In 2026 (as of February 4), 445 applications for the grant of citizenship were submitted to the Chancellery of the President. The President issued four decisions: 25 individuals were granted citizenship, while 18 applications were refused. Presidential decisions are discretionary in nature, they do not require justification, are not subject to appeal, and are not governed by the provisions of the Code of Administrative Procedure.
From a systemic perspective, the number of new citizens in Poland is increasing. In 2024, 16,647 foreign nationals acquired Polish citizenship, including 14,828 by decision of the voivodes and approximately 2,200 by decision of the President. In 2023, the total was 12,166 individuals, including 1,719 by presidential decision. This indicates that the majority of naturalizations currently take place outside the presidential procedure.
According to data from the Chancellery of the President, 5,470 applications for the grant of citizenship were submitted in 2025. That year, 222 decisions were issued: 999 individuals were granted citizenship, while 1,335 were refused. However, all decisions were issued on August 1, 2025, prior to Karol Nawrocki taking office.
Numerous Requirements Before the Voivode
Presidential decisions are discretionary, they do not require justification, are not subject to appeal, and are not governed by the Code of Administrative Procedure. By contrast, the standard procedure for recognition as a citizen by a voivode is subject to a number of statutory requirements. A foreign national must, among other things, reside in Poland continuously for at least three years, hold a permanent residence permit or EU long-term resident status, have a stable source of income, possess a legal title to residential premises, and demonstrate certified Polish language proficiency at B1 level. Exceptions include, among others, refugees (who may apply after two years) and holders of the Polish Card (currently eligible after one year).