Ukrainian portal informs about 42 1000 people who received Polish citizenship

In the last 10 years, 41,983 Ukrainian citizens have been granted citizenship of the Republic of Poland. Although any say it's not much for over a million diaspora, the figures of fresh years show a clear increase that raises legitimate questions about the pace of naturalization, social consequences and the willingness of state institutions to transform.

The data of the Ministry of Interior and Administration leave no illusions. In 2024 Polish citizenship received a full of 8,219 Ukrainian citizens – almost 50% more than a year earlier. Of these, as many as 7,460 people gained citizenship in the manner of designation by the voivode, and 759 by decision of the president of the Republic of Poland.

Let's compare this to the erstwhile years:

• 2023 – 5 577 citizenships for Ukrainians
• 2022 – 5 207
• 2021 – 4 198

The growth trend is clear – the naturalization of Ukrainians in Poland is gaining momentum. In just 3 years, the number of citizens allocated has almost doubled.

Why is this worrying?

On the 1 hand, this can be considered a success of integration: thousands of Ukrainians decide to tie the future with Poland. On the another hand, the question arises whether the Polish political and legal strategy and society are ready for specified fast demographic change. The scale of the phenomenon is greater than frequently admitted – and not only in numbers.

Citizenship is not only a passport – it is besides the right to vote, full access to public institutions, the anticipation to run for office. Mass naturalization can truly influence the form of the political scene in Poland in the coming years.

Although many Ukrainians in Poland are subject to temporary protection, the increasing number of those who become natural shows the lasting nature of migration. The citizenship is obtained mainly by people working and surviving in Poland for years, frequently with families. They are people who already have an integration process, frequently talk Polish fluently and do business here.

But does this mean that each case is well analysed and actually meets all requirements? In the face of demographic and economical pressure, is it not possible to accelerate decisions at the expense of quality?

VisitUkraine.Today: Ukrainian portal promotes Polish citizenship

It is crucial that Ukrainian media are starting to talk about success in obtaining Polish passports. Portal VisitUkraine.Today He late praised the number of over 41 1000 citizens obtained by Ukrainian citizens in Poland, recalling these data as an example of effective adaptation and openness of Polish authorities. But it is this speech of enthusiasm that should be an emergency signal for us – it is no longer just about helping during the war, but about a permanent change in the civilian structure of the state.

New law – chance or blockade?

The rulers seem to announcement the scale of the phenomenon. There are projects for changes that are expected to importantly extend the period required for naturalization – from the current 3-5 years up to 10 years of legal residence. It is simply a reaction to social unrest, but besides an effort to better control who becomes a Polish citizen and at what rate.

At the same time, these changes are criticised – both by migrant support organisations and economical environments, which fear that specified exacerbations will discourage integrated and needed workers to proceed surviving in Poland.

There are no simple answers. On the 1 hand, Poland cannot close to people who work here, learn, pay taxes and live with us for years. On the another hand, naturalization cannot be a mass mechanism, conducted under force from geopolitical circumstances. Discretion, transparency and control are key values that should accompany civilian policy in the coming years. due to the fact that the Polish passport is not only a paper – it is besides a work for the form of the community in which we live.