There are two main paths to obtaining Polish citizenship: through
recognition (decision of the Voivode) and
granting (decision of the President of the Republic of Poland).
1. Recognition as a Polish Citizen (Voivode’s decision)
This is the most common path, requiring specific, clearly defined conditions. The key is the required period of legal and uninterrupted stay in Poland.
Significant changes from August 1, 2025
According to new regulations,
from August 1, 2025, significant changes to the
Polish Citizenship Act come into effect. They concern the
extension of the residency period under the so-called Situation VI and the
increase of stamp duties.
The issue of
Situation VI is based on
Article 30(1)(6) of the Polish Citizenship Act (after changes from August 1, 2025). According to this provision, to use this path, a foreigner must have resided in Poland
uninterruptedly and legally for at least 10 years. Previously, this period was 3 years. The amendment has significantly tightened the conditions for people who apply for citizenship solely on the basis of a long period of residence in the country.
New stamp duties from August 1, 2025:
In connection with the amendment, the following fees for citizenship-related matters have been introduced:
- acceptance by the Voivode of an application for granting Polish citizenship by the President of the Republic of Poland – PLN 1669,
- acceptance by the Voivode of an application for the President of the Republic of Poland’s consent to renounce Polish citizenship – PLN 1669,
- Voivode’s decision on the acquisition of Polish citizenship through recognition as a Polish citizen and the restoration of Polish citizenship – PLN 1000,
- decision on the confirmation of possession or loss of Polish citizenship – PLN 277.
Exemptions from stamp duty:
- Decisions issued on the basis of Article 30(1)(4) or (5) of the Polish Citizenship Act are exempt from stamp duty, i.e., in cases concerning the recognition of minor children as Polish citizens.
- The acquisition of Polish citizenship by repatriation and the confirmation of possession of citizenship acquired in this way are not subject to stamp duty, nor is the issuance of a decision on recognition as a repatriate.
Required periods of stay and additional conditions:
The amendment to the Polish Citizenship Act introduces significant changes, but it does not eliminate all existing paths. Below are the periods of stay and conditions that remain current.
- 10-year residency procedure (Situation VI after changes):
- Requires a minimum of 10 years of uninterrupted and legal stay in Poland directly before submitting the application.
- This option is for individuals who do not have any special ties to Poland (such as marriage to a Polish citizen or Polish origin) and wish to obtain citizenship solely on the basis of a long period of residence in the country.
- It is necessary to have a permanent residence permit, an EU long-term resident permit, or a right of permanent residence.
- Knowledge of the Polish language is also required, confirmed by an official B1-level certificate (or higher) or a certificate of completion of a school in Poland or a school with Polish as the language of instruction abroad.
- 3-year residency procedure (no changes to the residency period):
- Requires a minimum of 3 years of uninterrupted stay in Poland directly before submitting the application, based on:
- a permanent residence permit,
- an EU long-term resident permit,
- a right of permanent residence (for EU/EEA/Switzerland citizens).
- Additional conditions are:
- possession of a stable and regular source of income,
- possession of a legal title to occupy residential premises.
- Important changes in transitional provisions concerning language proficiency:
New regulations introduce changes regarding documents confirming Polish language proficiency. Although a post-secondary school certificate or a certificate from a school with Polish as the language of instruction abroad corresponding to a post-secondary school may be used until June 30, 2026, in proceedings initiated from July 1, 2025, this applies only to certificates issued until June 30, 2025.
The transitional provisions do not allow the use of a post-secondary school certificate issued after June 30, 2025, even if education began before the new regulations came into force. This raises doubts from the perspective of the principle of protecting interests in progress, as foreigners who invested in education may lose the ability to use such a certificate to confirm their Polish language proficiency.
Confirmation of Polish language proficiency – details:
The requirement of Polish language proficiency at level B1 (or higher) can be met with one of the following documents:
- An official certificate from the State Commission for the Certification of Polish as a Foreign Language at a minimum B1 level. This is the most universal form of confirmation.
- A certificate of completion of a school in Poland with Polish as the language of instruction (primary, post-primary, or higher education).
- A certificate of completion of a school abroad with Polish as the language of instruction, corresponding to a Polish school. This document is also recognized and is a valid option for people who were educated in Polish-speaking institutions or other schools with Polish as the language of instruction outside the country’s borders.
How to obtain a B1 certificate?
An official certificate can be obtained by passing an exam at one of the authorized centers in Poland or abroad. Exams are organized by selected universities, colleges, and institutions authorized by the State Commission for the Certification of Polish as a Foreign Language. The exam schedules and a list of centers can be found on the official website
certyfikatpolski.pl.
Other paths (no changes to the residency period):
- minimum 2 years of uninterrupted stay in Poland directly before submitting the application, based on:
- a permanent residence permit,
- an EU long-term resident permit,
- a right of permanent residence.
In addition to the above conditions, it is required to meet one of the following criteria:
-
- being in a marriage with a Polish citizen for at least 3 years, or
- having no citizenship (a stateless person).
- minimum 2 years of uninterrupted stay in Poland directly before submitting the application, based on:
- a permanent residence permit obtained in connection with having refugee status granted in the Republic of Poland.
Additionally, knowledge of the Polish language (B1 or higher) is required.
- minimum 1 year of uninterrupted stay in Poland directly before submitting the application, based on:
- a permanent residence permit obtained in connection with Polish origin or a valid Polish Card.
Additionally, knowledge of the Polish language (B1 or higher) is required.
Definition of “uninterrupted stay”:
A stay is considered uninterrupted if no single break in it was longer than 6 months, and all breaks combined did not exceed 10 months within the periods that form the basis for recognition as a Polish citizen. An exception applies to trips resulting from the performance of professional duties outside the territory of the Republic of Poland or accompanying a spouse or minor child, provided that the stay in the territory of the Republic of Poland was uninterrupted for at least 5 years.
2. Granting of Polish Citizenship (decision of the President of the Republic of Poland)
The President of the Republic of Poland may grant Polish citizenship to a foreigner
without any statutory requirements regarding the period of stay in Poland, language proficiency, possession of sources of income, or legal title to premises.
This is a
discretionary decision. The President’s decision is usually dictated by an “
important state interest” or an “
important interest of the applicant“.
Summary
| Path to Citizenship |
Minimum Stay Period |
Key Additional Conditions |
| Recognition (Voivode) |
10 years* |
Stable income, legal title to premises, Polish language proficiency (B1), permanent/long-term resident permit/right of permanent stay |
|
3 years |
Stable income, legal title to premises, Polish language proficiency (B1), permanent/long-term resident permit/right of permanent stay |
|
2 years |
Marriage to a Polish citizen (for 3+ years) or stateless; additionally: stable income, legal title to premises, Polish language proficiency (B1), permanent/long-term resident permit/right of permanent stay |
|
2 years |
Refugee status (permanent residence permit); Polish language proficiency (B1) |
|
1 year |
Polish origin / Polish Card (permanent residence permit); Polish language proficiency (B1) |
| Granting (President of RP) |
No requirements |
Discretionary decision, dictated by a significant state/applicant interest. |
* Note: According to new regulations, from August 1, 2025, in the so-called Situation VI, the required residency period has been extended to 10 years.
Additional Information:
New regulations, which came into force on June 25, 2025, introduce longer processing times. The period for handling cases of recognition as a Polish citizen and confirmation of possession or loss of Polish citizenship has been extended to 6 months. The new, longer period also applies to proceedings initiated and not yet concluded before the law came into force. It is recommended to check the most current information directly on the websites of voivodeship offices, the Ministry of Interior and Administration (MSWiA), or the Chancellery of the President of the Republic of Poland.
The
Laut company offers professional services to support the process of applying for Polish citizenship. Thanks to their experience and knowledge of current regulations, the company provides assistance in preparing and managing cases.
