Is Microsoft the Best Employer in Poland in 2025?

Ask Polish job seekers and students who tops their wish lists, and Microsoft is always in the frame. Recent rankings show a nuanced picture. In Forbes Polska’s 2025 “Best Employers” list (with Statista), Microsoft took the #1 spot in IT/telecom, edging out Google and Poland’s CD Projekt. Yet Universum Global’s 2024 student survey still crowned Google the #1 ideal employer across multiple fields, with Microsoft #2.

So the question for 2025 isn’t just simply “who’s best,” but rather how Microsoft continues to maintain its brand attraction and how it compares to other top employers like Google, in the eyes of Poland’s talent.

Microsoft’s Strong Showing in Polish Employer Rankings

Across benchmarks, Microsoft is a top-tier employer in Poland, even if Google retains a slight edge in broad student popularity. In Universum’s annual student ranking, Microsoft consistently lands near the very top; tech dominates these lists because, as Magazyn Rekruter notes, “students clearly have an appetite for Big Tech.” 

In 2024, Google was #1 overall, with Microsoft second, ahead of LOT, the National Bank of Poland (NBP), and Deloitte — no small feat given the hundreds of companies vying for attention. These rankings are a reflection of talent’s overall opinion of employers in their countries, and serve as a benchmark to gauge the health of local employer brands.

This year’s Forbes Polska/Statista’s 2025 results crowned Microsoft the top employer in IT/telecom, citing high scores in company image, working conditions, and professional development. That suggests Microsoft’s employer brand has strengthened to the point where it can challenge — and even surpass — Google on measures that reflect day-to-day workplace experience.

So, is Microsoft the best employer in Poland? By some metrics yes — arguably the best in tech given the Forbes result — though by others Google still leads overall. What’s clear is that Microsoft is firmly in the conversation for #1.

Why Polish Talent Is Drawn to Microsoft

Prestige and innovation come first. Microsoft’s name carries weight, and its mission — empowering people and organizations “to achieve more” — maps the work that touches cloud computing, AI, software, cybersecurity, and even gaming. For many students, joining Microsoft has the same appeal as joining Google: you’re at a top global firm building products that impact millions.

Compensation and growth matter just as much. In Universum’s 2023 survey, Polish students rated “attractive salary” #1, followed by career development and professional training.  Microsoft checks those boxes with competitive pay, structured learning via Microsoft Learn and mentorship programs, and room to develop skills that can lead to building new projects — similar in spirit to Google’s “20% time.”

Culture and conditions also stand out. Under CEO Satya Nadella (since 2014), Microsoft has shifted toward a more open, collaborative, and inclusive culture, a change noticed in Poland. Feedback cited by Forbes points to a positive work environment, while Microsoft’s Poland ratings on Glassdoor sit around 4.0/5 for flexibility and benefits. A very high score compared to peers on the portal.

Hybrid work is embraced; Polish offices allow significant remote options. Perks such as private healthcare, generous parental leave, and stock awards align with what professionals value: security, fair pay, and real growth. 

Just as important, Microsoft Poland has been present for over 30 years without major scandals and invests in community and skills-building initiatives.

Microsoft’s Deepening Roots in Poland

Microsoft opened its first Polish office in 1992 and now anchors teams in Warsaw with supplementary engineering teams in other cities. Industry sources note large R&D/engineering centers in Warsaw and Poznań, and Microsoft Poland’s workforce has grown to include “nearly 500 managers and professionals” supporting customers and partners nationwide. 

While that is smaller than Google’s 2,000+ employees in Poland, Microsoft’s influence is amplified by a vast partner ecosystem — thousands of Polish IT firms and startups that collaborate with it.

Investment has been steady and visible. In 2020, Microsoft launched the “Polish Digital Valley” initiative committing $1 billion to local cloud data centers and digital skilling. The first Microsoft Azure data center region in Poland opened in 2023, with an additional $700 million investment set aside up till 2026 to expand AI and cloud infrastructure. 

In February this year, Brad Smith (Vice Chair and President) and Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced a new PLN 2.8 billion investment in cloud infrastructure and upskilling — underscored by a handshake in Warsaw.

These moves create local tech jobs and signal long-term commitment. Microsoft is partnering with universities, funding AI research (including the Polish-language LLM “Bielik” model), and working with the government on cybersecurity. It has pledged to train 1 million workers, students, and educators by the end of 2025 and had already helped train 430,000 people by 2023, programs spanning cloud certifications, AI upskilling, and computer science education in schools. 

Therefore, It’s reasonable to suggest that Microsoft invests in your development whether you join now or later.

Competition Among The Best Employers in Poland 

The race for “best employer” is tight, especially in tech. Google, Microsoft, Intel, Apple, IBM, and Samsung routinely rank near the top for engineering and IT graduates. Google’s prestige, perks, and culture keep it #1 in many student surveys, but Microsoft’s surge, powered by AI, Azure, Xbox, and a refreshed image, means no one has an unassailable lead. 

Microsoft beating Google in Forbes/Statista’s 2025 IT/telecom category reinforces how employee sentiment can favor Microsoft on management style and stability.

Beyond Big Tech, consulting, banking, and gaming attract top talent. Deloitte, EY, PwC, PKO BP, ING Bank Slaski, and CD Projekt Red all compete hard, while Intel’s large R&D centers in Gdańsk and Samsung’s sizeable Warsaw R&D centre keep both brands in top 10 lists. Even so, in Universum’s 2024 IT lists, Microsoft was essentially neck-and-neck with Google for #1.

A Worthy Challenger for #1

So, is Microsoft the best employer in Poland in 2025? It depends on who you ask — students or current employees. Students still give Google a slight overall edge, but employee-focused rankings show Microsoft on top in tech and closing fast elsewhere.

At this point, it’s fair to say Microsoft is one of the best employers in Poland. It offers virtually everything a top candidate would want: meaningful work, strong compensation, learning pathways, flexible conditions, and a reputable brand. 

If Google is #1 by a hair, Microsoft is 1A — and for those who prefer a more structured, mature environment, it may be the first choice. The label “best” is subjective, but in aggregate scores and real investment in Poland’s ecosystem, Microsoft has set a high bar in 2025. 

And with its deepening roots in Poland’s economy and talent pool, Microsoft’s status in the eyes of Polish employees may climb even higher in the years to come, perhaps claiming that #1 spot outright.

Author: Richardson Chinonyerem

See Also:

Is Google the Best Employer in Poland

Who Are Poland’s Best Employers 2022?