Citizenship versus permanent residency: what’s the difference?

In Poland, most expats do not have citizenship but instead hold a Permit to settle or a Long-Term E.U. Residency Permit. These permits are equivalent to permanent residence in Poland, and holders have the same rights as native Poles, with two notable exceptions.

Those who live permanently in Poland may not vote in parliamentary or presidential elections; they may not hold Polish passports.

Most of these differences are only superficial, partly because holders of a Long-Term E.U. Resident Permit can reside, work, and travel freely within the European Union without a European Union passport. Nonetheless, citizenship affords expats a greater degree of control over their future. It grants them the right to vote, and it also ensures that their lives in Poland are not disrupted by the loss or revocation of their citizenship. For long-term residents, it’s still a good idea to pursue one, even if only to ensure they can stay in Poland without restrictions or danger of losing their residency status.

Is it possible for me to have dual citizenship? If so, how?

Poles can hold two different citizenship, each giving them the same rights and obligations as those who hold one citizenship only.

Any citizenship applicant needs to know whether their country of origin allows and recognizes dual citizenship to guarantee they won’t have to forfeit it when applying for one in Poland. Citizens seeking citizenship in the U.S., U.K., or most of Europe (with some exceptions) do not have to renounce their citizenship, but this is not the case everywhere. It is best to familiarize yourself with the dual citizenship laws of your home country before applying to Poland.

Polish citizenship: ways to obtain it

In my opinion, obtaining Polish citizenship through parents is the easiest route. You are eligible to become a Polish citizen if one of your parents was a Polish citizen at the time of your birth. This is known as the “right of blood.”

The following are ways to obtain citizenship in a European country if your parents are not Polish.

How to Get Polish Citizenship by Descent?

Did you know that you probably already are a Polish citizen if you have Polish ancestry? You can also obtain a second passport and reside, work, and study in any of the 28 EU countries without any restrictions.

In what way does it work?

You can confirm polish citizenship to prove your ancestry and satisfy the Polish government’s eligibility requirements. You must submit your application form with your ancestral and personal documents, translated into Polish. Before applying for an EU passport, you need to have your birth certificate registered in Poland.

Can you tell me if I qualify?

People with at least one parent or grandparent born in Poland generally qualify for citizenship through descent. You must have an ancestor who:

• Had a Polish birth (or one of its former territories) and remained there after 1920; or
• Your ancestors left Poland before 1920, but their residence can be found in the Polish, Prussian, Russian or Austro-Hungarian records; and
• Their Polish citizenship was maintained until the day of your birth.

How to Get Polish citizenship by birth?

First and foremost, Polish citizenship is acquired through ius sanguinis (right of blood). In this case, one can acquire citizenship by birth if at least one parent is a Polish citizen. The child’s country of birth does not matter in this case, whether it was abroad or in Poland.

In addition, you can acquire Polish citizenship by being born or found on Polish territory, but only when both of your parents are unknown or do not have citizenship.

How to Get Polish citizenship by repatriation?

Repatriation is another way to acquire Polish citizenship. People who come to Poland holding a state visa for repatriation acquire Polish citizenship on the day they arrive in Poland.

State visas can be issued to polish citizens who reside or have lived permanently in any of the following countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, or the Asian part of the Russian Federation.

To prove a person’s Polish heritage, it is mandatory to demonstrate that either their parents or one or both of their grandparents or great-grandparents were citizens of Poland and have ties to Poland or Polish culture.

How to Get Polish citizenship by full adoption?

Polish citizenship may be acquired through adoption by children under 16. The child obtains Polish citizenship automatically by virtue of law if one or both parents are Polish citizens. Considering this case, we assume the child acquired citizenship as soon as they were born.

The President of Poland granted polish citizenship

A foreigner may apply directly to the President of Poland for Polish citizenship. There must be specific information about the person, as required by a statute, as well as a justification for the application.

Permanent residency: Permit to stay for the long term

If a foreign citizen holds a permanent residence permit, has lived in Poland legally for at least three years in a row, is employed in Poland, and owns a home, they may apply for citizenship.

How to Get Polish Citizenship through Marriage?

If a foreigner has lived legally in Poland for two uninterrupted years and is married to a Polish citizen, they can apply for Polish citizenship.

How Refugees Get Polish Citizenship?

After two years of continuous residence in Poland, a refugee who has received long-term residence can apply for citizenship.

Parents Restored Citizenship

At the time of your birth, your parent may have forfeited their Polish citizenship. However, if they’ve restored it since, and both of you and your parents live in Poland, you can apply for your Polish citizenship.

Other Long-term Stays

Foreigners who have lived legally in Poland for a minimum of 10 years without a permanent residency visa are eligible for Polish citizenship.

How do I apply for Polish citizenship?

You must prove that you are fluent in Polish before applying for Polish citizenship. The proficiency in the language must be backed up by an official certificate, which is awarded following the successful completion of a state examination. In the case of foreigners who attended an international school where Polish was the main language of instruction, a school-leaving certificate would be sufficient. As an alternative, an applicant must pass the level B1 exam issued by the State Commission for Proficiency Certification in Polish as a Foreign Language.

Once your language certificate has been issued, you must submit the following documents to the Voivode of your place of residence in Poland:

• Completed Polish application form
• A photograph was originally taken.
• Your birth certificate in certified form
• Specifically, a copy of your passport or foreign identification card.
• The language command certificate you have obtained
• The statement should detail any departures, travels, or periods of non-residence during your uninterrupted stay. This form is available here.
• Any document that states professional achievement (such as a professional degree or title)
• A document to confirm your spouse’s citizenship (even if it’s not Polish)
• The stamp duty receipt for the issuance of the final decision
• If applying for citizenship based on long-term residence, provide proof of employment and homeownership.

Time and fees associated with the process

Your case will be resolved “immediately” or within a couple of days if you have all your paperwork in order and are a qualified applicant. The case will be processed within a month or two in extremely complicated cases if you need to submit additional documents or your case requires additional investigation.

It is generally free to apply for Polish citizenship, except for the 219 PLN stamp duty. Despite not being a huge amount, it can add up if you’re paying international fees to fund the transaction from your foreign bank account.

Benefits of Polish Citizenship

The benefits of owning a Polish passport are undeniable.

• Poland gives its citizens the right to carry a passport from their native country.
• Polish passport holders are free to travel to all EU countries. The police department of the selected state can assist Polish citizens with obtaining permanent residency if necessary.
• You can work and conduct business in Poland and any other EU state without issuing permits with a Polish passport.
• Polish citizens can study for free at public educational institutions, and they can receive scholarships and grants if they are accepted to EU universities. 
• Over 180 countries worldwide, including Canada and the United States, allow Polish citizens to enter visa-free and stay for 90 days without a visa. 
• Polish passport holders receive additional government payments when they register an insurance policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to get permanent residency in Poland?

Become a Polish citizen by applying:

• The individual has resided lawfully in Poland for two years or more, either with a permanent residence permit, an EU long-term residence permit or by virtue of permanent residency rights,
• A Polish citizen or a spouse who has been married for 3 years or has no citizenship,

How to get pr in poland after study?

If you have lived legally for 5 consecutive years in Poland, you will be eligible to apply for a permanent residence card. You must have stayed uninterrupted in the country for not more than six months, and interruptions within that period must not exceed ten months.

Is it hard to get Polish citizenship?

Citizens of Poland have Polish ancestry and can prove their connection to their country. The process for citizenship by descent can easily take 1-2 years, and you may waste lots of time if you don’t meet Poland’s strict requirements.

Does Poland allow dual citizenship?

A Polish citizen can hold both Polish and foreign citizenship. Citizens with dual citizenship – Polish and foreign – have the same rights and responsibilities towards Poland as those with only Polish citizenship.