Obtaining Polish citizenship is undoubtedly the dream of many people outside the European Union, who see the benefits of holding a passport from one of the EU Member States. After all, Polish citizenship provides the opportunity to travel freely around Europe, easier access to labour markets in EU countries or a wide range of social rights and privileges.
Although the process may seem complicated and time-consuming, there are several quicker paths to obtaining Polish citizenship. Below we will take a look at the most common and fastest ways to Polish citizenship that may be available to different groups of people. If you would like to find out more on the subject, we encourage you to visit https://fivetoeurope.com/polish-citizenship-confirmation/, where you will find even more valuable information.
Citizenship by Descent
One of the quickest and easiest ways to acquire Polish citizenship is through descent, i.e. the principle of blood law (ius sanguinis). This means that a person whose parents or ancestors were Polish citizens has the right to apply for confirmation of Polish citizenship.
Who may take advantage of this path?
– Children of Polish citizens – if at least one parent has Polish citizenship, the child automatically acquires Polish citizenship.
– Persons with Polish ancestry – in some cases, if a person proves that their grandparents or great-grandparents were Polish citizens before 1951, after 1920 they may also apply for confirmation of Polish citizenship.
This process mainly involves collecting relevant documents confirming Polish ancestry, such as birth certificates, marriage certificates or documents related to ancestral citizenship. Compared to other paths, this is a relatively quick process that does not require a long period of residence in Poland.
Citizenship by Marriage
Another quick way to obtain Polish citizenship is to marry a Polish citizen. This process is done on the basis of naturalisation, but the waiting period can be shortened through marriage.
Conditions for obtaining citizenship by marriage:
– A person who is married to a Polish citizen must have legally resided in Poland for at least 2 years on the basis of a permanent residence card.
– Marriage in itself does not automatically confer citizenship, but it does enable the right of permanent residence to be obtained more quickly, which opens the way to naturalisation after a shorter period of residence in the country.
This is one of the most popular routes among non-EU citizens who have married a Polish citizen and wish to gain full citizenship rights.
Repatriation
Poland also operates a repatriation programme, which is aimed at people of Polish origin who have been forcibly resettled or found themselves outside the country as a result of historical actions, such as World War II.
Who can apply for repatriation?
– Persons of Polish origin who live in the former USSR are entitled to repatriation and to obtain Polish citizenship.
– The key requirement is documentation of Polish ancestry and forced resettlement that took place as a result of political or wartime actions.
The repatriation process, although requiring specific conditions to be met, is one of the fastest methods of obtaining citizenship, as those qualified for the programme automatically become Polish citizens once they settle in the country.
Citizenship by Bestowal
Poland also offers the possibility to obtain citizenship by bestowal by the President of the Republic of Poland.
This is an individual decision of the President, who may grant citizenship to a person regardless of whether they meet formal conditions such as length of residence or origin.
Which individuals can count on citizenship in this form?
– Individuals who have made an exceptional contribution to the social, cultural, scientific or economic life of Poland may apply for citizenship to be granted by the President.
– It also happens that persons of particular merit to Poland, despite having no formal links with the country, are granted citizenship based on a political decision.
Although granting citizenship in this way is not a common practice, it may be the fastest way for some, especially if they can present their merits for Poland.
Naturalisation after Residence
The most traditional, although a slightly longer path to obtaining Polish citizenship is naturalisation. Those who live in Poland permanently can apply for citizenship after a certain period of time. The process is relatively long, but there are ways to make it quicker.
Conditions for applying for citizenship by naturalisation:
– Non-EU nationals must have lived in Poland legally for a minimum of 3 years on the basis of a permanent residence card, while leading a stable professional and family life.
– The applicant must demonstrate at least B1 level knowledge of the Polish language and prove integration into Polish society.
Those who meet these conditions can apply for citizenship and the process itself, although requiring a longer period of residence in Poland, is one of the surest paths to obtaining a Polish passport.
Refugee Status and Citizenship
Persons who have been granted refugee status in Poland also have the possibility to apply for Polish citizenship, but this process differs from standard procedures. This is because it takes into account the specific situation of refugees and international regulations related to the protection of persecuted persons. Refugee status is granted to persons who have left their country due to political, religious, ethnic or armed conflict persecution and who have found protection in Poland.
Having obtained refugee status in Poland, such a person may then apply for Polish citizenship after two years of legal residence in the country on the basis of a permanent residence permit. It is important that during this time the person has a stable life in Poland, is integrated into the society, knows the Polish language and has basic knowledge of the culture and functioning of the country.
Compared to other pathways to citizenship, refugees have a relatively shorter waiting time before they can apply for a passport, as the standard requirement is between 3 and 10 years of residence in Poland under other types of permits. This shorter time is primarily due to Poland’s international obligations and recognition of the special situation faced by refugees for whom Poland has become their new home.
It is worth emphasising that refugee status holders have the same rights as other foreigners applying for citizenship, but the key requirement remains to prove that during their stay in Poland the refugee has not only integrated into the local society, but is also able to function independently in the new environment.
