Obtaining Polish citizenship is the dream of many people who have a connection to Poland, whether through ancestry, marriage or long-term residence in the country. Indeed, Poland, being a member of the European Union, offers numerous benefits to its citizens, including the freedom to travel, work and settle in member countries.
For many foreigners, however, there is an opportunity to expedite the rather long and arduous process of obtaining citizenship. Therefore, below we will discuss in more detail who can take advantage of this path, what conditions must be met and what steps must be taken to quickly become a citizen of Poland.
Who can benefit from the fast track to Polish citizenship?
The fast track to Polish citizenship is only available to certain groups of people who meet certain conditions. Below are the most important categories of people who can apply for citizenship under the fast track:
– Persons with Polish ancestry
One of the main groups that can take advantage of the fast track is people with Polish ancestry. In this situation, Polish citizenship can be obtained relatively quickly, but only if you can prove that you have Polish ancestors, such as parents, grandparents or great-grandparents who were Polish citizens. The process is often quickest for those who can produce the appropriate documents proving Polish roots.
– Spouses of Polish citizens
Individuals who have married a Polish citizen also have the option of taking the fast-track to citizenship. In this case it is usually necessary to document at least three years of marriage and a minimum of two years of legal residence in Poland on the basis of a settlement permit, a permanent residence permit or a residence permit for a long-term EU resident. In addition, an important element is the submission of a declaration of belonging to the Polish nation.
– Polish Card holders
Holders of the Pole’s Card can also benefit from a fast track to citizenship. The Card of the Pole is a document confirming membership in the Polish nation, which is issued to people residing in the former Soviet Union, as well as to other people who can prove Polish ancestry or are actively involved in promoting Polish culture. After staying in Poland for at least a year on the basis of the Card of the Pole and obtaining permanent residence, we have the opportunity to apply for citizenship.
– Persons with special merits for Poland
Foreigners who have made special contributions to Poland, such as in the fields of culture, science, sports or the economy, can also count on an accelerated process of obtaining citizenship. The President of the Republic of Poland then has the right to grant citizenship to a person who has made a significant contribution to the development or promotion of Poland in the international arena.
– Persons residing in Poland for a specified period of time
Foreigners who have been legally residing in Poland for an extended period of time are another group that is entitled to apply for citizenship in an expedited manner. Those who have lived in Poland for a minimum of three years on the basis of a settlement permit or a permanent residence permit and have a stable source of income and the right to occupy a dwelling can expedite the citizenship application process.
What steps should be taken in the process of obtaining citizenship quickly?
The expedited process for obtaining Polish citizenship consists of several key steps. Each of them is important for the application to be processed quickly and favorably. These include:
– Assembly of documents
The basis for obtaining citizenship quickly is the proper preparation of documentation. Depending on the basis on which you base your application, you will need to submit such documents as:
– Birth certificate,
– Evidence of Polish ancestry (if applicable),
– Documents confirming marriage to a Polish citizen,
– Pole’s card (if applicable),
– Documents confirming stable income and right to housing in Poland.
It is worth ensuring that all documents are up-to-date, complete and, if necessary, translated into Polish by a sworn translator.
– Filling out the application
The next necessary step is to fill out an application. The application for Polish citizenship should be downloaded from the website of the relevant office or obtained directly from the provincial office or consulate. The application must be filled out carefully, providing all the required information, including personal data, history of residence in Poland and grounds for applying for citizenship.
– Submission of the application
Time to submit the application. The application, along with the documents, should be submitted to the provincial office with jurisdiction over your place of residence in Poland, or to the Polish consulate if you are currently abroad. It is important to make sure that the application is complete and no documents are missing, which can speed up the processing.
– Waiting for a decision
Waiting time for a decision can vary depending on the basis of the application and the workload of the authorities. In the case of the fast track to citizenship, a decision can be made in as little as a few weeks, although in some cases it can take much longer. During the wait, moreover, offices may ask for additional documents or information to be provided by the deadline, which unfortunately prolongs the entire process.
– Grant of citizenship
Upon successful application, the President of the Republic of Poland grants Polish citizenship. Then we can proceed with the formalities of obtaining a Polish identity card and passport, which only allows full enjoyment of the rights granted to Polish citizens.
Benefits of Polish citizenship
Obtaining Polish citizenship brings with it many benefits that can significantly affect our professional, personal and family life. Here are some of the most important advantages:
- free access to European Union countries
As Polish citizens, we gain the right to live, work and study in any of the European Union member states, without the need for additional permits. As a result, we can move freely throughout the Union, settle in the country of our choice, and benefit from the educational and health care systems there.
- full citizenship rights
Polish citizenship also gives us the right to participate in parliamentary, presidential and local elections, which allows us to actively participate in the political life of the country. In addition, we can apply for jobs in public administration, which often require Polish citizenship.
3 Legal protection
Poland, as a member of the European Union, provides its citizens with legal protection throughout the Union and in many other countries of the world with which the Union has agreements. In practice, this means that we have the right to consular protection, including assistance in crisis situations abroad.
4 Access to the Polish education and health system
Polish citizenship eventually opens up to us access to free primary, secondary and higher education, as well as state-funded health care. As a result, we can also take advantage of concessions and social programs offered by the Polish government.
If you do not know whether you too are eligible to apply for Polish citizenship on an expedited basis, or whether you can apply for a Polish passport at all, we encourage you to take the Polish citizenship test. It can clear up many of your doubts and give you even more information about the entire process.
