Granting Citizenship
Where to apply?
To have Polish citizenship granted, you should apply to the President of the Republic of Poland through a consul at a Polish consular post of your local competence.
Foreigners residing in Poland should apply through the province governor.
IMPORTANT! Applications sent directly to the Chancellery of the President of the Republic of Poland will be returned.
Do I have to apply in person?
You can submit the documents personally or send them by mail.
IMPORTANT! If you send your application by mail, you need to have the signature on it officially confirmed (i.e by a notary public).
Polish citizenship granted to either of the parents also extends to a minor in their custody if: the other parent is deprived of parental custody or personally made a statement for the record before a consul that they consent to the minor's acquiring Polish citizenship.
IMPORTANT! Children aged 16-18 have to make additional statement for the record before a consul that they consent to be granted Polish citizenship.
How to book an appointment?
- You can book an appointment with the Consular and Polish Diaspora Section of the Polish Embassy in London by emailing: london.citizenship@msz.gov.pl.
- You can book an appointment with the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Manchester via the e-Consulate system or by emailing: manchester.citizenship@msz.gov.pl.
- You can book an appointment with the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Edinburgh by phone: +44 131 5520301 or by emailing: edinburgh@msz.gov.pl.
- You can book an appointment with the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Belfast by emailing: belfast.kg.sekretariat@msz.gov.pl.
What documents do I need to submit?
- Application for Polish citizenship.
- Passport photo.
- Documents to confirm:
- particulars of the foreigner applying for citizenship,
- details of the foreigner's means of subsistence, professional achievements, political and social activity (if applicable),
- particulars of the foreigner's spouse (if applicable),
- particulars of a child if covered by this application (if applicable),
- particulars of parents and more distant ascendants if they were Polish citizens (if applicable),
- the applicant's Polish citizenship in the past, its loss and acquisition date of citizenship of another country (if applicable).
Data and information provided in the application can be supported by documents:
- stating the identity and citizenship,
- authorising to reside or stay on the territory of the Republic of Poland,
- copies of birth certificates,
- copies of marriage certificates or other documents confirming marital status,
- stating the spouse's identity and citizenship,
- stating the child's/children's identity,
- authorising the child/children to reside or stay on the territory of the Republic of Poland,
- confirming Polish citizenship of parents or more distant ascendants,
- confirming the loss of Polish citizenship by a foreigner, his/her child/children and his/her ascendants.
- stating the acquisition of a foreign citizenship by a foreigner or his/her children if they had been Polish citizens in the past,
- confirming their source of subsistence,
- confirming professional achievements, political and social activity.
If the application to grant Polish citizenship also covers a minor, additional documents are required:
- copy of the child's birth certificate,
- the other parent's statement of consent for the child to be granted Polish citizenship - the statement is made for the record before a consul,
- the child's written consent to lose Polish citizenship if the minor covered by the application is older than 16 – the consent is made for the record before the consul.
Please note:
- the application must be filled in Polish only,
- copies of Polish and foreign documents must be certified by a consul to be true copies of the originals,
- all documents made in a foreign language must be translated into Polish by a sworn translator or consul,
- in the case of some documents made in an EU country, a multilingual standard form issued by a foreign authority under the regulation 2016/1191 can be attached instead of a translation,
- documents made in EU countries and not covered by the regulation 2016/1191 should have the apostille attached,
- documents made outside the EU should have the apostille attached for countries parties to the Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents, signed in the Hague on 5 October 1961, or be legalised by a Polish consul for other countries.
How much does it cost?
The fee is 313 GBP.
What is the waiting time?
A foreigner is granted Polish citizenship by the President of the Republic of Poland. The President is not obliged to consider the application for Polish citizenship within any specific time limit.
How to collect the documents?
You can collect the documents personally. Consul can also send the documents to the address of your choice - discuss this possibility when you submit your application.
How to appeal?
You cannot appeal. Presidential orders are not subject to appeal.
Frequently asked questions
How can my child receive Polish citizenship?
Polish citizenship can be granted to a foreigner upon his/her request, and to a minor upon the request of his/her legal representatives.
Polish citizenship granted to the parents also covers a minor in their parental custody. Please note that children aged 16-18 have to make additional statement for the record that they consent to be granted Polish citizenship.
Materials
Application for Polish citizenshipwniosek_nadanie_obywatelstwa_polskiego.pdf 0.07MB
Legal basis
The Law on Polish Citizenship of 2 April 2009
The Consular Law Act of 25 June 2015
Regulation (EU) 2016/1191 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 July 2016 on promoting the free movement of citizens by simplifying the requirements for presenting certain public documents in the European Union and amending Regulation (EU) No 1024/2012
The Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents of 5 October 1961
Regulation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs on consular fees of 5 May 2022