Granting Polish Citizenship by the President of Poland
Granting Polish citizenship by the President of the Republic of Poland is a unique, discretionary path to acquiring citizenship. The President has the full right to make this decision regardless of whether the applicant meets any statutory conditions, and is not required to justify or explain the decision. Thanks to this, the pathway is open even to individuals who do not qualify for citizenship via administrative procedures.
Who Can Apply for Citizenship from the President?
Unlike standard procedures, citizenship can be granted to any individual, residing in Poland or abroad, regardless of:
- the length of stay in Poland,
- legal status in the country (e.g., residence card, visa, no legal stay),
- knowledge of the Polish language,
- ethnic origin.
Any foreigner can submit an application – under any circumstances. The President makes the final decision at his own discretion and is not obligated to explain a refusal.
How to Apply for Citizenship Through the President?
Where to Submit the Documents?
- If you live in Poland, the application must be submitted to the appropriate voivode (provincial governor).
- If you live abroad: the documents must be submitted to a Polish diplomatic post – a consulate.
Important: Individuals staying in Poland under a short-term visa or visa-free travel must submit the application via a consulate.
Submission Methods
- By post, with a signature notarized or certified by a Polish consul.
- In person, at the appropriate office.
Required Documents
To have your application considered, prepare the following:
- Application form addressed to the President of Poland, in Polish,
- Recent biometric photo,
- Notarized copy of your passport,
- Copy of your residence permit (e.g., residence card),
- Birth certificate (issued by the Polish Civil Registry Office),
- Marriage certificate (if applicable),
- Supporting documents reflecting your life circumstances: e.g., employment, social activities, education, and professional achievements.
All foreign-language documents must be translated into Polish by a sworn translator or at a Polish diplomatic post.
What Does the Procedure Look Like?
- Application is submitted via a voivode or consul.
- The Ministry of the Interior analyzes the documents and may request opinions from security services.
- The documentation is forwarded to the Chancellery of the President.
- The President makes the final decision, either granting or refusing citizenship.
The decision cannot be appealed or challenged – it is fully sovereign.
How Long Does the Procedure Take?
The time to receive a decision on granting citizenship by the President varies and is not defined by law. Since this is a discretionary procedure, there are no fixed deadlines.
In practice, the process may take:
- a few months,
- up to 2 years or more, depending on document verification, workload, and the President’s decision.
Factors Influencing Processing Time:
- completeness of documents,
- any formal deficiencies,
- need for additional opinions (e.g., from services or Ministry of the Interior),
- administrative workload and capacity of the President’s Chancellery.
Important: Applicants cannot urge the President or file a complaint over the lack of decision – this process is not governed by the Code of Administrative Procedure.
Application Costs
- Until July 1, 2025 – applying is free of charge.
- From July 1, 2025 – a fee of 1,669 PLN applies.
- If you appoint a legal representative, an additional stamp duty of 17 PLN is required.
Citizenship for Children – Special Rules
If applying on behalf of a minor, you’ll need:
- The child’s birth certificate (from the Polish Civil Registry Office),
- Consent from the second parent (or a document proving sole custody),
- Written consent from the child if they are over 16 years old.
Need Help? Contact Us!
We assist in professionally preparing applications for Polish citizenship and handle the entire process from A to Z.