2026-09-04-莱坊-Poznań_city_attractiveness_and_office_market_h1_2026_8页_1mb

Summary of Poznań's Investment and Economic Landscape (Knight Frank Report)

Core Content Overview

This report provides an in-depth analysis of Poznań's investment attractiveness, economic performance, and office market dynamics. It highlights the city's strong position in the Central and Eastern European (CEE) region, its growing reputation as a smart and sustainable city, and its role in the evolving industrial landscape due to nearshoring trends.

Key Economic Indicators

• City Area: 261.9 sq km
• Population: 700,420 (as of 01.2026, Mobile data)
• Number of Companies: 138,000 (as of 02.2026, GUS)
• Unemployment Rate: 1.6% (as of 05.2026, GUS)
• GDP Growth: 12%
• GDP per Capita: PLN 175,700 (GUS)
• Average Salary (Gross, Business Sector): PLN 10,346.99 (as of 02.2026, GUS)

Investment Attractiveness

Poznań has consistently ranked at the top of several prestigious rankings:

• 1st place in the "City of the Year" category – CEE Investment Awards 2025
• 1st place in the "Investor-Friendly City" category – Prime Property Prize 2025
• 1st place in the "Local Government Pearls" ranking (cities with over 100,000 residents)
• 2nd place in the "Business Friendly City" category – European Cities and Regions of the Future 2025
• 1st place in the "Economics category" – Oxford Economics Global Cities Index
• 1st place in the "Best cities to live in Poland" ranking – Business Insider Polska
• 1st place in the "Smart City Award" – cities with over 300,000 residents
• 4th place in the "Quality of life category" – Oxford Economics Global Cities Index
• Only city in Poland listed in Forbes' 20 best cities for Americans to live, invest and work in Europe

Quality of Life in Numbers

• Bike Paths: 351 km
• Green Areas: 128.3 sq km
• Number of Students: 100,500
• Number of Graduates: 24,000
• Number of Universities: 24
• Airport Distance to City Centre: 7 km
• Airport Passengers (2025): 4,144,829

Office Market Performance (H1 2026)

• Total Office Stock: 678,000 sq m (6th largest in Poland)
• Supply Under Construction: 77,000 sq m (up 47.3% YoY)
• New Supply: 5,000 sq m (up 107.8% YoY)
• Take-up: 48,500 sq m (up 51.6% YoY)
• Vacancy Rate: 11.5% (down 3.3 p.p. YoY)
• Headline Office Rents: EUR 11.50–16.00 per sq m/month
• Service Charges: PLN 17.00–29.00 per sq m/month
• Fit-out Budget: EUR 250.00–500.00 per sq m

Office Market Trends

• Leasing Activity: Strong rebound in Q2 2026, with take-up reaching nearly 42,800 sq m (up 142% YoY)
• Leasing Structure:
  • New leases: 36%
  • Renegotiations: 32%
  • Expansions: 21%
  • Owner-occupier transactions: Remaining share
• Top Sectors by Take-up:
  • Energy sector: 24%
  • IT sector: 18%
  • Commerce sector: 18%
  • Business Services: 16%

Major Office Projects

• Completed Projects: Selgros HQ (5,000 sq m)
• Under Construction: 77,000 sq m
• Planned for 2026: 12,300 sq m
• Upcoming Major Project: AND2 (39,000 sq m, Von der Heyden Group), expected to be completed in early 2028 and become the largest office building in Poznań

Investment Incentives

• Project Manager: Dedicated to support investors in project preparation and launch
• Employer Branding: Through press conferences, media, and online platforms
• Real Estate Promotion: At national and international events (e.g., MIPIM, Poznań Housing Fair)
• Investment Offers Database: Updated regularly at www.poznan.pl
• Collaboration with Special Economic Zones: To access government grants
• Sector Analyses: Prepared for investor needs
• Urban Real Estate Offer: Includes 16 areas with diverse development opportunities

Nearshoring and Talent Development

• Nearshoring Trend: Reshaping European industry, with Poznań as a key beneficiary
• Industrial Leadership Evolution: Focus on strategic thinking, profitability, and sustainable enterprise value
• Talent Demand: Increasing need for leaders with both commercial acumen and change management skills
• Talent Geography: Emerging regions like West Pomerania, Tri-City, and Lublin offer unique advantages in terms of quality of life, academic ecosystems, and untapped labor markets

Key Organizations

• Michael Page: Highlights the challenges of executive recruitment in a competitive market
• Knight Frank Poland: Provides strategic advice, forecasts, and consultancy services to commercial real estate clients

Contacts

• Knight Frank Poland:

  • CEO: Charles Taylor (charles.taylor@pl.knightfrank.com)
  • Research: Dorota Lachowska (dorota.lachowska@pl.knightfrank.com)
  • Commercial Agency: Dorota Mielke (dorota.mielke@pl.knightfrank.com)
  • Capital Markets: Krzysztof Cipiur (krzysztof.cipiur@pl.knightfrank.com)
  • Valuation & Advisory: Małgorzata Krzystek (malgorzata.krzystek@pl.knightfrank.com)
  • Strategic Consulting EMEA: Jaromir Sejud (jaromir.sejud@pl.knightfrank.com)
  • Industrial Agency: Przemysław Piętak (przemyslaw.pietak@pl.knightfrank.com)

• Poznań Investor Relations Department:

  • Contact: inwestor@um.poznan.pl
  • Website: www.poznan.pl

• Michael Page (Jakub Świderski):

  • Email: jakubswiderski@michaelpage.pl
  • Phone: +48 798 507 665
  • Website: www.michaelpage.pl

Conclusion

Poznań stands out as a top-tier investment destination in CEE, supported by a robust economy, a high-quality workforce, and a commitment to smart city development. Its office market is showing strong growth and resilience, while nearshoring trends are driving a new demand for leadership and specialized talent. The city's strategic initiatives and infrastructure make it an ideal location for both established and emerging businesses.