Vacancy rates holding just below 8%, e-commerce emerging as a key driver of new supply, the growing importance of energy security, and an increased focus on operational efficiency – these are the main trends expected to shape Poland’s logistics real estate market in 2026, according to Prologis Research.
Vacancy Rates Decline in Prime Locations
Prologis experts forecast that Poland’s overall vacancy rate will remain above the European average in 2026, reaching just under 8%, compared with approximately 5% across Europe. At the same time, demand for warehouse space is expected to concentrate increasingly in the most strategic locations. One of these is the Warsaw region, where vacancy levels could fall below 5%.
“The gradual slowdown in speculative development, combined with the absorption of demand that was postponed in 2025 due to market uncertainty, will contribute to declining vacancy rates in Poland’s key logistics hubs in 2026. This applies to the so-called ‘Big Five’ regions: Warsaw, Poznań, Łódź, Wrocław and Upper Silesia. Prologis has been investing in these markets for years, and we are currently seeing growing interest from both existing and prospective customers,” said Paweł Sapek, SVP and Regional Head of Prologis in Central Europe.
E-commerce Continues to Drive Warehouse Demand
According to Prologis Research, e-commerce companies will account for nearly 25% of new global demand for warehouse space in 2026. European e-commerce still offers significant growth potential: online transactions currently represent around 10–15% of total retail sales, compared with more than 30% in the UK. Further expansion of online retail will therefore continue to fuel demand for logistics space across the continent.
Rising consumer expectations regarding delivery speed will further accelerate demand from e-commerce players, particularly for logistics facilities located in or near major urban areas.
Energy Becomes a Key Factor in Building Selection
Research conducted for Prologis Research shows that nearly 90% of executives at the world’s largest companies experienced energy supply disruptions over the past year, including price volatility and outages caused by extreme weather events. As a result, energy considerations are expected to play an increasingly important role in warehouse leasing decisions.
“To help our customers mitigate risks related to energy price volatility, we have entered into a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) that will cover approximately 67% of the energy demand of our Polish portfolio over the next five years. Companies operating in our facilities will have access to energy from a dedicated renewable source, purchased at a fixed, pre-agreed price,” explained Paweł Sapek.
In addition, companies are paying growing attention to access to sufficient power capacity within logistics facilities, enabling them to support complex manufacturing and logistics operations.
Technology and Quality Go Hand in Hand
The next phase of market development will be shaped by facilities designed for maximum efficiency – located closer to end customers, supporting high operational performance, and enabling reductions in energy consumption and carbon emissions. Prologis Research expects that, alongside technological advancement, the overall quality of logistics assets will become an even more decisive factor.
“Changing requirements are driven, among other factors, by the growing adoption of automation. While these solutions significantly improve logistics efficiency, they require adequate power capacity as well as specific structural features, such as reinforced floor slabs,” said Paweł Sapek. “We have been delivering projects of this kind in Poland and across the region for many years, which means that our warehouses – including those built some time ago – are fully aligned with the needs of modern logistics.”