Polish citizenship by descent and the Exclusive Citizenship Act 2025 – analysis of changes and legal implications

On the 2nd of December 2025 Ohio senator Bernie Moreno has introduced the Exclusive Citizenship Act 2025, which is meant to establish that citizens of the US can only have the American citizenship, supposedly abolishing dual citizenship.

What are the consequences of the Exclusive Citizenship Act 2025 for US citizens who hold or are applying for Polish citizenship?

According to the proposed content of the Exclusive Citizenship Act 2025, the US would no longer allow for its citizens to simultaneously hold any foreign citizenships. All those who gain a foreign citizenship after the Act comes into force would automatically loose their American citizenship.

Those, who already have a foreign citizenship, would be required to submit within a year a written renunciation of either their American or their foreign citizenship to the US Secretary of State. Should they fail to do so, they would be considered to have relinquished their US citizenship.

The questions is: does it actually affect those Americans who also happen to be Polish citizens and those who want to have their Polish citizenship by descent confirmed? In short- it does not.

Why does confirmation of Polish citizenship not violate the provisions of the planned US law?

Before we get to that, it should be pointed out that the Act is an initiative of one senator, as of right now it seems unlikely that it will gain any real traction. Let us however assume for a moment that the Act actually comes into force.

First of all, if one of your parents had Polish citizenship when you were born, you became a Polish citizen by birth. You can motion for Polish authorities to confirm that fact. The decision that will be issued will be just that- a confirmation of that fact. You would not therefore be acquiring a foreign citizenship, which might result in loosing American citizenship.

What is more, Polish authorities would not inform American authorities about confirming your Polish citizenship. That means that American authorities would not even know about any decisions issued in Poland.

It also must be said that even if you were to submit a written renunciation of your Polish citizenship to the US Secretary of State, it would not actually mean that you renounced your Polish citizenship. Loosing Polish citizenship can be regulated only by Polish law and making any statements in front of American authorities would not affect your status in Poland.

You would still be recognised as a Polish citizen in Poland and EU.

Does the Exclusive Citizenship Act 2025 really threaten dual citizenship?

The Exclusive Citizenship Act 2025 might upon first glance seem like the end of dual citizenship and the end of Polish citizenship by descent for American citizens.

In actuality, it is neither one of those things. Even if the Act was to come into force, it could not realistically cause anyone to loose either their Polish or American citizenship or prevent them from confirming the possession of Polish citizenship by descent.

As stated, at the moment it seems unlikely that the act will be passed in its current form.

We are ready to guide you through the entire process, from analysis of your case to the confirmation decision!

If you are interested in confirming your Polish citizenship by descent, but are worried about the consequences of Exclusive Citizenship Act 2025 coming into force– reach out to us at [email protected].