Poland to extend citizenship residency requirement from 3 to 10 years

Poland's new President Karol Nawrocki has submitted a draft law to parliament seeking to extend the period required to obtain Polish citizenship from three to ten years.

Currently, applicants can apply for citizenship three years after receiving permanent residency in Poland, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

In a statement to journalists, Nawrocki said, “In this draft law, I am proposing new measures regarding the acquisition of Polish citizenship. Citizenship is a matter of pride. The waiting period should be increased from three to ten years.”

The president also indicated that a separate legislative proposal would raise the maximum penalty for illegal border crossings from the current two years to five.

Karol Nawrocki, born in 1983 in Gdańsk, is a Polish historian and politician who became the nation's president on August 6, 2025. Before his presidency, he led the Institute of National Remembrance from 2021 to 2025 and directed the Museum of the Second World War in Gdańsk from 2017 to 2021.

His academic work focuses on anti-communist resistance and organised crime, reflecting his personal history as an amateur boxer and footballer.

In the 2025 presidential election, Nawrocki, an independent candidate supported by the Law and Justice (PiS) party, narrowly defeated liberal candidate Rafał Trzaskowski with 50.89% of the vote.

His victory marked a significant shift in Polish politics, challenging the pro-European stance of Prime Minister Donald Tusk's government.

Nawrocki's presidency is expected to influence Poland's domestic and international policies, particularly regarding EU relations, judicial reforms, and social issues.

By Aghakazim Guliyev