For years, the IT sector has been considered financially stable—an engine of innovation and expansion. But that narrative is now unraveling. Major companies, once seen as pioneers of digital progress, are laying off thousands of specialists and slashing development budgets. Simultaneously, accelerated automation and the rise of AI are shaking the foundations of the industry. The result: Poland’s IT sector is now at a crossroads, struggling under the weight of debt. According to the latest data from the National Debt Register (KRD), the industry owes more than PLN 317 million. But that pales in comparison to the debts owed to IT companies by their own clients and partners.
A Decade of Growth Now in Jeopardy
The IT sector has been one of the fastest-growing industries over the last decade, with many experts once convinced that its rise would be endless. Yet recent years have proven that even sectors built on innovation aren’t immune to economic shocks. While forecasts still predict that Poland’s digital economy could reach USD 123 billion by 2030 (around 9% of GDP), achieving this will require significant investment in digitization, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. Unfortunately, such investments demand resources that many IT firms in Poland currently lack.
The latest KRD data shows that the IT industry’s debt has grown by nearly 20% year-on-year. Today, the average debt per company stands at PLN 44,700.
Who Are the Debtors?
The IT debtors listed in the KRD span all segments of the modern tech industry—from hardware manufacturers and electronics service providers to software developers, data processors, and cloud service firms. The list also includes e-commerce portals, IT infrastructure managers, and businesses involved in equipment sales and maintenance.
“Currently, 7,300 IT companies have unpaid liabilities—up over 5% compared to a year ago,” explains Adam Łącki, CEO of the National Debt Register.
“The Polish IT sector is highly fragmented. Over the past few years, we’ve seen 130 mergers and acquisitions, and that trend will likely accelerate as larger players absorb smaller ones. Still, liquidity issues affect both large corporations and sole proprietors alike.”
Of the total IT sector debt, PLN 195 million is owed by 3,800 limited companies, while 3,600 sole traders owe a combined PLN 122 million.
Who Gets Paid Last?
The largest share of IT debt—PLN 140.8 million—is owed to secondary creditors such as debt collection agencies. Banks and insurers are owed PLN 49 million, leasing companies another PLN 45 million, telecom and internet providers PLN 19.5 million, and electricity providers over PLN 10.1 million. IT firms also owe PLN 14.5 million to wholesale and retail companies and PLN 12 million to manufacturers, primarily of metal products.
Debt Recovery a Key to Survival
Ironically, the IT sector could improve its financial standing if it could recover what it is owed. KRD data shows that the amount of overdue payments to IT companies is even higher—PLN 463 million.
“IT firms owe nearly PLN 100 million to banks and leasing companies, but they are also waiting for over PLN 463 million in unpaid invoices,” says Emanuel Nowak, a factoring expert at NFG.
“Software development companies account for 83% of that sum.”
Developers, software providers, and tech startups face constant fixed costs—team salaries, infrastructure, licenses—while dealing with delayed payments from clients. This affects cash flow, prompting a growing number of microenterprises to turn to factoring.
“In 2025, we’ve seen a 70% increase in the number of micro-IT businesses using our services,” says Nowak.
“The biggest rise was in our eGotówka product, where the value of financing grew by 115% year-on-year.”
The average funding requested is PLN 11,200, often used to cover urgent obligations like salaries, equipment, licenses, or outsourced services.
Main Debtors to IT Firms
Among the 54,000 entities owing money to the IT sector, wholesalers and retailers dominate, with PLN 124 million in debt. Construction companies follow at PLN 67 million, and transportation and logistics firms owe PLN 61 million.
Layoffs Continue Despite Easing
Though the peak of mass layoffs may be behind us, job cuts are far from over. According to Manpower Group, 13% of Polish IT companies plan workforce reductions in Q2 2025. In Kraków alone, 10 firms announced nearly 1,900 layoffs in Q1—almost matching the total for all of 2024. And this doesn’t even include the B2B contractors, who make up a large portion of IT workers and aren’t captured in official employment data.
The sector’s financial problems are exacerbated by high investment costs. Polish firms must compete not just locally but with global IT giants operating in the region. High inflation and rising operating costs make this even harder.
“The growing tech demands—particularly in AI and cybersecurity—require Polish companies to invest aggressively just to stay relevant,” says Łącki.
“But as specialists are laid off, we’re also facing shortages of AI and security experts. Poland is now the most frequently cyberattacked country in the world, affecting both public and private sectors.”
AI Disrupting Junior Roles
Will AI take your job? For many in IT, especially junior developers, that question is becoming very real. According to the report “The Transformational Opportunity of AI on ICT Jobs,” 37% of entry-level and 40% of mid-level IT roles are at risk of disruption.
With tools like ChatGPT, tasks such as coding can now be partially or fully automated. Tech company BairesDev reports that 75% of developers already use AI in their work, with 81% relying on it for coding—half of them on a daily basis.
AI factories—large-scale operations focused on mass-producing artificial intelligence—are also emerging. One such facility is planned in Poznań, and industry insiders predict a future where 20 AI operators could do the work of 400 developers.
Where Is IT Debt Highest?
The Mazowieckie region leads with PLN 116.3 million in IT sector debt, followed by Wielkopolskie (PLN 36 million) and Śląskie (PLN 35 million). Małopolskie and Dolnośląskie round out the top five.
This geographical pattern is unsurprising: Warsaw, Kraków, Poznań, and Wrocław are Poland’s main tech hubs, home to both large corporations and their smaller subcontractors. Katowice and the broader Silesian metropolitan area are also increasingly popular with global investors and BPO centers.
IT’s Falling Financial Credibility
Over the past year, the number of IT firms with the highest credit rating (category A) has dropped by over 8%, with many moving into riskier categories.
“This is alarming, especially in a fast-moving, high-stakes sector like IT,” warns Łącki.
“Lower scores can reduce access to financing and increase payment bottlenecks.”
The most dramatic shift was in category E—firms on the edge of low credibility—which grew by over 105%. Overall, among companies checked in the KRD in the past 12 months, A-ratings declined by 11.5%, while E-ratings surged by 63.8%.
“The IT sector, once known for financial reliability, is starting to lose that reputation,” says Łącki.
“Whether it’s fewer domestic orders, higher operating costs, or longer payment cycles, it’s crucial for firms to closely monitor liquidity and check partners’ creditworthiness before it’s too late.”
