It will be more difficult to get a Polish passport. Here are the proposed changes

The relevant bill was published on Wednesday. Its originators point out that the Act on Polish citizenship was adopted in 2009, when we were primarily a country of emigration. A lot has changed since joining the EU, and also in 2014, when many foreigners began to come to Poland, including: by the war in Ukraine. The inflow of foreigners has also increased thanks to easier employment and obtaining work and permanent residence permits - especially for people of Polish origin and holders of the Pole's Card.

The more immigrants, the more applications for citizenship, and the regulations need to be updated, the government concludes.

Longer stay, test and language at B2 level

The project primarily involves extending the minimum period of legal stay in Poland required when applying for recognition as a Polish citizen. It has not yet been indicated how long it would be extended.

Foreigners would also have:

make a declaration of allegiance to the Republic of Poland;

pass a citizenship test in knowledge about Poland;

confirm knowledge of the Polish language at B2 level, instead of the current B1 level;

demonstrate that their center of life and tax residence are in Poland;

document the minimum income, sources of income and legal title to the premises.

More reasons to say no

The project provides for a mandatory refusal to grant Polish citizenship in situations indicating a threat to state security or public order. These include, among others: final conviction, specific tickets and fines, providing false data or presenting false documents when applying for citizenship.

End of the simplified path

The changes will also include restoring Polish citizenship. The government wants to end the simplified procedure under Art. 38 of the Act. Applications in this matter could be submitted until December 31, 2030.

Also in this procedure, a declaration of allegiance to Poland and new grounds for refusal would apply.

It is also possible to revoke citizenship after many years

The government proposes that the decision to recognize or restore Polish citizenship could be revoked at any time - even many years after its issuance.

This would only apply to situations in which it turns out that a foreigner obtained citizenship through fraud. This includes, for example, presenting false documents, providing false information or concealing important facts during the proceedings.

The planned date of adoption of the draft act by the Council of Ministers is set for the fourth quarter of this year.