is the polish citizenship hard to get?

If you're tracing your Polish roots or looking to gain access to the benefits of living in the EU, you might be asking:
"Is the Polish citizenship hard to get?"
The answer depends on your specific case — but for many people with Polish ancestry, it's more accessible than you think.

Poland operates under the principle of jus sanguinis — the right of blood. That means if you have Polish ancestors, you may have inherited Polish citizenship automatically, even if you were born abroad and never held a Polish passport.
In such cases, you don’t apply for citizenship — you apply for confirmation of a right you already possess.
For others without citizenship ties but with Polish nationality or heritage, there are still legal pathways such as:

• Permanent residence through Polish origin
• Karta Polaka (Pole’s Card)
• Naturalization after long-term residence

So, how easy is it to get Polish citizenship?
👉 If you qualify by descent — it’s fairly straightforward (with the right documents and guidance).
👉 If not — it may take longer and involve deeper legal analysis, but it’s still possible.

We guide our clients through:

1. Eligibility analysis – whether you qualify through descent, nationality, or permanent residence
2. Archive research – locating and verifying documents (birth, marriage, military, etc.)
3. Translations & notarization – all foreign documents must be legally translated into Polish
4. Application submission – to the Voivode or Polish consulate
5. Follow-up and appeal – in case of missing documents or rejections

The entire process takes 8–12 months, depending on case complexity.

If your Polish citizenship is confirmed, obtaining a Polish passport is a simple administrative step. You’ll first need to:

• Obtain a PESEL number (Polish national ID)
• Transcribe your foreign civil acts into the Polish civil registry
• Apply for your passport through any local Polish office or consulate

So, to clarify:
Is the Polish passport hard to get? — Not if you’ve successfully confirmed your citizenship.
The passport is the easy part — the confirmation is what requires effort and legal precision.

Yes — Poland does allow dual citizenship, though it’s not explicitly encouraged.
You don’t have to give up your existing citizenship if you’re granted Polish citizenship. However, under Polish law, you're considered only a Polish citizen while on Polish territory, meaning:

• You must use your Polish passport when entering or exiting Poland
• Your rights and duties are based on Polish law while in the country