Poland Proposes Four Citizenship Criteria, Including Eight-Year Residence

Poland has drafted a tougher pathway to citizenship that would require most foreign applicants to meet four core conditions: eight years of continuous residence, tax residency in Poland during that time, passing a new Poland citizenship test, and signing a loyalty act pledging allegiance to the Republic. The proposal, tied to the government’s Migration Strategy for 2025–2030, signals a clear shift toward stronger integration standards and higher language skills before citizenship is granted.

Policy changes — key elements

Under the draft, the new Poland citizenship test would check knowledge of Polish history, culture, values, the political and legal systems, and current events. The exam would run twice a year and include three parts:

• Multiple-choice questions on history and social relations
• Questions on current events
• Open-ended prompts designed to assess a candidate’s integration and values

The language standard tied to this test would be B2, higher than the current B1 level that applies to citizenship filings. This change will likely require many applicants to invest more time in language study.

Additional measures in the draft:

• Continuous residence requirement to ensure sustained connection to Poland.
• Tax residency requirement to link citizenship to a documented footprint in the country’s fiscal system.
• Loyalty act: a formal commitment to Poland’s constitutional order and public good.
• Extended recognition period: raising the minimum period for recognition of citizenship from three to ten years for most people holding permanent residence permits or EU long-term residence status.

Impact on applicants

If adopted, the package would mark a move away from the current framework. Today’s rules:

• Language: B1 level (confirmed by official certificate or school records).
• Residence periods: vary by route — as short as one year for people with Polish origin or a Polish Card, up to ten years for others with permanent residence.
• Additional conditions: stable income, a right to occupy housing, and no threat to national security.

What the draft standardizes:

• Eight years of continuous residence, plus tax residency.
• The new test with B2 language requirement and assessment of civic knowledge and values.
• For many residents who already work and pay taxes in Poland, the tax residency rule may be straightforward. The test and raised language level are likely the biggest hurdles.

B2 vs B1 — what it means for applicants:

• B2 is an upper-intermediate level: stronger reading and writing skills, handling news and legal references, and producing more complex spoken responses.
• Applicants comfortable at B1 may need formal classes, practice with Polish news, and deeper study of history and civic topics.

Context and trends:

• VisaVerge.com reports that the emphasis on structured civic tests and higher language thresholds fits a wider European trend linking citizenship to social integration.
• Poland’s exam design (three parts, twice-yearly) suggests it will test both knowledge and values in line with national priorities.

Family and timeline effects:

• Spouses, parents, students, and workers who expected shorter routes may need to revise plans if the ten-year recognition rule applies to their pathway.
• The draft stresses uninterrupted presence, but details on acceptable absences are not yet specified.

What remains in place for now

Until the draft becomes law, current rules continue to apply:

• Applicants may still pursue citizenship under B1 language level and the existing residence durations and conditions (income, housing, security checks).
• People close to eligibility under current rules might consider filing before changes take effect.
• Those earlier in their journey should prepare for a possible new regime by improving language skills toward B2 and building civic knowledge.

Key elements of the draft at a glance:

• Residence: 8 years of continuous residence in Poland
• Tax Residency: Documented tax residency in Poland during that period
• Citizenship Test: Twice yearly; multiple-choice, current events, and open-ended parts
• Language Requirement: B2 level tied to the test
• Loyalty Act: Formal pledge to the Republic of Poland
• Extended Recognition Period: From three to ten years for most with permanent or EU long-term residence status

For official updates, consult the Ministry of the Interior and Administration (MSWiA). This is the government’s main portal for migration and nationality policy and will host the most current instructions if and when the draft advances.

Practical steps and recommendations

• If you’re near eligibility under current rules:
  • Gather documents for B1 language proof, legal residence, income, and housing.
  • Consider whether filing now is preferable to waiting for the draft to pass.
• If your timeline is longer:
  • Begin preparing for B2: formal courses, frequent reading of Polish news, and study of Polish history and civic life.
  • Practice open-ended writing and speaking on historical and civic topics.
• Administrative preparedness:
  • Keep tax records clean and accessible — the proposed tax residency rule makes clear documentation essential.
  • Review your residence history to ensure it aligns with a continuous residence standard; plan travel and stays carefully.

The government frames the draft within the Migration Strategy for 2025–2030, reflecting a policy trend toward stronger integration before citizenship recognition. Applicants, employers, and families should monitor the proposal’s progress and watch for transition rules clarifying who may still apply under the present system and who will fall under the new one.

The tightened standards target applicants who have lived, worked, and paid taxes in Poland for a substantial period and can demonstrate both language strength and a clear grasp of the country’s public life. By specifying a comprehensive citizenship test and requiring a loyalty act, the draft connects citizenship to a set of shared values and responsibilities. The emphasis on continuous residence and tax ties is intended to confirm a stable, ongoing link to the community.