There are different ways to apply for Polish citizenship (Becoming a Polish citizen) based on your circumstances. If you’re eligible in more than one way you can different ways to apply for Polish citizenship (Becoming a Polish citizen) based on your circumstances. If you’re eligible in more than one way you can choose which way to apply.

The President of the Republic of Poland can grant Polish citizenship to any foreigner. This is a discretionary power, meaning the President does not have to justify the decision, and there are no specific legal requirements you must meet (like length of stay). However, it is usually reserved for special cases.

Standard Road

To be recognized as a Polish Citizen, you generally must have lived continuously in Poland for at least 3 years under a permanent residence permit, an EU long-term resident permit, or a right of permanent residence. Such individual must also demonstrate a stable and regular source of income within the Republic of Poland and hold a legal title to your place of residence.

If you’re married to a Polish citizen

You must have lived in the Republic of Poland for at least 2 years on the basis of a permanent residence permit, an EU long-term resident permit, or a right of permanent residence, and have been married to a Polish citizen for at least 3 years.

If you’re stateless person

You can usually apply after you’ve lived in Poland for at least 2 years on the basis of a permanent residence permit, an EU long-term resident permit, or a right of permanent residence.

If you have refugee status

You are eligible to apply if you have lived in the territory of the Republic of Poland for 2 years on the basis of a permanent residence permit obtained in connection with being granted refugee status in the Republic of Poland.

If you have lived in Poland continuously and legally for over 10 years

Then you must meet two requirements:

• hold a permanent residence permit, an EU long-term resident permit, or a right of permanent residence
• has a stable and regular source of income in the Republic of Poland and a legal title to your place of residence

If you have Polish orgin or holding a Pole’s Card

You can apply after you have lived continuously within the territory of the Republic of Poland for at least one year on the basis of a permanent residence permit obtained in connection with your Polish origin or by holding a Pole’s Card.

3. If You Are Minor

A minor may be granted Polish citizenship if he/she reside within the territory of the Republic of Poland on the basis of a permanent residence permit, an EU long-term resident permit, or a right of permanent residence, provided that one of the parents is a Polish citizen (or Polish citizenship has been restored to at least one parent), and the other parent, who does not hold Polish citizenship, has consented to this recognition.

4. Additional Remarks

A foreigners applying for recognition as a Polish citizen, with the exception of the foreign national referred to in paragraph 3. are required to have a command of the Polish language confirmed by an official certificate at a language proficiency level of at least B1, a certificate of graduation from a school in the Republic of Poland, or a certificate of graduation from a school abroad with Polish as the language of instruction.