Guide to acquire polish citizenship - step by step
Many foreigners aspire to obtain Polish citizenship in order to fully participate in social, professional and political life in Poland. The process can seem complicated and require appropriate knowledge and conditions. After all, those who reside or live in Poland, but have legal status through the acquisition of citizenship, can freely exercise virtually all rights on similar terms as those with Polish citizenship. That is why below we will review the procedure for obtaining Polish citizenship step by step, providing the necessary information and guidance.
Before we begin our path to obtaining Polish citizenship, it is worth understanding the basic principles and categories that apply to the process. Polish citizenship law is based on the Polish Citizenship Act of April 2, 2009, which sets forth the conditions, procedures and regulations for obtaining Polish citizenship. It is useful to familiarize with this law and any updates to fully understand the requirements and opportunities that await you.
Conditions for Obtaining Polish Citizenship
Prior to starting the process of applying for Polish citizenship, certain conditions must be met. Below are the most common situations in which you can obtain Polish citizenship:
- Descent – If one or both of the parents are Polish citizens, the child may apply for Polish citizenship based on the principle of ius sanguinis (blood law). It is worth noting that there are different rules regarding the inheritance of citizenship depending on the child’s date of birth and the status of the parents. Therefore, if you want to learn more about obtaining Polish citizenship by descent, we encourage you to visit the sub-site https://fivetoeurope.com/polish-citizenship-by-descent/, where all issues are comprehensively presented.
- Marriage to a Polish citizen – A person who has married a Polish citizen and has been in a stable marriage for at least 3 years may apply for Polish citizenship. There are also certain requirements for residence on the territory of Poland during this period.
- Birth on the territory of Poland – A person born on the territory of Poland whose parents do not have Polish citizenship or have the status of stateless persons may apply for Polish citizenship on the basis of the principle of ius soli (law of the land).
- Naturalisation – Persons who do not meet any of the above conditions may also apply for Polish citizenship by naturalisation. The naturalisation procedure involves submitting an application, meeting certain requirements, including knowledge of the Polish language, knowledge of Polish history and culture, as well as fulfilling the conditions related to residence on the territory of Poland.
Step by Step – How to Obtain Polish Citizenship
Now that we have a general overview of the conditions and categories for obtaining Polish citizenship, let’s move on to a detailed step-by-step guide on how to obtain Polish citizenship:
Step 1 – Collecting the necessary documents. To begin with, it is advisable to collect all the necessary documents that will be required in the process of applying for Polish citizenship. Depending on your specific situation and category, the documents may include:
- birth certificate,
- marriage certificate
- documents confirming parental status
- documents confirming residence on the territory of Poland,
- documents confirming knowledge of the Polish language.
Step 2 – Filling in the application. The next step is to fill in the appropriate application for Polish citizenship. This application may be filed in person at the relevant office or consulate, or electronically, if such a possibility is available. It is advisable to carefully read the instructions on how to complete the application and make sure that all the required information is provided correctly.
Step 3: Application fee. When submitting an application, you will often be required to pay the appropriate administrative fee. The amount of the fee may vary depending on the category of citizenship obtained and the locality in which the application is made. In addition, it is advisable to find out what fee you have to pay and what payment methods are available.
Step 4 – Application processing. Once your application has been submitted, it will be forwarded to the relevant administrative authorities, who will consider and assess whether you meet the conditions for obtaining Polish citizenship. This process may take some time, so it is important to be patient and ready for any questions or additional documents that may be requested during the application processing.
Step 5 – Grant of Polish citizenship. If your application is successful, you will receive a decision to grant Polish citizenship. This decision may include various conditions, such as taking a citizenship oath, which is the final act confirming the status of a Polish citizen.
Step 6 – Taking the citizenship oath. The final step in the process of obtaining Polish citizenship may be the taking of the citizenship oath mentioned slightly above. This oath is a symbolic act in which one takes an oath of allegiance to the Republic of Poland and undertakes to observe Polish law and respect the values and traditions of Polish society.
Rights and obligations of a Polish citizen
Anyone who already has Polish citizenship is privileged to enjoy a number of rights. Here are some of them:
- The right to vote in elections and referendums – Polish citizens have the right to vote, which means that they can cast their vote and have a say in the election of government representatives.
- Right to stand for election – Polish citizens have the opportunity to run for various positions through electoral processes.
- Right to legislative initiative – Every citizen has the right to propose laws that can be submitted to parliament.
- Right to obtain information – A citizen of Poland has the right to access information on the activities of public authorities and persons performing public functions.
- Right to petition – Citizens have the right to submit petitions, i.e. official requests, to public authorities on matters that affect them.
- Right to organise assemblies – Poles may furthermore organise, as well as participate in, peaceful assemblies to express their opinions and demands.
- Right to establish organisations – Citizens are able to establish political parties, trade unions, employers’ organisations and associations to represent their interests.
This is not all, however, as citizens who belong to ethnic minorities have the right to preserve and develop their own language, customs, traditions and culture. The Republic of Poland also provides for the protection of its citizens abroad.
It is worth remembering that, in addition to rights, every Polish citizen also has obligations towards the country that they must fulfil. These include:
- Defending the homeland – Citizens have a duty to defend their homeland if necessary, for example during military service.
- Observance of Polish law – Poles have a duty to observe the applicable laws and provisions of the law.
- Paying taxes and public benefits – Every citizen is obliged to pay taxes and public benefits that finance various areas of public life, such as education, health care or infrastructure.
- Caring for the environment – Citizens have a duty to care for the environment and to be responsible for any actions that may worsen its condition.
Fulfilment of these rights and duties is extremely important for maintaining order and the common good in Poland. Therefore, every Polish citizen should be aware of his/her rights, but also of his/her duties, as well as act accordingly.
With a solid foundation in technology, backed by a BIT degree, Lucas Noah has carved a niche for himself in the world of content creation and digital storytelling. Currently lending his expertise to Creative Outrank LLC and Oceana Express LLC, Lucas has become a... Read more