Poland proposes stricter citizenship requirements and dismantles document fraud ring

The Polish government has introduced a legislative project to significantly tighten the requirements for obtaining Polish citizenship. Proposed changes by the Ministry of Interior and Administration include increasing the required Polish language proficiency from level B1 to B2, implementing a mandatory citizenship test on Polish history and culture, and requiring a formal declaration of loyalty to the Republic of Poland.

Under the new rules, applicants would need to demonstrate a longer period of legal residence—potentially increasing from three to eight years—and prove that their center of life is in Poland through tax residency, stable income, and legal title to a residence. The project also expands the grounds for denying or revoking citizenship, particularly in cases involving criminal convictions or the use of fraudulent documents.

In a separate development, the Border Guard has dismantled an organized criminal group operating across Poland since 2022. The group specialized in producing and selling forged documents, such as certificates of enrollment from Ukrainian universities and Polish post-secondary schools, to help foreigners secure temporary residence and work permits. At least 23 individuals have faced charges in connection with this investigation.