Szczecin

Szczecin stands out for its attractive location. Its proximity to Germany and Scandinavian countries, as well as the thriving ports in Szczecin and Świnoujście, make it an attractive place to do business. The city has excellent connections to motorways of Western Europe, via A6, and to new expressways and motorways in Poland, including S3 and S6 expressways. The Szczecin-Goleniów Airport, located less than an hour’s drive from the city centre, is an important element of Szczecin infrastructure – it offers regular international connections to destinations such as Norway, Ireland, and England. Getting around the city is made easy by a well-developed railway line with 8 stations. However, residents most often choose city buses (76 lines) or trams (11 lines). Moreover, there are over 70 km of bicycle paths in the city.

Ewelina Staruch

Senior Analyst, Strategic Consulting & Research/Business Development Services, Cushman & Wakefield

Expert commentary

Szczecin is not slowing down and is dynamically developing its infrastructure, focusing on sustainable development of transport, public services and urban space. In recent years, the city has carried out a number of modernisation projects and currently continues ambitious investment aimed at improving the quality of life of its residents and increasing the attractiveness of the region.

Szczecin plans to allocate as much as PLN 907 million for investment projects in 2025, which is more than in the previous three years. The largest venture is continuation of the so-called track revolution – the modernisation of tracks and streets, especially towards Pomorzany district. At the same time, the Castle Route (Trasa Zamkowa), a key traffic artery of the city, is being altered along with the construction of the third stage of the Northern Route (Trasa Północna) – a crucial road designed to connect the northern districts with the city centre and link Szczecin with the planned Police bypass and, ultimately, the Western Bypass of Szczecin..

In the area of public services, expenditure on education, improving the technical condition of educational facilities, social assistance and municipal services is increasing. Szczecin also invests in the maintenance and development of new facilities, such as culture centres, sports facilities and recreational infrastructure. For example, the swimming pool and sports and entertainment hall in the Szczecin Sports House complex are currently being altered, and Fabryka Wody water park and education centre was opened just a year ago.

The city does not forget about the future – its development strategy assumes further investment in public transport, the digitisation of municipal services and the green transformation. Szczecin maintains a pro-investment budget, which demonstrates the authorities’ determination to create a modern and resident-friendly city.

Grzegorz Bobrowski

Manager of Poznań Office, Leasing Agency – Office, Cushman & Wakefilde

Expert commentary

The Szczecin office market remains one of the smallest among regional markets, which on the one hand limits the choice for tenants, but on the other hand creates an opportunity for the best projects to increase their value. For companies that prioritise office quality, relationship building and team integration, choosing office space in Szczecin often requires a compromise between location, standard and accessibility.

The average annual demand in Szczecin ranges from several to over ten thousand square metres, and new supply is very limited. No intended major new investment projects for 2025 may result in a shortage of space in the modern office segment in the coming years.

The low vacancy rate, currently around 8%, allows landlords to obtain attractive lease terms. The best offices are rarely available immediately, which may translate into upward pressure on rents in the medium term.

High fit-out costs and a lack of flexible, well-equipped turnkey spaces mean that companies choosing Szczecin often do not have many options, which can significantly reduce the city’s attractiveness.

In 2025, Szczecin is strengthening its position as a dynamically developing business centre, characterised by effective cooperation between entrepreneurs and public administration. The city stands out for its proactive approach to supporting entrepreneurship, offering numerous aid programmes, tax reliefs and dedicated institutions that foster company growth.

Szczecin actively participates in programmes supporting the development of entrepreneurship, such as the European Funds for Modern Economy (FENG), which provide financing for research and development projects as well as international promotional activities. The city is also engaged in initiatives related to digitisation, innovation and environmental protection, which are important elements of the local economic development strategy.

Szczecin hosts the Main Information Point for European Funds, which offers free consultations for entrepreneurs seeking EU funding. In addition, the Polish Foundation for Entrepreneurship provides financial support and assistance for the development of the small and medium-sized enterprise sector, offering credit facilities, loans, sureties, and free advisory and training services.

Entrepreneurs have access to various forms of financial support, such as non-repayable grants for infrastructure modernisation, digitisation and the implementation of innovations. These programmes cover a significant share of investment costs, which is a substantial incentive for companies planning growth and modernisation of their operations. Furthermore, tax reliefs and preferential terms for leasing premises are available, which further encourage investment in the city.

Thanks to the synergy of activities of public administration and institutions supporting entrepreneurship, Szczecin offers favourable conditions for both entrepreneurs and investors, making it an attractive place for business development.

Marek Kubik

President, Szczecin Metropolis Development Agency

Expert commentary

In order to create the right business environment and ensure the best possible development of companies, the city of Szczecin established the Szczecin Metropolis Development Agency (ARMS), which focuses on providing an effective local investor service system cooperating operationally and substantively with government institutions and private companies (including the Polish Investment and Trade Agency, special economic zones, business environment institutions, chambers of commerce and trade, and consulting firms).

Investors receive information and assistance in completing investment procedures, and can also take advantage of the support helping them start or develop a business in Szczecin.

ARMS is also responsible for organising meetings with the president of the city, representatives of substantive departments of the Szczecin City Office, entrepreneur organisations, the Poviat Employment Office, business environment institutions and academic centres. Furthermore, it is also responsible for cooperation with developers in the commercialisation of office space in the city, assistance in searching for real estate to be developed in line with the investor’s interests, piloting the circulation of documents related to the implementation of investment procedures, preparing investment offers, assistance in searching for future employees, as well as promotional activities showcasing the economic potential of the city of Szczecin.

In order to stimulate the business environment, ARMS organises events such as conferences, trade fairs and industry workshops, including international ones, which provide opportunities to exchange knowledge and experience, establish new business contacts and initiate new projects.

To support local businesses, the “Zrobione w Szczecinie” (Made in Szczecin) brand was created. The purpose of the project is to promote creative and innovative activities in the city of Szczecin, strengthen Szczecin’s identity and local patriotism, and increase customer loyalty to local products and services.

Implementation of the investment project involves significant expenditure. ARMS, in cooperation with banks and loan funds, also provides entrepreneurs with sureties, i.e. security required for credit facilities and loans. Thus the Agency makes it easier to obtain external financing. This area of ARMS’s activity has been carried out since its inception in 2002. In this way, we managed to support many entrepreneurs from the West Pomeranian Voivodeship. ARMS offers bid bonds, which can be used instead of paying bid deposits under tenders.

Marcin Kaczmarek

President of IT Cluster

Expert commentary

Szczecin stands out on the map of Poland not only for its strategic location and access to international markets, but also for its strong technological base, an important pillar of which is the Western Pomerania IT Cluster – one of the largest organisations of this type in the country. Established over 15 years ago, the Cluster brings together IT companies operating in the region. It acts as a cooperation platform aimed at developing the new technologies industry by integrating the business environment, supporting innovation and promoting the region as an attractive location for technological investment.

I see how much Szczecin has developed, especially thanks to IT companies that employ here almost 10,000 people in total. Our city is a modern IT centre located near the Polish-German border, just two hours from Berlin. For this reason, it is natural that software for cars of well-known German makes is created here. Furthermore, many companies from Szczecin were the first nearshore partners for German banks. Here, Kongsberg Maritime has developed a Technology department, which co-creates solutions used on every second ship in the world. Many Oscar-winning films are edited using tools that incorporate the know-how of Szczecin engineers from Avid Technology. Spyrosoft Synergy team at the Szczecin branch develops software for the Thermomix® kitchen robot. Autocomp Management develops simulators used to train Polish soldiers and crews of German Leopard tanks.

We see that the potential of our city and companies is much greater; we are still hungry for success and we are not afraid to think outside the box. We have ambitions and motivation to act.

What distinguishes Szczecin from other cities in Poland most commonly associated with the IT industry is the fact that life here is much more pleasant – surrounded by greenery, with some distance and ease. It’s a really great place for both people and IT companies.

Szczecin stands out for its strong links between universities and the maritime economy, the IT sector and logistics, which translates into numerous career opportunities for graduates.

The largest university in the region is the University of Szczecin, which offers a wide range of programmes and whose academic resources focus on economic, legal and social research. The university cooperates with business through the Knowledge Transfer and Innovation Centre, which supports the implementation of new technologies in industry. The West Pomeranian University of Technology (ZUT) develops innovative projects in the fields of engineering, energy and automotive technology. Close cooperation with companies such as Siemens, Toyota and Zalando means that students gain practical experience while still studying.

Szczecin is also a centre of maritime education – the Maritime University of Szczecin trains future specialists in navigation, transport and logistics, offering modern laboratories and international internship programmes in cooperation with ship owners and port companies.

The city is dynamically developing its modern technology and start-up sector, attracting investors and IT companies. Universities actively participate in this process, offering innovative degree programmes, mentoring schemes and cooperation with the industry. Szczecin is a place where education meets practice, giving students the opportunity to develop in promising sectors of the economy.

Roman Zabłocki

Business Unit Director, Antal Engineering & Operation

Expert commentary

Human capital is the foundation of Szczecin’s educational potential. Universities play a key role in this regard, as they influence the development of the intellectual capital of the city and the region. Szczecin universities respond to the changing needs of the labour market and global educational trends.

There are several universities in the city, the most important of which are the University of Szczecin, the West Pomeranian University of Technology, the Pomeranian Medical University, the Maritime University of Szczecin and the Academy of Art. These institutions offer a wide range of courses of study – from technical and natural sciences, through economics and law, to arts and medicine.

Strong educational support is also guaranteed by private universities. Collegium Balticum, TWP University of Applied Sciences, West Pomeranian Business School, WSB Merito Szczecin, University of European Integration, University of Public Administration, and the University of Education and Therapy complement the educational offer with bachelor’s and master’s programs, as well as postgraduate and MBA studies.

Universities in Szczecin are focusing on internationalisation – they participate in student and academic staff exchange programmes, carry out research projects in cooperation with foreign institutions, and offer an increasing number of courses of study in English. Such activities attract both students from other regions of Poland and foreigners, which fosters the creation of an open, multicultural academic environment.

Although Szczecin is often overshadowed by larger academic centres such as Warsaw or Kraków, it stands out for its improving quality of education, scientific and research facilities and high level of practical preparation of students to enter the labour market. Cooperation with local businesses, the presence of foreign investors, and specialised education programmes, e.g. in renewable power, maritime economy and IT, are significant competitive advantages of the city.

Szczecin is also a place with a high quality of student life, relatively low living costs, developing housing infrastructure, numerous cultural events and access to recreational areas, which makes the city an attractive place to study and live.

New investment projects are a major driving force behind the labour market, and there are definitely more and more of them in Szczecin. The city’s geographical location also has a positive impact on the labour market. The dominant economic sectors in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship are production, trade and transport. The construction industry, IT and healthcare services are also developing dynamically.

Mateusz Otkała

Business Development Manager, Antal Engineering & Operation

Expert commentary

The labour market in the region remains stable, although very competitive across borders. Unemployment in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship is at around 6.8%, and the average remuneration in the enterprise sector has exceeded PLN 8,000 gross, which continues to attract investors, but forces them to compete with German rates.

Production, trade and logistics are still the dominant industries. In recent months, the region has been strengthened by new projects, including the Action chain’s distribution centre in Szczecin (approx. 500 jobs) and the expansion/construction of new plants. This demonstrates that investors consistently choose Western Pomerania as a logistics and production base.

However, the greatest impetus for development comes from the power sector. In June 2025, Poland’s first installation terminal for offshore wind farms was launched in Świnoujście, placing the region at the centre of the offshore wind supply chain in the Baltic Sea. At the same time, the LNG Terminal increased its capacity to 8.3 billion cubic metres, which raises the importance of Szczecin and Świnoujście in the national power system. In addition, there are numerous photovoltaic and wind power investment projects, including in Stargard and Koszalin.

Investment dynamics generate growing demand for technical staff, but the labour market faces supply barriers. According to the 2025 Job Barometer, the region has the greatest shortage of electricians and electrical fitters, welders, structural fitters, truck drivers, construction operators, as well as IT and automation specialists. Accounting and reporting competencies (ESG/CSRD) that the growing companies need also become increasingly important.

To meet these challenges, it is necessary to continue supporting technical and vocational education – especially in the areas of renewable energy, maritime logistics and Industry 4.0. Authorities and employers should focus on reskilling, patron programmes and fast-track qualification courses to help fill staff shortages.

The year 2025 confirms that Szczecin and its surroundings are becoming a power and logistics hub of national importance. However, further development will depend on ensuring inflow of specialists and retaining young people in the region through attractive job offers and the development of educational base.

Szczecin was recognised in the prestigious European Cities and Regions of the Future 2025 ranking prepared by fDi Intelligence. The city ranked 7th among medium-sized cities in the Business Friendliness category. This means that Szczecin effectively attracts investors with its favourable business conditions.

The high position in the ranking highlights the strategic importance of Szczecin as one of key business centres in Central and Eastern Europe, offering a stable investment environment and potential for further growth. The city ranks high in the national ranking of business-friendly cities compiled by Forbes magazine. It was assessed based on several key indicators: the balance of new companies, company migration and new foreign investment. Szczecin achieved positive results, especially in the area of attracting new foreign companies.

Anna Łukasik

Marketing Director, Asprod

Expert commentary

Szczecin is not only a “city with great potential”, but also a city that consistently and more and more dynamically uses this potential. Over the past few years, investment in road infrastructure, cultural offer and sports has been particularly noticeable. The Western Ring Road of Szczecin is under construction; we can be proud of the new football stadium (as a long-term partner of Pogoń Szczecin, we were particularly supportive of this project), and the beautiful Polish Theatre after its renovation. The latter, as well as other investment projects, contribute to the quality of life of Szczecin’s residents – it is not for nothing that our city ranks higher as a place to live compared to many other cities in Poland (I am referring here to the average rating of the location as a place to live in the previous edition of Discover the investment potential of Polish cities, BEAS).

Asprod SA has been based in Trzebusz Special Economic Zone in Szczecin since 2020. The city of Szczecin proved to be a very helpful host during our relocation from nearby Kliniska, which was also a great advantage for us as an investor. The new space gives us the potential to expand our offer and the reach of our business. The proximity of S3 and A6 routes and the centre of Szczecin provides us with ideal transport links to our company stores, the vast majority of which are located in Szczecin.

Szczecin is a green city and a leader in implementing eco-energy solutions nationwide, which is also in line with our responsible development strategy. Since mid-2022, Asprod’s production plant has been powered entirely by electricity from renewable sources.

Małgorzata Dróbka

Director of Engineering, Site Manager GlobalLogic Szczecin

Expert commentary

Szczecin is emerging as a dynamic centre of innovation, a city that has undergone a significant transformation over the years. GlobalLogic is witnessing this evolution first-hand. Today, we are at the forefront of cutting-edge technologies such as AI and GenAI. This change reflects Szczecin’s growing business potential and its attractiveness for global investment. Local educational institutions provide a steady inflow of talent, and the collaborative environment fosters growth. What remains constant is our commitment to a culture that puts people first, to learning and to meaningful work. This combination of tradition and innovation makes Szczecin an excellent location for technological progress. We are delighted to be a part of this dynamic community and to witness the continuous expansion of its investment opportunities.

Paweł Kozłowski

Director – Technology, Kongsberg Maritime Poland

Expert commentary

In recent years, Szczecin has become one of the most popular locations for companies operating in the BPO, SSC and ICT industries. In addition to modern offices and a large number of qualified specialists, investors are attracted by language skills and a strong work ethic, as well as numerous initiatives building the local technology ecosystem.

Compared to larger cities such as Kraków or Poznań, Szczecin stands out for its high quality of life. Less traffic, numerous green areas and well-developed recreational infrastructure make the city friendly to both residents and investors. An additional advantage is its proximity to Scandinavia and Germany, which is conducive to international business cooperation.

Against the backdrop of Europe, Szczecin is increasingly making its mark as a developing technological centre. Access to highly qualified technical staff, active cooperation with universities and the growing interest of investment funds mean that the local market is gaining a reputation as a stable and future-proof place. For us, as a company combining engineering, technology and the maritime industry, this is an environment with great potential – not only for growth, but also for long-term development.

Michał Mariański

Director of Software Engineering, Tietoevry

Expert commentary

Szczecin is consistently building its position as a regional IT competency centre – not only in Poland, but also in Central and Eastern Europe. For Tietoevry Poland, which is developing its operations here in the areas of telecommunications services, solutions for the automotive industry and broad industry, as well as innovations in healthcare, the city is not only a human resources base, but also a real partner in building innovative solutions for global customers. This is also confirmed by the ABSL report – Szczecin is among the ten most important centres of modern business services in Poland.

In the past, many companies perceived Szczecin mainly in terms of logistics or the shipbuilding industry. Today, it is also a city of software engineers and cloud solution architects. We see positive changes – greater openness to international projects, a growing number of partnerships with technical universities and an active attitude of local government authorities in supporting innovation. It is a future-proof location that combines quality of life with high technological potential.

Agnieszka Zielińska

Managing Director, Scandinavian – Polish Chamber of Commerce

Expert commentary

Both Szczecin and the West Pomeranian Voivodeship have a unique position on the map of Scandinavian investment and business activity in Poland. According to our data, as much as 78% of all foreign investment in the region comes from Scandinavia. The presence of Danish capital is particularly noticeable, accounting for nearly half of all foreign investment located in the area.

What attracts companies from the North to Szczecin? A key factor is its strategic location – at the intersection of major north–south transport routes and in close proximity to the Baltic Sea. The region also boasts a well-developed maritime economy, a strong logistics base, and e-commerce sector.

The growing importance of Western Pomerania is also driven by its commitment to green transformation and decarbonisation — a crucial area of Polish-Scandinavian cooperation. In 2024, the share of electricity generated from renewable energy sources in the region’s total energy consumption reached an impressive 122.7%. Szczecin continues to strengthen its position as a hub for green technologies, with a particular focus on the offshore sector — clearly illustrated by the steady investment growth of Vestas in the region. At the same time, the medical technology sector is also expanding. These are just some of the factors that make the city a stable and reliable partner in the value chain for investors interested in development.

Wiktor Doktór

CEO, Pro Progressio

Expert commentary

The northwesternmost city in Poland, Szczecin is a medium-sized regional city which, due to its proximity to the German border, is a good location for nearshoring projects for the DACH region.

Good urban infrastructure, human resources and proximity not only to Germany but also to the Nordic markets make these two regions of Europe the main investors in Szczecin and its agglomeration.

The leading service industries in the capital city of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship include IT, shared service centres and BPO. It is these industries that have been driving the development of Szczecin’s office space over the years.

This is a city with great potential, which gains in interest when you get to know it first-hand

Szczecin offers its residents and visitors many attractions and a high quality of life. The latest attraction for tourists and residents alike is the observation deck at Wały Chrobrego, offering panoramic views of the city from a height of almost 70 metres above the Oder River.
The city is conducive to spending time outdoors – numerous green areas and public spaces encourage recreation. Popular places for walking include Szczecin’s Venice, Pope John Paul II Jasne Błonia Square, and the bustling Szczecin Boulevards near the Long Bridge and Castle Route.
Szczecin also offers a rich cultural life. It is worth visiting the National Museum, Wały Chrobrego, two municipal theatres and cinemas. The city also boasts one of the oldest cinemas in the world — Pionier cinema, which has been operating continuously since 1907. Throughout the year, numerous concerts, festivals and artistic events take place here, further enhancing Szczecin’s appeal as a place to live.

The city in figures*

• nearly 2.2 million tourists.
• nearly 30 hotels.
• nearly 20 museums and museum-like institutions.
• nearly 30 parks, 100 communal gardens and 5,000 sq m of flower beds.
• as much as 25% of Szczecin’s area is covered by water, and 20% by urban greenery.