More and more foreigners are obtaining Polish citizenship. Why is this number hitting records, and what does it mean for Poland?
Why is the number of new citizens growing?
For several years now a clear trend has been visible: more and more people from abroad are applying for Polish citizenship and successfully obtaining it. In 2024 the document was granted to as many as 16,342 people, an increase of 37% compared with the previous year. For comparison, five years ago about 6.6 thousand foreigners received citizenship.
Most Ukrainians and Belarusians
Among the new citizens, Ukrainian nationals dominate (8,219 people in 2024), followed by Belarusian nationals (5,666). Russians, Vietnamese, Bolivians, Armenians and Turks also appear on the list. A sizeable group also comes from Western Europe, where people value the opportunities that a Polish passport offers.
| Country of origin | Number of citizenships (2024) |
|---|---|
| Ukraine | 8 219 |
| Belarus | 5 666 |
| Russia | 726 |
| Vietnam | 371 |
| Bolivia | 171 |
| Armenia | 147 |
| Turkey | 95 |
The Polish passport is increasingly sought after
Motivations of new citizens
Why is Polish citizenship becoming so highly valued? Here are the main reasons:
- Access to the European Union: Polish citizenship means the freedom to travel and work in EU countries.
- Better career prospects: The job market for foreigners in Poland continues to grow, with more than 1 million foreigners working there in 2025.
- Stability and security: A desire to escape uncertain political situations, particularly in former Soviet countries.
- Easier administrative procedures: Recognition by the voivode, which is cheaper and more accessible than granting by the president.
How to become a Polish citizen?
The process of obtaining Polish citizenship is not the same for everyone. The popular paths are:
- Recognition as a citizen by the voivode (fee PLN 1,000; a cheaper, faster route)
- Granting of citizenship by the President of the Republic of Poland (fee PLN 1,669 or EUR 360 at a consulate)
- Repatriation or restoration of citizenship
Since July 2025, new regulations have taken effect: a Polish language certificate at level B1 is required. This is an additional barrier, encouraging integration and improving language skills.
The route through the voivode
More and more foreigners are choosing recognition by the voivode, because it is a cheaper and more predictable procedure. Interestingly, in Lesser Poland (Małopolska) alone, the number of recognitions reached half of the previous year’s full-year total after just six months.
