Do I need to give up my current citizenship?

No. Poland permits dual citizenship, though your home country may have its own rules. You will be treated as Polish only while in Poland.

How long do I need to live in Poland?

Generally at least 3 years of continuous legal residence with a permanent residence permit and stable income, plus B1 Polish. Other routes have different periods.

Polish Citizenship and Naturalisation

Who can become a Polish citizen, the residence and language requirements, and how to apply.

Updated 2026-01-20 · 1 min read

Main routes

Naturalisation (uznanie) — the President of Poland grants citizenship; no strict time requirement, discretionary.
Confirmed citizenship (stwierdzenie) — for people who already hold Polish citizenship by descent ( Confirming a right you already have).

Standard naturalisation criteria

At least 3 years continuous, legal residence with a permanent residence permit.
Stable and regular income.
Housing in Poland.
B1 Polish (certificate).
No serious criminal record.

By descent

If a parent or grandparent was Polish, you may already be a citizen; you apply to confirm it (procedura konfirmacji) at a Polish consulate or the Masovian Voivode office. Requires documents proving lineage.

Repatriation

People of Polish origin from the former eastern bloc can apply under the repatriation rules, with a specific permit and a host commune.

Application

Submit at the Masovian Voivode Office (Urząd Wojewódzki w Warszawie) or a Polish consulate abroad.
Decision by the President of Poland.

After grant

Apply for a Polish passport and dowód osobisty.
Update your PESEL status.

FAQ

Do I need to give up my current citizenship?: No. Poland permits dual citizenship, though your home country may have its own rules. You will be treated as Polish only while in Poland.
How long do I need to live in Poland?: Generally at least 3 years of continuous legal residence with a permanent residence permit and stable income, plus B1 Polish. Other routes have different periods.

This article is informational and not legal advice. Always confirm with the relevant authority.