Polish citizenship: recognition by the voivode or grant by the President
Official name: Uznanie za obywatela polskiego / nadanie obywatelstwa polskiego
Foreigners can become Polish by being recognised as citizens by the voivode when they meet set residence, income, housing and B1 Polish conditions, usually 3 years after getting permanent residence or EU long-term resident status. The President can also grant citizenship at their discretion.
Life in Poland
Finance
3
Currency
Polish Zloty
PLN
Polish Zloty
Cost of living
55
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
12–32%
Income tax (national)
VAT 23%
Tax scale: 12% less a PLN 3,600 reducing amount (effectively PLN 30,000 tax-free) up to PLN 120,000, then 32%; optional 19% flat rate for business income.
Living
1
Happiness
#23 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Your edge here Premium
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Dual citizenship for you Premium
Whether this country allows dual citizenship, and what it means for your own passports
Who it’s for
Permanent residents and EU long-term residents of Poland, spouses of Polish citizens, refugees, and people of Polish origin.
Eligibility
3 years on a permanent permit
Sign in to check this route against your profileYou need at least 3 years of uninterrupted stay in Poland on a permanent permit, with stable regular income and a legal title to housing.
3 years
Required stay
- Permit can be permanent residence, EU long-term resident or permanent right of residence
Official wording
At least 3 years of uninterrupted stay in Poland on a permanent residence permit, EU long-term resident permit or permanent right of residence, with a stable and regular income and a legal title to housing.
2 years for spouses and stateless peopleSpouse / stateless
Sign in to check this route against your profileYou need at least 2 years on one of those permits if married to a Polish citizen for 3 years, or if stateless.
Required stay
- Spouse of Polish citizen
- 2 years
- Stateless person
- 2 years
- Marriage to a Polish citizen must last at least 3 years
Official wording
At least 2 years on one of those permits for someone married to a Polish citizen for at least 3 years, or a stateless person.
2 years for refugeesRefugee
Sign in to check this route against your profileYou need at least 2 years on a permanent residence permit granted because of refugee status in Poland.
2 years
Required stay
Official wording
At least 2 years on a permanent residence permit granted because of refugee status in Poland.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirement
- Document checklist
- Fees
The full requirements are for members
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- 4 more requirements
- 5 documents
- 2 fees
- 4 steps
- Processing times and conditions
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Connect with a licensed legal advisor for Poland. They set their own price and you pay them directly.
Before you pay anyone, check their licencePlaces to visit in Poland
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
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Official sources
Other routes to Poland
- Visit & tourismSchengen tourist & business visa
- StudyTemporary residence permit for studies / national D visa for study
- Work permitsWork permit for a Polish entity entrusting work to a foreigner (formerly type A) and temporary residence and work permit
- 3 more routes with Premium
