Based on the Polish Citizenship Act, a foreigner may obtain citizenship in a simplified manner if they meet certain conditions regarding residence and origin. This solution is intended especially for people using the Polish Card (Karta Polaka) or those with Polish roots. To apply for recognition as a Polish citizen in the simplified procedure, the following criteria must be met together:
- At least 1 year of uninterrupted and legal residence in Poland
- A permanent residence permit issued:
o on the basis of Polish origin;
o or in connection with holding the Polish Card.
To determine Polish origin, the provisions of the Repatriation Act are applied. According to them, a person of Polish origin is considered to be a person who declares Polish nationality and meets the following conditions together:
- at least one of the parents or grandparents or two great-grandparents was of Polish nationality;
- shows a connection with Polishness, in particular by cultivating the Polish language, Polish traditions, and customs.
An alternative route is holding the Polish Card, a document confirming belonging to the Polish nation. The holder of the Polish Card may apply for a permanent residence permit and then – after a year of legal residence in Poland – for recognition as a Polish citizen.
