Sequence it, don't scramble it

The realistic setup timeline

Why the order matters as much as the checklist.

1

Entity & permits

Register the entity and start immigration for your relocated team. Work permits run 10 to 12 weeks; residence permits 3 to 9 months.

Start ~6 months ahead, it's the long pole
2

Location & space

Choose the city to fit talent and budget rather than defaulting to Warsaw, then secure office and housing.

Warsaw is tight; the regions have room
3

People & HR infrastructure

Make local hires with payroll and labour law compliance already in place, before the team scales.

Infrastructure before headcount
4

Policies & culture

Embed internal policies and the China to Poland cultural bridge from the start, not as a retrofit after the first resignations.

Culture is what keeps the team
Deciding was always the easy part. Executing is where 2026 is won.