Poland Tightens Citizenship Rules Amid Abuses of Polish Card Program

The Polish government has announced plans to introduce stricter regulations for individuals seeking Polish citizenship as part of its ongoing migration strategy.

Local media reports suggest that these new rules may include a requirement for applicants to demonstrate sufficient Polish language skills. The move comes in response to concerns over widespread misuse of the Polish Card Act, which grants citizenship to individuals who can prove Polish ancestry.

The Polish Card, introduced in 2007, allows people claiming Polish heritage to obtain citizenship. Under the Polish Card Act, applicants must prove Polish origin through documentation showing that at least one parent, grandparent, or two great-grandparents were Polish citizens or of Polish descent.

However, reports have surfaced of significant abuses of the repatriation process, particularly involving applicants who submitted forged documents to prove their Polish ancestry.

According to Rzeczpospolita, many of those implicated in these abuses were from Belarus and Ukraine, two countries that have seen a high number of Polish Cards issued. It is estimated that over 206,000 people currently hold a Polish Card, with the majority being Ukrainian and Belarusian nationals.

The Polish Card has been controversial since its inception, as individuals with a certificate did not always need to prove their Polish origin if they had been active in Polish organizations for over three years. According to data published by the Centre for Migration Research in June 2022, out of 162,000 cards issued, less than 7,000 were granted to people who had not proven their Polish ancestry.

Polish MEP Michał Dworczyk defended the program but acknowledged that improvements could be made to address the irregularities. "Taking away the possibility of applying for the card from Polish community activists is wrong. There are people who have lost Polish documents. This is throwing the baby out with the bathwater," Dworczyk told Rz.

Poland is not alone in tightening its citizenship rules in 2024. Several other EU countries have also introduced more stringent requirements to minimize irregularities. In Sweden, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Migration Minister Johan Forssell announced that stricter rules would apply to foreigners seeking Swedish citizenship. These changes target applicants with criminal histories or those deemed a threat to national security.

"The change in law that comes into force today means that citizenship will no longer be handed out lightly. It applies to anyone who is suspected or convicted of a certain crime.

This also applies if you pose a threat to Sweden’s security or have a connection to dangerous groups and organisations. The requirements must apply to everyone over the age of 15," Kristersson and Forssell said in a joint statement.

Additionally, both Sweden and Finland have increased the number of residency years required for citizenship from five to eight. Language proficiency requirements for nationals born in Sweden are also expected to come into effect soon, with authorities set to evaluate future applications based on these stricter criteria. 

By fLEXI tEAM