european-semester-documents-poland

European Spring Package 2026

The European Semester is an annual exercise that coordinates the EU's economic and social policies. Based on the analysis conducted every year by the Commission, each Member State receives a set of Country Specific Recommendations (CSRs), where policy action is needed. In Poland, these include:

Poland is progressing in transforming its energy sector. However, the remaining coal dependency keeps energy costs high and the limited flexibility and interconnection of the energy system curb cheaper renewables and electricity imports. Expanding storage, grid capacity and cross-border trading would help foster lower prices and energy security. Balanced electricity price signals (vs. fossil fuels) would spur electrification.
Poland’s economy is growing fast, but regional disparities persist, with rural and eastern areas lagging in access to services and innovation. Targeted measures improving access to services and high- quality jobs could unlock more balanced growth.
Despite measures already taken on affordable housing and energy efficiency of buildings, housing affordability is declining, especially in cities, as supply doesn’t keep up with demand. Adopting a long- term strategy, boosting social and affordable housing and revitalising unused properties could ease pressures.
Poland remains one of the fastest growing EU economies but labour and skills shortages and education system challenges weigh on competitiveness. Fostering inclusive and quality education, promoting STEM fields, and modernising vocational education and training would align education with labour market needs and improve labour market outcomes.
Poland invested substantially in modernising the research base and boosting Polish science, but limited science-business links continue to constrain innovation. Strengthening R&D commercialisation and creating a more innovation-friendly environment, including for start- ups and scale-ups, could turn research into future economic growth.

European Semester Spring Package 2026 - Two-page summary

Country report

Published as part of the Spring Package, country reports provide a detailed analysis of each Member State’s economic and social developments and challenges and assess the extent these are addressed by national policies. Additionally, the reports review the implementation of country-specific recommendations from previous Semester cycles.

2026 Country Report - Poland

Country-specific recommendations

Published as part of the Spring Package, the Country-specific recommendations (CSRs) provide tailored guidance to each Member State, suggesting socio-economic and fiscal policy actions to be taken over the next year. The Commission develops the CSRs based on the country reports and its review of the national policy plans submitted by Member States. The draft recommendations are then further discussed by the Council which reaches consensus on a final version over the summer.

The recommendations focus on policy areas that face persistent challenges or are only partially addressed by national policy plans. CSR can cover a wide range of topics, including public finances, pension system reforms, education, innovation challenges, job creation or addressing unemployment.

2026 European Semester:
Country Specific Recommendations / Commission Recommendations

Draft budgetary plan

By mid-October, eurozone Member States are required to submit their draft budgets for the following year to the Commission and the Eurogroup. The Commission assesses their compliance with the CSRs, the agreed net expenditure path and the requirements of the Stability and Growth Pact.

Draft budgets that do not align with past CSRs are addressed in the Opinions on the Draft budgetary Plans, published as part of the Autumn Package. Member States adopt their new national budgets at the end of the year.

Draft budgetary plans 2026

National reform programme (until 2023)

After receiving guidance from the Autumn Package, Member States submit their national policy plans for assessment ahead of the Spring Package. The national reform programme outlines the structural economic reforms that the Member State intends to implement, with a focus on future policies to strengthen employment and growth and prevent or correct macroeconomic imbalances. The programme should also indicate how the planned policies comply with the country-specific recommendations of previous European Semester cycles.

As of 2024, the national reform programmes will be replaced by the medium-term fiscal structural plans.

General publications (26 April 2023):
Poland - National Reform Programme 2023