Pierwszy biznes – Wsparcie w starcie (First Business – Support at the Start). A loan for starting a business

Pierwszy biznes – Wsparcie w starcie (First Business – Support at the Start) is a preferential loan for starting a business, intended for individuals planning to set up their own company. The programme makes it possible to finance the expenditure needed to start a business, such as the purchase of equipment, furnishings, a means of transport, trading goods, work tools or selected fixed costs in the initial phase of running the company. The support is repayable, but it is granted on preferential terms – with a very low interest rate (0.25%), the option of a grace period for repayment and a partial write-off of the capital.

For many people planning to start a business, a loan from the Pierwszy biznes – Wsparcie w starcie programme can be a real alternative to a grant from the labour office, a bank loan or financing the investment solely from their own funds. It is particularly important that the programme makes it possible to obtain a relatively high amount of financing at a time when the company does not yet have a revenue history or creditworthiness assessed in the standard way by commercial banks.

What is the Pierwszy biznes – Wsparcie w starcie programme?

The Pierwszy biznes – Wsparcie w starcie programme is a financial instrument supporting people who want to set up their own business. In the current edition, the programme is linked to the European Funds for Social Development 2021-2027 and the action concerning European loans for self-employment.

The most important feature of the programme is that it is not a classic non-repayable grant paid out in a lump sum by the labour office. It is a preferential loan, i.e. repayable financing granted on terms more favourable than a typical commercial loan.

The benefit for the applicant is the possibility of obtaining a low interest rate and spreading repayment over time. The loan can be used for the real costs of launching the business. This means that the application must demonstrate a logical link between the planned purchase and the scope of the business. The operator assesses not only the formal eligibility of the applicant, but also the rationality of the budget, the consistency of the project description and the ability to run the business after receiving the financing.

Key parameters of the business start-up loan

The parameters of the programme mean that the loan may be particularly attractive to people who need a larger amount than a typical grant for starting a business from a district labour office. The amount of possible support is linked to the average salary, so the amount limit may change over time.

Key loan conditions:

• the maximum loan amount is up to 20 times the average salary,
• the interest rate is 0.25% per year,
• the repayment period can be up to 7 years,
• a grace period on capital repayment is possible for up to 12 months,
• the loan can finance up to 100% of the costs of starting the business,
• it is possible to obtain a partial write-off of the capital once the programme conditions are met.

With an average salary of around PLN 9,500, the maximum loan limit is around PLN 190,000. However, the exact amount should be confirmed each time as at the date of submitting the application, as the limit is linked to the average salary index published by Statistics Poland (GUS).

Who is the Pierwszy biznes – Wsparcie w starcie loan for?

The loan is aimed at individuals planning to set up a business. It is not an instrument for businesses that are already operating, seeking financing for growth. The support concerns the moment of entering the market, i.e. starting self-employment.

The programme can be used in particular by:

• unemployed persons,
• persons who are not employed and do not perform any other gainful work,
• persons whose income does not exceed the average salary,
• job-seeking carers of persons with disabilities,
• final-year students of first-cycle, second-cycle or long-cycle master's degree programmes,
• persons returning from abroad.

Eligibility should be analysed individually, as the applicant's status may affect the documents required, the way entitlement is confirmed and the possibility of benefiting from the partial write-off. Different documentation may be required from an unemployed person, from a final-year student and from a person returning from abroad.

It is also important not to set up a business too early, without checking the rules of the given call. In many business start-up instruments, the applicant's status before registering the company is of key importance. Therefore, before registering the business in CEIDG, it is worth confirming the sequence of steps with the programme operator or contacting an expert.

What can the business start-up loan be used for?

The loan can be used for expenditure necessary to launch the business. The key word is “necessary”, as each cost should result from the business model, the scope of services, the place of business and the planned way of generating revenue.

Financing may cover, among other things:

• the purchase of fixed assets, machinery, equipment and furnishings,
• the purchase of computer hardware, software and tools needed for work,
• the purchase of trading goods intended for sale,
• the purchase of a means of transport, if justified by the business profile,
• adaptation or renovation of premises, if necessary to launch the business,
• selected fixed costs related to running the business for a limited period,
• expenditure related to preparing the infrastructure needed to start the business.

For example, a person planning a service business may include equipment, work tools, workstation furnishings, materials needed to provide services and premises adaptation costs in the budget. A person planning a retail business may need initial stock, a cash register, a sales system, shelving, a computer and software. In a mobile business, on the other hand, the purchase of a car may be justified if providing the services would be impossible or unreasonable without it.

However, not every cost will be accepted. Expenditure should be reasonable, economically justified and related to starting the business. The programme should not be used to finance incidental or private costs, or costs whose link with the business is difficult to demonstrate. Particular caution is needed with luxury costs, costs disproportionate to the scale of the business or costs poorly described in the application.

Can the loan be written off?

One of the most important elements of the programme is the possibility of a partial write-off of the loan capital. The write-off is not automatic and requires meeting the conditions set out in the programme rules. As a rule, the write-off may cover the part of the capital equal to 6 times the average salary, but no more than 50% of the loan amount.

In practice, this means that with an appropriately planned loan amount and compliance with the programme requirements, the actual value of the capital to be repaid may be significantly lower than the nominal amount of financing received. The conditions must, however, be analysed carefully, as the write-off depends on meeting specific formal and financial requirements.

The most important conditions to take into account are:

• unemployed status at the time of submitting the loan application,
• running the business for 12 months,
• no arrears in loan repayment.

Loan or labour office grant – which to choose?

People planning to set up a company often compare the Pierwszy biznes – Wsparcie w starcie programme with a grant from the district labour office. Both instruments can serve a similar purpose, but they differ in structure, amount of support, settlement rules and financial risk.

A labour office grant is generally a non-repayable instrument, but its amount tends to be lower and depends on the rules of the given office and the available allocation. A loan from the Pierwszy biznes – Wsparcie w starcie programme can provide a higher amount of financing, but it must be repaid. On the other hand, the preferential interest rate, the long repayment period and the possibility of a partial write-off make it a much more favourable solution than a typical commercial loan for starting a company.

In practice, the choice of instrument should depend on the scale of the planned investment. If the business requires the purchase of more expensive equipment, a car, specialist devices, initial stock or adaptation of premises, a grant alone may be insufficient. If, on the other hand, the planned business requires little outlay, a labour office grant may be a simpler solution, provided that a call is available in the given district.

How to prepare to submit an application?

Preparing a loan application should start with an analysis of the business idea. The financing operator will assess whether the planned business is economically justified, whether the budget is consistent with the scope of the business and whether the applicant will be able to run the company and meet their obligations.

Before starting work on the application, it is worth preparing:

• a description of the planned business,
• the location of the business,
• an analysis of customers and of how orders will be obtained,
• a list of planned purchases,
• a justification for each expense,
• a revenue and cost plan,
• information on experience, qualifications or preparation for running a business,
• documents confirming the status of a person eligible to apply for the loan.

The most common mistake is preparing a cost estimate as a shopping list without a business justification. The application should show why a given expense is needed, how it will be used and how it will translate into the ability to run the business. The mere purchase of a laptop, car or equipment is not enough. Its function in the company's operating model must be demonstrated.

Where is the loan application submitted?

Applications are not submitted directly to BGK via a single nationwide form. Loans are handled by financing partners, i.e. operators responsible for specific voivodeships or macro-regions. In practice, a person interested in the loan should first identify the operator for the location of the planned business and then check the current status of the call, the rules, document templates and required attachments.

The availability of calls may vary regionally. In some voivodeships the call may be active, in others temporarily suspended because the allocation has been exhausted. For this reason, decisions should not be based solely on general information about the programme. Up-to-date information from the financing operator is key.

If you are not sure which programme will be right for your planned business, you can also check other sources of funding. A useful tool may be the free grant search engine.

What does the loan application procedure look like?

The procedure may differ depending on the operator, but it typically comprises several stages. First, you need to confirm your eligibility to apply for the loan and check whether the call is open. Next, a business model is prepared, containing a description of the venture, a budget, financial forecasts and formal documents. After the application is submitted, the operator carries out an assessment and may request supplements; following a positive decision, the agreement is signed and the funds are disbursed.

The typical process includes:

• choosing the right regional operator,
• preparing the business model,
• preparing the application documentation (attachments),
• submitting the application within the call deadline,
• responding to any requests for supplements,
• signing the loan agreement,
• spending the funds in line with the approved budget,
• settling purchases on the basis of accounting documents,
• repaying part of the loan according to the schedule,
• submitting, after 12 months, an application for a partial write-off of the loan capital, i.e. up to 6 times the average salary (as at 6 June 2026, 6 times the average salary amounts to PLN 57,377.28).

It is important that the funds are spent in accordance with the agreement and the approved purpose. Settlement should be based on accounting documents, such as invoices or other accounting documents of equivalent probative value. Purchases should be planned so that there is no doubt about their connection with the business.

Which sectors can benefit from the loan?

The programme can be used in many types of business, provided that the planned business meets the programme conditions and is not in an area excluded from financing. In practice, the loan may be considered, among others, for service, retail, manufacturing, mobile, specialist or local brick-and-mortar businesses.

Examples of areas in which the loan may be used:

• renovation and construction services,
• cosmetics and beauty businesses,
• medical and health-related services, if sector requirements are met,
• IT businesses and digital services,
• brick-and-mortar or online retail,
• food service,
• mobile specialist services,
• education and training businesses,
• technical, servicing and installation services.

The most common mistakes in a self-employment loan application

Applications for business financing are often rejected or referred for supplements not because the idea itself is unrealistic, but because the documentation does not present it precisely enough. The operator must have grounds to judge that the loan will be used for its intended purpose and that the business will be viable.

The most common mistakes include:

• an overly general description of the business,
• no link between purchases and the business model,
• an inflated or unreasonable cost estimate,
• no analysis of customers and sources of revenue,
• underestimated fixed costs,
• failure to take into account taxes, social security contributions and operating costs,
• submitting the application to the wrong operator,
• starting the business before checking the programme rules,
• no documents confirming the status of an eligible person.

A good application should be financially and operationally consistent. This means that the business description, purchases, revenue forecasts, costs and schedule should form one logical whole. If the applicant plans to buy a car, they should demonstrate why the car is necessary. If they plan to buy specialist equipment, they should indicate what services will be provided with it and what revenue may result.

Is it worth getting help with preparing the application?

Using advisory support may be justified especially when the planned investment is larger, includes the purchase of a means of transport, fitting out premises or many cost items, or requires financial forecasts. Advisory support does not replace the operator's decision, but it can help structure the business concept, reduce formal errors and prepare the documentation more clearly.

Through grant advisory services it is possible to verify whether a loan from the Pierwszy biznes – Wsparcie w starcie programme is the right instrument, or whether a labour office grant, a regional programme, funds from a Local Action Group (LGD) or other financing for new companies would be a better solution.

Before starting the procedure, it is worth answering three questions:

• do I meet the formal conditions as an applicant?
• is my budget reasonable and defensible?
• will the planned company be able to generate revenue that allows the loan to be repaid?

If the answer to any of these questions is not clear-cut, it is worth carrying out an analysis before submitting the application. This avoids a situation in which the documentation is prepared too late, for the wrong operator or with costs that cannot be accepted.

Summary – for whom will the Wsparcie w starcie loan be a good solution?

The Pierwszy biznes – Wsparcie w starcie loan will be particularly beneficial for people who have a specific business plan and need more financing than a standard grant for starting a business. The instrument can be useful when launching the company requires the purchase of equipment, a car, furnishings or goods, or the adaptation of premises.

However, it is not financing that should be treated like a simple grant without obligations. The loan requires preparing an application, concluding an agreement, spending the funds correctly, settling the purchases and repaying the liability. The possibility of a partial write-off is an important advantage, but it requires meeting the programme conditions.

If you are planning to apply for financing to start a business, it is worth verifying in advance the applicant's eligibility, the availability of the call, the operator responsible for the given voivodeship, the planned budget and the possible level of support.Contact an expert