Poland tightens all criteria for citizenship: what will change

According to Yavp.pl, the Polish government, together with the parliamentary opposition, is in favour of toughening the conditions for granting Polish citizenship. One of the key changes will be an increase in the minimum period of continuous residence of a foreigner in Poland - from 3 to 10 years.

Two ways of obtaining citizenship

Polish law currently provides for two main ways of obtaining citizenship:

1. Uznanie za obywatela polskiego - recognition as a Polish citizen on the basis of submitting an application to the voivode. This way presupposes fulfilment of a number of conditions, depending on which it is enough to live in Poland for 3 years or more.

2. Granting citizenship by the President of Poland - the procedure is not limited by formal conditions, and in practice citizenship can be granted even to foreigners who do not reside in the country.

New approach: stricter conditions and financial fees

According to the Yavp.pl portal, the Ministry of Interior and Administration intends to start drafting the changes immediately after the presidential election in May 2025. This is necessary in order to coordinate with the new head of state, as granting citizenship is among his powers.

It is expected that the draft reform will be presented in autumn 2025. The following is tentatively known:

• the minimum period of continuous residence in Poland will be increased to 10 years;

• the application for citizenship through the president will be subject to a fee of 1669 PLN;

• for an application through the voivode - 1000 PLN.

Other criteria will also change

In addition to increasing the period of residence, the draft reform provides for additional changes:

• new requirements for the source of income and place of residence;

• stricter conditions for knowledge of the Polish language.

One of the key changes will be the elimination of the possibility to prove knowledge of the Polish language by means of school certificates from Polish-language educational institutions. In particular, graduation from a polycephalic school and obtaining the relevant certificate will no longer be sufficient grounds for proving language competence.

The bill has already been partially considered

This week the Polish Sejm may start considering the draft law "On Amending the Act on Repatriation and Certain Other Acts", which partially spells out new approaches to granting citizenship. Although the draft deals primarily with repatriates, the proposed changes will apply to all foreigners applying for Polish citizenship.