Polish public statistics collects and publishes statistical data also on areas that cannot be counted as the units of the fundamental three-tier territorial division of Poland, as the NUTS statistical regions or as the units of Union territorial typologies. These areas are designated on the basis of various legal attachments (e.g. areas of the regional directorates of the State Forests, areas of operation of the Regional Water Management Boards, Euroregions) or due to various interim needs (e.g. areas of a realization of integrated territorial investments).

The most important functional areas include:

• Górnośląsko-Zagłębiowska Metropolis (Metropolis GZM)
• Areas of a realization of integrated territorial investments (ITI)
• Areas of realization of supra-regional strategies