Polish Citizenship By Marriage or Civil Union
APPLYING FOR POLISH CITIZENSHIP THROUGH MARRIAGE
For some people, Polish citizenship by Marriage is the clearest path to obtain a Polish passport and EU citizenship. That’s often because they are already married (or are soon to be married) to a Polish citizen. If that’s the case for you, this may be the most direct path.
Applying for Polish citizenship through marriage takes about 2 years to become a citizen, but it is a good option for couples who would like to share their nationality for the many legal, personal, and cultural benefits that provides access to.
To learn other ways to become a citizen, be sure to check out our page: How to apply for Polish Citizenship.
What is Polish Citizenship by Marriage?
To become a Polish citizen, a foreign national has many options. Citizenship through marriage is an option that keeps families together, and it helps you easily become the same nationality as your spouse—as long as you can prove your commitment to one another.
The major factor (other than marriage itself) is time.
You will need to be married for at least 3 years continuously, and you will need to be living in Poland for multiple years.
This means you will not be able to get Polish citizenship as soon as you marry someone from Poland. That’s true even if you meet all the other criteria already.
Your application will also be in part based on your proficiency in the Polish language. In fact, the country requires anyone applying for citizenship to prove they are able to speak at the B1 level (an official measurement that equates to “proficient”—not “advanced”).
These rules make sure people don’t get a marriage of convenience to easily become citizens. There are many benefits of Polish citizenship, and with those comes a requirement of proving your connection to the country.
Rules for Getting Polish Citizenship Through Marriage
Becoming a citizen this way takes more than saying “I do.” You’ll need to fulfill these requirements:
- Live with a permanent residence permit for 2 years: To be a permanent resident, you can’t leave the country for more than 6 months at a time or for 10 months total during the period. You’ll also need to have already lived in the country for at least 2 years under your temporary residence permit, you’ll be eligible to get a permanent residence permit.
or
Live with an EU long-term residence permit for 2 years
or
Live with the right of permanent residence for 2 years - Apply for Polish citizenship: With all of this in place, you’ll be able to apply for citizenship. But you need to make sure all the following apply:
- You’ve been married to a Polish citizen for at least 3 years continuously
- You’ve been living in Poland using a permanent residence permit for at least 2 years
- You pass a Polish language proficiency test at the B1 level
As you can see, depending on where you are with your residency, you could have several years ahead before you apply for Polish citizenship through marriage. Many people will need to spend over 4 years in the process.
Still, if you already live in the country and have been married for some time, you might only need to test your proficiency in Polish and then apply.
Major Caveat: Same-Sex Marriage
Poland does not recognize same-sex marriage. For this reason, they will not honor Polish citizenship by marriage for same-sex couples.
How to Apply for Polish Citizenship by Marriage?
All you need to do is take the following steps:
- Prepare you documents
- A filled out application form
- Marriage certificate (must be issued within 3 months of the application)
- Official copies of documents showing your spouse is a Polish citizen
- Official copies of documents showing you live together (e.g. a lease agreement)
- Pay the stamp duty of PLN 219 (send in the receipt for this)
- Submit your application
If you have extraordinary circumstances, the government may want to see other documentation.
Where to Apply for Polish Citizenship by Marriage?
You will need to send your application, either in person or by mail, to the voivodeship governor of your area in Poland. You’ll also need to pay the PLN 219 fee through their website.
How Long Does It Take to Apply for Polish Citizenship Through Marriage?
If you have all of your requirements already met, the government claims you’ll receive an answer about 2 months after sending in the application. Of course, a lot can happen, and your application could hit a snag.
That being said, other people get an answer back sooner than 2 months.
Want Help With the Process?
Getting Polish citizenship by marriage can be complicated. That’s especially true if you don’t have clear and obvious documentation of living together.
That’s why many people seeking citizenship this way need help.
We know because that’s what we do—help people share Polish citizenship with their spouse. Reach out to use for a FREE consultation call. We’ll go over your individual circumstances and see what the best next steps are.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I get Polish citizenship through marriage?
Yes, you can. But you’ll need to have been married for 3 years continuously and lived in Poland for 4 years continuously.
Can I get a Polish passport if my wife is Polish?
Yes, but the process is somewhat involved. First, you have to become a Polish citizen. For that, you’ll need to live in Poland for at least 2 years on a permanent residence permit. You’ll also need to be married to a Polish person for 3 years. On top of everything, you’ll have to show proficiency in the Polish language by taking an official test. Once you’ve taken these steps and become a citizen, we can apply for a Polish passport at your local Polish consulate.
For more information on getting a Polish passport, check out our guide here.
What if my application for Polish citizenship by marriage isn’t successful?
Sometimes, the voivodeship governor will reject your application. If so, there are still steps you can take.
Within 14 days of getting the rejection, submit an appeal to the Minister of the Interior and Administration (Ministerstwo Spraw Wewnętrznych i Administracji, MSWiA). This can be done through the mail or in person.
