2026-09-04-莱坊-Wrocław_city_attractiveness_and_office_market_h1_2026_8页_1mb

Wrocław: A Growing Hub for Investment and Innovation

Core Content Summary

Wrocław is rapidly emerging as a key player in Poland's economic and technological landscape, with strong indicators of growth and development across multiple sectors. The city is not only attracting attention for its business environment and investment potential but also for its role in the evolution of the European industrial sector, particularly in the context of nearshoring.

Investment Attractiveness

Wrocław has achieved top rankings in several key categories, highlighting its appeal to investors:

• 1st place in fDi's Mid-Sized European Cities of the Future 2025 for Overall and Business Friendliness
• 2nd place in Poland for number of people employed in IT (ABSL Report 2024)
• 2nd place in the Polish Startups 2024 ranking
• 2nd place in fDi's Mid-Sized European Cities of the Future 2025 for FDI Strategy and Economic Potential
• 2nd place in the Business Environment Assessment Study (BEAS) 2024

These rankings underscore Wrocław's position as a rising star in the technology sector and a competitive business environment in Europe.

Investment Incentives

The city offers a range of incentives to attract investment:

• "One stop shop" support from the Wrocław Agglomeration Development Agency
• Real estate tax exemptions for investments in renewable energy technologies (photovoltaic installation, heat pump, etc.)
• Accelerator programmes such as Concordia Design Accelerator, Accel Boost, and Startup Booster for Social Impact
• Lower Silesian Special Economic Zones
• Recognition as a Climate Neutral and Smart City in the EU mission

Research and Development (R&D) Potential

Wrocław is a significant R&D hub in Poland, with several key strengths:

1. High concentration of R&D entities: Nearly 3/4 of all R&D companies in Lower Silesia are located in the Wrocław agglomeration, with over 100 specialized IT and R&D centers and the Wrocław Technology Park.
2. Diversified R&D areas: Focus on MedTech (1st in the country), AI and Machine Learning, and DeepTech, aligned with Regional Smart Specializations (RIS3).
3. Innovative startups: Wrocław is the start-up capital of Poland, with 283 unique startups and over 250 dynamic entities, many of which rely on patent-protected technologies.
4. Strong academic foundation: 30 universities in the agglomeration, including the Wrocław University of Science and Technology, which educates over 21,000 STEM students annually.
5. Highly qualified workforce: Over 57% of local startup founders have prior entrepreneurial experience, reducing business implementation risks.
6. Rapid growth in R&D sector: A 145% increase in R&D entities over the last decade and a 74% rise in corporate innovation investment since 2010.

Office Market Overview

Wrocław is the third-largest office market in Poland, after Warsaw and Kraków, with a total modern office stock of 1.35 million sq m (over 10% of the national total).

Supply

• New supply in H1 2026: 24,000 sq m (+100% YoY)
• Supply under construction: 0 sq m
• Existing stock: 1.35 million sq m

Take-Up

• Total take-up in H1 2026: 45,000 sq m
• Take-up structure:
  • Lease renewals: 48%
  • New leases: 45%
  • Expansions: 7%
• Q2 2026: New leases became the dominant transaction type, accounting for over 58% of leased space.

Vacancy Rate

• Vacancy rate at end of H1 2026: 21.8% (up 1.3 p.p. YoY)
• Expected trend: No new supply is expected until 2028, which may lead to a gradual decline in vacancy levels.

Rents

• Headline office rents: EUR 11.00–16.00 per sq m per month
• Prime space asking rents: May exceed the above range
• Service charges: PLN 16.00–31.00 per sq m per month

Key Trends and Drivers

• Nearshoring: Has become a major driver of industrial and supply chain activity in Europe, with Wrocław benefiting from its strategic location and infrastructure.
• Leadership demand: As nearshoring evolves, there is increasing demand for experienced industrial leaders capable of managing complex operations and driving long-term growth.
• Talent availability: Regions like Wrocław, Tri-City, and Lublin are gaining prominence due to their human capital and lifestyle advantages, making them attractive for businesses seeking sustainable operations.

Conclusion

Wrocław is a dynamic and attractive destination for investment, supported by its strong R&D ecosystem, growing startup scene, and robust educational infrastructure. The office market is experiencing a period of adjustment, with a rise in vacancy rates and a shift in demand patterns, but long-term fundamentals remain positive. Nearshoring is reshaping the industrial landscape, and Wrocław is well-positioned to benefit from this trend due to its skilled workforce and strategic advantages.

Additional Information

• Population: 893,500 (2024), with an agglomeration of 1.2 million (2025)
• Migration balance: +1.4 (Q2 2024)
• Unemployment rate: 2.5% (Q2 2026)
• GDP growth: 8.5%
• GDP per capita: PLN 104,360 (gross)
• Average salary (gross): PLN 9,904.47 (business sector, Q2 2026)
• Bike paths: 1,400 km (41% of city area)
• Airport: 10 km from city center, 4,907,527 passengers in 2025

Contact Information

• Knight Frank Poland:
  CEO: Charles Taylor
  Research: Dorota Lachowska
  Commercial Agency - Wrocław: Anna Patrzyk-Sperzyńska
  Capital Markets: Krzysztof Cipiur
  Valuation & Advisory: Małgorzata Krzystek
  Strategic Consulting EMEA: Jaromir Sejud
  Industrial Agency: Przemysław Piętak

• Wrocław Agglomeration Development Agency:
  Contact: office@invest-in-wroclaw.pl
  Website: www.invest-in-wroclaw.pl

• Michael Page:
  Contact: Jakub Świderski
  Email: jakubswiderski@michaelpage.pl
  Phone: +48 798 507 665
  Website: www.michaelpage.pl