The Number of Citizenship Denials Has Increased in Poland

In Poland, in 2025, the number of applications from foreigners for obtaining citizenship significantly increased, but at the same time, the share of denials also rose. The demand for Polish passports is growing, but provincial offices are increasingly making negative decisions. This is reported by inpoland.net.pl.

According to the Polish Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration, during 2025 foreigners submitted 19.6 thousand applications for Polish citizenship. In comparison, in 2024 there were 16.1 thousand such applications. Despite the growing interest, the number of positive decisions is not increasing proportionally.

Polish Citizenship: Why the Number of Denials is Growing

Experts link the situation to the tightening of government policy in the field of granting citizenship. The criteria for verification have become stricter, and the grounds for denial are broader. Even minor violations, including administrative fines, can negatively impact the decision regarding the issuance of a passport.

According to specialists, provincial offices are increasingly applying a so-called zero tolerance approach, complicating the procedure for applicants.

Denial of Polish Citizenship: Possible Consequences

Business representatives and labor market experts are already expressing concerns about the new trends. They believe that excessive tightening of requirements may:

• reduce the attractiveness of Poland for foreign specialists

• negatively affect the labor market

• slow down the economic development of the country.

Experts warn that in the long term, such a policy could deter qualified workers who consider Poland as a country for permanent residence.

Previously, we wrote about how to stay in Poland after the temporary protection ends on March 4, 2026.