Polish Interior Ministry drafts bill to tighten citizenship requirements

Polish Interior Ministry drafts bill to tighten citizenship requirements
Polish Interior Ministry drafts bill to tighten citizenship requirements

The Polish Ministry of Interior has prepared a bill that tightens the rules for foreigners to obtain citizenship. The document has already been published on the government website.

Reasons for the initiative

The authorities explain this step by the growing number of migrants. The aim is to ensure that passport applicants are genuinely connected to Poland and have integrated into society.

New requirements for candidates

One of the main changes will be an increase in the minimum period of legal residence in the country. The exact length of the extension has not yet been specified.

Requirements for Polish language proficiency are also being raised: from B1 to B2 level. Foreigners will be required to:

  • pass an exam on knowledge of Poland;
  • sign a declaration of loyalty to the state;
  • prove that Poland is their primary place of residence and tax residency.

Financial criteria

To obtain citizenship, applicants will need to prove they have a minimum level of income. In addition, all applicants are obliged to confirm they have housing and sources of livelihood.

Grounds for refusal and revocation of status

Additional grounds for refusal will be introduced. These include providing false information or forged documents, having a criminal record, as well as certain fines and administrative offences committed within a specified period before the application is submitted.

It is proposed to allow decisions on granting citizenship or restoring citizenship to be revoked at any time if it is found that a person obtained it by deception. This applies to cases involving the use of forged documents during the legalisation of stay or the acquisition of a Polish Card.

Limitations on simplified procedure

The changes will also affect the procedure for restoring citizenship. The ability to use the simplified procedure is to be limited: relevant applications will only be accepted until 31 December 2030.

The Ministry of Interior emphasises that obtaining a Polish passport also confers European Union citizenship, so the procedure must take state security issues into account. The government plans to consider the bill in the fourth quarter of 2026.

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