How a Foreigner Can Obtain Polish Citizenship? Granting Polish Citizenship by the President of the Republic of Poland
A foreigner can acquire Polish citizenship:
● By being granted Polish citizenship by the President of the Republic of Poland, or
● By being recognized as a Polish citizen by the Voivode.
Granting Polish Citizenship by the President of the Republic of Poland
According to Article 137 of the Constitution, the President grants Polish citizenship and consents to the renunciation of Polish citizenship.
In accordance with the Polish Citizenship Act, granting Polish citizenship occurs upon the request of the foreigner. Granting Polish citizenship to a minor foreigner occurs upon the request of their legal representatives. In case of a lack of agreement between legal representatives, each of them can seek a decision from the court.
An application for Polish citizenship is submitted personally or by mail with an officially certified signature, through the competent authority based on the place of residence:
● Voivode – for foreigners residing in the territory of the Republic of Poland and for foreigners legally staying in the territory of the Republic of Poland, excluding stays based on visas or visa-free travel;
● Consul – for individuals residing abroad.
A properly filled application, accompanied by the required documents as per the law, is forwarded by the Voivode or Consul, along with their own opinion, to the President through the Minister responsible for internal affairs.
The Minister responsible for internal affairs, before forwarding the application to the President, requests information from the Chief of Police, Head of the Internal Security Agency, and if necessary, from other authorities, regarding information that may be essential in the matter of granting Polish citizenship, and prepares an opinion regarding the application.
Upon receiving the application, the President may request relevant authorities, organizations, or institutions to provide information that may be essential in the matter of granting Polish citizenship. A foreigner acquires Polish citizenship on the day when the President issues a decision to grant Polish citizenship.
Acts of granting Polish citizenship and notifications of refusal to grant Polish citizenship are drawn up by the Head of the Chancellery of the President of the Republic of Poland and forwarded.
Granting Polish citizenship to both parents extends to children under their parental authority.
However, granting Polish citizenship to only one of the parents extends to minor children if:
● The other parent does not have parental authority,
● The other parent has submitted a statement expressing consent to grant Polish citizenship to the children.
For granting Polish citizenship to a minor who has reached 16 years of age, a statement expressing consent submitted by the minor is required.
Applying for Polish citizenship is a significant step in the life of a foreigner who wishes to become a full-fledged citizen. However, for this application to be successful, adequate preparation and justification of reasons and motivations for obtaining citizenship are necessary. In this article, I present key - fundamental questions that one should consider when preparing the justification for the application for citizenship, especially in the context of an application through the president. What are my main reasons for applying for citizenship?
Identification with the country and its values.
1. Desire for full participation in the social, political, and economic life of the country.
- How long have I been living in this country and what achievements have I had?
- The period of residence can be a significant factor in assessing the credibility of the application.
2. Professional, educational, or social achievements can emphasize commitment and integration.
- What are my plans for the future in the context of living in this country?
- Planned actions and goals aimed at active participation in society.
3. Potential contribution to the development of the country or local community.
- What are my social, cultural, and familial ties to this country?
- Relationships with family, friends, and the local community can indicate a sense of belonging.
4. Involvement in social or cultural organizations can further strengthen the justification.
- What are my language skills and knowledge of the history, culture, and law of the country?
- Language and cultural knowledge can be key factors in integration.
5. Understanding the history and law of the country highlights commitment and respect for the new homeland.
- What are my plans regarding maintaining dual or multiple citizenship, if possible?
6. Plans regarding the retention or renunciation of current citizenship, if necessary.
- What are my political and social beliefs, and how do I intend to realize them in the new country?
7. Political beliefs may be important, but alignment with the constitution and values of the country must be demonstrated.
- Do I have support from the community, organizations, or institutions in my citizenship application?
- References from employers, social leaders, or organization representatives can enhance the credibility of the application.
Applying for citizenship is a significant step that requires solid justification and documentation. It is crucial to analyze motivations, achievements, and future plans in the context of life in the new country. Preparing appropriate answers to the above questions can significantly increase the chances of a positive outcome for the citizenship application.
