The issue of Polish citizenship may be occupying your thoughts, and that’s something we completely understand. As a foreigner who has Polish origin or strong connections with our beautiful country, you should not only follow the current regulations but also keep in mind that they keep changing. In today’s article, we would like to give you answers to the most asked questions about Polish citizenship. Stay with us for a moment!
How can I get Polish citizenship?
Let’s start with something everyone would like to know! So, the Act from 2009 says that citizenship of Poland is passed by the right of blood (applies to a child born to a Polish citizen) or by the right of soil (applies to a child born or found in Poland and at the same time whose parents are unknown). However, that’s not all!
Any individual may also obtain it by naturalization or by descent. Citizenship by naturalization, which is also called Grant of Polish Citizenship, concerns a foreigner who has strong links to Poland (e.g., he speaks Polish or runs a business here). In such a case, the President has the competence to issue a decision. He decides whether the evidence stated in the motion are sufficient for him.
When it comes to citizenship through ancestry, the case gets more complicated. It is needed to prove that your ancestors held citizenship in Poland, and it was not lost on the way. If you know they were born in Poland or its former territories, and resided there after 1920, you probably qualify for the confirmation process. It has to be checked before you lodge a motion at the Voivodeship Office. Find more info at – https://fivetoeurope.com/faqs/.
Can Polish citizenship be lost?
As a foreigner who would like to get Polish citizenship, you probably also wonder whether it can be lost. The Polish law does not provide such a case, but it needs to be said that any individual can renounce citizenship. The condition is to hold another citizenship (e.g., citizenship of the country of birth). This principle prevents statelessness. The loss occurs after 30 days from the date of getting a decision issued.
Why would anyone want to take part in the renunciation of citizenship process? In general, the decision is associated with holding a public position in a country that does not allow an individual to have dual citizenship.
Is it possible to obtain citizenship by marriage?
As you know, citizenship is passed from one generation to another. So, once you become Polish, your children get the same rights and duties as you just because they are a family member of a Polish citizen. You can register them in Poland or let them take part in the process of Polish citizenship confirmation. It is up to you!
The principle does not apply to your spouse. However, he or she as a spouse of a Polish citizen gets equal rights to yours to reside and work in Europe andcan apply for citizenship by naturalization after years of living here.
Who can get a Polish passport?
Being a fully-fledged citizen of Poland seems to be beneficial. It also makes you a European Union citizen, but to completely use your rights, you must apply for a passport. As an international travel document, it gives you more opportunities when it comes to traveling, working, or living within the European Union. What’s important, you will also get a chance to skip the long queues at the airport or avoid formalities associated with crossing the borders.
Where to apply for a passport? You need to appear in the Polish Embassy or Polish Consulate General. Do not forget to bring Polish Citizenship Confirmation, Polish birth certificate, Polish marriage certificate (if applicable), and passport photo. The motion must be filled in Polish. You will also be asked to pay a fee and leave fingerprints, since the passport is biometric.
Always remember each case is different. That means the process of obtaining citizenship may take longer, depending on the complexity of your situation.