Polish citizenship

Citizen's duties

Polish citizenship is a legal relationship that bonds an individual with the Republic of Poland. Possessing Polish citizenship is related to numerous rights (e.g. electoral rights to the Sejm, Senate, local government bodies) - it is to be highlighted, however, that participating in elections is not mandatory for anyone it is only a legally guaranteed possibility of having a certain impact on the country's situation). What is important, acquiring Polish Citizenship involves acquiring the citizenship of European Union, which gives numerous profits.

Apart from numerous rights, possessing Polish citizenship involves certain duties. Most often, however, they correlate with living within the territory of the Republic of Poland.

DUTIES OF A POLISH CITIZEN RELATED TO THE FACT OF LIVING OR EARNING IN THE REPUBLIC OF POLAND

1. Tax duty - under Article 84 of the Polish Constitution, having Polish citizenship does not, by itself, create the said duty. It is to be highlighted that in order to be subject to a tax duty within the territory of the Republic of Poland, you have to comply at least with one of the requirements, laid down in the Act on the Personal Income Tax:
   • - residein the Republic of Poland (i.e. reside in Poland for more than 183 days within a fiscal year or have a centre of personal or economic interests in Poland)
     or
   • - receive income (profit) within the territory of Poland

   Due to the above, the very fact of having Polish citizenship is not related to the duty to pay taxes in Poland.

2. The duty of education up to 18 years of age - under Article 70 of the Constitution of the Republic of Poland, applies only to children residing within the Republic of Poland
3. The duty to undergo protective vaccination, under Article 5 of the Act on Preventing and Combating Infections and Infectious Diseases in Humans. It is to be pointed out, however, that said duty applies to people residing in the Republic of Poland and the fact of acquiring Polish citizenship does not by itself, result in imposing said duty on an individual.

THE DUTIES OF A POLISH CITIZEN NOT RELATED RESIDING WITHIN THE TERRITORY OF THE REPUBLIC OF POLAND

1. The duty of defending the country - under Article 85 sec. 1 of the Constitution of the Republic of Poland). It is to be highlighted, however, that in Poland there is no duty to undergo military service.
   Having Polish citizenship is, however, related to the duty of obtaing a permit of Polish authorities to enter into military service in a foreign army . Entering into such service without the permit of competent authorities is subject to a penalty of imprisonment for five years.
2. The duty to comply with Polish law - it is necessary to comply with Polish law, and non-obedience is subject to penalties laid down, for example, in the Criminal Code. It is to be highlighted that the Republic of Poland is a country where the rule of law is on a very high level and having full protection of human rights and of rights such as the right of access to court and the principla that one may only be punished for a prohibited act punishable by laws remaining in force when the criminal act was committed.
3. The duty of care for the environment - one has to act with due care in that respect - i.e. act with respect and care for the surrounding natural environment. The scope of that duty is laid down precisely in individual laws.