Late payments affect majority of Polish companies, survey finds

Late payments remain a widespread issue for businesses in Poland, with 84% of companies reporting that their contractors fail to settle invoices on time, according to a survey commissioned by BIK Group in the fourth quarter of 2025. The study also shows that one in three companies waits more than 60 days for payment after the due date.

Despite the scale of the problem, many businesses delay taking action. Around 30% of companies wait up to two months beyond the payment deadline, increasing the risk to their own liquidity. Survey respondents indicated that concerns about damaging business relationships are a key reason for avoiding reminders or formal payment claims, particularly when dealing with larger or more dominant clients.

According to BIK, this reluctance contributes to payment delays becoming an accepted market practice. Extended payment terms can disrupt cash flow and lead to broader payment bottlenecks, affecting not only individual firms but entire supply chains.

Entrepreneurs often allow informal extensions of payment deadlines, prioritising the preservation of customer relationships over immediate financial considerations. This approach, however, can undermine a company’s financial stability, especially in periods of tighter liquidity.

Commenting on the findings, Marcin Gozdek, Director of the Retail Market at BIK S.A., said:

“It is worth using solutions that effectively, in a professional and comfortable way for the relationship, allow you to avoid tension and reduce the risk of not receiving funds on time. Such support is offered by ‘Safe Invoice’ – a new tool in the BIK offer for companies. This solution supports entrepreneurs in the implementation of factual and friendly communication with contractors and at the same time allows to support themselves with the presence of a professional partner, which is BIK.”

BIK notes that its Safe Invoice service allows companies to automate reminders about upcoming payment deadlines and outstanding invoices. If payment delays persist, the system enables the issuance of a formal payment request and, where necessary, an entry in the debtor register operated by BIG InfoMonitor.

The company stresses that the aim of the tool is not to replace entrepreneurs’ decision-making, but to provide structured options for managing receivables and reducing payment risk. According to BIK, preventive measures and early communication with contractors remain the most effective way to limit payment delays and protect business liquidity.