Polish citizenship in 2026: what's law and what's only proposed

Few topics in Polish immigration have produced as many headlines in 2025 and 2026 as citizenship. Several bills would make it much harder to obtain. None of them was law when we checked in October 2026. Here is what applies today, what has already changed, and what is only proposed.

Two ways to become Polish

• Recognition (uznanie za obywatela polskiego): the voivode decides by administrative decision, if you meet the conditions set out in the law.
• Grant by the President (nadanie): the President decides at their discretion, without fixed conditions and without having to give reasons.

Most foreigners who settle in Poland go through recognition.

The routes that apply today

Under the Act on Polish Citizenship, the main routes to recognition are:

• 3 years of continuous residence on a permanent residence permit, an EU long-term resident permit or a right of permanent residence, with a stable and regular income in Poland and a legal title to your home.
• 2 years on one of those permits for the spouse of a Polish citizen, married for at least 3 years.
• A shorter path for people of Polish origin and holders of the Karta Polaka who hold permanent residence.
• 10 years of continuous legal stay, ending with permanent residence, again with income and housing.

Every route also needs Polish at B1 or higher, unless you are exempt. Note that the three years only start counting once you have permanent residence, which itself usually takes years to reach. In practice, as the Interior Minister has said, most people need at least eight years in Poland.

Proving your Polish

You prove B1 with an official certificate from the state examination, or with a certificate from a Polish school, or from a school abroad that teaches in Polish. Since 1 July 2025, diplomas from Polish post-secondary schools (szkoły policealne) no longer count. A transition for cases started by 30 June 2026 has ended.

Fees and timing since August 2025

• Recognition as a Polish citizen: 1,000 zł (it was 219 zł).
• An application to the President: 1,669 zł (it used to be free).
• Confirmation that you hold, or have lost, Polish citizenship: 277 zł.

Recognition decisions for minor children and repatriation are exempt. The office now has up to six months to decide on recognition and on confirmation.

What's proposed, and where it stands

• The President's bill (Sejm print 1759), filed in September 2025, would raise the residence period from 3 to 10 years. Income, housing and B1 would stay. Applications filed before it took effect would keep the current rules. It was still before the Sejm when we checked.
• The government's model, presented by the Interior Ministry from October 2025, rests on four pillars: length of stay, loyalty to the Polish state, a citizenship test and tax residency. Reported details include eight years of legal stay (three on temporary and five on permanent residence) and a test on history and constitutional values. In May 2026 the ministry said work was ongoing; no bill had been adopted by the government.
• Opposition bills: one, with ten years of residence, C1 Polish and a history exam, was rejected by the Sejm at first reading on 9 January 2026. Others have been filed since.

What this means for you

If you already meet the conditions, apply under the current rules rather than wait. The voivode checks the conditions on the day of the decision, not the day you apply, so keep your permit, income and housing in order until the decision arrives.

If you are still on a temporary permit, the next step is usually permanent residence or EU long-term residence. We prepare citizenship applications and check every document before it goes in: see Polish citizenship.

Related servicePolish Citizenship & Passport →