Opening a barbershop in Poland can be an excellent business opportunity. The men's grooming market is growing, and more customers are looking for quality services and a professional experience in modern barbershops.
In this complete guide, we explain step by step everything you need to know to open your barbershop in Poland: from legal requirements and CEIDG (business) registration, to initial investment in Polish Złoty (PLN), strategic location, equipment, and management tools that will help you succeed from day one.
8 Steps to Open Your Barbershop in Poland
Research and Business Plan
Before opening your barbershop in Poland, it's essential to conduct thorough market research and create a solid business plan. Many barbershops we see struggle with unclear pricing and target market—this step helps you avoid that.
Key elements to research:
- Competition analysis: Identify how many barbershops are in your area, what services they offer, their prices (typically 40–100 PLN for a haircut in major cities), and what differentiates them. Use Google Maps and local directories to analyze competition.
- Target audience: Define your ideal client: age, budget, and preferences. In Poland, barbershops often serve professionals, students, and families—tailor your offer to your location.
- Average market prices: Research what other barbershops charge. Prices vary by city: Warsaw and Krakow tend to be higher; smaller cities may be lower. Typical range: 40–80 PLN for a basic cut, 60–120 PLN for cut + beard.
- Service demand: Evaluate if there's sufficient demand. Consider population density, nearby offices or universities, and foot traffic in areas like Warsaw Śródmieście, Krakow Old Town, Wroclaw Centrum, or Gdansk.
- Peak hours: One common issue in Poland is not matching operating hours to when people actually come—observe local patterns and consider lunch and evening slots.
Legal Requirements and Permits in Poland
To legally operate a barbershop in Poland, you need to comply with the following. Requirements may vary slightly by municipality (gmina). One common issue in Poland is operating without CEIDG registration—this can lead to fines.
CEIDG Registration (Centralna Ewidencja i Informacja o Działalności Gospodarczej)
For a sole proprietorship (jednoosobowa działalność gospodarcza), register your business in CEIDG—the Central Registration and Information on Business. This is mandatory for anyone running a business as a sole proprietor in Poland. You will receive a REGON number and your business will be in the public register. If you form a company (e.g. sp. z o.o.), you register in KRS (Krajowy Rejestr Sądowy) instead.
Where: Online (CEIDG) or at a municipal office (Urząd Gminy/Miasta)
Estimated time: Same day to a few days
Cost: Free for CEIDG registration
CEIDG →NIP (Tax Identification Number) and Tax Office (Urząd Skarbowy)
Register with the tax office (Urząd Skarbowy) and obtain your NIP (Numer Identyfikacji Podatkowej)—your tax identification number. You need this for invoices, contracts, and ZUS. You may also need to register for VAT (PTU) if your turnover exceeds the annual threshold (currently 200,000 PLN for voluntary registration; check current rules for mandatory VAT).
Where: Urząd Skarbowy (tax office) for your address; often done when registering in CEIDG
Estimated time: 1–2 weeks
Cost: No registration fee
ZUS (Zakład Ubezpieczeń Społecznych) – Social Security
Register with ZUS (Social Insurance Institution) and pay social security contributions (ubezpieczenia). As a sole proprietor you pay contributions for yourself; if you hire employees, you register them and pay employer and employee contributions. Many barbershops we see struggle with late ZUS payments—set up a schedule from day one.
Where: ZUS office or online (PUE ZUS)
Cost: Contributions as per current rates (minimum base, etc.)
ZUS →Sanitary Permit (Sanepid – Państwowa Inspekcja Sanitarna)
Barbershops and hairdressing salons in Poland must comply with sanitary regulations. The Sanepid (State Sanitary Inspection) may require a notification or permit for activities involving personal services (e.g. fryzjer, barber). Requirements vary by region—check with your local Sanepid station (stacja sanitarno-epidemiologiczna). Maintain clean tools, disinfection, and a hygiene plan in any case.
Where: Local Sanepid (Wojewódzka / Powiatowa Stacja Sanitarno-Epidemiologiczna)
Cost: May involve a fee; check with your Sanepid
Liability Insurance (Ubezpieczenie OC)
Business liability insurance (ubezpieczenie odpowiedzialności cywilnej) is strongly recommended for barbershops. It covers claims for injury or damage to clients. Some landlords or contracts may require it. In our experience working with barbershops, having insurance from day one avoids stress if something goes wrong.
Cost: Roughly 300–800 PLN per year depending on coverage and insurer
If You Hire Employees: Employment Law and ZUS
If you employ staff, you must register them with ZUS, deduct taxes and social contributions, and comply with Polish employment law (contracts, minimum wage, holiday leave, etc.). Consider using an accountant (księgowość) or payroll service to avoid errors.
Estimated Initial Investment
The initial investment to open a barbershop in Poland can vary significantly. Here's an approximate breakdown in Polish Złoty (PLN):
Note: A small barbershop with basic equipment can start around 50,000–100,000 PLN. A larger or more premium setup in Warsaw or Krakow may require 150,000–250,000 PLN or more. In our experience working with barbershops, keeping 3–6 months of operating expenses as working capital reduces stress in the first year.
Strategic Location
Location is one of the most important factors for success. Look for areas with good foot traffic, visibility, and access. In Poland, being near offices, universities, or busy high streets often helps.
Key cities and areas:
Warsaw (Warszawa)
Śródmieście, Mokotów, Praga—high rent but high traffic. Good for premium or mid-range barbershops.
Krakow (Kraków)
Old Town (Stare Miasto), Kazimierz, Podgórze—strong market with tourist and local clientele.
Wroclaw (Wrocław)
Centrum, Ostrów Tumski—growing city with good foot traffic and lower rents than Warsaw.
Other cities
Gdansk (Gdańsk), Poznan (Poznań), Lodz (Łódź), and Katowice offer strong markets with varying rent levels.
Equipment and Furniture
Quality equipment is essential for providing excellent service. Invest in professional chairs, mirrors, clippers, scissors, and good lighting. Add a management system like BarberíaClub to manage appointments and clients from day one.
Note: For a small barbershop with 2–3 chairs, equipment can cost roughly 20,000–80,000 PLN depending on quality and brand.
Staff Hiring
Hire barbers with good skills and a professional attitude. Define clear schedules, wages, and policies. Register employees with ZUS and comply with Polish employment law. A good team creates a memorable experience and brings clients back.
Management System and Technology
A good management system helps you organize appointments, manage clients, and send reminders. Many barbershops we see struggle with no-shows and double bookings—software like BarberíaClub solves this and offers online booking that Polish clients increasingly expect.
Marketing and Promotion
Effective marketing is crucial to attract clients. In Poland, Google and Instagram are widely used—post your work, location, and prices. Get your barbershop on Google Maps (Google My Business) and encourage reviews. Offer opening promotions and rely on word of mouth by delivering excellent service.
- Google Business Profile: Register and keep your address, hours, and photos updated
- Instagram: Post regularly; consider paid ads for your area
- Encourage happy clients to leave reviews on Google and refer friends
Tips and Best Practices for Success
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a license to open a barbershop in Poland?
You need CEIDG registration (for sole proprietors) or KRS (for companies), NIP from the tax office, ZUS registration for social security, and compliance with sanitary regulations (Sanepid). There is no specific barber license for basic operation. Liability insurance (OC) is strongly recommended. If you hire employees, you must register them with ZUS and comply with employment law.
How much does it cost to open a barbershop in Poland?
The initial investment can range from 50,000 to 250,000 PLN depending on size, location, and equipment. A small barbershop can start around 50,000–100,000 PLN; a larger or premium setup in Warsaw or Krakow may require 150,000–250,000 PLN or more.
What is the first step to open a barbershop in Poland?
Register your business in CEIDG (for a sole proprietorship) or set up a company and register in KRS. Then obtain your NIP from the tax office and register with ZUS. Doing market research and a simple business plan first will help you choose location and pricing.