Poland’s Ministry of Digital Affairs is preparing a strategy for the semiconductor sector, which currently accounts for less than 0.1–0.15% of GDP but is expected to grow with the arrival of further investments. The document provides for the development of infrastructure and skills, attracting investors, and building at least one pilot line by 2028. Poland is already one of the most attractive locations for investment in the final stages of semiconductor production. According to an analysis by Kearney, it ranks fifth in the world and first in Europe.
At the beginning of March, the Ministry of Digital Affairs submitted for consultation, interministerial review and opinion the draft resolution of the Council of Ministers on the adoption of the document “Poland in the Race for the Future – Policy for the Semiconductor Sector 2026+.” The document sets out the strategic directions for the development of the domestic semiconductor sector in 2026–2030 and outlines the target vision over the longer term. It assumes stronger support for research and innovation, the development of design and manufacturing capabilities, the attraction of investment, the building of human capital, and active international cooperation within European initiatives.
“We undoubtedly have very strong traditions in semiconductors. We have been developing this industry for more than two decades,” said Dr. Zbigniew Piątek, Head of the New Technology Investments Division in the Department of Research and Innovation at the Ministry of Digital Affairs, in an interview with Newseria.
Data included in the draft strategy show that the domestic industry remains relatively small, but is developing in specialized technological areas. It currently includes several dozen companies employing around 9,000 people in total, while the broader ecosystem — together with the photonics industry and entities operating at the intersection of related fields — consists of approximately 200–250 companies. According to a Kearney analysis covering 30 countries, Poland ranks among the world’s and Europe’s top locations in terms of attractiveness for investment in the final stages of semiconductor production, such as testing, assembly and packaging.
The sector currently generates less than 1% of Poland’s GDP, but according to the document’s assumptions, its share is expected to increase as technological capabilities expand and new investment flows in. The areas identified for specialization include integrated circuit design, materials technologies, photonics, and solutions for the energy and electromobility sectors. Under the draft, Poland aims to build advantages in selected market segments rather than compete with the largest global producers across the entire production chain.
“We have several areas of specialization as a country. One of them is semiconductor design and the software that supports it. This is being developed both in large companies and increasingly in privately funded entities. We are specialists in so-called wide-bandgap semiconductors for energy and electromobility, and we are also successfully developing the photonics sector, including in exports,” Dr. Zbigniew Piątek said.
The sector includes companies specializing in chip architecture, printing systems and ASIC design. Photonic technologies are also being developed, including infrared detectors used in automation, autonomous mobility and security systems.
“There are certain areas where we can build our specialization and competitive position. These include the production of so-called mature semiconductors, which are used across a wide range of industries, including electromobility, energy and photonics. Importantly, as these types of components are developed, we are also building the entire ecosystem — in terms of developing talent and retaining it, creating intellectual property and keeping margins in the country,” the Ministry of Digital Affairs expert said.
The importance of semiconductors was highlighted by disruptions in global supply chains in 2020–2022. Shortages of components produced, among others, in Taiwan at the time constrained output in many sectors, including the automotive and electronics industries. In response, the European Union adopted the European Chips Act, aimed at increasing Europe’s share in global production, developing infrastructure and strengthening supply chain resilience. The instrument provides for the mobilization of around EUR 43 billion in public and private funding, as well as support for investment, research and pilot technology lines.
The strategy currently being processed in Poland is intended to enable the domestic industry to join European value chains and to develop national technological capabilities. The draft includes seven pillars considered crucial for the sector’s development — from financing, talent and international cooperation to the essential resources of energy, water and raw materials.
“One of the pillars is the development of infrastructure, such as pilot lines. These are being created at the European level, but we also want to create Polish lines. We want at least one pilot line involving Polish entities to be established by 2028, because we have companies and institutes that can form the basis for development in this area,” said Dr. Zbigniew Piątek. “As for the European semiconductor pilot line, it is included in the European Chips Act, which has been in force since 2023. Five lines have been designated, each specializing in different areas of the value chain. Polish entities are involved in these projects, including CEZAMAT of the Warsaw University of Technology, which is taking part in the FAMES project.”
Launching a pilot line by 2028 is one of the key indicators under the infrastructure pillar included in the government strategy. Another is infrastructure investment of at least PLN 800 million in capital expenditure and PLN 300 million in operating expenditure by 2029. Other goals include increasing the number of graduates in electronics and semiconductor-related fields and raising the number of chip designers from around 1,500 to 3,000 by 2030.
“The challenge is that the semiconductor sector is an extremely capital-intensive industry. It cannot be developed within the context of individual years or political terms in office; it is a strategic task for decades. Another challenge is that, for the time being, Poland does not have industrial semiconductor manufacturing, meaning we do not yet have a complete value chain,” the ministry expert pointed out. “There is a lot of discussion about raw materials and rare earth elements, but in my view, in Poland’s case the main challenge is to create an institutional framework and a policy that will support the comprehensive development of the industry.”
The regulatory impact assessment attached to the government draft emphasizes that the lack of a coherent policy currently makes it difficult to coordinate state action and define investment priorities.
In the longer term, the development of the semiconductor sector is expected to increase the competitiveness of the Polish economy and strengthen its technological security. Strategic documents emphasize that semiconductors are of key importance not only for civil industry, but also for sensitive sectors such as energy, critical infrastructure and defense.
