By Residence Angels
Relocation Company in Poland

Process of Obtaining Polish Citizenship (2025 Guide)

Reading time: 8 minutes

If you're dreaming of that red Polish passport and the freedom to live, work, and travel across the European Union — you’re in the right place. But before you book a flight to Warsaw, let’s walk through the official process of obtaining Polish citizenship.

Step 1: Identify the Right Path to Citizenship

There’s no "one size fits all" when it comes to becoming a Polish citizen. Depending on your background, you may qualify under one of four main legal paths:

1. Confirmation of Citizenship by Birth (Automatic)

This applies if you have a parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent who was a Polish citizen — and never lost that citizenship. In this case, you’re technically already a Polish citizen. All you need is legal confirmation.

2. Naturalization

Available if you:

Married a Polish citizen
Hold a long-term EU residence permit
Were granted asylum or refugee status

This route may require stable income, long-term residence in Poland, and a B1 Polish language certificate.

3. Citizenship by Polish Ancestry

If your roots trace back to Poland (including Polish-Jewish ancestry), or if you hold a Pole’s Card (Karta Polaka), you may qualify based on heritage. Documentation is key here — especially proving nationality or citizenship of your ancestors.

4. Presidential Grant of Citizenship

This is a special case — often seen as a "lottery." The President of Poland can grant citizenship to foreigners for special contributions or humanitarian reasons. It’s rare, and doesn’t require meeting standard criteria.

Step 2: Prepare the Required Documents

Regardless of your path, some requirements show up across all processes:

Transcript of your Birth Certificate into Polish
Your foreign birth and (if applicable) marriage certificates must be translated by a sworn translator and registered in the Polish Civil Registry.
Polish Language Certificate (B1 Level)
Usually required for naturalization routes and recommended for others. Exams are held 3–4 times per year, and certification takes time.
Proof of Income and Residence in Poland
You’ll need to show financial stability — usually by employment contracts, tax declarations, or bank statements. Residence can be proven with rental agreements, utility bills, or a PESEL registration.

Step 3: Understand the Timeline

The processing time depends on the Voivodeship (district) in which you apply, but the general estimate is:

6–7 months from submission to receiving the decision
+1–2 months to complete civil registration and receive your passport

You should also account for extra time if:

You apply from abroad
You’re waiting for missing documents or archival confirmation
You need to pass the Polish language exam first

🛠 Need Help?

The legal process can be confusing — especially if you're unsure which path applies to your case. Our legal team specializes in Polish citizenship by descent, naturalization, and civil registration.