Before obtaining a Polish passport, you must first confirm your Polish citizenship. In this article, we’ll discuss the available methods and their requirements.
Owning a Polish passport unlocks numerous benefits, such as the ability to travel, work, and study freely across not just Poland, but the European Union.
Recognized as one of the strongest passports worldwide, the Polish passport allows visa-free travel to over 176 countries.
However, before enjoying the privileges of a Polish passport, you need to have your Polish citizenship confirmed.
This step is essential for those who have not already become a Polish citizen, or have otherwise acquired Polish citizenship through descent, naturalization, or other legal pathways.
In this article, we’ll explore the methods for confirming & acquiring Polish citizenship in order to to obtain a Polish passport.
Key Takeaways
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Methods to Obtain a Polish Passport
Getting a Polish passport is generally a straightforward process once you obtain Polish citizenship.
Therefore, the process for acquiring a Polish passport begins with verifying your citizenship status. In order to get a Polish passport, you must be a recognized Polish citizen in the eyes of the Polish government.
Fortunately, Polish citizenship law provides several methods for confirming citizenship, tailored to various life and family circumstances.
Let’s discuss the main ways to become a Polish citizen.
Acquiring Polish Citizenship by Descent
This is the most popular method among our clients.
Citizenship can be confirmed if at least one of your ancestors, typically as far back as great-grandparents, held Polish citizenship.
This process follows the principle of “right of blood” (jus sanguinis), meaning citizenship is inherited through ancestry. The Polish government considers someone born this way as a Polish citizen at birth, and therefore the process of Polish citizenship by descent is not about getting Polish citizenship, but recognizing an inherent birthright.
General Requirements
- At least one ancestor must have held Polish citizenship, documented through personal or official records.
- The ancestor must have resided in Poland after 1920.
- They must also not have lost their Polish citizenship after leaving Poland.
- Relationship to the Polish ancestor must be proven through documents like birth, marriage certificates, passports, or other records.
1. Eligibility Validation: First you need to verify whether you meet the criteria for confirmation of citizenship by Polish descent.
2. Document Collection: To claim Polish citizenship, you next need to gather birth and marriage certificates, along with documents proving your ancestors’ citizenship.
3. Document Translation: Both Polish citizenship and passport application forms require all required documents to be in the Polish language. Those of another language must be translated via a recognized, sworn translator.
4. Application Submission: Application forms can be filled and submitted through the appropriate office in Poland or, if you live abroad, through your closest Polish consulate.
5. Awaiting Decision: The verification process can take up to a year, depending on the application’s completeness and the office’s workload.
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Other Ways to Get Polish Citizenship
Beyond your family tree, several other methods allow individuals to obtain Polish citizenship. Each citizenship confirmation procedure has specific requirements, which you can find in detail on official government websites.
Citizenship by Naturalization
Under Polish law, individuals legally residing in Poland for a required period can apply for citizenship through naturalization if they meet criteria related to long-term residency and integration into Polish society.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Continuous legal residence in Poland for at least three years with a permanent residence permit (or equivalent).
- Proof of regular, stable income.
- Proficiency to speak Polish at the B1 level, certified by an exam or a school diploma.
Citizenship by Marriage
Individuals married to Polish citizens may apply for citizenship if they meet conditions regarding the length of marriage and legal residence in Poland.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Two years of continuous legal residence in Poland with a permanent residence permit (or equivalent).
- Marriage to a Polish citizen for at least three years or status as a stateless person.
- Proficiency to speak Polish at the B1 level, certified by an exam or a school diploma.
Citizenship by Law
Children with at least one Polish parent automatically acquire Polish citizenship. This also applies to children adopted by Polish citizens.
Eligibility Requirements:
- At least one parent must be a Polish citizen.
- Children adopted by Polish parents also get Polish citizenship.
Citizenship Granted by the President of Poland
Finally, you can also potentially get Polish citizenship by applying directly to the President of Poland. This is a discretionary procedure that does not have any specific residency or language requirements. However, the decision rests solely with the President.
Requirements:
- The application must be submitted personally by the foreigner wishing to acquire Polish citizenship.
- The application should include justification, identity documents, and proof of the applicant’s current legal status.
For more detailed information about each method, visit the government website, where you’ll find comprehensive details and requirements for obtaining citizenship.
Summary
In summary, obtaining a Polish passport first requires confirming your Polish citizenship. This is a prerequisite for your Passport application: only national citizens can receive Polish passports.
There are several methods to achieve this, including confirmation of citizenship by descent, naturalization, marriage, automatic acquisition of citizenship, or discretionary citizenship granted by the President of Poland.
If you have Polish ancestry and would like to pursue the confirmation of citizenship by descent, the experts at Lexmotion can guide you through the entire process of obtaining Polish citizenship. We can also advise your other family members, too!
Contact us by completing our free eligibility quiz.
FAQ
What are the basic requirements to apply for a Polish passport?
To apply for a Polish passport, you must first be a confirmed Polish citizen. You need to verify your Polish citizenship before submitting a passport application.
Can I keep my current citizenship while applying for a Polish passport?
If you already hold citizenship of another country, Poland does not require you to renounce it. This includes holding a passport from another country. In fact, many people around the world hold dual citizenship, adding Polish passports to their original nationality.
However, after obtaining Polish citizenship, keep in mind that Polish authorities require the use of Polish identity documents, including a Polish passport, while you are in Poland.
For example, this means that when entering or leaving Poland, or when dealing with the Polish government in other matters, you should use your Polish passport rather than the passport of another country.
What documents are needed to apply for a Polish passport?
Required documents include:
- Birth certificate.
- Marriage certificate (if applicable).
- Current ID.
- Documents confirming Polish citizenship.
- Passport-style photograph.
How long does it take to obtain a Polish passport?
The waiting time for a passport varies depending on the location of your application and the current workload of the Polish consulate or issuing office.
It typically takes between a few weeks and about three months.
Do I need to apply for a passport in person?
Yes, applying for a passport requires an in-person appointment at a Polish consulate or office to verify your identity and collect fingerprints.
Can I expedite the passport issuance process?
In certain cases, you can request expedited passport issuance or a temporary passport, though this may involve additional fees. Contact your Polish consulate or relevant office for detailed information.
