I am an American who acquired Polish citizenship. The purpose of this post is to explain the rules of Polish citizenship and how I obtained it. I hope this information will be of value to you.
If your a good hardworking, honest person of Polish decent then here is a chance to get the best citizenship in the world, Polish citizenship and prepare for repatriation.
Rules for Polish citizenship
- Polish citizen by birth – Confirmation by having one parent that is a Polish citizen. This is clear and not a problem no matter where you are born in the world. It is interesting if you were born in Poland but not of Polish blood you might not get a obywatelstwo polskie.
- Polish citizenship by naturalization – This is having lived legally with a permanent karta pobytu (Polish green card or visa) for 5 1/2 years in Poland. This can be accelerated by marriage but do not count on it.
- Polish citizen by descent - If you are Polish blood you are Polish. If your grandfather was Polish, prove it and there is a chance you could get citizenship from Poland. Note is you are from the East like Ukraine or Belurus you can get a Karta Polaka to confirm membership to the Polish nation pretty easy.
Polish citizenship my Polish passport
How to obtain a Polish citizenship
My simple answer is you have to work for it. It took me a lot of work, but it was fun and the people in the Polish Uzad were great. Poland is a great country and many people want to live in Poland. Therefore, the office of foreigners affairs is over worked with applications.
Do not expect to just pick up a citizenship or visa because you are American or have an Aunt that was Polish. Poland is an Eu country and has a rich legal system. It is like trying to get in the USA, it requires work and patience.
The law and the constitution connected to who is a Polish citizen gets complex for cases with people that came before Poland was a country. However, because of Polish history who is defined as Polish is based on ancestry rather than boarders.
Do some work, do not be lazy, learn Polish (although it is not required it will make your life easier as it is the official language of Poland and the only language they official will speak) and fill out paper.
You might need to get official translations of American documents. And no the US embassy does not care you are applying for another citizenship, they will even help you.
Concrete steps to get Polish citizenship
If you can not get citizenship confirmed because your parents are Polish or if you are not married to a Polish citizen then here are the steps and similar to the steps I followed.
- Polish nationality is based on jus sanguinis. Make a family tree. Do this in Excel and include dates and citizenship information. Be honest and detail, basically tell your family story.
- Put together folder for the important people on your family tree. For example get birth certificates of your parents, marriage certificates, baptismal certificates. If you mention that your grandmother had a Polish passport, if you can get it copy it. Show it to the Polish office. I actually had it from 1921. I went to the priest in my family village and got vital records etc. I backed up what I had on my family tree with everything I could. Put it on paper and prove it, even if you have to fly to Poland. The Polish government has great records and will help you.
- Create your own personal story. Include education, work history.
- Create a document showing your ability to support yourself via bank accounts and income, tax documents anything.
- Now create a document stating why you want Polish citizenship and all good things about Poland and what you can do for Poland.
These are the pre steps to get Polish citizenship. Next go to the Uząd or Polish consulate and pick up and application ask 1000 questions to the people and keep coming back. I was at the Polish office maybe 100 times, no exaggeration, building a case.
Polish citizenship as a legal case
The bottom line is citizenship will be based on some law on paper. If they can not trace a direct line of citizenship then, get a green card, as stated in the Polish constitution for Poles around the world. Then build your case even further. With time they can make a case more based on special consideration, than exact transference of Polish citizenship.
Dual US Polish citizenship - these are my passports - I mostly live in Poland.
Dual Citizenship
I am a dual US and Polish citizen. When I am in Poland I enter on my Polish passport and obey Polish law. When I am in the US I enter on my US passport and obey US law. I am responsible for taxes and pay taxes to the USA and Poland. However, because I make a pittance and there is an exclusion allowance it is not a major issue for me (For example, the US allows you to exclude 90k USD foreign income or expats). If I was making six figures it would start to be an issue.
Dual citizens are allowed but not recognized by both countries. It means you just have to be a good guy and pay taxes and obey the law and no problems.
Being a Polish national and loving it
It is pretty cool having two passports. Although the main document in Poland is a Dowód Osobisty (Republic of Poland identity card) two passports and a draw full of EU and US currencies makes you feel a little like some international many of mystery or Jason Bourne if you will.
You will also get a you get a PESEL a NIP and a Nasza Klasa account. You will learn about theses latter.
I am very happy and proud that I have a Polish citizenship. Many people say this is an EU citizenship and you can live anywhere. I want to live in Poland.
Questions about becoming a Polish citizen
I am waiting for your questions. I am not an expert or a lawyer but I know a lot about the process as I went though it myself. So please leave a question or reply.
157 responses to Polish citizenship
Hello,
Thank you so much for your webpage.
I’m a Kenyan and have been married to a polish national now for two years,We are living and working in England with our children that were born in England.
I would like to know if I am entitle for a Polish citizenship despite that we are living in England and how long do I need to wait before I can be entitle for the citizenship?
And do you think my children are also entitle for the Polish citizenship because their mother is a polish despite that they were born and living in England?
Thank you.
Polish citizenship
Your children are for sure full Polish citizens at birth. You will have to apply, however, I think you need to live in Poland with a visa status.
Hello,
My great grandfather was born and Poland and moved to the USA as a child. I am Canadian, and was wondering if you might know if I would be entitled to citizenship or a green card? If only a green card, do you know how many years of residency it takes before being able to apply for citizenship, and how many months a year is required inside of Poland per year during the residency period? I work in the ski industry and could work 6 months a year in Poland but would have to leave for 5-6 months a year
Thanks so much,
Mike
Polish citizenship
Green card only and then about 5 years of time in Poland as a resident, if you find your a nice Polish girl to marry it will be 3 years. Great ski resorts in Europe. I think you would have to just set up a residence and spend 6 months a year in the EU while waiting for citizenship.
The hard thing will be to get all the documents to prove you are of Polish blood. I did and so can you. But it takes determination and patience.
Polish citizenship
Hi, thanks for the quick reply!
Just one last quick question. From your reply it sounds like maybe you do not have to spend the residency period in Poland, just in the EU itself? I would think that having a green card in Poland would entitle you to work only in Poland, not the entire EU?
I can get an ancestry visa to the UK that would have the same 5 year restriction before citizenship as Poland, but they don’t have many ski areas in the UK! (at least not good ones like the rest of Europe). My ultimate goal is a EU passport so I can live/work in the Alps.
I don’t think the documents should be too hard, I’ve asked my grandmother and she seems to think she has a Polish birth certificate for her father. Also, coincidentally I have four good friends that are Polish-Canadians and speak Polish, so that should help with translating documents.
Again, thank you very much for taking the time to help everyone out. It’s rare to find someone like you on the internet these days!
Polish citizenship
If I am not Polish by blood or anything could I still possibly get Polish citizenship?
If you live in the country for 5 years with a legal status and reason yes. I do not think it is that hard, but you need to be in good moral and legal standing and be patient and create a case for why you should be a Polish citizen.
Greetings,
I am a US citizen and currently living in Poland. I have obtained a Pesel number and confirmation of my citizenship. Is it possible to get a Polish Passport without going through the headache of getting a Dowod Osobisty? If so please let me know where to go.
The urzad near Imelin in Waw is a nightmare and I recommend anyone reading this to avoid that place at all costs.
There should be no problem getting a dowod. I am an American and got one in a few weeks if I recall. You just have to go to the Urzad nearest you. Be patient it is not different than if you are an Pole getting a visa for Green Card to the USA. You have have to fill out paper.
Citizenship for Australian going to live in EU married to an EU citizen
I am married to a Polish citizen and we live in Australia. Currently Australians can go to Poland or EU countries on a 3 month visa. We would like to stay longer but Schengen forbids it – in my case. Is there any way I can get something so I can stay with my husband in Poland for a longer period?
Thanks.
Visa central in Poland
100% yes. You are not getting married, you are married. Most people asking questions are people who are going to get married, you are legally married to an EU citizen. Further, you come from a country that has good ties to Poland and the EU.
It will be no problem to get a visa for living in the EU, then a Polish citizenship if you want to apply latter.
The first thing is you have to apply for a visa. You have to do this as a Polish Uząd. Go to this page malopolska.uw.gov.pl/default.aspx?page=Issue_of_permits_for_settlement_in_the_Republic_Poland
I should write a post just on this. But this is visa central in Poland. Let me know how you do or if you have further questions.
Polish citizenship
Dual Citizenship - from great great grandfather and grandmother who were Polish
My great great grandfather and grandmother were both born in Poland. They came to the US in 1903. They never became US citizens. So doesn’t the citizenship pass on through their children? So if I collect all the birth, death, and marriage certificates for the family line can I get dual citizenship for Poland? How long does it take the paperwork to go through for citizenship?
Also, where would I be able to go to get birth certificates if they were born in Poland?
Polish citizenship
I doubt you can get citizenship because there was no Poland at the time. They might have been Polish but were not Polish citizens. Therefore, I would simply put a case together for a green card as step on and then repatriation. This is what I did and I am a Polish citizen today.
Poland has very good records so you can get their birth certificates.
US social security from the USA and living in Poland
I live in Poznań, an American citizen, but have documented proof of Polish origins on my grandmothers side. I obtained Permanent Resident status in the first year I moved here, 2007. I was told that I could also apply for Polish citizenship. My question is, when applying for Polish citizenship, isn’t it necessary to renounce citizenship in another country? I am retired and live off Social security from the U.S. and renouncing U.S. citizenship there I would lose my Social security. I have talked to several “official” and none could answer the Social security question.
Polish citizenship
Poland and the United States allow dual citizenship. In no way would I renounce your US citizenship. It has nothing to do with Polish citizenship. Two different worlds. Any US embassy like the one in Warsaw can tell you that you can have a Polish citizenship and US, in fact many people there working are dual citizens.
It is just that while in Poland you follow Polish law, in the US you follow US law. But you need to report all income to the USA no matter what your resident or citizenship status is.
So get the Polish passport and collect US social security, you worked for it.
Stay in touch and let me know about how this works for you.
Polish citizenship
Oh and my great grandpa was russian but born in Poland and I was wondering is my grandpa a Polish citizen even though he is American born.
Is the Polish language hard to learn.
Sorry for bombarding you with questions
Read some of my other comments. Basically if you want a Polish greencard you can get one no problem to live in Poland which can be converted into a citizenship after a lot of paperwork. But he citizenship was not Polish even though he was becauase there was no Poland.
Polish Citizenship although adopted
Hi,
I was born in Poland in 1993, was adopted eight years ago and moved to America. Both of my biological parents are Polish natives(although my father has passed away), and I do have family in the country; including brothers and sisters. I am turning 18 years old in December of this year and am greatly considering obtaining a Polish citizenship, while moving to my motherland. I do have a Polsih passport, although it has experied a year ago. My adopted parents have not chosen a US citizenship for me (I am considered a US citizen, although I have not officialy stated so). I have a few questions for you:
1. How does Article 6, paragraph 3 in the Act on Polish Citizenship apply to me and my situation? “A child…a cquires Polish citizenship if, after completing sixteen years and before six months prior to attaining full legal age, he or she makes the appropriate declaration before the proper authority and this authority issues a decision accepting the declaration”. Does this mean that I have to make this declaration before I turn 18 years of age to obtain a citizenship?
2. Do I have to make a declaration for my citizenship with my situation?
3. If I do, where is the best place to send my citizenship declaration; a Polish embassy or abroad?
4. If I am granted Polish citizenship, how much time do I have to move into the country?
5. Does a Polish passport qualify for a EU passport or do you also need a seperate EU passport?
I would like to thank you for your time and your website; it is very helpful!!!
Peter Mortimer
Polish citizenship
You are a Polish US dual citizen
Peter, I would for sure get a US and Polish passport but you are already citizen of both countries. Polish citizenship is an EU citizenship. There is only a Polish passport no EU passport. Once you have this you can basically work and live anywhere in Europe. It is like a US citizenship with states. I would make sure I get a US citizenship but I think you have this, passport is secondary, just a document.
I would start the process of being confirmed a Polish citizen. This means you do not apply, you just are. If you were born in Poland and of Polish blood get your Polish brith certificate from the town you were born in. You are already a Polish citizen at birth. Unless you formally renouce your citizenship, which you did not. You are a Polish citizen and just need paper. Talk to your Polish embassy they will guide you, it does not matter, call them in NYC or any city in the USA (I guess that is where you live). Just tell them your case. It is just paper nd you can get a Polish ID and passport and you are all set. You are already a Polish citizen. You do not have to live in Poland ever. Citizenship is based on blood.
If this was a special case because you were adopted than I think you still can get citizenship as Europe goes by bloodline.
Polish citizenship
Eligibility for Polish Citizenship By Descent - South African - Jewish but also Polish
Good day
I wonder if you, or anyone, could assist me in informing me as to whether or not I am eligible for Polish citizenship by decent.
My grandfather, aswell as both of his parents (my great-grandparents) were all born in Poland & they came to South Africa around the 1920′s – 1930′s.
My grandfather became a South African citizen on 14 October 1947, while my great grandmother became South African on 1 November 1951 & my greatgarndfather became a South African on 14 August 1951. None of them ever renounced their Polish citizenship, nor did they ever serve in the South African army, or hold public office.
I do not have a copy of my grandfather’s Polish birth certificate,, as all of the documents of the Jewish faith from Siemiatycze,Poland had been destroyed during World War 2. However,it indicates on his Certificate of Nautralisation that he was Polish prior to naturalisation and that he was born to Polish parents, hence being a Polish citizen by birth
Based on the above information, am I still eligible for Polish citizenship?
Thank you
Joel
Polish citizenship
I think you can become a Polish citizen with time and get a greencard, but to get confirmed will be harder, but possible. I guess the office of foreigner affair needs to check the law at the time and the details around the case to better determine if confirmation is possible, however, regardless, I think citizenship with time is.
Ukrainian seeking Polish residence card
Tell please, I’d like to know if I can get the card Polish or card residence, if my mother in the birth certificate record states that her mother is Ukrainian and her father is Polish. In other words, her father’s nationality is a Pole. And in my grandmothers divorce certificate states that my grandfather is Polish, also my great-grand parents are Polish
I think if you have Polish blood as you do, and not just through marriage but actually a Polish national in your family, getting a green card is not a problem. Just apply at the office or foreigner affairs if you live in Poland or the consulates if you live in Ukraine.
US citizen seeking dual citizenship in Poland.
My grandparents on my mother’s side came from Poland after WWII. My grandfather served in the Polish army during WWII. My great grandparents on my father’s side came from Poland in the 1910′s. Would I be able to gain my Polish citizenship? If, so what should be the first steps in doing so? Thank you.
I think you can one way or the other. I would first go for confirmation of Polish citizenship by talking with the Polish embassy. If you can nto get this get a green card though jus sanguinis or right of blood. This is in the Polish constitution. You have to document in full detail everything including a life story and family tree with supporting documents as birth and passport records. If you do this and fill out the application I think you will be welcomed to the club.
Polish citizenship
How long does it take to get Polish citizenship
I am married to a Polish citizen and now, waiting for the release of my resident permit this coming month of July. I would like to ask from you if I may, how many months do I need to wait the processing of the Polish citizenship after applying it? I am just curious.
It all depends. How long have you been married? If you are have been married like 3 1/2 years and live in Poland for that time legally and all your documents are in order less than a year. If you just got married and live in Poland you will have it in five years. I need more details.
Polish "blood" is not a requirement of "jus sanguinis"
Some of the posts stating “Polish Blood” are misleading. Although, the term “jus sanguinis” does mean “by blood”, Polish citizenship is based on having a parent, grandparent, great-grandparent who was a Polish citizen. It’s not based on actually having ethnically Polish blood in your veins.
I am Lithuanian and Belarusian but many of my ancestors, including my mom and my grandparents were born in Bialystok in northeastern Poland. Because my mother and her parents had Polish citizenship I was able to get it as well. My mother still has a current passport which she got by showing her parents identification documents called “dowut osobisty”.
Polish citizenship
You are right as the law takes blood but also citizenship into account. The reason the Polish government considers both is because remember there was no Poland for 170 year, but people were clearly Polish, therefore, Jus Sanguinis. But also Polish citizenship is passed legally by parents etc being citizens even if they are from a different ethnic group etc. So the law is pretty open and tolerant.
Hi Mark,
I am a British national (overseas) who is currently residing in Hong Kong. I have a BN(O) passport and also a HKSAR passport.
I am planning to get my Vet Med degree in Poland because it’s much cheaper comparing to studying in the UK. To work in Hong Kong as a vet I will need to become a member of RCVS. Although the course in Poland is recognized by RCVS, I would not be eligible to apply for RCVS membership with a EU degree unless I am a EU national.
So I was wondering if I can apply for Polish citizenship after staying in Poland legally as a student receiving higher education there for 5.5 years, which is the duration of the course. If not, will getting a job during the course do any help?
Thank you so much!
Polish citizenship
If you are a British Citizen than you can stay in Poland really as long as you want since it is the EU. There is no real advantage to a Polish citizenship from a travel standpoint. However, if you have roots or are connected to the country in some way. I think you can start the application process. However, once you get here just ask at the office of foreigner’s affair and they will consider all your best options and direct you. But I think if you are British and have a vet degree in all honesty not matter what the law says I think you can get one pretty fast after school. Technically the answer is yes.
Polish citizenship
Thanks for reply. However, I am not a British citizen, we British Nationals (overseas) has no right to reside in British and are neither considered as British citizens nor EU citizens by the British government. But because of the Treaty of Lisbon we are strangely considered as EU citizens in some EU countries… that is why I am considering studying in Poland
Oh I am so sorry for my typos, I was so sleepy when I type that…
We British Nationals (overseas) have no right to reside in Britain and are neither considered as British citizens nor EU citizens by the British government.
I understand perfectly now. I do not know the exact rule, but international students that have studied in Poland and want to live in Poland after their studies have never in my experience had a problem getting a visa if they had a job after. I see many international students that have stayed on and become Polish citizens.
The question you are asking is does time as a student quality for citizenship?
No, you need to reside in Poland with a permanent residence card for five years, not a student visa. But a student visa can lead to a green card eventually if you get a job after your studies and learn Polish etc.
Polish citizenship
Katra Poliaka
Dear Mr Biernat
I have a question. I live in Belarus and recently received the Polish Card or they called ‘Karta Poliaka’on the basis that my mother was Polish, so they recognised me as polish national. What shall I do next in order to get polish citizenship?
Thank you beforehand
You do have right for this and it is curious for my why more people do not obtain one. I mean Poland is an EU country and a Polish passport is gold. You can live in Poland or work and live anywhere in Europe. Poland in itself is a great place and country.
What you need to do is talk to the Polish embassy about this. It is in the Polish constitution about repatriation or right of return. If you are from Belarus it is even better as the culture and language is similar and Polish population is declining and we need people.
In every major city from Warsaw to Krakow there is an office or foreigner affairs. This is really the place to go, but I would start with the Polish embassy in Belarus.
You will just need to provide detailed documentation and a CV or Resume and make a case that you can support yourself economically and that you feel Polish etc and are willing to learn the language.
I really love living in Poland by the way.
Polish citizenship
Living in Poland with an American greencard
Thank you in advance. I am an American citizen married to a Polish girl she also has aamerican green card and is a Polish citizen. we have two children we would love to go to Poland to visit her family and possibly stay a year or longer is this possible for me.
The issue is not with you. You can apply for a visa no problem but you need to apply for a visa. The problem is with your wife’s green card. Just because she has a green card does not mean she can come back to the USA. She needs to convince the USA that she will come back and I would even get a letter of acceptance before she leaves the USA or she could be denied, even with a green card. Take to the department of Homeland security and immigration about all this.
Your children need to be confirmed Polish citizens if they have not been and they of course can stay.
You will have no problem getting a visa and I highly recommend the experience of living in Poland.
Polish citizenship
Question in regards to "reason for wanting citizenship"
I am an American living in Warszawa. I recently (May) received my permanent residency card and have no more than 6 months to file for my Polish citizenship (been married to a Pole for 10yrs now). I know that besides all the paperwork again (birth, marriage cert etc…) I have to write a letter why I want to have Polish citizenship. My question is how short or long should I make it and what points should I make? Granted I am learning the language and find it extremely difficult (still can not make full sentences, only single words).
Polish citizenship
Make a case based on emotion and give examples. Have your wife write it in Polish not you. Tell all the reasons you personally love Poland, feel connected to this great community and society. I personally would make it no less than two pages. You do not have to know Polish to be a citizen but some level is helpful. It is a hard language and people know it so no stress, more important is that you are trying.
I would be the greatest salesman in the world, trying to basically sell them on the idea that you are Polish based on love of this country and culture and that you can contribute economically or you are educated etc. This is the type of stuff they like and more specific examples the better.
Polish citizenship
Polish Citizenship - before 1951
My grandmother and grandfather were born and raised in Poland suffered during WWII and after the libereation they moved to Canada in either 1950 or 1951 I’m still waiting to see all the original documents we discovered after my grandmothers passing. I spoke to the Polish Embassy in my city and I am in the process of applying for my citizenship but I am wondering that because there are clauses or statutes that were created that if you left Poland before 1951 your citienship is gone. It also states that if you were effect directly by WWII or your ancestors were that they fall into the 1939, 51, and 61 acts. I am wondering if this is gonna help me in becoming a Polish citizen?
Polish citizenship
The main thing is if they renounced their Polish citizenship in anyway. However, it it was before 1951 this could include becomming a citizen of another country. If they did not, I think you are OK. If it was your grandfather who was a citizen and never remarried or took citizenship before 1951 in Canada, then Polish citizenship should pass to your parent and then to you. However, even if you do not get it via “Confirmation of Possession or Loss of Polish Citizenship” you will get green card or permanent resident card which can latter be converted to a citizenship, I am sure of it.
Polish citizenship
Polish citizenship of children from second marriage or adoption
I was unsuccessfully trying to find info regarding the Polish citizenship status of children in the following situations:
1. The father is a Polish citizen living in Canada, he is married to a lady who is not Polish citizen and who brought in children from her previous marriage. Are the kids Polish citizens?
2.The father is a Polish citizen living in Canada, he is married to a lady who is not Polish citizen and they adopted two kids from outside Poland. Are the kids Polish citizens?
Thank you very much for your answer.
Wojciech
Polish citizenship
They are not confirmed Polish citizens, which is based on blood, but with a process and as long as they are under 18 then they can achieve Polish citizenship, which is a legal or civil process.
Birth Certificate in a small Polish town
My grandfather was born in a small town in Poland – Siemiatycze.
I’m coming to Poland on October.
How can I get his Birth Certificate?
They will have it in the city documents if he was born there. They might also have it in Podlaskie Voivodeship government office. Lastly during and after the war many historic documents were moved to Warsaw. That is were my grandmother’s documents were.
So try those three places in that order.
Thanks for the help.
Where in Warsaw should I look for the documents?
I need to bring something or just ask for the birth Certificate?
Urzad Stanu Cywilnego Warszawa, you can search it and call them. They will only speak Polish though. You can pay a poor student to help you look on Gumtree. Ask questions if you need help and use an online translate tool also. But maybe call in advance.
I just dont understand one thing, what I need to bring with me in order to get the birth Certificate? I just know my grandfather name and his year of birth, will it be enough?
Bring as much information as you can that would tie you to him. Your passport and maybe your parents information and any of his. If you have your parents birth certificate it will have their parents name on it and connect you to him. My advice is call ahead, and do not waste a trip. Get the facts and information you need by calling ahead. You can have someone help you with this. If you need help with this my wife can help you by calling for a small fee. But you need to get all your ducks lined up before you go or you will be spinning your wheels. Poland is bureaucratic to say the least. I took the time and created a war chest of documents before I went. You have to help them help you. Also I did not exactly get this directly I applied for citizenship and a Polish visa and through that process they helped me. So I am being honest not a pain in the neck. I am warning you because many people think they can waltz into a Polish government office and get what they need. Poland is a bureaucratic maze and it is improving but not 100% yet. The workers there will tell you with full confidence something they believe to be true but it s wrong.
Polish citizenship
Polish citizenship - part 1 and how far bloodline goes
Citizenship through descent? Immigrated in late 1800′s, early 1900′s.
Hello – just discovered your site, great info!
I am an American hoping to work in the EU. I am trying to see if I am eligible for citizenship through descent. Two sets of great grandparents immigrated approx 1890-1900. From census records it says they were born in Poland and Russia – I’m assuming it’s because of territory changes…I don’t have city names for all but am trying to find out. I’m wondering if it’s worth trying to dig for this info or would they not be citizens of Poland because of the timing? I don’t believe they got US citizenship.
My grandfather was born in Belarus (Minsk) and immigrated in 1907….I read something about Belarus being part of Poland at some time but I’m not sure if it was accurate. I don’t believe he became a US citizen either. Of course my father was born in the US so I’m not sure if that means the bloodlines are broken?
Do I have any chances on either front? Thanks very much.
Polish citizenship
Polish Citizenship- part 2 - going back far
Hello again Mark,
I forgot to mention in my previous post – I am not planning on living in Poland, I am looking to get a job in Spain or France and saw that if you get EU Citizenship by descent, you have a much better chance at finding a job. So I think the only thing that would help me is the confirmation of citizenship (rather that the green card).
Thank you.
| loved living in Europe and can recommend it highly. The short version of your case is this. You can not get Polish citizenship by confirmation as there was no Poland during those years. Really, I had the same problem. However, you might be able to get a green card, but I think you will need to really pull a lot of paper together. I got mine by living in Poland and applying, if you want to do it remote contact the Polish embassy about this, they can guide you. I personally think all you have to do is prove so connection to the people who were Polish in your family and you with legal documents. For me I was able to find birth certificates and marriage certificates and make a family tree. If you can do this then I am sure there will be little problem if you are persistent.
Minsk of course was not Polish by the way, just Polish conquered lands, do your relatives might have been white Russian. You need to clarity all these issues and let me know. But if you have a Polish green card basically you can travel anywhere in Europe and the other European countries will not really know how to deal with the visa issue. I think technically you have to be a Polish citizen, not a visa holder, but with patience you can convert the visa to citizenship. Why not live in Poland for a while?
Polish citizenship
Thanks for your quick reply, Mark. This is very helpful and makes sense. I am going see if I can find birth or marriage certificates to get more specifics. I am not sure if the places they were born were really Russian cities but just Polish occupied, or if they were really Polish but Russian occupied at some points in time….in other words I’m not sure if they considered themselves Polish or Russian. Probably the city names will help narrow that down. I’ll post again if I can find more info.
Thanks again, your site really helps clarify a lot of the nuances.
Polish citizenship
I am a Polish patriot, but of course although Poland has had a hard history, it does not mean it did not have an imperial past itself. It actually occupied Moscow for a while and was the largest country in Europe, and with such a small population you do not get that way by being peaceful farmers. So Poland and Russia and Ukraine and Lithuania changed lands often. What really matters is the bloodline not the boarder or boundary. Many Poles are upset when I tell them that 90% of the people arount Lviv were Ukrainian. They say no we were innocent, I do not see it that way. Well it is all a matter of perspective. If there were 1 billion Polish people I think the world would be eating pierogi.
Polish citizenship
Green Card and Taxes
Hi Mark!
It’s Kama again. I’ve just wanted to ask you about Polish green card. If my husband (he’s American) applies for a green card in Poland will he be allowed to work in Poland ? If not, what kind of documents will he need to apply for in order to start working in Poland. We will be moving to Poland first and then looking for a job.
I’m Polish so I hope my husband will be allowed to get his green card because he is married to me and he’s the father of our children.
My second question is related to paying taxes. You’ve mentioned before that you pay taxes both to the USA and Poland. I’m Polish and I have the American Citizenship and my husband is American with no Polish Citizenship. Living in Poland, are we both responsible for paying taxes to both countries? Can you give me more advice on that?
Thank you Mark
Polish citizenship
Taxes and work in the USA and Poland
Do not worry about taxes in Poland or the USA. It seems scary but unless you are making a lot of money you should only have to pay a little.
Here is my complaint. The USA is one of the few countries that require taxes from it citizens no matter what, even if you give up your citizenship and are a Polish citizen you must file for US taxes for 10 years or something.
You have to report income or it is a major violation of the US tax code. You remember Al Capone and all. I think the tax office does not care if you make the money illegal, income generation needs to be reported.
Report all income you make in Poland to the USA. Also all bank accounts over 10k. I would report even money I make with students in you flat as a tutor or money you make on eBay or money as a consultant and you get via paypal.
You need to be clean and square with the US tax office. Although they really do not care about little money, I always reported everything. Once you report it you have a 90k exemption. So basically, if you are making under 90k in Poland USD you do not have to pay US taxes.
You as a Polish citizen need only to report income to the US government if you file a joint return. Your husband could just file married filing separate. He gets less deductions but it does not matter and does not complicate things. If you move to the USA then you as a Polish citizen with a greencard in the USA can file taxes but being married to an US citizen only obligates you to file and report if you are filing married and joint on the tax return and there is no real reason to at this point.
Your children get US citizenships and social security cards and they can be deductions on his return. But you need social security numbers like in Poland you need NIP and PESEL.
I use TurboTax but you can use any program and it will guide you on foreign income. If you are living in Poland you should not have to pay state taxes either.
I had a legal job so I just paid Polish taxes on my income in Poland and reported but excluded it on my US income.
A Polish greencard gives you full rights as a Polish citizen except voting. So you can work and live legally. Most people work at language schools or call centers or in IT. The company you work for takes care of the taxes. So do not worry it is all easy. There is not stress. Neither government is looking to get anyone. They just want you to report the money you earn.
In reality you will pay Polish VAT every time you buy something.
To start working you need a PESEL and Green card. That is it you are in the system. Everything is ready to go and any office manager knows what to do. You focus on getting the job and they will tell you want to do.
I am no expert and if you need help I can recommend firms in Poland or the USA. But basically the laws are pretty clear and I call the IRS in the USA a lot. They are not trying to get you, the laws are already in place, they just guide you.
The Polish tax office I have been to many times. They often do not know the rules themselves. But ask me I can guide you the best I know, but again I am not an expert.
Let me know if you have any questions about work or taxes in Poland.
Polish citizenship
Great Grandfather was Jewish - Ctizenship issues
My great grandfather was a Jewish Pole who died in the Holocaust, his son (my grandfather) was also born in Poland but later obtained US residency, before the war.
What are the issues?
I think if you put together documentation, you would have no problem getting a greencard for Poland which could lead to citizenship. But to be confirmed as a Polish citizen it is too hard under Polish law in this case. It has nothing to do with you being Jewish as Jews and Poles were Polish. Just like Jews that live in the USA are American. There is a shared history in central Europe and the Jewish people were an important part of Polish history.
Polish citizenship
Citzenship in Poland if unmarried with a child
Hello my name is Ringson from France. I lives with my Polish girl and we have one kid, is possible me to have Polish citzenship and our kid?
The child is a Polish citizen, just needs confirmation, the mother can take care of this with the Polish office by presenting her and the child’s birth certificate.
You can not get Polish citizenship unless you are married, you having a child has nothing to do with anything under the law. You need to be legally married, which I recommend if you have a child. I mean you bring someone in the world, you can not marry the girl?
So many player guys out there that think having an innocent child is cool, but will not marry the mother.
Polish citizenship
Ukrainian citizenship
Hi Mark,
My husband and I are American citizens, but my husband was born in Ukraine. Would you suggest that we pursue our Polish residence through this channel? Or moving there on the basis of American citizenship? Which is easier? Thanks.
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