Polish Citizenship

The question of eligibility for Polish citizenship is complicated. Generally, expatriates from Poland who are entitled to Polish citizenship are those who did not lose their citizenship before 1951.

There are two important dates to remember: 1920, when Poland was re-established, requiring applicants to provide documents issued after this year showing a connection to the country; and 1951, when Polish citizenship laws became more lenient. Until January 1951, it was easy to lose Polish citizenship, making this a key date.

Women lost their Polish citizenship until 1951 in two common cases: naturalization in another country (such as the USA or Israel) or marrying a non-Polish man. Many women who emigrated from Poland lost their citizenship in the 1930s and 1940s, so their descendants are not considered Polish citizens today and cannot regain Polish citizenship.

For men, the issue is more complex. Adult men (born in 1900 or earlier) who were naturalized in another country lost their Polish citizenship (for example, in the USA or Israel). However, young men up to the age of 50 could retain their Polish citizenship even if they acquired another citizenship, provided they did not serve in the military for the country they immigrated to. Therefore, men of Polish origin who served in World War II for example (or any war before 1951), or were even registered but did not serve until January 1951 lost their Polish citizenship.

Apart from serving in a foreign military, men could lose their Polish citizenship by working in a public office in another country. Teachers, doctors, elected officials, government officials, postmen, and even Rabbis lost their Polish citizenship. Therefore, it is recommended to provide documentation of employment until 1951 as part of the documents submitted to the Polish authorities during the naturalization process.

What About Those Who Were Children Until 1951?

If a grandparent was under 18 years old in 1951, they were not entitled to citizenship in their own right but were dependent on their father's status. If their father did not lose his citizenship, his children also theoretically retained Polish citizenship until they turned 18. If their father lost his right, his children did too. If the parents were not married, the children inherited citizenship from their mother and lost it when their mother naturalized. Additionally, if a widowed woman immigrated and naturalized with her under age children before 1951, her children will lose their Polish citizenship, even if their parents were married at the time of their birth and their father was Polish. 

What About Those Who Left Poland After 1951?

If family members left Poland after 1951, there is a high chance that they did not lose their Polish citizenship. Even if they gave it up to leave, this requirement is considered illegal today, and it is possible to restore citizenship. It is important to know where the family lived in Poland, as records in the locality or district city can be used to renew citizenship. Central Polish institutions also hold information about Jews who left Poland during these years. Any personal documents from those days kept in the family archive can be helpful.

What About Those Who Left Poland Before 1920?

If family members departed before 1920 from a region that later became Poland in 1920, they might still be eligible for Polish citizenship. Some individuals who left before Poland's independence registered at the Polish consulate, opting to become Polish citizens once Poland gained independence in 1920. Additionally, your family may qualify if your ancestors left before 1920 while they were under 18, and their parents remained in the region through Poland’s independence in 1920, subsequently becoming Polish citizens through their father's status. There may be other circumstances where your family may be eligible for Polish citizenship if they left before 1920 (will be evaluated on a case by case basis).