Polish origin and applying for Polish citizenship

Our country's history has fostered numerous migrations, so it's no surprise that people of Polish descent can be found all over the world . Not only in Ukraine, Belarus, and Lithuania, but also in further afield, including the United States (primarily Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania), Argentina, Brazil, Canada, and Australia (especially Sydney and Melbourne). A significant Polish community also resides in France, the United Kingdom, and Germany. Although such individuals often lack Polish passports, they have strong ties to Poland and cultivate Polish traditions. Can they apply for Polish citizenship through descent? And, above all, how can they prove Polish ancestry? You'll learn more in our post.

Contents:

Polish origin – how to understand it?
Paths to obtaining Polish citizenship
Legal assistance in submitting applications

Polish origin – how to understand it?

Polish origin applies to people whose at least one parent or grandparent or two great-grandparents were of Polish nationality and who demonstrate a connection with Polishness (for example, by cultivating Polish traditions and cultivating the Polish language).

How to prove Polish ancestry? Documents issued by Polish state or church authorities, as well as by the authorities of the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, concerning foreigners or their parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents, can be accepted as evidence of Polish ancestry. These may include:

Polish identity documents;
Polish baptismal records or civil status records;
documents confirming military service in the Polish Army;
documents confirming the fact of deportation or imprisonment.

It's important to note that Polish citizenship based on descent is not granted automatically . However, Polish descent allows you to receive a Pole's Card, which makes it easier to apply for a permanent residence card.

Paths to obtaining Polish citizenship

There are two main ways to acquire Polish citizenship : recognition as a Polish citizen or citizenship granted by the President of the Republic of Poland . Which path is best depends on your specific situation.

Granting Polish citizenship

The granting of Polish citizenship by the President of the Republic of Poland is a unique procedure, as the decision rests solely with the Head of State . The President is not required to justify the decision, and in the event of a refusal, there is no right of appeal (although a new application can be submitted). The application, along with other documents, must be submitted through the appropriate voivode or Polish consul. There is no specified timeframe within which the President of the Republic of Poland is obligated to review the application (in practice, the waiting time can be up to about a year due to the high volume of applications).

Recognition as a Polish citizen

An application for recognition as a Polish citizen may be submitted by any person who meets one of the following conditions:

He/she has been staying in Poland legally and continuously for at least 3 years on the basis of a permanent residence permit, a long-term EU resident's permit or the right of permanent residence, and has a stable and regular source of income and a legal title to the occupied residential premises .
He/she has been residing continuously and lawfully in Poland for at least 2 years on the basis of a permanent residence permit, a long-term EU resident's permit or the right of permanent residence, and additionally has been married to a Polish citizen for at least 3 years or has no citizenship .
He has been living legally in Poland for at least 2 years , having a permit granted in connection with obtaining refugee status in Poland .
He/she is under 18 years of age , legally resides in Poland on the basis of a permanent residence permit, a long-term EU resident's permit or the right of permanent residence, and moreover, one of the parents has Polish citizenship , while the other has consented to recognizing the child as a Polish citizen .
He/she is under 18 years of age , resides legally in Poland on the basis of a permanent residence permit, a long-term EU resident's permit or the right of permanent residence, and one of his/her parents has had Polish citizenship restored , and the other parent, unless he/she is a Polish citizen, has given his/her consent .
He/she has been living continuously and legally in Poland for at least 10 years , has a permanent residence permit, a long-term EU resident permit or the right of permanent residence, as well as a permanent source of income and the right to occupy a residential premises .
He/she legally resides in Poland for at least one year , having a permanent residence permit obtained on the basis of Polish origin or possession of the Pole's Card .

Legal assistance in submitting applications

Obtaining a permanent residence card based on Polish origin requires submitting appropriate applications and collecting numerous documents. The same applies to applying for Polish citizenship for a foreigner . Fortunately, you don't have to face this alone. Comprehensive services for foreigners are our specialty. We can help you justify your application, gather documents , and— if necessary—appeal a negative decision. We also provide support in matters such as:

Summary

Although many people of Polish descent now live abroad, they share strong cultural and historical ties with their homeland. Polish descent does not automatically grant citizenship, but it can provide a solid basis for obtaining a Polish Card or permanent residence card – and then for applying for recognition as a Polish citizen. It's important to remember that every situation is unique, so before submitting any documents, it's a good idea to consult with a lawyer specializing in foreigners, who will help you navigate the process efficiently and in accordance with applicable regulations.