A foreigner can obtain Polish citizenship in two ways: by being recognised as a Polish citizen (a decision of the voivode) or by conferral by the President of the Republic of Poland. For some months now there has been a debate about tightening the rules, including a longer required period of residence. Below we explain the current requirements, the documents needed, how the procedure works and the state of the planned changes.
Legal basis
- Act of 2 April 2009 on Polish citizenship: Article 30(1) (conditions for recognition), Article 31 (refusal of recognition), Article 10 (time limit and appeal),
- provisions of the Code of Administrative Procedure (in particular Articles 35 and 36 – time limits and notice of delay).
Recognition as a Polish citizen (Article 30 of the Act)
This is the most common route for foreigners living in Poland. The procedure is conducted by the voivode competent for the applicant’s place of residence. The main variants are:
- At least 3 years of uninterrupted residence on the basis of a permanent residence permit, an EU long-term resident’s permit or the right of permanent residence, plus a stable and regular source of income and a legal title to residential premises,
- at least 2 years of such residence if the foreigner has been married to a Polish citizen for at least 3 years or has no citizenship,
- 2 years of residence on a permanent residence permit obtained in connection with recognition as a refugee in Poland,
- 1 year of residence on a permanent residence permit obtained in connection with Polish origin or a Pole’s Card,
- 10 years of legal residence with a permanent permit (or EU long-term resident’s permit), stable income and a legal title to housing,
- separate rules for minor children – recognition extends to them with the consent of the other parent (a child aged 16 or over must also consent).
Residence under temporary protection (the special act, PESEL UKR) does not in itself meet this condition: a permanent residence permit, an EU long-term resident’s permit or the right of permanent residence is required.
Knowledge of Polish (Article 30(2) and (2a))
The foreigner must demonstrate knowledge of Polish at least at level B1 within the meaning of Article 11a of the Act of 7 October 1999 on the Polish language. This is confirmed by an appropriate certificate or – in the cases specified in Article 30(2) and (2a) of the Act – by a document on completing school. A post-secondary school certificate is not taken into account for this purpose. The exact requirements should be checked in the current wording of Article 30 before filing.
Refusal of recognition
The voivode refuses recognition if the foreigner does not meet the conditions of Article 30(1) or if acquiring citizenship would threaten the defence or security of the state, or public security and order (Article 31).
Conferral of citizenship by the President of Poland
Conferral by the President of Poland takes place on the foreigner’s application and is discretionary (Articles 18–21 of the Act): the President is not bound by the residence conditions of Article 30, and meeting particular time limits does not decide the outcome. The application is filed through the voivode. The stamp duty for accepting an application for conferral is PLN 1,669 (annex to the Stamp Duty Act, consolidated text Journal of Laws 2025, item 1154). When choosing the route it is worth assessing whether the applicant meets the conditions for recognition.
Documents required (recognition)
- an application on the official form and a current biometric photograph,
- a birth certificate (foreign with a sworn translation, or Polish) and a document on marital status,
- a passport or other document confirming identity and citizenship, valid until the decision is issued,
- a permanent residence permit, EU long-term resident’s permit or document confirming the right of permanent residence, and the residence card,
- a document confirming knowledge of Polish (Article 30(2) and (2a)),
- documents confirming stable and regular income (for example a salary certificate, PIT return, CEIDG records),
- a document confirming legal title to housing (lease agreement, title deed),
- proof of payment of the stamp duty (the stamp duty for recognition as a Polish citizen is PLN 1,000 – annex to the Stamp Duty Act, consolidated text Journal of Laws 2025, item 1154; check the current rate before paying) and, where relevant, documents concerning the spouse and any previous Polish citizenship.
Documents in a foreign language require a sworn translation. The list may differ depending on the office and the circumstances, so it is worth checking it with the voivode before filing.
Time limit and appeal
The case should be resolved within 6 months (Article 10 of the Act); the time limit does not include periods provided for in the regulations, including delays attributable to the party. A decision of the voivode can be appealed to the minister responsible for internal affairs within 14 days of service (Article 129 § 2 of the Code of Administrative Procedure), through the voivode. Once this procedure is exhausted, a complaint to an administrative court may be filed.
Planned changes – what we know today
The rules described above currently apply. Proposals to tighten them appear in bills and media reports:
- The President’s bill (Sejm print no. 1759, 26 September 2025) – according to Sejm data it has not been adopted (it was referred to committees on 4 November 2025); it provides for raising the required period of uninterrupted residence from 3 to 10 years in Article 30(1)(1) (leaving the income and housing requirements unchanged). Proceedings initiated before the Act enters into force would be conducted under the existing rules.
- Announcements of the Ministry of Interior (MSWiA) – according to media reports from May 2026 (not confirmed in the text of a bill), the ministry plans a package of changes: a total of 8 years of legal residence (3 years of temporary and 5 years of permanent residence), a state exam in history and constitutional values, a higher level of Polish, a loyalty declaration and Polish tax residence.
We found no information in official sources that these changes have been adopted (checked on 22 October 2026). Their scope, timing and transitional provisions may change, so the current legal position must be checked before filing. If you already meet the current conditions, filing a complete application before any change in the rules may be important, although the specific consequences depend on the transitional provisions.
Most common mistakes in applications
- a break in residence or uncertainty as to its continuity (for example long absences),
- no documents confirming stable and regular income or a legal title to housing,
- an unsuitable document proving knowledge of the language,
- foreign documents that have not been translated,
- an application filed before the foreigner obtained the right type of permit (for example a temporary instead of a permanent one).
Frequently asked questions
Does temporary residence count towards the 3 years? Under Article 30(1)(1), uninterrupted residence on the basis of a permanent residence permit, an EU long-term resident’s permit or the right of permanent residence counts. Time spent on temporary residence affects whether you can obtain such a permit but does not itself meet the condition.
Must I renounce my previous citizenship? Polish law does not require this, but dual citizenship depends on the law of the other state and should be checked.
How long does the procedure take? The statutory time limit is 6 months, but it does not include periods provided for in the regulations. In practice a case can take longer.
Can a child be recognised together with a parent? Yes, on the terms set out in the Act and with the consent of the other parent; a child aged 16 or over must also consent.
What if the voivode refuses? An appeal to the minister responsible for internal affairs may be filed within 14 days of service of the decision, followed by a complaint to an administrative court.
This article is for information purposes only and contains general information as of 22 October 2026. It does not constitute legal advice or a legal opinion in an individual case. We assist foreigners in residence matters and in proceedings for Polish citizenship.