Polish Citizenship Requirements, Do You Qualify?
UNDERSTANDING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLYING FOR POLAND CITIZENSHIP
Polish Passport requirements
Polish citizenship is an appealing prospect for people around the world with Polish ancestry. It’s a wonderful place to call home—full of economic opportunity, great education, terrific healthcare, and a thriving culture. But not everyone can become a Polish citizen and obtain a Polish passport.
So, what are the requirements for citizenship in Poland, and do you meet them?
We’ve put together the following guide to quickly show you the best way forward to become a Polish citizen for your exact situation.
Polish Nationality Requirements at a Glance
There are six main ways that someone can become a Polish citizen. In the table below, these six Polish passport requirements are outlined:
| Type | Requirements |
|---|---|
| By Descent | - Documents showing that a parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent had/has Polish citizenship after 1920 - This ancestor never renounced their citizenship - This ancestor never served in a foreign military (except for the Allied Powers during WWII) |
| By Marriage | - Continuously live in Poland for 2 years - Have a residence permit for 3 years of marriage - Documented ability to speak Polish |
| By Recognition | - Ask for citizenship, can document understanding of the Polish language, are decided to not be a security risk, and have fulfilled one of the following: - Lived in Poland for the last 2 years as either a refugee, repatriate, permanent resident (married or stateless) - Lived in Poland for the last 3 years as a permanent resident with a source of income and own your own home or apartment - Lived in Poland for the last 8 years and have permanent resident status for any length of time with a source of income and own your own home or apartment |
| By Power of Law | - You were born in Poland and your parents have unknown citizenship OR - You were found in Poland as a minor and parents were unknown |
| By Investment (rare) | - Live for 3 years in Poland with a permanent residence permit - Documents showing you own a business in Poland with an annual income of at least €15,000 |
| By Granting (very rare) | - President of Poland directly grants citizenship to a foreigner |
Requirements for Citizenship in Poland by Descent
Polish nationality is possible to obtain if you can prove that your ancestor (parent, grandparent, and in some cases great-grandparent) was a Polish citizen.
The major caveats are:
- The ancestor needs to have been a Polish citizen after 1920
- They cannot have officially renounced their citizenship
- They cannot have served in a foreign military while a citizen (except if they fought for the Allies in WWII) up to the year 1951
- They cannot have served in a foreign public office before 1951
Check out our full guide on citizenship by descent here.
Requirements for Citizenship in Poland by Marriage
Poland does not automatically grant citizenship to people who marry Polish citizens. That being said, marriage is still a way to naturalize.
The requirements for citizenship in Poland this way require:
- Legal marriage to a Polish citizen lasting at least 3 years
- Stayed continuously in Poland for 2 years with a permanent residence permit (this requires a temporary residence permit first)
- Documented knowledge of the Polish language
Check out our full guide on citizenship by marriage here.
Requirements for Citizenship in Poland by Recognition
This path has many variants available to you, and it might be the most open-ended and easiest form to get.
For any citizenship by recognition, you’ll need to prove that you know the Polish language and pose no security risk to the country. Then, you’ll need to meet only one of these:
- Lived in Poland for the last 2 years as
- Refugee
- Repatriate
- Permanent resident (and have no citizenship elsewhere)
- Lived in Poland for the last 3 years as a permanent resident with stable income and ownership of your home or apartment
- Lived in Poland for the last 8 years and have been a permanent resident for any length of time with stable income and ownership of your home or apartment
Requirements for Citizenship in Poland by Power of Law
Requirements for citizenship by power of law are mainly there to help minors gain citizenship. This is a way of protecting their rights and ensuring they enjoy the full benefits of membership to the country where they live. You are eligible if you meet any of the following conditions:
- At least one of your parents was a Polish citizen before your birth
- You were born inside Poland and you parents do not have recognized citizenship elsewhere
- You were found inside Poland as a minor without parents
Requirements for Citizenship in Poland by Investment
This is not a very common occurrence, but if you do business in Poland, it might be relevant for you. It’s a pathway to citizenship based on economic impact in the country’s economy.
The requirements for citizenship by investment are:
- Get a temporary residence permit (this is required to open a business in the country)
- Own a business in Poland
- The business makes at least €15,000 annually
- Apply for permanent residence permit (requires living in Poland under a temporary residence permit for 3 years)
- Apply for citizenship by naturalization after 3 years with a permanent residence permit
Requirements for Citizenship in Poland by Granting
The President of Poland has the power to grant citizenship to anyone who asks for it. This requires filling out the proper application and waiting for the verdict.
Understanding Requirements for Polish Nationality
Now that you’ve seen the many pathways to become a Polish citizen, you can chart the best course for you to meet the requirements.
But even in the easiest of circumstances, it can be a difficult journey. That’s why many people turn to experts for guidance.
Would you like help on the path to becoming a Polish citizen? Reach out for a FREE consultation call today.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Do I need to renounce my citizenship to become a citizen of Poland?
Poland allows dual citizenship, so they do not require you to renounce your current citizenship status. However, the country you are currently a citizen in may not allow dual citizenship, meaning they could revoke your status in that country.
What are the benefits of Polish citizenship?
This page was last updated with help by Marco Permunian
Dual Citizenship Services
– Determine if you qualify to apply
– Free phone consultation
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– Qualifying for citizenship by descent
– Apply for Polish citizenship
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