Before applying for a Polish passport, you must first confirm your Polish citizenship. In this article, you will learn about the conditions and criteria that need to be met to obtain a Polish passport and enjoy its benefits.
In today’s globalized world, the ability to move freely and pursue personal development has become increasingly important.
A Polish passport grants visa-free entry to 176 out of over 195 countries worldwide, making it one of the most valuable travel documents available.
You can live, work, study, and do business in any EU country, taking advantage of numerous opportunities to grow, whether that’s through travelling or building a fulfilling career.
As a Polish citizen traveling or living in the European Union, you can enjoy access to public healthcare for medically necessary treatments, just like any other EU citizen. With a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), you can simplify your access to public healthcare services across the EU, ensuring that essential care is available to you. For instance, with an EHIC, you can receive healthcare in Spain under similar conditions as Spanish citizens, giving you peace of mind during your stay.
Additionally, holding dual citizenship, offers even more flexibility. Dual citizens can access the rights and benefits of both countries.
In this article, drawing from my extensive experience working with clients from the USA, Canada, the UK, and other countries, I aim to clarify the key aspects of who is eligible for a Polish passport.
I’ll explore the essential criteria for qualifying for a Polish passport and how the process works if you hold Polish citizenship by descent.
Key Takeaways
|
Eligibility Criteria for a Passport
Let’s start with the most important issue—the criteria you must meet to apply for a Polish passport.
Keep in mind that, before applying for a passport, you must first ensure you have your Polish citizenship confirmed.
A popular route among our clients is confirming citizenship by descent, based on the right of blood (jus sanguinis), which requires that you have at least one valid Polish ancestor.
There are several other paths to acquiring Polish citizenship, apart from confirming citizenship by descent, such as having a parent or grandparent born in Poland. These include naturalization, citizenship by marriage, and restoration of citizenship. It is also necessary to provide a marriage certificate as part of the documentation required to apply for a Polish passport.
Each path has its specific requirements and procedures and, in our experience, confirming Polish citizenship through Polish ancestry is a very popular and effective option.
In the following sections, I will explain how to confirm Polish citizenship by descent.
If you want to learn more about the process of getting a Polish passport, check out our article Process of Getting a Polish Passport.
Understanding Polish Citizenship by Descent
One of the most important aspects of Polish citizenship by descent is the principle of jus sanguinis (the right of blood), which underpins citizenship law in Europe and many countries around the world.
According to this principle, if your parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent was Polish, you may also be able to confirm Polish citizenship, provided you meet the complex criteria necessary to establish your lineage. This involves confirming your citizenship and applying for the necessary documentation.
Individuals from countries like the USA or Canada, which prioritize the principles of jus soli (the right of the soil) — citizenship granted based on the place of birth — can take advantage of this European right of blood.
Eligibility by Descent
Until 1918, Poland underwent a long period without true independence. After regaining independence in 1918, citizenship laws were introduced in 1920 and have been updated several times since.
Technically, there is no limit to the number of generations you can trace back, but in practice, this usually means tracing back to your great-grandparents. If your ancestors left Poland before 1920, it might be more challenging due to difficulties in gathering the required documentation.
The growing number of applications for Polish passports based on descent each year reflects the increasing popularity of this option. This is likely because, from EU citizenship to visa-free travel, becoming a Polish citizen opens up many new opportunities for the future.
Confirming Polish Citizenship by Descent
Under Polish citizenship law, Poland recognizes individuals of Polish ancestry as citizens from birth, even if they live abroad. Therefore, the application process to confirm Polish citizenship in this manner focuses on proving this blood connection.
When confirming Polish citizenship, you must provide clear evidence of your descent from one or more Polish ancestors whose citizenship can be proven with appropriate documents.
The documents typically required include:
- Your own birth certificate
- Birth and marriage certificates of your parents
- Birth and marriage certificates of your grandparents, if your parents were not your valid ancestor
- Polish birth certificate as a key document in confirming citizenship eligibility
- etc.
And at least one of the following documents:
- Polish military documents, service numbers, and other military-related documents of your ancestor
- Polish census records listing your ancestor
- Your ancestor’s Polish passport
- Polish ID card
- Polish population registers
- Immigration and census data from your ancestor’s adopted country
In addition to presenting documents proving your ancestor’s Polish citizenship, it is crucial to demonstrate that your ancestor did not lose their Polish citizenship.
There are several ways this could have happened, including:
- Working for a foreign, non-Polish government before 1951
- Serving in a foreign, non-Polish army before 1951
- Renouncing their Polish citizenship
However, it is important to note that there are numerous exceptions that can still lead to a positive outcome, which we evaluate on a case-by-case basis.
In cases where your ancestor originated from Poland’s former territories, specifically that are now within the borders of Lithuania or Ukraine, are particularly complex and require careful analysis.
Each family tree and history is unique and requires an individual approach.
During the search for lost documents, our clients often discover stories about their grandparents and great-grandparents.
These are often emotional moments for them.
At the same time, they realize that thanks to their ancestors, they can now enjoy the privileges of being an EU citizen.
Our team of experts has extensive research skills, enabling us to effectively search Polish archives and recover documentation, creating a clear record of events.
What About Polish Citizenship by Marriage?
Clients often ask us if they can automatically get Polish citizenship through marriage to a Polish citizen.
This is possible in some cases, but the Polish government outlines clear criteria:
This is possible in some specific cases but, for the majority, Poland’s government outlines clear criteria:
- Your marriage to a Polish citizen must have lasted for at least 3 years
- Your spouse should have residency in Poland, which may include certain periods of absence based on a valid residence card
- Additionally, you must prove you can speak Polish obtain a Polish language qualification at a level of B1 or higher. This does not apply to those seeking Polish citizenship by descent.
If you qualify for Polish citizenship through marriage, you can also apply for a Polish passport.
Applying for a Polish Passport
After completing all the steps and confirming your citizenship by descent, applying for a Polish passport is just a formality. All Polish citizens have the right to a passport, and Polish authorities do not distinguish based on how they get Polish citizenship.
However, as mentioned earlier, you must first confirm your Polish citizenship by descent, which involves gathering documents such as your ancestor’s old passport, birth certificates, Polish military documents, and others.
These documents can be found in Polish archives. Many of them have been preserved to this day.
For more information on the passport application process, we have prepared an article How to Get a Polish Passport.
Summary
Remember, before applying for a Polish passport, you must first confirm your Polish citizenship.
Start the qualification process with a free eligibility test to determine if you meet the criteria necessary to establish your lineage. Once we assess your chances positively, we can assist you throughout the entire process of confirming your Polish citizenship and applying for a Polish passport.
After receiving a Polish citizenship certificate, along with all other required documents, all that remains is to take a biometric photo and submit your application at the consulate. It typically takes a few weeks to process your application for a Polish passport.
FAQ
Do I need to know Polish to apply for a Polish passport?
You do not need to speak Polish to apply for citizenship by descent. However, since the procedure takes place in Poland, and the 12-page application form must be submitted in Polish, using the services of a specialized entity can significantly simplify and speed up the process.
Can I keep my current passport if I apply for a Polish passport?
The Polish government does not prohibit this. If you have dual citizenship and are recognized as a citizen of two countries, it is common to hold a passport for each.
It’s worth nothing that this requires both countries to recognize dual citizenship. A small number of countries, such as Japan, however, do not allow dual citizenship.
What is the process for obtaining a Polish passport in a nutshell?
Here are the main requirements:
Attend the appointment with the necessary documentation and complete your application digitally.
Confirm you Polish citizenship by descent (or using other methods).
Obtain a document confirming your citizenship.
Schedule an appointment at a selected Polish consulate or embassy (it doesn’t have to be in your country of residence).
Can I get a Polish passport in another country?
Yes, Polish law allows its citizens to hold dual citizenship.
Yes, if you qualify through Polish descent and the country you are in has Polish consular services, then you can apply through your consular officer.
How can my family benefit from Polish citizenship?
Once you obtain a Polish passport, you provide certain privileges for your family. It’s worth noting, of course, that your directly related family members, sharing your family history, can also directly apply for citizenship.
Read our blog post How My Family Can Benefit from Polish Citizenship for detailed information. You can also check out our post on the benefits of holding Poli sh citizenship.
My ancestors were Polish, but they lived in former Polish territories like Ukraine/Lithuania. Can you help me?
Our team of experts has years of experience dealing with complex cases like these and may be able to help you confirm citizenship by descent. If you have Polish relatives who lived in Ukraine or Lithuania, complete our free eligibility test, and we will assess your situation. Eligibility can also extend to ancestors from former Polish territories.
