Polish citizenship in 2026: will the requirements be tightened and what will change for foreigners

Poland is preparing changes to the rules for foreigners to obtain citizenship. Find out what the current requirements are, whether the residence period will be extended, and what this means for Ukrainians

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Poland is preparing possible changes to the rules for acquiring citizenship. Although some of the initiatives have not yet been supported by parliament, the government and the Ministry of Internal Affairs are working on updating the legislation. Inpoland.net.pl writes about the current statistics, existing requirements, and possible innovations, citing official data from the Chancellery of the President of the Republic of Poland.

How many applications for citizenship are submitted in Poland

In 2025, the Chancellery of the President of Poland received 5,470 applications for Polish citizenship. By August 1, 2025, the president had issued 222 decisions granting citizenship to 999 people and 1,335 decisions denying citizenship.

These decisions were made before the end of the previous head of state's term. President Karol Nawrocki, who took office on August 6, 2025, did not make any decisions on citizenship last year.

As of February 4, 2026, the President's Office had already received 445 applications. The new president issued four decrees granting citizenship to 25 individuals and denied 18 applicants.

It should be noted that the president's decisions on citizenship do not require justification and are not subject to appeal. The provisions of the Administrative Procedure Code do not apply to them. That is why foreigners who do not meet the standard legal requirements often try to take advantage of this route.

The most common route is through the voivode

A more typical procedure is to obtain citizenship through the voivode. To apply in this way, a foreigner must:

● have lived in Poland continuously for at least 3 years;

● have a residence permit, EU long-term resident status, or permanent residence;

● have a stable and regular source of income;

● confirm the right to housing (ownership or lease);

● have Polish language skills at the B1 level (state certificate).

There are exceptions for certain categories. Persons with refugee status can apply after 2 years of residence, and holders of a Polish Card — after 1 year.

At the same time, the Ministry of the Interior and Administration notes that only foreigners who apply for political asylum (less than 100 cases in recent years) actually have the right to apply after 3 years of residence. Over 99% of people obtain citizenship after at least 8 years of residence in Poland.

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How many foreigners obtain Polish citizenship

The number of citizenships granted is growing. In 2023, 12,166 people obtained Polish citizenship, 1,719 of them by decision of the president. In 2024, 16,647 foreigners obtained citizenship, 14,828 of them by decision of the voivode and 2,200 by decision of the president.

This confirms the trend towards an increase in the number of positive decisions, especially through administrative procedures.

Will the path to citizenship be extended?

The Sejm considered a draft amendment to the Polish Citizenship Act, submitted by PiS deputies. It provided for:

● extending the minimum period of continuous residence from 3 to 10 years;

● a requirement of no criminal record in the country of origin.

In January, this draft did not receive support. At the same time, in October last year, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration prepared its own draft law on updating the rules. Among the proposed changes are:

● the introduction of a citizenship test (including knowledge of the Polish political system);

● a requirement for tax residency in Poland;

● extending the path to citizenship to 8 years (3 years of temporary residence + 5 years of permanent residence).

It is also proposed to change the conditions for holders of the Polish Card — they will be able to apply after 3 years, rather than 1 year as is currently the case.

The exam will likely be modeled on the Central Examination Commission's scheme. The bill is currently being drafted, with representatives of the president involved in its preparation.

Does Poland really have the “lowest requirements”?

According to Rzeczpospolita, Poland currently has some of the lowest requirements for obtaining citizenship in the world. This was the reason for initiating a review of the rules.

If the new provisions come into force, the path to citizenship may become longer and more formalized, with additional checks, exams, and tax integration requirements.

What this means for Ukrainians

Ukrainians remain one of the largest groups of foreigners in Poland. If the requirements are tightened, it is important to assess in advance:

● compliance with the current criteria;

● length of legal residence;

● tax status;

● proof of income and housing;

● level of language proficiency.

If you are planning to apply for Polish citizenship or are considering long-term integration, it is advisable to consult a specialist in advance. The Visit Ukraine platform offers the services of immigration lawyers who can help you analyze your status, prepare documents, and assess your prospects for obtaining citizenship, taking into account possible changes in legislation.

We remind you! Poland is preparing to update its national passports, which goes far beyond changing the cover. The authorities are considering ideas that could change the approach to the design, security, and even the format of the document, making it more modern and economical. Read about what changes may appear in Polish passports, why they are planned to be implemented, and what this will mean for document holders.

Photo: spidersweb.pl

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