Polish Citizenship and Passport – Benefits in the EU
Poland – a Member State of the European Union
The European Union is one of the world’s most exceptional areas for the free movement of people, work, education and business activity. Citizenship of one of its 27 Member States provides access to rights that are available to non-EU nationals only to a limited extent. Since 1 May 2004, when Poland joined the European Union, Polish citizens have also been citizens of the EU. As a result, they can travel, live, work, run a business and study in other Member States under the rules of European Union law.
For many of our clients, however, Polish citizenship means much more than the practical benefits associated with life in Europe. During the 20th century, successive waves of emigration, wars, border changes and complicated family histories resulted in millions of people of Polish origin living outside Poland. In many families, the connection with Poland survived through successive generations, even though their descendants were born in Israel, the United States, South America or other parts of the world.
Importantly, the fact that an ancestor emigrated from Poland does not in itself mean that he or she lost Polish citizenship. In many cases, citizenship may have been retained and passed on to subsequent generations. This is why descendants of Polish citizens may today – if their family’s legal history permits – obtain an official decision confirming their possession of Polish citizenship and subsequently obtain a Polish identity card and passport. In other cases, a person who actually lost Polish citizenship before 1 January 1999 may – in the cases specified by law – meet the conditions for applying for its restoration.
For some, this means the ability to work, study or conduct business in Europe without the barriers applicable to third-country nationals. For others, it provides an additional choice of where to live for themselves and their families. For many, it also has a personal dimension – it is a formal restoration of the connection with the country from which their parents, grandparents or great-grandparents came.
What exactly do Polish citizenship and a Polish passport provide today? Below we present the most important rights and opportunities resulting from Polish citizenship and, consequently, citizenship of the European Union.
1. Freedom to travel and live in EU countries
As a Polish citizen, you can travel freely throughout the European Union and live in other Member States.
If you want to stay in another EU country for more than three months, you will usually need to meet certain conditions, for example by working, being self-employed, studying or having sufficient resources to support yourself.
2. Easier access to employment and business activity
Polish citizens can work in other EU countries without having to obtain a standard work permit.
They may also conduct business or provide services in other Member States under the rules laid down by EU law and local legislation.
3. Education and professional development
EU citizenship can facilitate access to university studies, international exchange programmes and various forms of education.
In many situations, EU citizens are treated more favourably than non-EU nationals, although the detailed rules depend on the law of the particular country and the specific university.
4. Healthcare and social benefits
Citizenship alone does not automatically entitle a person to free healthcare throughout Europe. The country in which a person is insured is of primary importance.
People covered by health insurance may, however, benefit from EU rules on the coordination of social security systems and, during temporary stays in other EU countries, often also from the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
5. Voting rights
Polish citizens may vote in elections to the European Parliament.
If they live in another EU country, they may also – subject to the applicable conditions – take part in local elections in their place of residence.
6. Consular assistance abroad
Outside the European Union, Polish citizens can seek assistance from Polish consulates and embassies.
If Poland has no diplomatic or consular representation in a particular country, in certain situations assistance may be sought from the embassy or consulate of another EU Member State. This can be particularly important in the event of lost documents, an accident or a crisis.
7. Purchasing property and planning a life in Europe
In Poland, a Polish citizen may purchase property without the restrictions applicable to foreigners.
EU citizenship can also make it easier to plan long-term residence, investments and business activity in other European countries.
8. How does Polish citizenship affect a spouse?
Marriage to a Polish citizen does not automatically result in the acquisition of Polish citizenship or citizenship of the European Union.
It can, however, significantly facilitate lawful residence and family life together in Europe.
If a Polish citizen lives in another EU Member State, his or her non-EU spouse may acquire certain residence rights under EU law, such as:
Each situation nevertheless requires an individual assessment, as factors such as the country of residence and the family’s residence history are relevant.
9. Citizenship for children and future generations
Confirmation of Polish citizenship may be important not only for one person, but also for his or her children and grandchildren.
If citizenship has been retained within the family, subsequent generations can often apply for confirmation of their Polish citizenship and obtain Polish documents.
10. Family and historical significance
For many people, Polish citizenship is not only a legal matter.
It is connected with family history, emigration, war, border changes and the fate of ancestors. Obtaining a Polish passport can be a symbolic confirmation of a connection with Poland and one’s roots.
11. What does Polish citizenship not guarantee?
It is worth remembering that Polish citizenship:
It does, however, provide access to the rights of a Polish citizen and an EU citizen, which can significantly facilitate life, work and family life in Europe.
Summary
The most important benefits of Polish citizenship include:
For people of Polish origin, however, the most important question is always whether Polish citizenship was retained through successive generations. The answer depends on the family’s history, the available documents and the laws in force during the lives of their ancestors.