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B1 Polish for Polish citizenship: what the law says

As of 26 October 2026

Yes, for uznanie za obywatela polskiego (recognition as a Polish citizen) you need Polish at level B1 or higher. Most people prove this with a certificate from the state exam, but the law also accepts a certificate from a school in Poland or from a school abroad where classes were taught in Polish.

What exactly the law says

The requirement is set out in art. 30 section 2 of the ustawa o obywatelstwie polskim (Polish Citizenship Act). The current consolidated text was published in the Dziennik Ustaw (Journal of Laws) of 2025 as item 1611.

The law says that a person who applies for recognition as a Polish citizen must know Polish and prove it with a document. This applies to all applicants except two groups of children (see below), whether the basis is permanent residence, marriage to a Polish citizen, refugee status or the Karta Polaka (Pole's Card).

Which documents prove that you know Polish

The law lists three types of documents. One of them is enough:

• an official certificate of proficiency in Polish (a certificate from the Państwowa Komisja, the State Commission) at level B1 or higher - a B2, C1 or C2 certificate is also enough
• a certificate of completing school in Poland
• a certificate of completing a school abroad where Polish was the language of instruction

Since 1 July 2025, the law states clearly that a certificate from a szkoła policealna (post-secondary school) does not prove knowledge of Polish. There was a one-year transition period: a certificate from a post-secondary school completed by 30 June 2025 was still enough in cases started by 30 June 2026. That period has now ended, so if this is the only school certificate you have, you need a language certificate.

The certificate has no expiry date, so you can take the exam early, before you meet the other conditions. Until the end of 2026, the Commission issues it within 30 days of receiving the exam report. From 1 January 2027, you first pay PLN 100 for the certificate at the centre (within 7 days of being told you passed), and the Commission sends it to the centre within 30 days of the centre transferring that fee. So it is a good idea to plan your exam well before you apply.

Who does not need to meet this requirement

The law exempts from the language requirement only the children (minors) covered by art. 30 section 1 points 4 and 5. This means a child who has one parent with Polish citizenship, and a child where at least one parent has had Polish citizenship restored. In both cases, the other parent must give consent.

All other applicants must attach a document proving their knowledge of Polish to the application.

Where and how to apply

You submit the application for recognition as a Polish citizen to the wojewoda (voivode, the government's regional representative) for the place where you live. If you live in Kraków, you apply to the Wojewoda Małopolski (Voivode of Lesser Poland); if you live in Opole, to the Wojewoda Opolski (Voivode of Opole).

1. On the website of your urząd wojewódzki (voivodeship office), check the list of attachments and how to book an appointment.
2. Fill in the application in Polish on the official form.
3. Attach your B1 certificate or school certificate and the other documents. Documents in a foreign language must be submitted together with a Polish translation made by a sworn translator or a Polish consul.
4. Pay the opłata skarbowa (stamp duty) and attach the proof of payment.
5. Submit the application in person or send it by post.

Each voivodeship office gives its own account number for the fee and its own details about copies of documents.

Is the law changing?

The last change concerning language came into force on 1 July 2025 and excluded certificates from post-secondary schools. Since the consolidated text was published in November 2025, the website of the Sejm (the Polish parliament) has not shown any new changes to this act (as of 25 October 2026).

The Citizenship Act has already been changed several times, so before you apply it is worth checking its current text and the website of your voivodeship office.

If you are still preparing for the exam, test yourself with a timed mock exam in the B1 bez stresu app.

This is information, not legal advice. The voivodeship office confirms the requirements in your case.