The establishment of the Polish state in 1918 was favourably received by the Scandinavian counties, and diplomatic relations were established fairly soon afterwards. Finland was the first Scandinavian country to recognise Poland de iure on 8 March 1919, followed by Denmark on 30 May 1919, Norway one day later and finally Sweden on 3 June 1919.

In the first years of the Polish state the Scandinavian press wrote at length about the Polish–Soviet war of 1920, the plebiscite in Warmia (Ermeland) and Mazuria, the Silesian uprisings and other events. Since Poland was in a difficult economic situation, the Scandinavian countries refrained from developing economic contacts with it. It was not until the 1930s that they signed trade and credit agreements, established cultural contacts and started scientific co-operation with Poland.

There were no close political ties between the Scandinavian countries and Poland in spite of the offers made by the Polish side. Józef Beck, who became Poland's Foreign Minister on 2 November 1932, wanted to intensify political dialogue. In the years 1934–8, he paid official and private visits to the Scandinavian countries, trying to persuade Oslo, Copenhagen, Helsinki and Stockholm to establish closer co-operation with Poland. However, his proposals did not meet with a favourable reception. Guided by political realism, the Scandinavian politicians focused their attention on co-operation between the northern states and did not want to get involved in central European conflicts.