In Poland, a harsh bill proposed: citizenship after 10 years on permanent residence, deportation for two offenses

Photo: MOST

Deputies from the right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party submitted a draft amendment to the laws on citizenship and foreigners to the Sejm on April 17. PiS proposes that Polish citizenship be granted only after 10 years of permanent residence, and for two intentional offenses, a foreigner should be deported, MOST writes.

Stricter conditions for obtaining citizenship

The draft amendment to the citizenship law reiterates proposals from a bill that PiS put forward in October 2025. It stipulates that the period of residence on a permanent residence permit required for recognition as a Polish citizen should be increased from three to ten years.

Spouses of Polish citizens will have to live on a permanent residence permit or long-term EU resident status for five years to obtain citizenship (while being married for at least six years).

It is proposed to increase the waiting period for citizenship to five years for individuals who received a permanent residence permit based on Polish origin or a Pole's Card.

Additionally, PiS believes that a foreigner applying for Polish citizenship must know the Polish language at a level no lower than C1 (currently B1), and also pass a State Civil Exam, which will test knowledge about Poland.

Also, a foreigner will have to submit documents confirming that they have not been subject to criminal liability in their home country — obviously, this condition cannot be met by foreigners under international protection.

Deportation for two offenses

In the law on foreigners, PiS proposes adding a clause on the deportation of a foreigner if they have committed an intentional offense twice within 24 months, or twice committed an offense punishable by arrest or restriction of liberty.

According to Polish law, an offense is intentional if a person intends to commit a prohibited act, or foreseeing the possibility of its commission, consents to it. In the absence of such intent, the offense is considered unintentional.

PiS deputies also propose adding a clause to the law stating that an appeal against a decision to leave the country will not suspend the execution of that decision.

The bill has been put forward for public consultation. Opinions on it can be expressed by filling out the questionnaire for bill number RPW/13478/2026.

Not the first attempt

The Sejm has already considered PiS's proposals for amendments to the citizenship law. On January 9, 2026, deputies rejected the bill.

Now, PiS has proposed a new version of the same measures, combining stricter conditions for obtaining citizenship with a proposal to deport foreigners for two offenses.

PiS, as well as the far-right Confederation, which might support the project, do not have a majority in the Sejm. Therefore, considering its repeated submission, it can be assumed that this law will also not pass.

It is likely that by submitting the bill, PiS is trying to increase its popularity, relying on anti-immigrant sentiments among a part of Polish society.

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