Poland is preparing to tighten the rules for foreigners to obtain citizenship. The country's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration has developed legislative changes that include increasing the required period of residence, a mandatory exam on knowledge of Poland, and stricter requirements for proficiency in the Polish language.

The relevant draft was submitted to the government register of legislative works on October 27 under number UD491. Its provisions were reported by the Polish publication Money.pl, citing the PAP agency, on October 28.

One of the main changes will be raising the requirements for integration of foreigners into Polish society. In particular, citizenship applicants will have to demonstrate knowledge of the Polish language at the B2 level, instead of the current B1, and also pass a separate exam on knowledge of the country.

In addition, the government proposes to introduce a mandatory declaration of allegiance to the Republic of Poland and require confirmation that Poland is the applicant's primary place of residence. One of the proofs of such a connection will be Polish tax residency.

Separate innovations will concern the financial situation of applicants. The draft law provides for the establishment of a minimum income level, as well as the extension of the requirements to confirm sources of maintenance and legal grounds for using residential premises to all categories of foreigners applying for recognition as Polish citizens.

The authorities also plan to expand the list of grounds for refusing to grant citizenship. Among them are submission of false information, use of forged documents, certain offenses, and circumstances posing a threat to state security or public order.

It is also envisaged that a decision already made to recognize a person as a Polish citizen may be revoked, if it is later discovered that citizenship was obtained through deception or concealment of essential information. At the same time, the simplified procedure for restoring previously lost citizenship is proposed to be gradually phased out, with relevant applications permissible until December 31, 2030.

Currently, Polish legislation provides for several paths to citizenship. Under one of the main procedures, a foreigner may apply after at least three years of continuous residence based on a permanent residence permit, EU long-term resident status, or the corresponding permanent residence right. For certain categories, such as holders of the Pole's Card, other terms apply.

The government draft provides for an increase in the required period of residence, but the published description does not yet indicate its final duration. Also, the specific amount of minimum income has not yet been determined.

The proposed changes may also apply to Ukrainians who have been living in Poland for a long time and plan to obtain its citizenship. At the same time, the new rules have not yet come into force. The Polish government plans to consider the draft law in the fourth quarter of 2026, after which adoption of the changes requires completion of the legislative procedure.

Based on materials from: Chancellery of the Prime Minister of Poland, Money.pl / PAP, Ministry of Internal Affairs of Poland