Poland Plans to Tighten Rules for Foreigners: New Citizenship Requirements and the Risk of Deportation

Poland plans to significantly tighten rules for foreigners, particularly regarding citizenship and residency. Find out what changes are being proposed, who they will affect, and when the new requirements might take effect

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In Poland, the rules governing the residence of foreigners and the acquisition of citizenship may undergo significant changes. A group of Law and Justice party lawmakers has introduced a bill that would substantially tighten requirements and increase liability. The bill has already been submitted for public consultation until May 20, after which a decision will be made regarding its consideration in the Sejm. This is reported by inpoland.net.pl.

Read also: Poland launches MOS 2.0 — how can foreigners legalize their stay online in 2026?

New requirements for obtaining Polish citizenship

One of the key changes is an increase in the length of residence required to obtain citizenship. According to the draft:

● Foreigners will be able to apply for citizenship only after 10 years of continuous legal residence (instead of the current three);

● The required level of Polish language proficiency will be raised to C1;

● A mandatory state exam on the country’s history and social system will be introduced.

Separate conditions apply to spouses of Polish citizens:

● at least five years of residence;

● at least six years of marriage.

These changes significantly complicate the path to citizenship and raise the bar for the integration of foreigners.

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Stricter liability: under what circumstances can deportation occur?

The initiative also provides for stricter rules regarding the stay of foreigners in the country. In particular, lawmakers propose allowing deportation in the event of two intentional administrative offenses within 24 months and the existence of court rulings regarding such offenses. The list may include:

● speeding;

● parking violations;

● fare evasion;

● petty theft.

An important detail: filing an appeal will not halt the enforcement of the deportation order. This means that a foreign national may be deported even before the final hearing of the case.

Read also: Ukrainians in Poland will be able to apply for a CUKR card starting May 4, 2026 — what’s important to know?

Other changes in legislation

The draft bill also provides for:

● amendments to the laws on foreigners and citizenship;

● longer waiting periods for certain categories of applicants;

● a general tightening of controls over the stay of foreigners.

For now, the document is under discussion, and its final fate will depend on support in parliament.

Although the bill has not yet been adopted, it demonstrates a general trend toward tightening migration policy in Poland. This could affect residency rules, citizenship acquisition, and penalties for violations. Under these circumstances, it is important to plan your stay abroad in advance and take all requirements into account.

Tip: If you frequently travel between Ukraine and EU countries, try using transfers between cities in Ukraine and Europe via Visit Ukraine — this allows you to conveniently plan your trips without unnecessary complications.

The proposed changes could significantly complicate conditions for foreigners in Poland — both regarding citizenship acquisition and residency. At the same time, a final decision has not yet been made, and the situation may change after parliamentary review.

We remind you! Poland plans to change the “800+” program and introduce automatic renewal of payments. Read about when the new rules will take effect, what will change for recipients, and whether it will be necessary to submit applications every year.

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