EU-partnerships

Poland

Research | 27 January 2026

1st

PL is a key trading partner for UA, ranking 1st for exports

PL invests in UA’s finance, retail and manufacturing

2nd

And ranking 2nd for imports

UA invests in PL’s logistics, energy and food sectors

1.64m

The UA diaspora in PL accounts for ~78% of all foreigners

Centre for Economic Strategy (CES), an independent Ukrainian think tank that analyzes key public policies and promotes support for reforms.

With donor support, CES has launched a series of studies on trade relations between Ukraine and the European Union countries.

Free movements of goods and services

Pre-war, UA exported flat-rolled steel and iron ore to PL

Top 5

PL is in UA’s top 5 service partners and PL consistently runs a large services surplus in this relationship

Since the full-scale invasion agri-food (especially sunflower and soybean oil) dominates

~4%

Yet UA captures only ~4% of PL’s extra-EU service imports

PL shifted from cars and fertilisers to war-related exports

Trade balance UA-PL 2024

Free movement of persons and capital

Pre war:

651k

Ukrainians in PL — EU’s largest community

Post-2022:

993k

with temporary protection

1.6m

legally in PL (June 2025)

~70% refugees are employed,~70% hold higher education, and ~60% report being able to afford good living conditions

PL FDI in UA:

3,635

firms + LPP, Cersanit, Barlinek, Fakro, KredoBank (PKO BP), PZU

UA FDI in PL:

29,044

UZ Cargo Poland, Three Bears (Nordis), DTEK/DRI

Remittances to UA, 2024

Tighter co-operation potential

Co-production in defense (artillery systems, drones, electronics) and in industrial & agri-food value.
EU-backed guarantees could unlock joint manufacturing, agro-processing and logistics hubs.
Capital & labour mobility and geographical proximity create potential for large cross-border clusters.

Interesting fact

You can also read about Ukraine’s economic ties with Germany in a publication on the Visegrad Insight website.

The brochure is produced by Centre for Economic Strategy with the support of the Askold and Dir Fund as a part of the the Strong Civil Society of Ukraine — a Driver towards Reforms and Democracy project, implemented by ISAR Ednannia, funded by Norway and Sweden. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of Centre for Economic Strategy and can in no way be taken to reflect the views the Government of Norway, the Government of Sweden and ISAR Ednannia.