10/11/2025
🇵🇱 Important update on Polish citizenship for holders of EU Long-Term Resident / Permanent Residence cards
Attention to foreign nationals residing in Poland under a long-term resident permit of the European Union (or permanent residence) — there are significant proposed changes on the horizon for obtaining Polish citizenship under the Act on Polish Citizenship.
In future Polish Citizenship can take 15-17 years.
🔍 What is the current rule?
Under the current legislation:
A foreigner who has resided legally in Poland continuously for at least 3 years, on the basis of a permanent residence permit, or an EU long-term residence permit, or the right of permanent residence, may apply for recognition as a Polish citizen.
Other routes exist (for example 2 years + marriage to a Polish citizen, or 10 years on any legal basis) but the 3-year route is the key standard route for long-term residents.
🧭 What is changing / what has been proposed?
There are several draft initiatives affecting the citizenship rules:
A draft bill submitted by the President of Poland would extend the minimum period of continuous legal residence required before one can be recognised as a Polish citizen—from 3 years to 10 years (for those holding permanent residence or EU long-term residence status).
The draft further aims to strengthen integration criteria (e.g., language, knowledge of Polish culture) before citizenship is granted.
In parallel, other proposals from the Ministry of the Interior and Administration would extend the residence requirement to 8 years (3 years temporary + 5 years permanent) for naturalisation.
❗ What has been rejected / where we stand
The presidential draft has been submitted to the Sejm (lower house) but has not yet been adopted.
Some sources indicate the draft by the President was vetoed (or blocked) when tied into the broader law on assistance to Ukrainian citizens, which included citizenship provisions.
So, as of now: the existing 3-year route remains valid, but the legislative environment is uncertain and may change — meaning that for those considering applying for Polish citizenship based on long‐term residence, timing may be important.
✅ What this mean
If you are already eligible (3 years on EU long-term residence permit + stable income + housing + Polish B1 language) — applying now could be advantageous, before stricter rules may come into force.
If you are still building up residence time, you should be aware of the risk that the required residence period may increase (to 8 or 10 years) once new rules apply.
It remains necessary to monitor progress of the draft bills in the Sejm and any implementation timeline.
Ensure that other conditions (language level, legal income, housing) are all met and documented — as tighter integration criteria are clearly part of the draft changes.
