The President of Poland proposed to increase the residence qualification for citizenship to 10 years
Photo: Karol Navrotsky / social network X

President of Poland Karol Navrotsky has submitted to the Sejm a draft law that would increase the minimum period of continuous residence in the country for obtaining citizenship from three to ten years. About writes Polska Agencja Prasowa SA.

As explained in the document, this change is intended to facilitate better integration of foreigners into Polish society before obtaining citizenship.

According to the author of the draft law, the current three-year term is one of the shortest in the EU and does not provide enough time to learn Polish language, culture, and adapt to local realities.

For comparison, in Hungary, you need to have lived in Hungary for at least eight years, in France and Germany for five years, and in Italy, Spain, and Austria for ten years to become a citizen.

In Ukraine, you also need to live at least five years to obtain citizenship.

According to the rationale for the draft law, citizenship is seen as belonging to a political, historical, and cultural community that requires not only rights but also responsibility for the country's future.

The President's Office acknowledged that the adoption of this bill could reduce revenues to the Polish budget from fees for processing citizenship applications (about 1-3 million zlotys per year).

At the same time, this is expected to be partially offset by lower social spending.