Publication date: 01.04.2025
My name is Igor Osipchuk, I am a lawyer from Warsaw. The key areas of law in which I have been practicing for 30 years are migration, civil, labor, criminal law, and public utilities law. I always focus on achieving concrete results and set high standards in my work. For me, it is important not only to complete the task, but also to ensure the best result that fully meets the expectations of my clients.
Input data: A woman, originally from Ukraine, has been living in Poland for 5 years. She holds a "Karta Polaka", works in a marketing company in Kraków, is married to a Polish man, and raises two children. She has submitted documents for obtaining Polish citizenship.
Problem: During the review of the citizenship application, an administrative violation was discovered — the violation of the legal stay period in the country a few years ago. This creates a risk of refusal to obtain citizenship.
Solution: To resolve the situation, it was decided to prepare a detailed explanatory letter explaining the circumstances of the violation, as well as provide documents confirming the client's good faith and her integration into Polish society.
Documents submitted:
- Proof of stable income from the workplace.
- A recommendation letter from the employer.
- Birth certificates of the children.
- Tax payment documents.
- Confirmation of participation in Polish social initiatives and charitable projects.
Result: After 8 months of waiting, the client received a positive decision and became a Polish citizen.
How to obtain Polish citizenship?
Residence in Poland
To obtain Polish citizenship through residence, it is necessary to live in Poland for a certain number of years on legal grounds. This is the most common path for those who have a temporary or permanent stay permit in Poland.
Basic requirements:
- Residence on a permanent basis for 5 years (for those with Polish roots or married to a Polish citizen — 3 years).
- Knowledge of the Polish language at the B1 level.
- Proof of financial ability to live in the country.
Documents for obtaining Polish citizenship through residence:
- Application for citizenship.
- Documents proving legal stay in Poland.
- Certificate of Polish language knowledge.
- Proof of financial ability (bank statement or employment contract).
- Passport and other documents proving identity.
Marriage to a Polish citizen
If you have been married to a Polish citizen for at least 3 years, you can apply for Polish citizenship. It is important that your stay in Poland is stable and the marriage is legal.
Basic requirements:
- Residence in Poland after marriage for at least 2 years.
- Knowledge of the Polish language at the B1 level.
- Proof of stable income and adaptation to Polish society.
Documents for obtaining citizenship through marriage:
- Application for citizenship.
- Marriage certificate.
- Proof of legal stay in Poland.
- Certificate of Polish language knowledge.
- Documents proving financial ability.
Polish origin (repatriation)
If you have Polish ancestry, you can apply for repatriation to obtain Polish citizenship. This process involves confirming Polish roots through your ancestors.
Basic requirements:
- Proof of Polish origin (e.g., documents about your ancestors' citizenship or Polish origin).
- Knowledge of the Polish language at the A1 level (in some cases).
- Submitting an application to the consulate or appropriate authorities in Poland.
Documents for obtaining citizenship through origin:
- Application for citizenship.
- Passports or documents of your ancestors.
- Birth certificates and other documents confirming Polish origin.
- Certificate of Polish language knowledge (if required).
How a lawyer helps in the process of obtaining Polish citizenship:
- Consultation on citizenship issues.
- Preparation and verification of documents.
- Filing the citizenship application.
- Representation of client interests in governmental agencies.
- Consultation and support at all stages of the process.
The process of obtaining Polish citizenship can be complex and requires careful attention to procedural requirements. Engaging an experienced specialist will help correctly prepare documents, navigate all stages, and achieve the desired result. Professional support increases the chances of success in this procedure.
