Obtaining Polish Citizenship

Dreaming of living in a progressive European country and receiving a European pension in the future? The only path to making this dream a reality is obtaining citizenship in one of the EU countries.

Having studied the experiences of our clients and the legislative frameworks of various EU countries, we have concluded that acquiring Polish citizenship is significantly easier compared to other European nations.

Poland is home to many foreigners who diligently contribute to the Polish budget through tax payments. Additionally, a considerable number of foreigners develop their own businesses in Poland, pay taxes, and create jobs for both other foreigners and Polish citizens. Such individuals are a valuable part of Polish society, and for this reason, the government has made the legislation for obtaining Polish citizenship relatively straightforward, with conditions that are fairly easy to meet. If you have Polish roots, acquiring citizenship is not difficult. Without Polish ancestry, this requires long-term residency combined with official work experience.

How to Obtain Polish Citizenship?

You can obtain Polish citizenship in two ways:

1. Through the Voivodeship Office (Urząd Wojewódzki).
2. Through the Office of the President of Poland.

In the first case, the applicant must submit the necessary documents to the Voivodeship Office. This option is not available to all foreigners but only to those who meet certain conditions, such as having Polish roots or officially residing in Poland for over 10 years.
In the second case, any foreigner can submit documents to the President’s Office at any stage of their stay in the country. However, such cases may take years to process, and the number of positive outcomes is very limited. To obtain citizenship through the president, one must have special merits to the state. For example, a foreigner who recently saved two children from a fire was granted citizenship in this manner.

Which Foreigners Can Apply for Polish Citizenship?

Let’s take a closer look at who is eligible to apply for a Polish passport.

1. Individuals of Polish DescentForeigners who can document their Polish roots are entitled to apply for permanent residence (Karta Stałego Pobytu) and, after a year, for citizenship.
2. Individuals Without Polish DescentForeigners without Polish roots can acquire Polish citizenship in the following ways:

● Official residence and work in Poland for 10 years.In this case, you must first apply for permanent residence or an EU long-term resident card, and after three years, you can apply for a Polish passport. 
● Marriage to a Polish citizen.For this, several stages of legalization must be completed. First, you need to obtain temporary residence, followed by permanent residence. You can apply for citizenship after two years of permanent residence, provided the marriage has lasted at least three years by the time of application. 
● Residence in Poland as a refugee for at least 2 years. Important: Ukrainians currently residing in Poland under PESEL UKR status have temporary protection, not refugee status. Therefore, they can apply for citizenship only through marriage to a Polish citizen or after 10 years of residence and official employment (if they lack Polish roots).

3. Children of Polish CitizensChildren whose parents are Polish citizens or who are adopted by Polish citizens.

Conditions for Submitting Documents for Citizenship Through the Voivodeship Office

● Possession of health insurance.
● Stable and reliable source of income. ● Permanent residence in Poland.
● Proficiency in Polish at a level not lower than B1.

A permanent residence card or Polish citizenship is an important step for those planning to live in Poland long-term. Citizenship grants full access to rights and opportunities, including a European pension, social guarantees, and unrestricted residence in Poland. If you have Polish roots or meet the conditions, applying for citizenship is a reliable step toward a stable future in Europe.

If you need professional assistance in preparing documents, contact specialists for a consultation.