By Residence Angels
Relocation Company in Poland
Relocation Company in Poland
Polish Citizenship by Descent: Jewish Ancestry Guide (2025)
Reading time: 7 minutes
If you are of Jewish heritage and have ancestors who were Polish citizens before WWII, you may be eligible for Polish citizenship by descent (Jewish). This pathway allows you to reconnect with your roots and claim your legal right to a Polish passport by descent.
Why Are So Many Jews Seeking Polish Citizenship by Descent?
Why Are So Many Jews Seeking Polish Citizenship by Descent?
After the horrors of the Holocaust and post-war emigration, many Jewish families were scattered across Israel, the U.S., Canada, Argentina, and beyond. Poland, now a stable and growing EU member state, offers significant benefits for descendants:
For many, reclaiming Polish descent citizenship is not just a legal step but a symbolic return.
- Freedom of movement across the EU
- Visa-free travel to 180+ countries
- Business and study opportunities in Europe
- Restoration of family legacy and historical justice
For many, reclaiming Polish descent citizenship is not just a legal step but a symbolic return.
Who Qualifies for Polish Citizenship by Descent?
Who Qualifies for Polish Citizenship by Descent?
To qualify for Polish citizenship by descent, you must prove that your ancestor:
- Was a Polish citizen after 1920 (after the Act on Polish Citizenship)
- Did not lose citizenship through emigration, military service abroad, or accepting another nationality before 1951 (for men) or 1958 (for women)
- Passed the citizenship through uninterrupted chain (can skip a generation, but citizenship must not have been lost)
How to Get Polish Citizenship by Descent (Step-by-Step)
How to Get Polish Citizenship by Descent (Step-by-Step)
- Confirm Polish ancestry with birth/marriage/military documents issued in former Polish territories
- Gather proof of uninterrupted citizenship and residence (emigration documents, passports, ID cards, etc.)
- Submit an application to confirm citizenship at a Polish Voivode or Polish consulate
- Wait for official confirmation and obtain the Polish citizenship certificate
- Apply for PESEL, registration, and finally your Polish passport
Common Documents Used in Citizenship by Descent Poland
Common Documents Used in Citizenship by Descent Poland
- Pre-WWII Polish passports
- Jewish community records from Polish territories
- Emigration documents showing destination (e.g., to Israel, U.S.)
- Holocaust survivor documents
- Naturalization refusal letters
- Birth/marriage/death certificates of descendants
How to Apply for Polish Citizenship by Descent
How to Apply for Polish Citizenship by Descent
You can submit your application either:
- At the Voivode office in Poland (if you're staying legally)
- At the Polish consulate abroad (e.g., Tel Aviv, New York, Toronto)
Residence Angels: Helping Jewish Families Reclaim Their Polish Citizenship
Residence Angels: Helping Jewish Families Reclaim Their Polish Citizenship
At Residence Angels, we specialize in working with Jewish applicants of Polish descent. Our legal and genealogical team will:
With 7+ years of experience and multilingual staff (Polish, English, Hindi, Nepalese, Ukrainian, Russian), we handle the complex bureaucratic part so you can focus on reconnecting with your heritage.
- Search Polish archives, registries, and Yad Vashem databases
- Trace and confirm your Polish lineage
- Translate and prepare a complete citizenship package
- File your application and handle consular or Voivode communication
- Assist you in getting a Polish passport by descent
With 7+ years of experience and multilingual staff (Polish, English, Hindi, Nepalese, Ukrainian, Russian), we handle the complex bureaucratic part so you can focus on reconnecting with your heritage.