Record number of foreigners obtained Polish citizenship in 2024

Poland has granted a record number of foreigners citizenship, with more than half of last year's successful applicants coming from Ukraine.

In total, 16,342 foreign-born people received their citizenship in 2024, which is almost four times as many as in 2012.

The jump coincided with record levels of migration in Poland.

Behind Ukrainians, the next largest groups represented among the new Polish citizens came from Belarusians, Russians, Vietnamese, Bolivians, Armenians and Turks.

An increasing number of Israelis have also been applying for Polish citizenship, especially in the wake of the 7 October attacks.

The number of Israelis who applied for Polish citizenship on the basis of their family's origin rose from around 2,500 in 2021 to more than 9,000 in 2024.

In March, Jesse Eisenberg, the American actor and director who is a descendant of Polish Jews, was granted Polish citizenship at a ceremony attended by former president Andrzej Duda.

This week, former Russian speed skating champion Vladimir Semirunniy, who fled to Poland after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, received citizenship from president Karol Nawrocki.

He will now be able to represent Poland at the upcoming Winter Olympics.

How can foreigners obtain Polish citizenship?

Polish citizenship can be obtained by presenting proof of at least one direct Polish ancestor.

Documents such as a birth certificate or marriage certificate, which prove their forebear's Polish citizenship, are required.

The applicant must also show that the descendant did not lose Polish citizenship during their lifetime as a result of acquiring foreign citizenship or serving in a foreign army.

People without Polish ancestors can apply if they have spent a minimum number of years living in Poland. They also need to demonstrate a stable income, own their own home and have knowledge of Polish.

Usually this period is three years, although it can be shorter for spouses of Polish citizens.

Conservative President Karol Nawrocki has proposed extending this period to 10 years as part of his migration reforms.

Polish citizenship can also be obtained by applying directly to the Polish president.

In 2024, then-President Andrzej Duda granted 1,514 people Polish citizenship through this process.