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When might a foreigner need a qualified signature? W What situations does a foreigner in Poland actually need it? It turns out that qualified electronic signature for a foreigner comes in handy in numerous cases. Here are some typical scenarios when qualified signature for a foreigner in Poland is even becoming essential.
If a foreigner is appointed to a position on the board of a Polish company (e.g., a limited liability company or S.A.), he or she will have to sign a number of documents electronically. This includes, for example, the aforementioned financial statements and activity reports, which as of 2018. must be electronically signed by all members of the board of directors. Each member of the board of directors then chooses whether to use the Trusted Profile ePUAP, or a qualified digital signature. For a foreign national, however, obtaining a Trusted Profile requires having a number PESEL and sometimes a personal visit to the office. Therefore, the simplest solution is to make qualified electronic signature for a foreigner, which will allow you to sign the reports, requests to KRS (National Court Register) or other corporate documents remotely. A qualified signature will also come in handy when setting up a company online or making resolutions - in a word, it's a must-have for foreign chairman or director company polish.
Many foreigners choose to run their own business in Poland as a sole proprietorship. In such a case, too, it is worth having an e-signature. Already at the stage of company registration with CEIDG (Central Registration and Information on Economic Activity) a qualified signature will come in handy to file an application online (for those without a Trusted Profile). Later, while running your business, an e-signature will enable you to signing tax returns, sending letters to Social Security and tax offices, and even signing contracts with contractors. For a foreign entrepreneur-freelancer operating in Poland, a qualified electronic signature provides freedom of action regardless of the lack of Polish citizenship.
Contacts with offices and official matters. Foreigners living or working in Poland often have to deal with various formalities: apply for a permit, residence permit, registration, appeal against a decision, etc. Many of these matters can be handled electronically if you have the appropriate signature. As mentioned earlier, a foreigner without a PESEL cannot set up a Trusted Profile, but qualified e-signature provides an alternative means of identification for it in all public e-services. For example, application to the e-Delivery system (to receive official correspondence to an electronic mailbox) requires the application to be signed electronically - having a qualified signature, a foreigner will handle this completely online. Also, correspondence via ePUAP (e.g., sending letters to a city hall or ministry) is possible if the document is stamped with a qualified e-signature. In this way foreigner in Poland can communicate with the administration as effectively as an RP citizen.
Foreign companies or non-Polish individuals often participate in Polish tenders, bid competitions or requests for proposals - whether as service contractors, suppliers of goods or project contractors. Currently, the entire public procurement procedure in Poland is computerized, and bids are submitted through special platforms. A formal requirement is that the bid be accompanied by a qualified electronic signature, to be valid. This applies to both Polish and foreign entities. Thus, if a foreigner wants to make a bid in a Polish tender (e.g., as an owner of a foreign company), must have a qualified signature. The same happens with other formal procedures, such as electronic auctions or bidding - e-signature then provides the authentication independent of country of origin and is accepted by Polish procurement systems.
In the era of remote work, many professionals from abroad work with clients in Poland (e.g. IT specialists, graphic designers, consultants, translators). Qualified signature may not be mandatory in such cooperation, but it can sometimes be a great asset. It facilitates concluding contracts with customers (which can be signed electronically without courier or scanning), it also gives you the opportunity to authentication of important documents (e.g., opinions, reports provided to clients that require a signature). Some members of the professions - such as foreign architects carrying out projects in Poland or engineers - may need to sign plans, applications or expert reports electronically. With a qualified signature, they will perform these activities without formal obstacles. It's also a way to build trust: a contractor seeing a qualified signature knows that the document is authentic and unaltered From the moment of signing.
The above examples show that obtaining a qualified electronic signature in Poland can be crucial for a foreigner in many professional and legal situations. It is also worth noting that The law does not require Polish citizenship or a PESEL number to produce a qualified signature - Qualified certificates can be issued on the basis of a passport or other identity document. In other words, How to obtain a qualified signature in Poland without Polish citizenship is not a rhetorical question - it is as possible to achieve. You just have to go through a certain procedure, which for non-Polanders may differ slightly in details (e.g. different documents to show), but in general it is The same as for citizens of the Republic of Poland.
In summary, kValidated electronic signature becomes for foreigners in Poland key to full participation in digital workflows - From official to business matters. If you're considering making one, it's worth knowing the details of the process so that everything goes smoothly.
In the next post we will show specifically how to obtain a qualified electronic signature in Poland as a foreigner - step by step. There you will learn what paperwork you need to fulfill and get practical first-hand tips. Don't miss this article if you're keen to get through quickly and correctly the procedure for obtaining a qualified signature for foreigners.
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Learn more about the procedure for obtaining a qualified signature.
If you plan to do business or deal with official matters in Poland as a foreigner, a qualified electronic signature is your must-have!
If you have any concerns or questions, please contact us
We'll answer your questions, find a time that works for you, and match you with an advisor at one of our locations throughout Poland.
You can also write an email from us [email protected].
