise, especially in popular programming languages and frameworks such as PHP, .NET, Python, and Node.js, making them invaluable partners for businesses with diverse and custom software development needs.
This combination of technical proficiency, cost-efficiency, and cultural fit makes Poland a compelling choice for tech companies looking to extend their in-house teams with high-quality remote talents.
An Overview of Poland’s Top Tech Hubs
The country has a wide network of co-working spaces, innovation, and offshore development centers spread across its top urban hubs. Cities in Poland like Warsaw, Kraków, Wrocław, Lódź, and Poznań are at the forefront of this revolution. Each offers unique ecosystems that become hubs for creativity, collaboration, and cutting-edge development.
In Warsaw, the capital of Poland, you’ll find a huge hub of startups and multinational Research and Development centers, where modern co-working spaces drive innovation and global collaboration. Kraków and Wrocław offer rich environments with a deep pool of tech talent coming from a world-class university of technology. Poznań provides easy access to both Eastern and Western European markets. And cities like Gdańsk and Katowice are rapidly growing as tech hotspots, drawing in professionals and investors alike.
Polish Software Developers
Polish software professionals benefit from an extensive educational system in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). It produces graduates with strong knowledge of computer science, mathematics, and engineering. Such a solid background is supported by a culture of continuous learning. This ensures that local developers stay at the forefront of modern technologies. Their expertise covers various industries and the most popular domains including web and mobile app development, Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Solutions, and many more.
The country is also home to numerous international R&D centers that drive innovation and collaboration between global tech giants and local talent. Tech companies like Google, IBM, and Microsoft have established research facilities in Poland, further validating the quality and competitiveness of the local tech workforce. These centers not only contribute to cutting-edge research but also foster an environment for best developers and IT specialists, top practices, skill enhancement, and knowledge sharing, which directly benefits the broader IT community.
Number of Software Developers in Eastern / Western European Countries
Source: Statista
Average Annual Salary of Software Developers in Poland & Comparison by Country
The world’s IT sector keeps growing exponentially, and the demand for talented software professionals is higher than ever. Average annual salaries vary widely, based on the key factors like the cost of living and local workforce availability. Our team conducted an all-around analysis using specialized sources like Glassdoor, Salary Expert, and Payscale to give you a bigger picture of Europe’s estimated recruitment costs.
United States | $110,000-120,000 |
Switzerland | $115,000 |
UK | $75,000-80,000 |
Denmark | $80,500 |
Norway | $69,000-70,000 |
Spain | $54,000 |
Poland | $54,000-55,000 |
Romania | $50,000 |
Ukraine | $48,000-49,000 |
Why Moving Software Development to Poland
Software projects across the globe are increasingly turning to the development teams in Poland to drive innovation, reduce costs, and accelerate delivery. Known for their technical expertise, strong educational background, and alignment with Western work values, local developers have become a top choice for many software companies looking for quality and reliability.
Cost-Effectiveness
Poland offers competitive rates compared to Western markets, allowing businesses to achieve high-quality results much more affordably and achieve a higher ROI. Poland also provides cost-effective pricing, making it possible to get started with a significantly lower budget. This is particularly advantageous for startups and mid-sized companies.
Technical Expertise
With a strong foundation in computer science and a culture of continuous learning, Poland provides top-notch software specialists proficient in modern programming languages, frameworks, and emerging technologies. The strict academic standards at local top universities further guarantee that the talent pool is both innovative and highly capable.
Communication & Cultural Fit
The high level of English proficiency is reconfirmed with an English Proficiency Index score of 588 (Poland ranks no. 15 out of 116 countries). Polish work culture, which closely aligns with Western business practices, ensures smooth communication between Polish developers and international clients.
IT Ecosystem
Poland has emerged as a modern technology hub with advanced digital infrastructure, and reliable high-speed internet connectivity. Such a dynamic environment contributes to continuous learning and a forward-thinking mindset among developers, becoming an ideal breeding ground for the world’s best software experts.
Government Support & Economic Stability
The Polish government actively supports the IT sector through favorable tax incentives, funding programs, and regulatory frameworks that encourage innovation and growth. This stable economic environment is reliable for nearshore development and drives long-term partnerships.
Popular Options for Software Development in Poland
When you opt for offshore software development, it’s important to compare the different approaches available in the market. The following 3 basic options present their own strengths in terms of cost, quality, scalability, and support, which are crucial factors for making an informed decision. The table below gives a comprehensive comparison of each, based on the key criteria.
Feature | In-House | Freelancers | Staff Augmentation Partners |
Cost | Moderate to high due to personal income tax, employer contributions for social security, healthcare, etc. | Lower rates, however, quality and consistency can vary widely | Cost-effective with transparent pricing models |
Quality of Talent | Strong in IT hubs, but the local candidate pool may be limited | Varies from bad to great: may include inconsistent quality | Pre-vetted, specialized developers with proven track records |
Speed of Hiring | Often lengthy due to market conditions / internal HR processes | Fast access, but long-term availability can be uncertain | Streamlined processes that deliver top candidates quickly |
Scalability | Challenging due to lengthy hiring cycles (upscaling) / termination and legal considerations (downscaling) | High availability short-term, but not for long-term projects | Allows to quickly scale up / down |
Administrative Overhead | High costs related to HR, payroll, and benefits management | Minimal per hire, but managing multiple freelancers can become a burden | Full back-office support covering HR, payroll, legal, and admin tasks |
Communication & Cultural Fit | Strong communication with local candidates, high cultural fit | Can be challenging, with language / work culture barriers | Strong cultural fit and adaptation to processes |
Engagement | Much higher price short-term, cost-effective long-term | Very flexible but with potential reliability issues | A range of flexible models tailored to your evolving needs |
Transparency | Moderate to high, as hiring decisions may be limited by internal KPIs rather than based on clear external benchmarks (despite clear communication) | Can vary significantly, some platforms have hidden fees / unclear vetting processes | Transparent and clear engagement with detailed reporting throughout the hiring |
Innovation & Best Practices | Limited by internal processes, making it harder to implement / test new solutions vs. more dynamic external workers | Might be innovative, but their practices may not align with industry best standards | Focus on industry trends, continuous adaptation to growing client’s demands |
Best Way of Hiring in Poland:
A Step-By-Step Guide
Staff Augmentation partners can help you leverage the country’s rich pool of technical expertise along with cost-efficiency and speed. By combining top local talent with an effective hiring strategy, you can find the right software professionals from Poland, who will be perfectly suited to your project needs. Consider the following steps and key recommendations to get started.
Define Your Project Requirements. Clearly outline your project scope, technical requirements, and the specific skills you need. Consider the experience level, programming languages, and frameworks that are critical for your project. This detailed brief will give a foundation for the recruitment process.
Select Your Partner. Check whether a staff augmentation provider is trustworthy and has a proven track record (for example, on platforms like Clutch). High-quality recruitment should involve thorough market research and pre-vetting candidates for communication / cultural fit – so that you can focus solely on their tech proficiency.
Choose the Right Engagement Model. Decide whether you need a dedicated development team, flexible on-demand resources, or specialized local recruiting services. Define your needs and budget expectations, focusing on a partner that offers engagement models, which can be tailored to your business objectives and project timeline.
Conduct Interviews & Tech Assessments. Make sure to conduct in-depth technical interviews with shortlisted candidates offered by your recruitment partner. Assess their skills and problem-solving abilities. If you lack in-house expertise or want to save time, a professional partner should have a technical evaluation as a separate service.
The Benefits of Choosing Staff Augmentation for Hiring in Poland and Beyond
Delegating your hiring process to seasoned recruitment experts offers lots of advantages that streamline talent acquisition and optimize overall business efficiency. You can gain immediate access to a vast talent pool that spans local, nearshore, and global markets. This enables you to find the right candidates with niche expertise quickly, without the overhead of an extensive internal HR process. Additionally, a good staff augmentation partner should offer insights into market trends, provide streamlined administrative support, and enable continuous improvement in their hiring processes.
Vast Talent Pool | A global network of pre-vetted professionals gives you access to the best candidates with specialized skills |
Time & Cost-Efficiency | Shorter recruitment time and commonly lower costs associated with sourcing, screening, and retaining candidates |
Industry Expertise | Staff augmentation companies understand the specific tech and cultural demands of your industry, leading to a better match |
Reduced Hiring Risks | The risk of mismatch is minimal, as recruiters run rigorous screening and thorough technical vetting |
Focus on Project Delivery | You can concentrate on strategic business activities, while experts handle the complexities of recruitment |
Scalability and Flexibility | Adjusting team size based on project needs is easy without the burden of long-term employment commitments |
Data Protection and NDA | All sensitive project and business information is protected through robust NDAs and compliance measures |
Retention and Engagement | Talent vendors can provide you with high retention rates and strong cultural fit, fostering long-term engagement |
Offshore software development in Poland with a staff augmentation provider responsible for your hiring and admin / legal tasks can be a game-changer. This approach streamlines talent acquisition by providing quick access to a vast, pre-vetted talent pool and niche expertise. Cooperation with Polish software developers can minimize the risk of mismatches and ensure a better fit for your project. With added benefits like high scalability, strong confidentiality through NDAs, and greater room for retention – this option transforms hiring challenges into efficient, manageable processes that drive long-term success.
Offshore Software Development in Poland: Bottom Line
Poland has recently become one of the best offshore software development destinations. It offers a unique blend of technical excellence, cost-effectiveness, and cultural alignment with Western business practices. Local developers are known for high technical skills, attention to detail, and ability to deliver innovative, scalable solutions that meet high industry standards. One key reason is that Poland offers competitive pricing compared to their quality of services. It can be a very cost-efficient choice for businesses looking to optimize their budgets without compromising quality of software development.
However, the shortage of highly skilled developers, coupled with growing demand, can pose a significant challenge for projects to find and secure the right talent. To hire software developers in Poland, you can go for one of 3 basic options – in-house recruitment, freelancers, or staff augmentation partners.
Mobilunity offers a strategic solution to find, hire, and retain the right talents, either in Poland or in any location of your choice. We leverage 14+ years of experience sourcing exceptional talents worldwide – without the heavy costs associated with local hiring. Our global coverage ensures that you have access to a vast pool of pre-vetted experts in Poland and beyond. One related success story of 2020 demonstrates a great partnership with an award-winning Japanese online music service, which found and secured the right talents with us. Whether you need a full-time dedicated developer, a flexible on-demand resource, or specialized hiring services, we can help you with that.
Disclaimer: All salaries and prices mentioned within the article are approximate numbers based on the research done by our in-house Marketing Research Team. Please use these numbers as a reference for comparison only. Feel free to use the contact form to inquire on the specific cost of the talent according to your vacancy requirements and chosen model of engagement.
Highlight
Business owners and decision-makers often ask: “Is Poland a good offshore location for software development?” And the answer is certainly yes. The advantages of Poland include not only cost-efficiency and high technical standards but also a strong cultural fit with Western business practices. Polish software development hubs benefit from a government that supports innovation, an active startup culture, popular networking events, and global sourcing vendors that connect top local talent with software development projects worldwide.
Zoryna Yushko, Recruitment Team Lead at Mobilunity