Common reasons for refusal to issue a Polish Card and how to prepare for an interview

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Boiko Kateryna

Lawyer

Poland / Warsaw

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Publication date: 02.02.2026

Despite having Polish roots, refusal of the Polish Card in practice occurs quite often. Most applicants mistakenly believe that it is enough to have a relative of Polish nationality or several archival documents. However, the procedure for obtaining the Polish Card is complex and involves not only checking the evidence, but also assessing the applicant’s personality. 

The authorities analyze documents, the logic of family relationships, the consistency of explanations, and the applicant’s behavior during the Polish Card interview. Even when formal grounds exist, the reasons for refusal are often related to preparation errors or weak reasoning. 

The most common reasons for refusal 

In practice, refusal is rarely based on a single ground. Usually, it is a combination of factors that raises doubts for the authority regarding the validity of the application. 

The most common reasons for refusal include: 

1. a broken or inconsistent family chain; 
2. documents without direct confirmation of Polish nationality;
3. contradictory or inaccurate data in the documents; 
4. insufficient knowledge of Polish culture and traditions; 
5. uncertain or inconsistent answers during the interview. 

It is important to understand that even minor inaccuracies may negatively affect the overall impression and become a reason for refusal of the Polish Card. 

Interview for the Polish Card as a key stage 

The Polish Card interview is one of the most important stages of the procedure. It is during this stage that the authority forms an opinion about the applicant not only as a document holder, but as a person declaring belonging to the Polish people. 

During the interview, the following aspects are assessed:

• the level of proficiency in the Polish language; 
• understanding of one’s own origin and family history; 
• basic knowledge of the history, culture, and traditions of Poland; 
• logic and consistency of answers; 
• behavior and reaction to clarifying questions. 

Even a well-prepared documentary package may lose its value if the interview is conducted in an uncertain or contradictory manner. 

Typical mistakes during the interview 

One of the most common mistakes is underestimating the importance of the interview. Applicants often study only general facts without linking them to their own family history. 

Another frequent issue involves contradictory answers, excessive stress, or attempts to “guess” the correct response instead of providing a clear explanation. Such situations often become a formal basis for refusal of the Polish Card. 

How to properly prepare for the interview 

Effective preparation for the interview should be comprehensive and start well before submitting the documents. It includes not only studying possible questions, but also analyzing potential risks specific to the case. 

Proper preparation for the interview usually involves: 

1. analysis of typical and individual questions; 
2. preparation of logical and consistent answers; 
3. verification of consistency between answers and documents; 
4. work on problematic or weak points of the case. 

Such preparation significantly increases the applicant’s confidence and reduces the risk of mistakes. 

Why legal support is needed 

Professional legal support plays a key role in complex or borderline cases. A lawyer not only analyzes documents, but also evaluates the overall filing strategy, prepares the applicant for the interview, and models possible scenarios.

Legal support allows you to: 

• realistically assess the chances of a positive decision; 
• avoid repeated refusals; 
• form a clear and consistent interview position; 
• have a plan of action after the interview. 

In many cases, legal support makes it possible to turn a weak case into a promising one. 

FAQ — frequently asked questions

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