Polish Citizenship Rules Under Review: What the Proposed Amendments Mean

Citizenship in the Context of Growing Migration

Poland is witnessing an active public debate on potential changes to the law governing the acquisition of Polish citizenship. The current law, in force since 2012, was adopted under very different circumstances.

Throughout the past decade, the number of foreigners living in Poland has increased from around 100,000 to an estimated 2.5 million. While concrete legislative steps are still ahead, early proposals from politicians across the political spectrum suggest that this topic will remain high on the agenda.

Governmental Migration Strategy as a Starting Point

In October 2024, the government published the “Polish Migration Strategy for 2025–2030.” The document anticipates a continued rise in applications for Polish citizenship and highlights the need to reform the rules for acquiring it.

The strategy also emphasises the importance of ensuring the security and credibility of the process, particularly by verifying the applicant’s genuine connection to Poland and their knowledge of the Polish language.

Polish Citizenship Rules: Current Legal Framework

Under the current law, Polish citizenship can be acquired in five ways:

• • • At birth, by virtue of law – when at least one parent is a Polish citizen.
    • By presidential grant – a discretionary decision by the President of Poland.
    • By recognition as a Polish citizen – the most commonly used procedure, requiring certain formal conditions such as sufficient prior residence in Poland and confirmed language proficiency.
    • By restoration of Polish citizenship – available to individuals who lost Polish citizenship under previous laws. Today, citizenship can only be lost through renunciation, with the President’s consent.
    • By confirmation of Polish citizenship through descent – this is a procedure available to people without a Polish passport, even if they hold another country’s passport, as long as they can prove Polish descent. Technically, this is not a process for acquiring Polish citizenship, but for confirming that the applicant has held it since birth. No prior or current residence in Poland or knowledge of the Polish language is required.  

Proposed Amendments: Ruling Party, Opposition and Presidential Plans 

Government Proposal: Citizenship Test as a Tool for Integration

As part of the migration strategy, the government plans to publish a draft amendment to the citizenship law by the end of October. Although the full text is not yet available, representatives of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration have announced the introduction of a citizenship test as a condition for acquiring citizenship (will not apply to those confirming citizenship by descent).

Test structure:

• • • Held twice a year.
    • Question pool: several hundred to several thousand items.
    • Exam format: 30–35 multiple-choice questions and five open-ended questions.
    • Language requirement: Polish proficiency at level B2 or higher.

The test will consist of three parts:

1. 1. 1. General knowledge – history, international relations, law.
      2. Current events – five questions about recent developments.
      3. Values – open-ended questions assessing the applicant’s integration into Polish society.

Candidates will be allowed to retake the test multiple times, and special preparatory courses will be made available to support applicants.

Presidential Proposal: Extending the Required Period of Stay

Alongside the government’s announcements, a presidential bill submitted to Parliament proposes extending the minimum required period of stay for recognition as a Polish citizen from three to 10 years for those holding permanent residence permits or EU long-term resident status. It is important to note that obtaining these permits already requires several years of prior residence in Poland.

Supporters argue that the current period is too short for a foreigner to develop a lasting bond with the Polish state. However, critics, including government officials, have pointed out inconsistencies and the risk of misleading public perception.

Opposition Proposal: Further Tightening of Requirements

Opposition Members of Parliament have introduced a bill that goes even further than the presidential proposal. It includes:

• • • A general extension of the required period of stay for recognition as a Polish citizen.
    • A requirement to present a criminal record certificate from the country of origin.
    • Raising the required level of Polish language proficiency from B1 to C1.
    • Introduction of a State Citizenship Exam, covering topics such as Poland’s political system, civil rights, history, culture and social integration.

Citizenship Policy as a Strategic Tool

All of the proposed changes reflect a broader shift in Poland’s migration policy. With the growing number of foreigners, the state faces a strategic decision: should citizenship serve as a means of integration or as a selective filter? While tests, extended residency requirements and stricter conditions may help build a cohesive society, they could also discourage individuals who genuinely wish to settle in Poland long-term.

How Fragomen Can Help 

The presidential and opposition proposals are not expected to move forward in their current form. However, the government’s draft bill is expected soon and is likely to comprehensively address the rules for acquiring citizenship.

Fragomen’s team in Poland continues to monitor legislative developments closely. Once the draft is published, a detailed analysis along with expert commentary will be available to help employers, investors and individuals understand the implications of the new Polish citizenship regulations. 

Need To Know More?

For more information about immigration and citizenship services in Poland, visit Fragomen’s services page and contact Senior Associate Tomasz Rdzanek or Poland Immigration Strategy Director Tomasz Rogala at [email protected] and [email protected], respectively.

This blog was published on 21 October 2025, and due to the circumstances, there are frequent changes. To keep up to date with all the latest updates on global immigration, please subscribe to our alerts and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.