More and more foreigners receive Polish citizenship. Why this record increase and what does it mean for Poland?
Why is the number of new citizens growing?
For several years there has been a clear trend: more and more people from abroad have sought and successfully received Polish citizenship. In 2024 this document was awarded until16 342 people, which means an increase by37%the previous year.In comparison, five years ago, about 6.6 thousand foreigners received citizenship.
Most Ukrainians and Belarusians
New citizens are dominated by citizensUkraine(8219 people in 2024) andBelarus(5666). The list also includes Russians, Vietnamese, Bolivians, Armenians or Turks. A large group are also residents of Western Europe who appreciate the opportunities offered by the Polish passport.
| Country of origin | Number of citizens (2024) |
|---|---|
| Ukraine | 8 219 |
| Belarus | 5 666 |
| Russia | 726 |
| Vietnam | 371 |
| Bolivia | 171 |
| Armenia | 147 |
| Turkey | 95 |
Polish passport increasingly desirable
The motivations of new citizens
Why is Polish citizenship so valued? The main reasons are:
- Access to the EU: Polish citizenship means freedom to travel and work in EU countries.
- Better career prospects: In Poland the labour market for foreigners is still developing — In 2025 more than 1 million foreigners worked here.
- Stability and safety: The desire to break away from uncertain political situation, especially in the countries of the former USSR.
- Easier administrative procedures: Increased recognition by the voivode, which is cheaper and more accessible than being given by the President.
How to become a Polish citizen?
The process of obtaining Polish citizenship is not the same for everyone. Popular paths are:
- Recognition as a citizen by the voivode (charge 1000 PLN; cheaper, faster road)
- Granting citizenship by the President of the Republic of Poland (charge of PLN 1669 or EUR 360 in the consulate)
- Repatriation or restoration of citizenship
Since July 2025 new regulations have entered into force: the required certificate of Polish language at level B1. It is an additional barrier, forcing integration and increasing language skills.
The Way Through the Voivode
More and more foreigners choose to be recognized by the voivode because it is a cheaper and more predictable procedure.It is interesting that, for example, in Małopolska after six months the number of recognitions reached half of the year-round statistics from the previous year.
