Poland is preparing a reform of its citizenship procedure that is expected to make it more difficult for foreigners to obtain a Polish passport, according to a proposal from the Polish Ministry of the Interior and Administration.
According to the Ministry’s plan, the minimum period of legal residence in Poland for citizenship applicants is to be increased to 8 years. This model involves 3 years of temporary residence followed by 5 years of permanent residence. Currently, the path to citizenship is shorter for certain categories of foreigners.
The reform also provides for stricter integration requirements. Foreigners will be required to demonstrate proficiency in the Polish language at a level no lower than B2, pass a state exam on the history, constitutional values, and principles of the Polish state, and sign a declaration of loyalty to the Republic of Poland. According to Polish media reports, the exam may include approximately 40 questions.
The Polish Ministry of the Interior explains the reform as a necessity to enhance the prestige of Polish citizenship and introduce clear criteria to confirm applicants’ integration into Polish society.
The tightening of rules comes amid a record increase in the number of naturalizations. In 2025, more than 19,000 foreigners received Polish citizenship. The largest group was Ukrainian citizens—more than 10,000 people—followed by citizens of Belarus—6,500—and Russia—759 people, Polish media reported, citing data from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration (MSWiA).
In 2024, 16,300 foreigners received Polish citizenship, about half of whom were Ukrainians. By comparison, in 2023, approximately 10,000 people received Polish citizenship, and in 2019, 6,600.
A significant portion of Ukrainians obtain Polish citizenship through mechanisms related to the Polish Card and subsequent permanent residence. This distinguishes them from some other migrant groups, for whom the path to citizenship is more often based on employment, long-term residence, or family ties.
Poland remains one of the main destinations for Ukrainians since the start of the full-scale war, as well as one of the largest labor markets for Ukrainian citizens. The tightening of citizenship rules means that the transition from temporary or permanent residency to a Polish passport may become a longer and more formalized process.
