Poland Plans to Tighten Citizenship Rules Amid Rising Immigration Concerns

Poland is set to introduce stricter requirements for foreign nationals seeking citizenship, as the ruling Law and Justice party (PiS) argues that the current laws are too lenient and inadequate to manage growing immigration levels.

At present, foreigners can apply for Polish citizenship after residing in the country for just three years — one of the shortest residency periods in the European Union. However, PiS and the authors of a proposed legislative amendment argue that this threshold is too low and out of sync with the standards followed by other EU member states.

The proposed amendment recommends increasing the required uninterrupted residency period from three to ten years. According to PiS, this change is necessary not only to curb unchecked immigration but also to ensure deeper integration of foreigners into Polish society. “Three years is not enough for most immigrants to learn Polish at a B1 level, adapt to local laws, or understand the culture,” the amendment’s authors stated.

The shift aims to align Poland’s citizenship laws more closely with broader EU norms, where countries like Germany, France, and the Netherlands often require longer residency periods before granting nationality. The authors of the amendment emphasized that the new 10-year requirement would help prepare applicants “for the role of Poland’s citizens” more comprehensively.

Recent government statistics show a consistent rise in the number of foreigners acquiring Polish citizenship. In 2024 alone, 5,533 Ukrainians, 4,096 Belarusians, and 559 Russians were granted Polish citizenship. Over the years, these three nationalities have topped the list of new citizens, reflecting regional migration trends driven by economic and geopolitical factors.

In light of these trends, Polish authorities are also considering increasing the fees associated with processing and confirming citizenship applications. The Ministry of Interior has indicated that it will begin formal work on these legislative changes after the upcoming presidential elections.

While the proposed changes may face criticism from immigrant communities and human rights organizations, PiS maintains that stricter policies are necessary for national integration and security.

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