Path to Polish citizenship: how many years you need to live

Polish passport – the dream of many immigrants. No wonder: visa-free entry to 183 countries, right to live and work in any EU country, full civil rights. But how long do you need to live in Poland to get citizenship? Spoiler: the answer depends on who you are and where you came from.

Basic time requirements

Let’s start with the harsh truth – just living in Poland isn’t enough. You need to live LEGALLY and CONTINUOUSLY. And the timelines are different for different categories.

Standard term – 10 years

For most foreigners, the 10-year rule applies. But! It’s not simply 10 years from arrival. It’s:

• 10 years of legal residence
• Last 3 years – based on permanent residence or EU resident status
• Or last 10 years continuously on temporary residence cards

Tourist visas, illegal stay, UKR status – all of this does NOT count toward the period.

What about interruptions?

Left for your home country for six months? Start counting from zero. Continuity means:

• Departures not longer than 6 months in a row
• Total not more than 10 months in the last 5 years
• Maintaining center of life interests in Poland

Two-week vacation – fine. Left for 7 months – reset the counter.

Different paths – different timelines

Don’t want to wait 10 years? There are ways to get Polish citizenship faster. See what fits you.

Marriage to a Pole – 3 years

Married a Polish man or woman? You’re lucky:

• 3 years in marriage (not just dating!)
• 2 years living in Poland on a residence card
• Marriage must be genuine (they check)

Total: minimum 2 years in Poland + 3 years marriage = can apply.

Karta Polaka – 1 year

The fastest legal way:

• Get Karta Polaka abroad
• Come to Poland
• One year on any legal basis
• Apply for citizenship

Actually from arrival to passport – 1.5-2 years including processing.

Polish roots – 3 years

Proved Polish ancestry but no Karta Polaka?

• 3 years continuous residence
• Based on residence card or permanent residence
• Polish language knowledge mandatory

Refugees – 5 years

Got refugee status?

• 5 years residence with status
• Favorable language conditions
• Protection from losing citizenship of origin country

Special rules for Ukrainians

Now the important part – how to get Polish citizenship for Ukrainians in current reality.

UKR status doesn’t count!

Bad news for those who arrived after February 24, 2022:

• Temporary protection (UKR) does NOT count toward citizenship period
• Need to get regular residence card
• Only then the counting starts

So: 1.5 years on UKR + 10 years on residence cards = 11.5 years minimum.

Alternatives for Ukrainians

What you can do:

• Get Karta Polaka – if you have Polish roots or connections
• Switch to residence card as soon as possible
• Search for Polish roots – many western Ukrainians have them
• Marriage to a citizen – if there are real feelings

Discussed changes

Parliament is discussing simplifications for Ukrainians:

• Counting part of UKR period
• Reducing overall term to 5-8 years
• Simplifying language requirements

But so far it’s just talk. No laws yet.

What residence counts

Not all time in Poland counts. Let’s figure out what counts and what doesn’t.

Counts fully

• Residence card (temporary) – all types
• Permanent residence card
• EU resident card
• Refugee status
• Subsidiary protection

Counts partially

• Student visa/card – only half the period
• Humanitarian visa – half the period

Studied for 5 years? Only 2.5 years count.

Does NOT count at all

• Tourist visas
• Visa-free regime
• Temporary protection (UKR)
• Illegal stay
• Time spent on appeals abroad

Fast-track procedures

There are several loopholes for those who don’t want to wait 10 years.

Recognition as a Pole

The President can recognize you as a Pole if:

• Special merits for Poland
• Outstanding achievements in science, culture, sports
• State interests

Residence period – at President’s discretion. Can be even immediately upon arrival. But these are isolated cases.

Restoration of citizenship

Your ancestors were Polish and lost citizenship?

• Can restore without living in Poland
• Need documents about ancestors’ Polish citizenship
• Proof of loss not by own will

Repatriation

For Poles from former USSR:

• Citizenship from arrival moment
• No need to wait at all
• But getting repatriation visa – separate quest

Documents and procedure

Let’s say you’ve lived the required time. What next?

Basic document package

• Application on special form
• CV (życiorys) – detailed
• All residence cards for the residence period
• Polish language certificate B1
• Income certificates
• Criminal record certificate
• Documents about ties to Poland

Polish language exam

Mandatory for almost everyone:

• Level B1 minimum
• Costs 250-300 PLN
• Can retake
• Only children and people with Karta Polaka exempt

Processing times

• Submission of documents – at voivodeship office
• Verification – 2-3 months
• Transfer to President – another month
• President’s decision – from 6 months to 2 years
• Oath – within a month after decision

Total: from application to passport – 1-2.5 years.

Pitfalls and challenges

What they don’t write in official brochures.

Dual citizenship

Poland allows it, but:

• Your country must also allow it
• Ukraine – allows
• Belarus – no (must renounce)
• Russia – complicated (formally no, but…)

Military service

Men under 60:

• Become subject to military duty
• In peacetime – only registration
• But in case of mobilization…

Tax residency

With citizenship you automatically become tax resident:

• Pay taxes on worldwide income
• Report foreign accounts
• CRS – automatic information exchange

Rejections happen

Even if you’ve lived the required time:

• Criminal record – almost guaranteed rejection
• Tax debts – problem
• Ties to homeland stronger than to Poland – rejection
• Security threat – even suspicions enough

Your questions

If I’m a student, how long do I need to study?

Student years count only half. So 4 years of bachelor’s = 2 years credit. Then need another 8 years on work cards. Total: 12 years minimum.

Does waiting time for residence card count?

Yes! If you have a stamp in passport about document submission – this time counts. Even if waiting for decision for a year.

Can I speed up through investments?

No special “citizenship by investment” program. But large investors can receive by President’s decision for special merits. We’re talking millions of euros and hundreds of jobs.

What if they reject?

Can reapply after a year. Or appeal to administrative court (chances slim). Main thing – eliminate the reason for rejection.

Must I live in Poland after receiving?

No! Got passport – can leave anywhere. Citizenship won’t be taken away (if obtained honestly).

The bottom line

The path to Polish citizenship isn’t quick: standard 10 years, with Karta Polaka – 1 year, through marriage – 3 years. Ukrainians with UKR status will have to start counting anew after getting residence card. But Polish passport is worth it – it’s your ticket to Europe and 183 countries worldwide visa-free. Main thing – legality and continuity of residence.

Leszek Woronowicz

PL: Leszek Woronowicz posiada wieloletnie, bogate doświadczenie w obszarze finansów, bankowości oraz doradztwa biznesowego, zdobyte zarówno w Polsce, jak i za granicą.
Brał czynny udział w zakładaniu spółek akcyjnych oraz spółek z ograniczoną odpowiedzialnością w Polsce i na Ukrainie, pełniąc rolę doradcy dla międzynarodowych podmiotów, m.in. dla Nestlé Ukraine.
Pracował w szeregu instytucji bankowych, w których kierował m.in. Departamentem Skarbu oraz Departamentem Bankowości Korporacyjnej. Pełnił funkcję członka zarządu jednego z banków poza granicami kraju, a także był stałym członkiem komitetu kredytowego i komitetu ALCO.
Specjalizuje się w ocenie wiarygodności kredytowej przedsiębiorstw, obejmującej analizę bilansów, rachunków wyników oraz przepływów pieniężnych (cash flow) dużych spółek. Posiada również rozległe doświadczenie w analizowaniu dokumentów księgowych oraz ocenie ryzyk prawnych związanych z działalnością przedsiębiorstw i transakcjami finansowymi.
Dysponuje szeroką wiedzą w zakresie rynku instrumentów finansowych, kredytowania oraz rynku kapitałowego. Jako doradca uczestniczył w przygotowaniu memorandum informacyjnych dla dwóch spółek zagranicznych debiutujących na rynku NewConnect. Doradza przedsiębiorstwom w budowaniu skutecznych modeli biznesowych, wspierając je w realizacji strategii rozwoju i ekspansji rynkowej.

EN: Leszek Woronowicz has many years of extensive experience in finance, banking, and business consulting, gained both in Poland and abroad.
He actively participated in establishing joint-stock companies and limited liability companies in Poland and Ukraine, acting as an advisor for international entities, including Nestlé Ukraine.
He has worked at several banking institutions, where he managed, among others, the Treasury Department and the Corporate Banking Department. He served as a board member of a bank outside of Poland and was also a permanent member of the credit committee and the ALCO committee.
He specializes in assessing the creditworthiness of enterprises, which includes the analysis of balance sheets, profit and loss accounts, and cash flows of large companies. He also has extensive experience in analyzing accounting documents and evaluating legal risks associated with business activities and financial transactions.
He has broad expertise in the financial instrument market, lending, and the capital market. As an advisor, he participated in preparing information memorandums for two foreign companies making their debut on the NewConnect market. He advises companies on building effective business models, supporting them in implementing development strategies and market expansion.

RU: Лешек Воронович обладает многолетним, обширным опытом в сфере финансов, банковского дела и бизнес-консалтинга, полученным как в Польше, так и за рубежом.
Он принимал активное участие в создании акционерных обществ и обществ с ограниченной ответственностью в Польше и на Украине, выступая в роли консультанта для международных организаций, включая Nestlé Ukraine.
Работал в ряде банковских учреждений, где руководил, среди прочего, Казначейским департаментом и департаментом корпоративного банкинга. Являлся членом правления одного из банков за пределами страны, а также был постоянным членом кредитного комитета и комитета ALCO.
Специализируется на оценке кредитоспособности предприятий, включая анализ балансовых ведомостей, отчетов о прибылях и убытках, а также денежных потоков (cash flow) крупных компаний. Также обладает широким опытом анализа бухгалтерских документов и оценки юридических рисков, связанных с деятельностью предприятий и финансовыми сделками.
Обладает широкими знаниями в области рынка финансовых инструментов, кредитования и рынка капитала. В качестве консультанта участвовал в подготовке информационных меморандумов для двух иностранных компаний, дебютировавших на рынке NewConnect. Консультирует предприятия по построению эффективных бизнес-моделей, поддерживая их в реализации стратегий развития и рыночной экспансии.