The present invention relates to an apparatus and process for the gas phase polymerisation of olefins, the apparatus comprising: a) a reaction zone comprising a grid at its base, b) an inlet located in the lower half of the reaction zone for introduction of a reaction gas to the reaction zone, c) an outlet located in the upper half of the reaction zone for removal of the reaction gas from the reaction zone, and d) a solids separation unit having an inlet fluidly connected to the outlet for removal of the reaction gas from the reaction zone, characterised in that the inlet of the solids separation unit is located at a vertical height lower than the outlet for removal of reaction gas from the reaction zone and such that the angle to the horizontal of a straight line drawn between the inlet of the solids separation unit and the outlet for removal of reaction gas from the reaction zone is greater than 20°.