Citizenship and Influence: Can Ukrainians Change Polish Politics?

Some Polish politicians are spreading fears about massive Ukrainian citizenship and their influence on elections. However, official statistics show a completely different picture. Read more about the real analysis of the numbers and refutation of manipulations

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Recently, speculation about the influence of Ukrainian refugees on the political life of Poland has been re-emerging. Right-wing radical circles, in particular those associated with the Confederation Party and the National Movement, are particularly active in using this rhetoric.

They are trying to convince the public that Ukrainians, who are receiving Polish citizenship in large numbers, will soon have a real impact on the election results in Poland. But what do the facts say?

What is the reason for the discussion?

The impetus for the spread of such theses was the publication of the Ukrainian edition of the European Pravda on April 4, 2025, which referred to the growing integration of Ukrainians into Polish society. The article emphasizes that many Ukrainians learn Polish, work, and stay in Poland for a long time, so some of them may want to stay permanently and obtain Polish citizenship.

These theses were distorted and disseminated on social media by Polish right-wing activists who claimed that Ukrainians were “reaching out” for citizenship en masse to influence the elections.

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Real numbers

According to the Ministry of the Interior and the Polish administration, 41,983 Ukrainian citizens were granted Polish citizenship between 2014 and 2024.

In 2024, there were only 8,219 of them. This is not at all the amount that could affect the electoral situation in the country, given that the total number of voters in Poland is more than 30 million.

In addition, as of the beginning of 2025, 1.55 million Ukrainians had a legal residence permit in Poland, but not all of them have or plan to obtain Polish citizenship.

It is also important to keep in mind that the status of long-term EU resident, which was granted to more than 39,000 Ukrainians in 2021-2024, does not automatically grant the right to vote - it is only a prerequisite for a possible application for citizenship.

Thus, the allegations of massive “naturalization” of Ukrainians and their influence on the elections in Poland are greatly exaggerated. The actual statistics do not support the panic moods that are spreading among some political forces. Ukrainians in Poland are primarily workers, students, and families seeking security and stability, not an instrument of political influence.

We remind you! Due to the migration crisis on the Polish-Belarusian border, the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Poland has decided to introduce a number of amendments to the current legislation. Read about the reasons for the draft law and the changes it will bring to Ukrainians in our previous article.

Photo: gettyimages

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