Polish citizenship

The recognition of a foreigner as a Polish citizen

The recognition as a Polish citizen can take place with respect to:

1. a foreigner residing continuously in the territory of the Republic of Poland for at least three years on the basis of a permit to settle, a long-term resident's EC residence permit, or a permanent residence permit, who has a stable and regular source of income in Poland as well as the legal title to the occupied dwelling;
2. a foreigner residing continuously in the territory of the Republic of Poland for at least two years on the basis of a permit to settle, a long-term resident's EC residence permit, or a permanent residence permit, who:
   1. has been married to a Polish citizen for at least three years, or
   2. holds no citizenship;
3. a foreigner residing continuously in the territory of the Republic of Poland for at least two years on the basis of a permit to settle, which he/she obtained in connection with having a refugee status granted in the Republic of Poland;
4. a minor foreigner, whose one of the parents is a Polish citizen residing in the territory of the Republic of Poland on the basis of a permit to settle, a long-term resident's EC residence permit, or a permanent residence permit, and the other parent who does not have Polish citizenship has agreed to this recognition;
5. a minor foreigner, whose at least one of the parents has been restored Polish citizenship, if a minor resides in the territory of the Republic of Poland on the basis of a permit to settle, a long-term resident's EC residence permit, or a permanent residence permit, and the other parent who does not have Polish citizenship has agreed to this recognition;
6. a foreigner residing legally and continuously in the territory of the Republic of Poland for at least 10 years, who satisfies all of the following conditions:
   1. has a permit to settle, a long-term resident's EC residence permit, or a permanent residence permit,
   2. has a stable and regular source of income in Poland as well as the legal title to the occupied dwelling;
7. a foreigner residing continuously in the territory of the Republic of Poland for at least two years on the basis of a permit to settle, which he/she obtained due to having Polish ancestry.

A foreigner applying for recognition as a Polish citizen is required to have command of the Polish language confirmed by an official certificate, a school-leaving certificate in the Republic of Poland, or a foreign school-leaving certificate obtained from a school with the Polish language of instruction.

A foreigner shall be refused the recognition as Polish citizen if:

1. he/she does not fulfill the requirements specified in Article 30;
2. the acquisition of Polish citizenship by him/her poses a threat to the defense or national security or to safety and public order.