Polish Citizenship By Descent
APPLYING FOR POLAND CITIZENSHIP BY DESCENT
Gaining Polish Citizenship by Descent Through Ancestors
People across the world every year try to become citizens of Poland as it is one of the few countries in the European Union that allows citizenship by descent. This Polish ancestry law makes Poland one of the best countries in the EU to be granted European citizenship if you qualify. It allows you to reconnect with your Polish ancestry and have special ties to the country.
What is the easiest way to become a Polish citizen? By descent, if you qualify.
If you can prove your ancestor was a Polish citizen and fall within the qualification requirements then you have a viable path to reclaim your Polish heritage and gain access to the endless benefits of being a citizen of the European Union (EU) and obtaining an EU passport.
But how does Polish citizenship by descent work? What will you need? And what challenges do people typically face?
Let’s answer all of these questions and more in this comprehensive guide.
Polish Citizenship by Descent at a Glance
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | At least one Polish parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent who was a Polish citizen post-1920 |
| Disqualifications | - Ancestors renounced their citizenship - Accepted public office or military service in a foreign country pre-1951 without Polish consent. |
| Approved Documents | Any ONE of these five will make the process almost certain: - Polish passports - Re-emigration cards - Polish ID cards - Registration cards - Military records Without one of these, you’ll need documents to prove two things: (1) that you are the ancestor of someone, and (2) they were a Polish citizen after 1920. |
| What Proves Ancestry | - Birth certificate - Marriage certificate - Naturalization records |
| What Proves Polish Citizenship | - Residency records - Military service records |
| How to Authenticate Documents | - Must be originals or certified by a Polish notary or consul - Must be translated into Polish by a government-recognized translator |
| Common Challenges | - Lack of documents - Poor authentication of documents - Damage to archives |
| Application Process | - Gather documents - Validate eligibility - Submit through Polish consulate or governor - Attend interviews - Wait for processing |
| Typical Processing Time | Typically 2 - 24 months if the documents are all in order |
What is Polish Nationality by descent?
Polish nationality by descent is the same thing as Polish citizenship by descent. It grants someone citizenship with Poland as long as they have one Polish parent, grandparent, or (sometimes) great-grandparent who was born in Poland and meets the eligibility requirements.
With the right documentation, you’ll be able to prove this Polish ancestry to the Polish government. That’s enough to be granted full Polish citizenship—that includes the same rights to live, work, and get an education in Poland and the EU.
What is Jus Sanguinis?
For citizenship, Poland follows the legal principle of jus sanguinis (the “right of blood”).
This principle means that, no matter where you were born, you are considered a Polish citizen if you come from Polish blood.
Note that this differs from the principle jus soli (the “right of the soil”). That principle grants citizenship to anyone who is born inside the country (on the soil), as is the case in the United States.
It’s important to keep in mind the principle of jus sanguinis while navigating the process of applying for Polish nationality by descent, as it will determine what documents will be required for your case. Learn more about how to apply for Polish citizenship by descent below.
How to Get Poland Citizenship by Descent through a Parent, Grandparent, or Great Grandparent
You can get Poland citizenship by descent if you can prove one of your parents was/is a Polish citizen. You will be required to gather all of the documents and supporting documents showing their Polish citizenship and produce a fully complete citizenship portfolio with your application.
If your grandparent or great-grandparent was a citizen, you may still be eligible for Poland citizenship by descent.
The major caveat here is that Polish nationality by descent before 1920 isn’t possible. Why is that? 1920 is the year the country first passed modern citizenship laws. So while there are no limits to how many generations back you can go to prove Polish ancestry, they’ll need to have been in the country in a little over the last 100 years.
For more information on this, check out our article getting Polish Citizenship Through Great-Grandparents.
What documents do I need for citizenship by descent in Poland?
Any documents you collect will need to be new certified originals. If they are not, you’ll need to get them certified by the Polish consul or notary in the country in order for them to issue you a Polish passport by descent.
For citizenship by descent Poland requires the following documents:
- Passports: Polish passports or travel documents of your ancestors.
- Karta Rejestracyjna Reemigracyjna (Re-emigration Registration Card): This is an old part of the Polish passport, and it shows that your ancestor was brought into the Second Polish Republic.
- Polish ID Cards: These are useful if they are older. The thinking is that newer ID cards do not make a compelling case that your family has a long history in Poland.
- Karta Meldunkowa (Registration Card): This card used to be used in the country to register where someone lived.
- Książeczka Wojskowa (Military Book): These were given to servicemen for writing down their military records. Because Polish citizenship was required to serve, it makes for stellar proof of citizenship.
Do I need any other documents?
If you don’t have any of the above, there are other documents that can support your case—though they aren’t of the one-and-done variety.
As with the list above, all of the following documents need to be original or certified by the appropriate authority when applying for citizenship by descent in Poland.
1. Proof of Ancestry
This establishes that your ancestry was in Poland. But remember, it isn’t enough to prove an ancestor was born in Poland (because the country uses the “rule of blood” rather than the “rule of land”).
- Birth Certificates: For you, your parents, grandparents, and any relevant ancestors. This establishes people’s names and identities.
- Marriage Certificates: To establish familial links and clarify the cause of name changes.
- Naturalization Records: If ancestors became naturalized citizens of other countries.
2. Proof of Polish Citizenship
Direct proof of Polish ancestry citizenship is always best. These have to show strong links and ongoing connection to Poland.
- Residency Records: Evidence of residence in Poland by your ancestors.
3. Additional Supporting Documents
- Apostille or Legalization: Ensures foreign documents are recognized by Polish authorities.
- Certified Translations: All documents must be translated into Polish by an authorized translator.
Challenges to Claim Poland Citizenship by Descent
In the process of proving your ancestors were Polish, you may run into any number of issues. Below, we’ve outlined the most common:
- Lack of Documentation: This is one of the most difficult to overcome—but it isn’t impossible! An exhaustive search will include state, church, and military archives. In some cases, you’ll need to track down documentation in Ukraine or Belarus if your ancestor’s birthplace changed countries in 1939 and 1945.
- Lack of Document Authentication: It’s essential that the documents you use are all authenticated. If they need to be translated into Polish, you’ll have to use an approved translator. Similarly, official Polish notaries must be used.
How to Apply for a Polish Passport by Descent? (Step-by-Step)
This list below will help you when learning how to get Polish dual citizenship by descent. It can serve as a step-by-step guide through the basics of the Polish ancestry citizenship process.
- Gather documents
- Validate your eligibility
- Authenticate and interpret documents with the help of official translators and notaries
- Fill out the application available through your Polish consular post of your territorial jurisdiction (if you are in Poland, you must apply through the province governor)
- Pay all charges and administrative fees
- Wait for processing
- Attend any interviews that are required for further verification
- Obtain confirmation of Polish citizenship by descent
- Use citizenship to get your Polish passport and other ID
What happens if my application for Polish Citizenship by Descent is Denied?
Don’t be discouraged if you end up failing to get your Polish dual citizenship by descent. There are still many ways forward which includes obtaining Polish citizenship by marriage as well as by living in the country for several years before applying.
To learn all the ways how to get Polish citizenship, check out this resource.
How long will it take to get Polish Citizenship by Descent?
If you have all the required documentation to apply for Polish nationality by descent, it should take around 1-3 years to have your Certificate of Confirmation in hand.
This number can lengthen considerably if there are issues with your documentation. This is why it is important to have a strong advocate working for you.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How many generations back can you claim Polish citizenship?
Polish descent citizenship can be claimed as long as you can trace your lineage to a Polish parent, grandparent, or even great-grandparent. If they lived in Poland after 1920 and you have documentation proving that they both lived in the country and are your direct ancestor, you are eligible.
Can I get Polish citizenship through my grandfather?
Yes, you can obtain Polish citizenship by descent through your grandfather—unless he lost or renounced his Polish nationality. As with any other ancestor, you need documented proof of your connection to him as well as his Polish citizenship at the time of your parent’s birth.
Do I qualify for Polish citizenship by descent?
Simply trace your ancestry back to a Polish citizen who lived in the country after 1920 (it became a sovereign state in 1918 and passed its modern citizenship laws two years later). If the ancestor did not renounce their citizenship, you have a great opportunity to become one yourself!
Who is eligible for Polish citizenship by descent?
Eligibility for Polish dual citizenship by descent is based entirely on lineage. That means anyone with Polish parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents may qualify.
It should be noted that your ancestor may have lost their Polish nationality—which would prevent you from getting Polish citizenship by descent. It can be lost through foreign military service (with the exception of fighting for any of the Allies during WWII), renouncing it, or naturalization in another country.
How do you prove Polish ancestry for citizenship?
Proving Polish ancestry requires legal documents (like birth and marriage certificates), passports, or military records. These need to establish your direct connection to a Polish ancestor and their life in the country.
Because of the “rule of blood”—it isn’t enough for your ancestor to be born in Poland. They need to have lived in Poland.
How do you qualify for Polish citizenship?
To qualify for citizenship by descent Poland, you simply have to demonstrate that you have at least one of your ancestors who was a Polish citizen. That citizenship can then be passed down. This process often requires substantial documentation proving your ancestry and that your relative did not lose their Polish citizenship. Despite that, it is still the easiest and most direct way to become a citizen.
How many generations does it take to get Polish citizenship?
There is no limit on the number of generations you can go back. However, your ancestor needs to have been a citizen after 1920 when modern citizenship laws were first passed in Poland.
Can I claim Polish citizenship by descent?
If you fit the eligibility requirement above, then Yes, you can claim Polish citizenship by descent. The ability to claim depends on whether your ancestor maintained Polish nationality without interruption.
Can I claim Polish citizenship if my ancestor left before 1920?
You can claim Polish citizenship by descent before 1920 under certain circumstances, but only if they lived in Austria-Hungary. This makes the process much more complicated due to the amount of documentation needed.
How to get Polish citizenship by descent Jewish ancestry?
Polish citizenship by descent for Jewish people is possible, as long as you can prove your family’s Polish citizenship through documents like birth or immigration records, and that they did not renounce their citizenship before the relevant legal changes.
This page was last updated with help by Marco Permunian
Contact Us
There are many ways to qualify for Poland citizenship by descent. Contact us at (213) 557-6220 to learn if you qualify.
