Polish citizenship: UD491 proposal (2026) — B2, civic test and new rules
Obtaining Polish citizenship could become more difficult. On 27 October 2026, proposal UD491 appeared in the Polish government’s official legislative work register. The Ministry of the Interior and Administration (MSWiA) proposes amendments to the Polish Citizenship Act, including a longer residence requirement, raising the Polish-language level from B1 to B2, a civic knowledge test, a declaration of loyalty, and additional checks concerning income, housing and compliance with the law.[1]
As of 28 October 2026, these are not new rules in force. The main proposals have been published, but the UD491 entry does not yet contain the full text of the proposed statutory provisions. The description does not establish the precise new residence periods, minimum income, list of relevant fines or transitional arrangements. Below, we distinguish the requirements of the current law from the ministry’s plans.[1]
📅 Legislative status as of 28 October 2026
UD491 is currently at the government-proposal description stage. Publication in the register does not mean that a law has been passed. The existing Polish Citizenship Act remains applicable unless and until any new provisions enter into force. Neither their commencement date nor their treatment of pending applications has been specified.[1]
What is UD491 and which citizenship procedures does it affect?
UD491 is a government legislative initiative entitled “Projekt ustawy o zmianie ustawy o obywatelstwie polskim oraz niektórych innych ustaw” (Draft Act amending the Polish Citizenship Act and certain other acts). MSWiA is the responsible ministry. The government’s register lists the fourth quarter of 2026 as the planned period for adoption of the draft by the Council of Ministers. This is a government work schedule, not an effective date for the law.[1]
To understand the proposed changes, it is important to distinguish three separate procedures:
– Uznanie za obywatela polskiego (recognition as a Polish citizen) — an application-based procedure decided by a voivode. Most of UD491’s new criteria concern this route: residence periods, language, an examination, housing, income and additional grounds for refusal.
– Nadanie obywatelstwa polskiego (grant of citizenship) — a separate procedure in which citizenship is granted by the President of the Republic of Poland. Requirements proposed for recognition by a voivode must not automatically be applied to the presidential route.
– Przywrócenie obywatelstwa polskiego (restoration of citizenship) — restoration of previously lost citizenship under the specific conditions of Article 38. MSWiA proposes separate amendments to this procedure, including a final application deadline.[2]
These are not three names for the same application: the existing law establishes distinct eligibility criteria and competent authorities. It is essential to identify which route applies to an individual’s circumstances.
MSWiA publicly discussed the direction of citizenship reform back in October 2025. However, the ministry’s announcement of 10 October 2025 and the UD491 entry of 27 October 2026 are different stages of preparation. The legally relevant reference is the content of the specific document, not an earlier announcement in the media.[5]
Residence in Poland: current qualifying periods and proposed changes
UD491 envisages lengthening the minimum period of lawful residence required for recognition as a Polish citizen. However, the published description provides no specific new periods and does not explain how the separate grounds under Article 30 would change. It would therefore be unjustified to claim that everyone will need, for example, eight or ten years after UD491.[1]
What does the law currently require? Article 30 provides several distinct routes rather than one qualifying period for all applicants:
| Current Article 30 route | Qualifying period / key condition |
|---|---|
| Article 30(1)(1) — standard route | At least 3 years of continuous residence on a permanent residence permit, EU long-term resident status or a right of permanent residence, together with stable, regular income and a legal right to occupy housing. |
| Article 30(1)(2) — spouse of a Polish citizen or a stateless person | At least 2 years holding the relevant permanent status; for the marriage route, at least 3 years of marriage to a Polish citizen. |
| Article 30(1)(3) — recognised refugee | At least 2 years with a permanent residence permit issued in connection with refugee status granted in Poland. |
| Article 30(1)(6) — long period of lawful residence | At least 10 years of continuous lawful residence; the application also requires an appropriate permanent status, stable regular income and a legal right to occupy housing. |
| Article 30(1)(7) — Karta Polaka or Polish ancestry | At least 1 year holding a permanent residence permit granted on the basis of a Polish Card (Karta Polaka) or Polish ancestry. |
The Act contains separate provisions for minors (Article 30(1)(4)–(5)). The table therefore covers common adult cases, not every ground in the law.[2]
An important distinction: one year of lawful stay in general is not necessarily the same as one year spent holding a particular form of permanent residence status. For instance, the route connected with a Polish Card (Karta Polaka) requires one year holding the specified permanent residence permit. A long period on a temporary residence permit does not, by itself, satisfy that condition.
Polish-language requirement: proposed increase from B1 to B2
At present, Article 30(2) requires proof of Polish-language proficiency at a minimum level of B1 for applicants to whom this requirement applies. The Act also recognises specified documents showing graduation from a school in Poland or a school abroad where Polish was the language of instruction; minors applying under Article 30(1)(4)–(5) are exempt. A specific limitation also applies to certificates from certain szkoły policealne (post-secondary schools).[2]
UD491 proposes replacing the B1 minimum with B2, as expressly stated in the official project description. However, the permitted forms of evidence, exemptions and transitional provisions have not yet been defined. It would be premature to claim that an existing B1 certificate will automatically become invalid or that particular school documents will definitely cease to qualify.[1]
The proposed B2 language requirement should not be confused with the separate proposal for a civic knowledge test about Poland. These are two different elements of the possible future rules.
Civic knowledge test and declaration of loyalty to Poland
MSWiA proposes adding two conditions to the recognition procedure:
– Deklaracja wierności wobec Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej — a mandatory declaration of loyalty to the Republic of Poland.
– Test obywatelski — an examination testing knowledge of Poland.[1]
The published UD491 description does not specify the number of questions, syllabus, pass mark, fees, retake rules or exempt categories. Articles claiming to provide the “final rules of the UD491 test” cannot therefore be treated as evidence of what this particular proposal will require.
Discussing an oath or examination does not mean these requirements already apply to current applications for recognition by a voivode. The existing Article 30 does not provide for this new universal civic test.[2]
Income, tax residence and housing: what could change?
The proposed conditions concern evidence of an applicant’s genuine ties to Poland and financial self-sufficiency. The UD491 entry identifies three areas:
– Centre of vital interests in Poland and the related requirement of Polish tax residence as an additional condition for recognition as a citizen.
– A minimum level of the applicant’s own income to demonstrate financial self-sufficiency. No specific threshold is given in the published description.
– Legal title to occupy housing and sources of livelihood — the obligation to document these would be extended to all applicant categories under the recognition procedure (uznanie za obywatela polskiego).[1]
Income and housing are already required for certain routes, including Article 30(1)(1) and (6). UD491 would not introduce them from scratch; it would extend their scope and introduce a new minimum income criterion.[2]
A legal right to occupy a dwelling does not mean an obligation to buy property: the current Act refers to a tytuł prawny do zajmowania lokalu mieszkalnego, not ownership alone. The precise future documentation and assessment rules can only be established once the statutory wording is published. It is likewise not possible to identify a fixed income amount “under UD491” or to claim that address registration (meldunek) alone proves a person’s centre of vital interests.
New refusal grounds: convictions, fines and false documents
Under the existing Article 31, an applicant cannot be recognised as a citizen by a voivode if they do not meet Article 30’s conditions or if acquiring citizenship would pose a threat to national defence or state security, or to public safety and order, as provided by law.[2]
UD491 envisages additional mandatory grounds for refusal and a more detailed definition of conduct deemed relevant to those security concerns. The description mentions:
– A final criminal conviction by a court.
– Certain fixed-penalty notices (mandaty) or court-imposed fines (grzywny) during a specified period before the application.
– False information or untrue declarations.
– Submission of forged or falsified documents.[1]
Would any parking ticket lead to refusal? That cannot be concluded from the published description. It does not specify which offences, minimum fine amounts or look-back periods would count. Headlines claiming that “any fine automatically rules out a Polish passport” go beyond the official document.
The most controversial proposal: reviewing citizenship decisions years later
One part of UD491 proposes a special legal ground allowing a decision recognising a person as a Polish citizen or restoring Polish citizenship to be set aside at any time, independently of the procedures under the Code of Administrative Procedure (KPA). The ministry primarily links this to decisions obtained through deception or false information.[1]
According to the description, misconduct in earlier procedures could also matter — not only in the citizenship application itself but in previous residence-legalisation proceedings or proceedings concerning the Polish Card (Karta Polaka). Examples include forged documents, false statements and deliberate concealment of material information.
A legal distinction is crucial here. “Setting aside an administrative decision on the acquisition of citizenship” is not the same claim as “depriving someone of citizenship at the authorities’ discretion.” The proposal describes the first mechanism, but its exact legal structure, limits, judicial safeguards and consequences cannot be assessed without the full drafted provisions.
The constitutional issue. Article 34(2) of the Polish Constitution protects Polish citizenship against loss other than through the citizen’s voluntary renunciation. A proposal to set aside previous administrative decisions would therefore need to be considered in light of that protection. The UD491 entry alone does not establish that a future provision has already been ruled unconstitutional or that any Polish passport could automatically be “taken away”.[3]
SKILLDOCS assessment: this proposal could become one of the most disputed parts of the reform, because the fight against fraud must be reconciled with legal certainty and constitutional protections. This is a legal assessment, not a confirmed outcome of the future legislative process.
Restoration of Polish citizenship: proposed deadline of 31 December 2030
For the separate przywrócenie obywatelstwa polskiego (restoration) procedure, MSWiA proposes 31 December 2030 as the final day for applications under Article 38. It also envisages a declaration of loyalty and revised grounds for refusal or setting aside a decision.[1]
This procedure is not intended for every foreign national who previously lived in Poland. The current Article 38 concerns people who lost Polish citizenship before 1 January 1999 under specific historical legal provisions. Under the current law, restoration decisions are made by the minister responsible for internal affairs.[2]
The 31 December 2030 date does not apply to ordinary applications for recognition as a Polish citizen by a voivode. It remains only a proposal: publishing UD491 did not automatically add an expiry date to the current Article 38.
Comparison: existing rules versus the UD491 proposals
| Issue | Current rules | UD491 description |
|---|---|---|
| Residence period | Separate Article 30 routes: from 1 year holding an appropriate permanent status to 10 years of lawful residence, subject to different conditions. | To be increased; specific new periods not published. |
| Polish language | B1, with statutory forms of evidence and exceptions. | Increase to B2; documentation details not defined. |
| Knowledge of Poland | No new universal civic test under Article 30. | Introduce a civic knowledge test. |
| Declaration of loyalty | Not a general Article 30 requirement. | Introduce it for recognition and restoration of citizenship. |
| Income / housing | Stable income and housing requirements already apply to specified applicant groups. | Extend to all groups; set a minimum income; add a centre-of-vital-interests / tax-residence condition. |
| Refusals / setting aside decisions | Article 31 and existing procedures and safeguards. | Additional grounds for refusal and a special mechanism to set aside decisions at any time. |
This comparison is based on the published UD491 entry and the current Polish Citizenship Act. The eventual legal wording may differ from this preliminary description.[1][2]
When might the changes take effect, and what about pending applications?
The official UD491 entry was published on 27 October 2026. Adoption of the draft by the Council of Ministers is planned for the fourth quarter of 2026. To become law, a draft must then complete the legislative process, including the Sejm, Senate, presidential stage and official publication. No commencement date has yet been set for the possible new provisions.[1]
What if a citizenship application is already pending? The available UD491 description contains no transitional provisions establishing whether or when the new requirements would apply to ongoing cases. The claim that “all applications lodged before the law is adopted will definitely remain under the old rules” cannot currently be verified.
There is also a separate presidential legislative proposal, Sejm print no. 1759, submitted in 2025. It must not be confused with the government proposal UD491: they are different initiatives and documents. Figures appearing in one draft do not automatically become the terms of another.[4]
What should applicants preparing for Polish citizenship do now?
Until any new rules are enacted, it makes sense to assess eligibility under the existing Article 30, not a speculative future version. Practical steps include:
– Identify the correct procedure: recognition by a voivode, a presidential grant, or restoration of citizenship.
– Calculate the qualifying residence period for your particular route, taking account of the type of permanent status and continuity of residence.
– Check your Polish-language evidence against the requirements currently in force.
– Gather evidence of income, housing and your actual life in Poland where it is required for your route.
– Follow the publication of the full UD491 text and any transitional provisions rather than relying on unverified “new qualifying periods” shared on social media.
We explain the existing procedures in our separate article “How to obtain Polish citizenship” ↗. For a document review and assistance with the process, see SKILLDOCS — Polish citizenship services in Warsaw ↗.
Frequently asked questions about UD491
Is B2 Polish already required for citizenship?
No. As of 28 October 2026, B2 is a proposal under UD491. Recognition applications are currently governed by Article 30, including the minimum B1 requirement, the prescribed forms of proof and statutory exceptions.[2]
How many years of residence will be required after the changes?
The UD491 entry does not state a new qualifying period. Specific numbers reported in other initiatives or media do not confirm the terms of the eventual UD491 provisions.[1]
Could any fine result in a refusal?
There is currently no basis for that claim. The ministry mentions certain fines and a period preceding the application, but does not define them in the published description.[1]
Could previously acquired Polish citizenship be cancelled?
UD491 proposes a special mechanism to set aside recognition or restoration decisions in cases involving certain wrongdoing. However, no detailed statutory wording is yet available to assess its scope, safeguards or relationship with Article 34 of the Constitution. At present this is a proposal, not an existing new legal power.
Is 31 December 2030 the final date for every citizenship application?
No. The date in UD491 concerns only the proposed closure of the special restoration procedure under Article 38. It has not been announced as a universal deadline for recognition by a voivode or a grant by the President.[1]
How SKILLDOCS can assist with Polish citizenship
If you already live in Poland and intend to apply, your individual basis matters: the type and issue date of your residence permit, continuity of residence, family circumstances, proof of Polish-language proficiency and supporting documents. SKILLDOCS specialists can review your documents and help you prepare for the citizenship procedure. We do not guarantee that the proposal will be enacted in any particular form or that a public authority will issue a favourable decision.
Planning to apply for Polish citizenship?
We can review your eligibility, documents and the requirements currently in force before you apply. Learn more about: support with your Polish citizenship application ↗.
Official sources
[3] Dziennik Ustaw / ELI: Constitution of Poland, Article 34(2) — protection of citizenship ↗
[4] Sejm of the Republic of Poland: print no. 1759 (official PDF) — separate presidential draft ↗
[5] MSWiA: official announcement of 10 October 2025 on the proposed directions of citizenship reform ↗
The official UD491 entry and applicable legal sources were checked on 28 October 2026. This article distinguishes existing law from ministerial proposals; the text may change during the subsequent legislative process.
