Polish Business Group Warns of Cost of Leaving the EU

The Polish business organisation ZPP (Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers) has released a new report examining Poland's 22 years of European Union (EU) membership, including an estimate of what a potential exit, often referred to as Polexit, would cost the country.

According to the report's summary, leaving the EU would come at a significant economic price, though the precise figures were not detailed beyond the general framing of a 'bill' for exit.

The report frames Poland's EU journey with the phrase 'from factory to control room', suggesting that the country has moved from being primarily a manufacturing base for Western companies to a position where it can play a more active role in shaping European policy.

ZPP uses this framing to argue that Poland should now pursue greater leadership within the EU, rather than remaining a passive member state that simply implements decisions made elsewhere.

The publication appears designed to contribute to ongoing public discourse in Poland regarding the costs and benefits of EU membership, a topic that periodically resurfaces in national political debate.

Discussions about a potential Polexit have occasionally emerged in Polish politics, echoing debates seen in other EU member states, though no formal exit process has been initiated.

By quantifying the financial risks of withdrawal, ZPP's report seems intended to push back against Eurosceptic arguments and instead encourage a more assertive, pro-European stance focused on influence rather than exit.

The organisation's broader message calls for Poland to leverage its economic growth, achieved partly through EU funding and market access, to secure a stronger voice in EU institutions.

While the summary does not provide specific statistics on GDP impact, trade losses, or funding cuts that would follow an exit, the overall tone suggests the report frames continued membership as economically advantageous.

The report's release coincides with a period of broader reflection across the EU on the union's future direction, as member states navigate challenges including economic competitiveness and geopolitical pressures.

ZPP's call for Poland to move 'from the assembly line to the control room' reflects a wider ambition among some Polish policymakers and business leaders to see the country recognised as a serious decision-making power in Brussels, rather than merely a beneficiary of EU funds.