Eligibility quiz
Do you have a Polish permanent residence permit that you got because of your Polish origin?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Polish passport and ID
Polish citizens can get a passport and identity card.
A normal passport lasts 10 years, or 5 years for some children.
A temporary passport lasts for the period stated on it, up to 12 months.
Live in Poland for life
Polish citizens can live in Poland permanently, choose where to live and move within the country.
They cannot be expelled from Poland or refused return.
Study in Poland
Polish citizens can use public education on the same terms as other Polish citizens.
Full-time study at public universities and other higher-education institutions is generally free of tuition on those terms.
Work in Poland
Polish citizens can work or run a business in Poland without a foreigner's work permit.
Get help abroad
Polish citizens can get help from Poland abroad, including passport assistance and emergency help.
If Poland has no representative in a country outside the EU, another EU country's consulate can help on the same terms as for its own citizens.
Vote in elections
Polish citizens can generally vote from age 18 in presidential, parliamentary and local elections and referendums.
Some people lose this right through a final court judgment.
Rules for voting abroad differ, and registration with the consul may be needed.
Use public healthcare
Public healthcare normally depends on insurance, though some uninsured citizens living in Poland qualify based on income and other conditions.
Children under 18 and pregnant women who are Polish citizens living in Poland have access to specified care.
In other EU countries, coverage depends on national systems and rules that can include work, insurance and residence.
Get social support
Polish citizens who live and stay in Poland can seek social assistance, with help depending on need, income and other conditions.
Pensions and benefits for sickness, unemployment and families have separate payment and eligibility rules.
How to apply
Applying at a local officeApplying at a local office
Find your local office
Find the regional government office responsible for the place where you live in Poland. You must apply to the regional governor responsible for your area.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which regional government office handles uznanie za obywatela polskiego for your city in Poland?”
Download the application form
Download the form called Wniosek o uznanie za obywatela polskiego from your regional government office.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Where can I download the uznanie za obywatela polskiego application form for your city in Poland?”
Fill in the form
Fill in the application clearly in Polish and sign it.
Get help with formSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the uznanie za obywatela polskiego application form in Poland?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for your regional government office.
See required documentsPay the fee
Pay the 1,000 zł fee by bank transfer to the account your regional government office gives you. Keep the proof of payment to include with your application.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Where do I pay the uznanie za obywatela polskiego fee for your city in Poland?”
Book an appointment
Ask your regional government office whether you need an appointment to apply in person. If you do, book one using the method the office provides.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book an appointment for uznanie za obywatela polskiego in your city Poland?”
Hand in your application
Bring your completed application, required documents and proof of payment to your regional government office, with originals and copies of the documents as the office asks. You can instead mail your application package to the regional governor responsible for your area.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Where do I submit an application for uznanie za obywatela polskiego in your city Poland?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the regional governor’s decision and receive it in the way arranged during your application. If the office asks for more information or documents, respond by the deadline it gives you.
Learn about the decisionSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I receive a decision on uznanie za obywatela polskiego in Poland?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Proof of spouse’s details *
Provide a document confirming the details of your spouse that you give in your application. Check with your voivodeship office which document it accepts.
* Only if you are married.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationConsiderations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Treatment as Polish
If you have another citizenship, Polish authorities treat you as a Polish citizen.
You cannot use your other citizenship to avoid Polish rights or duties.
Defence and military service
Citizens from age 18 through the year they turn 60, or 63 for some ranks, may be called for defence duties.
Permanent medical unfitness and some pregnancy or childcare cases are exempt; so are dual citizens living permanently abroad.
Foreign military service needs permission, except for dual citizens living permanently in their other country and serving its forces; breaking this rule can be a crime.
Citizenship can be lost
Polish citizenship can be given up voluntarily only with the President's consent.
It ends 30 days after the decision, unless an earlier date is specified.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Foreigner in Warsaw Poland
English Facebook group for people living in Poland interested in Polish local life
Join on FacebookExpats in Warsaw, Poland
English Facebook group for people living in Poland interested in Polish local life
Join on FacebookCudzoziemcy - trudne przypadki
Polish Facebook group for people living in Poland interested in Polish visas
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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