Poland restricts public access to beneficial ownership register from 2027

The Polish government adopted a bill on Tuesday that will restrict access to the Central Register of Ultimate Beneficiaries, requiring proof of legitimate interest from January 1, 2027. This reverses the current public-access regime, likely to reduce transparency and complicate due diligence for journalists and civil society. The move aligns with broader EU debates on balancing transparency with privacy, but may draw criticism from anti-corruption advocates.