Poland Citizenship-by-Descent Programme CITIZENSHIP BY DESCENT
Poland provides ample opportunity for those with Polish ancestors to gain citizenship.
visa-free countries
generations removed
months processing time
Generally, you must have at least one parent, grandparent or even a great-grandparent who was born in Poland (or one of its former territories), who resided there after at least January 1920. To apply for Polish citizenship by descent, you need to provide the vital records necessary to recreate your family tree.
You don’t have to donate, invest, or pay due diligence fees. There is no need to pass a Polish citizenship test either. All that’s required is proof, via civil documentation, to support your claim. These are the eligibility requirements:
At least one of your ancestors was born in Poland or one of its former territories. This can be a parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, or beyond.
Your ancestor resided in Poland or a former territory of Poland until at least January 1920. There are exceptions to this rule, but they are rare.
Your Polish ancestor maintained their Polish citizenship until the day of your birth or the day of their death. There are many situations throughout a person’s life which could constitute loss of Polish citizenship, so it is best to consult with an expert for more information.
The Latitude team has global experts in over 20 countries. We can advise in 14 languages. Let us help you find the perfect investment migration solution.
The Latitude team has global experts in over 20 countries. We can advise in 14 languages. Let us help you find the perfect investment migration solution.
We will send you our Poland-specific intake form which includes questions designed to assess your eligibility for Polish citizenship by descent.
Upon receiving the signed agreement and retainer payment, our legal team will complete all necessary government forms and supporting documents. We will liaise with your local Polish consulate or embassy on your behalf.
Our Polish team will gather all of the Polish genealogical and legal documents needed to build and strengthen your case. We'll also gather non-Polish documents, translate them, and legalize them for use in Poland. Once we collate everything, we will assist you with your application for Polish citizenship.
After the issuing of a decision confirming citizenship, we help you apply for a Polish vital records from the Polish Civil Records Office (in other words, a Polish birth certificate and marriage certificate). This is a prerequisite to obtaining a Polish passport.
Finally, we help you fill out passport forms in Polish. These must be taken, in person, to a local consulate in order to submit your passport application.
Poland is a country with thousands of years’ worth of culture and tradition – exemplified by its incredible neoclassical, Baroque, Renaissance, and Gothic architecture.
Delicious cuisine, low crime rates, and one of the most resilient and diverse economies in the European Union (EU) also make it an extremely attractive place to live.
Anyone applying for Polish citizenship by descent must in essence recreate their family tree using a series of vital records to show proof of entitlement. These records can include birth, marriage, death, naturalization, and baptism certificates, amongst others. Each of these documents will be used to establish your claim, and any records not in Polish must be duly translated by a sworn translator living in Poland.
Following this step, you must arrange an appointment at your local Polish consulate via an e-booking system, where you will hand in your application dossier including your documents and an application (in Polish – we’ll help with this, too). Your application will be processed in Poland.
Once the decision is made, the confirmation of citizenship will be mailed to a third party in Poland you’ve appointed, or to a consular officer – if you’ve granted them the power of attorney.
From this point, you’ll need to arrange for the registration of your vital records (birth, marriage, divorce, etc.) in Poland via the consulate’s legal office. You’ll then be able to apply for a Polish passport through the Polish consulate, as well as apply for a PESEL (the Polish equivalent of a social security number).
If you have all the required documentation, confirmation citizenship can take around a year. However, timing can vary significantly if more research for documents needs to be done before your claim is ironclad. Because of Brexit and the after-effects of the Covid 19 pandemic, waiting times are particularly long right now.
If you don’t qualify for Polish citizenship by ancestry, but you do have Polish heritage, you may be eligible to make an application to the President of Poland. Keep in mind that presidential acceptance of these applications are rare and on a case-by-case basis.
Anyone seeking citizenship by presidential grant will need to provide a detailed resume outlining professional or personal achievements, as well as proof of a relevant connection to Poland or the Polish diaspora.
Additionally, you must also provide proof of financial stability, copies of professional certifications, diplomas, licenses, or awards, and proof of membership of a Polish organization abroad.
Yes, Poland allows dual citizenship.
The Poland passport is among the world’s 10 most powerful travel documents. Currently, it ranks 8th strongest. The Polish passport allows you visa-free travel to 187 countries, including the EU Schengen Zone, Singapore, and the UK.
Our team operates in over 20 countries worldwide securing second citizenship or residency in desirable locations, unlocking a brighter future.
Visa-free travel to 150 countries
4-6 months application processing time
$100,000 minimum requirement
Minimal presence requirement