Poland is among the ten largest countries in the European Union. Its citizenship allows you to travel around Europe without a visa. Plus, it secures you single medical insurance, free education, and official employment throughout the whole EU.
In the last ten years, Poland’s population shrunk by a million people. The birth rate is decreasing as well: in 2017, 402,000 babies were born in Poland and in 2022, the figure had fallen by a further 96,000. This is why Poland is so interested in attracting new citizens from other countries.
Here is what you need to know about getting a Polish passport and the paperwork that you need.
Polish Citizenship: Conditions
There are currently several ways to acquire Polish citizenship: by presidential ruling, by marriage, by naturalisation, or through a “Pole’s Card.” In any case, it is crucial to comply with the following conditions:
- knowing the laws and the history of the country: this will be tested in an exam;
- language fluency: this will also be tested;
- having a stable income: you will need to confirm it on paper;
- residing in Poland permanently: you will need to file for the so-called “zameldowanie” (registration of residence).
Reasons for Denying an Applicant Polish Citizenship
Like any other state, Poland cares about its security. The authorities may refuse to grant citizenship for the following reasons:
- connection with terrorist organisations;
- being on an international wanted list;
- breaking Polish laws;
- insufficient residence term on the Polish territory;
- errors in the submitted paperwork.
Warszawa. Photo: Maksym Harbar (Unspalsh)
Polish Language Exam
It is impossible to acquire citizenship without a certificate of knowledge of the Polish language. The exam is split into three stages held in specialised language schools and universities.
The exam comprises five units:
- listening,
- reading,
- grammar,
- writing,
- speaking.
To pass the exam, you need to complete at least 60% of the overall number of tasks. In 2022, an attempt at the exam would have cost you from €120 to €180, plus extra €20 for the certificate.
How to Get Polish Citizenship
Getting a Polish passport may not be an easy endeavour. Let’s take a closer look at each of the routes and the obstacles that may occur on the way.
By Naturalisation
This option is for those who do not have any relatives in Poland. The main condition for naturalisation is to be residing in Poland for at least ten years.
How do you go through naturalisation and become a Pole?
- Get a migration visa for one year.
- Apply for a residence permit for certain reasons, for instance, for work or study.
- Live in Poland for four years and apply for permanent residence.
- Live there for six more years as a permanent resident before you file for citizenship.
Kraków. Photo: Jacek Dylag (Unsplash)
By Birth
A child born to two citizens of Poland is automatically granted Polish citizenship upon birth. If one of the parents is a citizen of a different country, they need to express their consent, otherwise the child will not acquire the status of a Polish citizen. The same mechanism is applied to adoption.
By Descent
In the early 2000s, Poland launched a repatriation programme: people of Polish descent are eligible for an expedited citizenship acquisition procedure. First, they need to get a repatriate visa and then apply for a passport.
Repatriates are people of Polish descent who had a Polish ancestor no more than three generations ago. But they will need to prove that, for instance, with the following documents:
- Documents certifying their Polish origins: birth, marriage, or death certificate that states nationality; a standard Soviet citizen’s passport from the USSR archives, a christening or marriage certificate confirming attribution to Poland.
- A deportation certificate of convicted relatives of Polish nationality. This document may be stored in the local archives at the relative’s place of registration.
- A military registration card with an entry about service in Poland.
Children under 16 are entitled to acquire repatriate citizenship alongside their parents or legal guardians. A child over 16 years of age needs to give their written consent.
For a visa, you need to provide the following:
- colour photo;
- detailed biography;
- birth certificate;
- familial status certificate;
- a citizen’s identification and a confirmation of residence in the territories eligible for repatriation.
The consul may refuse to grant a visa if the repatriate fails to provide:
- confirmation of a residence in Poland (e.g., a letter of intent from Polish citizens related to the repatriate),
- confirmation of a source of income on the territory of the state (a certificate of employment or a registered business).
By Pole’s Card
In 2007, the Sejm (the lower house of the parliament of Poland) introduced the Pole’s Card confirming attribution to the Polish nation. Most of its users live in the former Soviet Union and the Baltic states.
To get a Pole’s Card, you will need the following documents confirming your Polish descent:
- a parent’s birth certificate;
- an identification stating the line of connection with Poland (e.g., education certificate);
- a military registration card confirming service in the Polish Army;
- documents confirming the arrest of an ancestor from Poland.
When filing for a Pole’s Card, you will need to submit papers issued by government agencies or the Church. Children under 16 are entitled to a Pole’s card if one of their parents already has one.
Once you receive your Pole’s Card, first, you need to apply to your voivodeship (the highest administrative division in Poland) to request a so-called Karta Pobytu, a document similar to a residence permit. Once you get your Karta Pobytu, you can write to the president to request citizenship. The request is reviewed within one year.
Gdańsk. Photo: Sebastian Huber (Unsplash)
By Marriage
Marrying a Polish citizen is not sufficient ground for automatic granting of a passport. But it does significantly simplify the naturalisation process because it entitles you to a permanent residence.
Citizenship by marriage is achievable provided you comply with the following conditions:
- married for at least three years, during two of which you do not leave Poland;
- a certificate of Polish language proficiency;
- living legally in Poland through residence.
During all three years, a special inspector assigned by the local voivodeship will visit and monitor the spouses. When all the conditions are met, you can apply for citizenship.
By Business
Starting your own business, just like a marriage to a Polish citizen, does not automatically convert to citizenship. But when registering a company, the entrepreneur can apply for residence immediately. To receive permanent residence, your company needs to operate for five years and pay tax. An important factor for running a business in Poland is that your employees must be Polish or EU citizens.
Obtaining Polish citizenship through business:
- Register your company and receive a certificate from the KRS (the Polish register of entrepreneurs). It will serve as the basis for issuing your visa.
- Obtain a Schengen or a business visa.
- Enter Poland.
- Apply for Karta Pobytu.
- Complete an interview in a local voivodeship where you need to confirm your income.
- Receive your Karta Pobytu.
Your next step to citizenship is filing for a temporary residence permit. For that, you will need to gather the following documents:
- application for residency;
- four photos;
- international passport;
- confirmation of income;
- medical insurance;
- certificate of regular and stable income;
- confirmation of grounds for residency.
In a Nutshell
Obtaining a Polish passport is not that easy. It is much simpler to receive a temporary or permanent residency permit because in terms of your rights, you will be almost equal to the country’s citizens. But for those who have Polish ancestors or a Polish spouse, the road to citizenship is open.
Cover photo: wirestock (Freepik)
