CEIDG, or Central Register and Information on Economic Activity, is the official database of entrepreneurs maintained by the Ministry of Development and Technology in Poland. The system plays a vital role in the functioning of the private sector, especially in sole proprietorships and partnerships. We outline what CEIDG is, its functions, who runs it, and the differences between the National Court Register and CEIDG. You will also learn about the process of searching for companies in CEIDG and how to make a change of address or company name.
What is the CEIDG database of companies?
The CEIDG (Central Register and Information on Business Activity) database of companies is a register of entrepreneurs, including sole proprietorships and partners in civil partnerships operating in Poland. CEIDG contains data on entrepreneurs, such as the business owner’s name, NIP number, REGON number, business address, contact number, and the subject of activity, i.e., PKD code. This database is available to the public, meaning anyone can search for information on registered businesses.
CEIDG allows businesses to establish, suspend, and close. It is also a tool for making changes to entrepreneurial data, such as changing the address or company name or expanding the scope of business. The system operates entirely online, which makes it easy to use and gives entrepreneurs access to the most critical formalities from anywhere, anytime.
Who is subject to entry in CEIDG?
First and foremost, natural persons conducting business, i.e., entrepreneurs setting up sole proprietorships and partners in civil partnerships, are subject to CEIDG entry. Anyone who plans to run his own business in Poland and has chosen the form of sole proprietorship must register his company in CEIDG.
Registration in CEIDG is mandatory before starting any gainful activity. It is also necessary to obtain NIP and REGON numbers, which are required to run a company. It is worth mentioning that commercial law companies, such as limited liability companies (sp. z o.o.), joint stock companies, or limited partnerships, are not registered in CEIDG but in the National Court Register (KRS).
Who runs the CEIDG?
The Ministry of Development and Technology runs CEIDG, responsible for collecting and updating the data of entrepreneurs from all over Poland. This ministry ensures that all collected information complies with applicable laws and is available to all interested individuals and entities. CEIDG operates in accordance with the Law on Freedom of Economic Activity, which sets out the rules for registering, modifying, and deleting data from the database.
The Ministry of Development and Technology also provides free access to the entrepreneurs’ database, which allows anyone interested to check information on any entrepreneur operating in Poland. Entrepreneurs can also use CEIDG to report any changes regarding their companies and suspend or close their business activities.
KRS and CEIDG - what is the difference between them?
The KRS (National Court Register) and CEIDG are separate registers that perform different functions and are intended for different types of businesses. The KRS is a court register that covers larger entities, such as commercial law companies (limited liability companies, joint stock companies, limited partnerships, etc.), associations, foundations, and other organizations. It is also where changes to these entities are registered, such as changes to the board of directors, registered office, or company name.
CEIDG, on the other hand, is a register aimed mainly at individuals conducting sole proprietorships and partners in civil partnerships. Unlike the KRS, CEIDG is available entirely online and allows for quickly completing all formalities related to establishing, suspending, or closing a business. The differences between the KRS and CEIDG mainly concern the legal form of companies registered in these systems.
Searching for CEIDG companies
Searching for companies in the CEIDG database is very simple and available online. Anyone interested can go to the CEIDG website and use the search engine, which allows them to find companies according to various criteria. The most common searches are for companies based on TIN, REGON number, or company name. Searching for companies based on location or business profile (PKD code) is also possible.
Public access to the CEIDG company database makes it easy to check whether a company is registered and legally doing business in Poland. Searching for companies in CEIDG is particularly useful for contractors who want to verify a potential business partner or check a company’s business history.
CEIDG - change of address or company name
Every entrepreneur registered in CEIDG is required to update his business data regularly. If the company’s registered office address, mailing address, or name changes, the entrepreneur should update this information in CEIDG as soon as possible.
These changes can be made online via a form available on the CEIDG website. This process is simple, quick, and mandatory to avoid possible penalties or inaccuracies in the company’s records. Entrepreneurs must also report changes in other data, such as business expansion, including new PKD codes, bank account numbers, or contact information.
