If you are interested in applying for citizenship by descent in Poland, you should know that obtaining citizenship through this route is possible only for those with Polish ancestors. Our Polish lawyers can assist you in this matter.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Means to acquire citizenship in Poland | Naturalization, marriage and descent are the main ways to acquire citizenship in Poland |
Special requirements to get Polish citizenship by descent | Yes, the applicant must be related to at least one Polish citizens |
Access to citizenship based on the relation with Polish grandparents (YES/NO) | YES, it is possible to get citizenship based on having at least one Polish grandparent |
| Access to citizenship based on the relation with other Polish ancestors (YES/NO) | YES, a blood relation with a Polish great-grandparent is also accepted |
| Authorities in charge with the issuance of Polish documents | Ministry of Interior in Poland |
| Permanent residence requirements (YES/NO) | No, there is no need to live in Poland to gain citizenship by descent |
| Option to search for Polish ancestors (YES/NO) | Polish Vital Records |
| Special procedure to complete to gain citizenship by ancestry | The main aspect to consider is finding information about the relation with a Polish citizen born after 1920 |
| Degree of difficulty in obtaining citizenship | Ancestry is the easiest way to secure citizenship in Poland |
| Option to apply for citizenship by other means (YES/NO) | YES, one can also choose to apply for citizenship by naturalization |
| Requirement to live in Poland (YES/NO) | There is no need to have lived in Poland prior to applying for citizenship |
| Possibility to pass on citizenship to descendants (YES/NO) | YES, after gaining this status, it can be passed on to future generations |
| Possibility to obtain citizenship as a spouse of a Polish descendent (YES/NO) | NO, but the spouse will be able to secure residency in Poland through kinship |
| Support in applying for citizenship by descent (YES/NO) | YES, our immigration lawyers in Poland can assist in citizenship by descent matters |
| Other immigration services (YES/NO) | YES, we can also help in securing citizenship by marriage and investment, as well as permanent residency in Poland |
| Legislation | Act on Polish Citizenship. |
Proof of descent | Applicants must provide documented evidence of their Polish ancestry, such as birth certificates and other relevant records. |
Dual citizenship | Poland allows dual citizenship, so individuals can retain their current citizenship while acquiring Polish citizenship by descent. |
| Application process | The application process involves submitting required documents to the competent Polish authorities with the help of our immigration lawyers in Poland. |
| Residency requirement | Not required. |
| Language requirement | Not required. |
| Birth registration | Some individuals may need to register their birth with the Polish civil registry before applying for citizenship by descent in Poland. |
| Timeframe for approval | 3-6 months. |
| Passport application | Once citizenship is granted, individuals can apply for a Polish passport to enjoy the full rights and benefits of citizenship. |
| Documentary evidence | A comprehensive set of documents, including birth certificates, marriage certificates, and proof of ancestry, is required. |
| Eligibility for minor children | Minor children of individuals acquiring citizenship by descent in Poland may also be eligible for citizenship. |
| Fees and costs | Applying for Polish citizenship generally incurs minimal fees, with the main exception being the 219 PLN stamp duty. |
| Inheritance and property rights | Polish citizens by descent enjoy inheritance and property rights in the same manner as citizens who acquire citizenship through other means. |
| Changes in legislation | Applicants should stay informed about any changes in Polish citizenship laws that may affect eligibility criteria or procedures. Consult our Polish lawyers to stay updated. |
| Appeal process | There may be provisions for appealing decisions in case an application for citizenship by descent is initially denied. You can get help from our law firm in Poland in this regard. |
Table of Contents
How do I know if I am eligible for Polish citizenship by descent?
You enter one of the following categories:
- you have at least one Polish parent;
- you at least at least one Polish grandparent;
- you have at least one Polish great-grandparent who was born after 1920.
Is it possible to be denied citizenship by descent even if I have Polish ancestors?
Yes, it is. You can be denied Polish citizenship by descent if:
- any of your Polish family members have renounced their Polish nationality;
- any of your family members accepted a public office or military service in another country before 1951 without the consent of the Polish authorities.
NOTE! Even if you can no longer obtain citizenship by descent, you can follow the regular pathway and apply forPolish nationality by naturalization.
Here is our infographic on this subject:
Where do I start the procedure for obtaining Polish citizenship by descent?
The process of applying for citizenship by descent in Poland must start by finding all your relatives who live or have lived in Poland by the time of the application. This implies collecting data like dates of birth and residential addresses from all your ancestors. Also, if you have family members who have completed military service in Poland, their names and ranks must be added to the biography next to your personal information.
The biography must be filed with the Polish embassy or consulate in your current home country alongside various application forms and your valid passport.
What are the documents I can use to prove Polish ancestry/citizenship of my family?
To prove ties with a Polish national, you can use:
- your birth certificate, which will show that you have at least one Polish parent;
- the marriage certificate of your parents, which will also indicate that at least one of them was a Polish national;
- the naturalization records, which will indicate that your parents obtained Polish citizenship by naturalization;
- family tree: a comprehensive family tree showing the lineage connecting the applicant to the Polish ancestor;
- passport copies: copies of passports belonging to the Polish ancestor or any family members that may indicate Polish citizenship;
- property ownership records: documents proving property ownership by the Polish ancestor in Poland or any relevant historical records;
- census records: historical census records showing the presence of the Polish ancestor in Poland or abroad;
- church records: baptism, confirmation, or other church records that mention the Polish ancestor or their family members;
- legal name changes: documents indicating any legal name changes undergone by the Polish ancestor or their descendants;
- correspondence or letters: any correspondence or letters that mention the Polish ancestor or their family connections.
Residency and military records can also be used in case you want to obtain Polish citizenship by ancestry by demonstrating ties with a grandparent or great-grandparent.
You can also watch our video below:
What is the procedure to obtain Polish citizenship by descent?
You need to:
- gather the documents indicated above (our immigration lawyers in Poland can help you);
- submit them to a Polish consulate if you are abroad;
- wait for confirmation of your eligibility and schedule a citizenship interview;
- attend the interview and get the confirmation of acceptance of your application.
How long does it take for a Polish citizenship application to be processed?
2 to 4 months.
If you are seeking legal help to obtain Polish citizenship through heritage, please consider contacting our lawyers. We can also assist you with acquiring Polish permanent residency if you are eligible.
