Naturalisation is one of the most frequently chosen forms of obtaining citizenship in Poland, which enables foreigners to become fully integrated into the Polish community. Thanks to this process, persons residing permanently in Poland, but with a different citizenship, may obtain the same rights and obligations as Poles by birth. This means, among other things, that they can participate in elections or benefit from the full range of benefits offered by the state.
However, it is worth being aware that the naturalisation process is complicated and requires the meeting of a number of specific conditions. Among other things, applicants must demonstrate knowledge of the Polish language, legal and uninterrupted residence in the country and be financially stable.
What exactly is naturalisation?
Naturalisation is no more than a formal process that enables a person, who has not been a citizen of a given country since birth, to acquire full citizenship. It is a procedure dedicated to foreigners who wish to permanently associate their lives with Poland, acquiring the same rights and obligations as citizens of that country. In Poland, the process is based on the national law.
Naturalisation is especially important for those who want to participate fully in Poland’s social and political life – from the right to vote in elections, to obtaining a Polish passport, to greater legal stability and the ability to enjoy full social rights. However, the process can seem complicated and time-consuming, which makes many foreigners decide to get support from specialists to go through it successfully.
Requirements for obtaining Polish citizenship
In order to apply for naturalisation in Poland, a foreigner must meet certain criteria, which vary depending on their legal and personal situation. The most important of these are:
- Legal and continuous residence in Poland
- The applicant for citizenship should reside in Poland legally for a certain period of time. The required period depends on the basis of residence:
- 3 years – for people holding a permanent residence permit, refugee status or long-term EU resident permit.
- 2 years – if the person has been married to a Polish citizen for at least 3 years.
- 10 years – for those who do not meet specific conditions related to origin or marriage.
- Knowledge of the Polish language
- The applicant must demonstrate at least B1 level knowledge of the Polish language. Proof of this condition is provided by a certificate of language proficiency, a certificate of graduation from a school in Poland or another document recognised by the Polish authorities.
- Financial and residential stability
- The candidate must prove that he/she has a regular source of income and a place of residence in Poland. This can be employment, business or other forms of income.
- No risk to national security
- The authorities check whether the applicant represents a threat to public safety or legal order in Poland.
Step-by-step legal process
- Collection of documents
The applicant must prepare a full documentation, which consists of:
- o Passport and residence card;
- o Certificate of knowledge of the Polish language;
- o Documents confirming legal residence in Poland;
- o Documents confirming income and place of residence;
- o Marriage certificate (if applicable);
- o Other documents depending on the individual situation.
- Submission of the application
An application for citizenship should be submitted to the voivode with jurisdiction over the place of residence.
- Consideration of the application
Once the application is submitted, the verification process follows. The provincial governor checks the completeness of the documents and gives an opinion on whether the application meets the formal conditions. - th
What rights and responsibilities do we acquire after naturalisation?
Obtaining Polish citizenship through naturalisation gives the status of a legally entitled citizen of the Republic of Poland. This means not only equality in rights with persons who have been citizens since birth, but also inclusion in the full social, political and economic life of the country.
A person who has obtained Polish citizenship by naturalization gains a number of significant privileges. First of all, he or she becomes entitled to participate in elections, both at the local and national level. He or she can vote, participate in referendums and run for public office, which allows to actively influence the shaping of state policy. In addition, the new Polish citizen can apply for a Polish passport, which guarantees freedom of travel and the possibility to benefit from the diplomatic and consular protection offered by Poland in the international environment.
Another important privilege is full access to the social rights. A naturalized person is entitled to benefits such as allowances, pensions, health care or various types of support offered by the state, exactly on the same terms as other Polish citizens. In addition, he/she acquires civil rights such as freedom of settlement, the possibility to take up employment without additional permits or to open a business.
On the other hand, naturalisation comes with certain obligations. A new Polish citizen is obliged to respect Polish law and to act in accordance with the country’s principles and values. If you would like to learn even more about your rights and obligations as a Polish citizen, we encourage you to visit https://fivetoeurope.com.
