How many years do you need to live in Poland to obtain citizenship: new requirements for Ukrainians

Poland plans to tighten the conditions for foreigners to obtain citizenship. Find out how many years you now need to live in the country to be eligible for citizenship

Legal assistance on migration issues for Ukrainians in Ukraine and abroad

GET

The President of Poland, Karol Nawrocki, has submitted a draft law to the Sejm that would significantly tighten the conditions for foreigners, including Ukrainians, applying for Polish citizenship. This was reported by pap.pl.

What changes to the rules for acquiring Polish citizenship are being proposed?

The bill provides for an increase in the minimum period of continuous residence in Poland from three to ten years. The explanatory note states that the current three-year period is too short to properly learn the language, familiarize oneself with the culture, and adapt to the socio-legal realities of the country.

“Citizenship is, first and foremost, membership in a political, historical, cultural, and axiological community, which entails not only a catalog of rights, but also the duty to care for and bear responsibility for the common good, which the Republic of Poland should be for all citizens,” the explanatory memorandum to the bill states.

Thus, it is assumed that only long-term residence in Poland can ensure a foreigner's “actual connection” with the country. It is this connection, according to the authors of the initiative, that justifies the granting of citizenship.

“The implementation of the proposed changes is important for ensuring the social and economic stability of Poland in the context of rapid growth in migration,” the statement added.

What does this mean for Ukrainians?

For many Ukrainians who planned to obtain Polish citizenship under the current conditions, the new law will be a serious challenge. Instead of three years, they will have to live in the country for ten consecutive years, complying with all the rules of legal residence.

This change may also affect the legalization strategy: from obtaining a temporary or permanent residence permit to choosing the best way to obtain an EU passport.

In this process, it is important to take into account all the legal nuances, because mistakes can cost time and money. That is why we recommend contacting professional migration lawyers at Visit Ukraine, who will help you prepare your documents correctly, understand complex procedures, and choose the most advantageous path to legalization in Europe.

Don't want to miss important updates and useful articles? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter!

How long do you have to live in other European countries to obtain citizenship?

The bill also refers to the experience of other countries. For example:

● Hungary — to obtain citizenship, you must live in the country for 8 years;

● Italy, Austria, and Spain — 10 years;

● France — 5 years (2 years for graduates of local universities);

● Germany — 5 years (3 years after an integration course);

● Czech Republic — 5 years.

Thus, the increase in requirements in Poland should bring them closer to EU standards.

When could the law come into force?

The draft law stipulates that the changes will take effect 30 days after the official announcement. The document also contains financial calculations:

● Currently, about 10,000 applications for citizenship are submitted each year.

● From August 1, 2025, the fee for processing such an application will be PLN 1,000.

● The changes are expected to reduce budget revenues by PLN 1-3 million annually.

However, the President's Office notes that the losses will be partially offset by savings on social benefits.

The new rules for obtaining Polish citizenship mean that Ukrainians and other foreigners will have to live in Poland for 10 years without interruption in order to apply. The bill still has to go through parliamentary debate, but if passed, it could significantly change the legalization strategy for hundreds of thousands of people.

For those planning their future in Europe, it is important to prepare in advance and take the new requirements into account. This can be facilitated by consultations with specialized lawyers who accompany the turnkey legalization process and help to avoid risks.

We remind you! Poland has announced the end of the period of special rules for Ukrainians. Read about what the new law provides for, which benefits have been restricted, and how the conditions for legal residence will change after 2026.

Photo: piosi/Shutterstock

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

Our recommendation for a safe and comfortable trip: 

Visit Ukraine Insurance - insurance for a safe stay abroad without unnecessary expenses;

Green Card - compulsory car insurance for traveling abroad;

Visit Ukraine Tickets - book tickets for buses, trains, and airplanes to/from Ukraine and between cities around the world;

Private Lawyer service - professional legal support on visa and migration issues;

Visit Ukraine Merch - buy patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.

© 2018-2025, Visit Ukraine. Use, copying or reprinting of materials on this site is permitted only with a link (hyperlink for online publications) to Visit Ukraine.

All rights reserved.