The government wants to tighten the rules for granting Polish citizenship to foreigners. A draft amendment to the Act on Polish Citizenship has been prepared by the Ministry of the Interior and Administration (MSWiA). On 28 October 2026 it was added to the government’s list of legislative work. The Council of Ministers is due to adopt it in the fourth quarter of 2026.
The main changes concern foreigners. The period of legal residence in Poland required before applying will be extended. The required level of Polish will rise from B1 to B2. Applicants will have to pass a test on knowledge of Poland and sign a declaration of loyalty to the Republic of Poland.
The draft also requires applicants to have their centre of vital interests in Poland and Polish tax residence. They will have to show a minimum income and a legal right to their accommodation and means of support. New mandatory grounds for refusal include a final conviction for a crime and providing false data or documents.
An important change concerns decisions already issued. A decision recognising someone as a Polish citizen or restoring citizenship can be revoked at any time if the person used false documents, made untrue statements or concealed the truth. This also applies to residence legalisation and Karta Polaka (Pole’s Card) proceedings. The simplified procedure for restoring citizenship is to be phased out – applications can be submitted until 31 December 2030, with a loyalty declaration.
What it means for Poles in the UK
Poles who have citizenship by birth have nothing to worry about – the draft does not concern them. However, the changes may affect your relatives: a spouse from another country who is thinking about a Polish passport, or descendants of emigrants who want to restore their citizenship. For them there is less time and higher requirements. Anyone planning an application to restore citizenship should not wait until 2030.
Our assessment
For now it is a draft. Its content may change during consultations; then it must be adopted by the government, the Sejm and the Senate, and signed by President Karol Nawrocki. The direction is clear, though: citizenship will be harder to obtain, and citizenship obtained dishonestly will be easier to take away.
What to do
- If someone in your family is thinking about Polish citizenship, check the current rules with the Polish consulate in London: gov.pl/web/wielkabrytania.
- Descendants of emigrants: gather your documents (birth and marriage certificates, old passports) now.
- Follow the draft in the government’s list of legislative work at gov.pl/web/premier.
Sources: Rzeczpospolita (via PAP) (28.10.2026); InfoSecurity24.pl (28.10.2026).
We assess factual corrections and substantive responses. Verified changes are reflected in our reporting.
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