Polish citizenship only after 15 years? A political statement ahead of the elections

A new draft amendment to the Polish Citizenship Act proposes significantly extending the required period of legal residence in Poland. While the aim is said to be to deepen the integration of foreigners and align Polish law with European standards, the proposal raises serious concerns.

The Core of the proposed amendment

The amendment targets Article 30(1)(1) of the Polish Citizenship Act. As it currently stands, this provision allows foreigners to be recognized as Polish citizens if they have continuously resided in Poland for at least three years based on a permanent residence permit, EU long-term resident status, or the right of permanent residence.

Additionally, the Act requires applicants to:

• have a stable source of income,
• possess legal title to residential property, and
• demonstrate knowledge of the Polish language at a minimum B1 level.

This process, commonly known as naturalization, is one of the standard pathways to acquiring Polish citizenship.

The proposed amendment would extend the required uninterrupted residence period from 3 to 10 years, while maintaining all other conditions. It would apply only to applications submitted after the amendment comes into force.

Political context of the amendment

The bill was submitted by members of the Law and Justice party, which currently lacks a parliamentary majority. Its introduction just weeks ahead of the presidential election scheduled for May 18, 2025, invites questions about its true legislative intent.

The official justification cites the need for stronger integration, closer ties between foreigners and the Polish state, and examples from countries like Italy and Austria, where longer residence requirements exist.

At the same time, the justification places notable emphasis on the scale of Ukrainian immigration – estimated at 1.5 million people in 2023. This group appears to be the implicit focus of the proposal, as they represent the primary demographic that could seek Polish citizenship.

Citizenship in practice – how long does it really take?

However, claims that foreigners can acquire citizenship after just three years of residence are misleading both legally and practically. To apply under this route, one must first obtain a long-term EU residence permit or a permanent residence permit.

The EU long-term residence permit requires at least five years of uninterrupted legal residence in Poland (with limited exceptions under the Foreigners Act), and the approval process can take many months or even years.

Meanwhile, a permanent residence permit is typically available only to children or spouses of Polish citizens, or individuals of Polish descent. Other eligible groups, such as victims of human trafficking or refugees residing in Poland for at least five years, are relatively rare and pose no systemic risk.

As a result, in practice, a foreigner needs to live in Poland for at least 9–10 years to meet all the requirements under Article 30(1)(1), and considering the duration of residency procedures, it could take up to 12 years.

The amendment does not eliminate this pathway to citizenship but extends one of its stages in a way that seems disproportionate and emotionally charged rather than grounded in practical necessity.

A normative change with limited practical impact

From a legal standpoint, the amendment does not address any identifiable systemic issue. There are no reports of abuse related to citizenship applications after three years of residence. On the contrary, very few people qualify due to the lengthy and multi-stage legalization process.

Extending the residence requirement from 3 to 10 years would affect only a narrow group of foreigners who already face stringent residency and integration criteria. The amendment would not apply to specific categories such as spouses of Polish citizens, Polish Card holders, or refugees, who are subject to separate rules.

From an immigration policy perspective, the change could discourage foreigners from pursuing full integration with the Polish state if the goal of citizenship appears increasingly remote. This may, in turn, impact labor migration and the overall dynamics of Poland’s job market.

What are the prospects for change?

While the bill has generated media buzz and stirred public debate, its legislative future remains uncertain. Given the current political balance, there is no clear majority in favor of the amendment. Despite its detailed justification, the proposal fails to directly address the real challenges posed by current regulations.

Our law firm will continue to closely monitor the legislative process. If you have any questions regarding the citizenship recognition process, EU long-term residence permits, or other legal grounds for obtaining Polish citizenship, we are here to help.