It will become more difficult for Ukrainians to obtain Polish citizenship
The Polish government plans to significantly tighten the requirements for foreigners applying for a Polish passport.
This is reported by the inPoland portal.
The relevant bill, initiated by the Ministry of the Interior and Administration, aims to promote deeper integration of future citizens into society.
According to the Ministry’s proposals, Polish authorities view a passport as a special privilege that must be earned through long-term residence in the country and active participation in its life.
A key change is expected to be an increase in the mandatory residency period in Poland to eight years.
In addition to the residency requirement, applicants will be required to demonstrate a high level of proficiency in the official language.
The draft requires mandatory knowledge of the Polish language at a level no lower than B2, which is significantly higher than current standards.
An important part of the reform is the introduction of a special “citizenship test,” which will consist of approximately 40 questions.
The exam will test knowledge of Polish history, understanding of fundamental state values, and the principles of how the country functions.
The government is paying particular attention to the financial aspect and the political loyalty of applicants. A mandatory requirement will be Polish tax residency, which means paying taxes exclusively to the Polish budget.
Additionally, each candidate will be required to sign a declaration of loyalty to the Republic of Poland, officially confirming their acceptance of the state’s national principles.
The government aims to ensure that new citizens fully share Polish values and identity.
As for holders of the Polish Card, the proposals currently do not provide for a separate simplified procedure. However, this document will continue to offer advantages when obtaining a permanent residence permit (PRP).
It should be noted that holders of the Polish Card are eligible to apply for citizenship after just one year of continuous residence in the country under a permanent residence permit.
However, even for them, knowledge of the language and a clean criminal record remain mandatory requirements.
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