How hard is it to get a Polish passport?

BornInTheUSAThreads: 3 Posts: 53 Joined: Jun 26, 07 ♂	Jul 5, 07, 23:36 #1
Odd question, but having an EU passport would help immensely, so I'm thinking of a dual-nationaliy position. My maternal grandparents were both from Poland and emigrated to the US in the very early 1900s. I have some documentation, but should I even bother? What percentage would I need to prove to be able to attempt a polish passport?

PuzzlerThreads: 11 Posts: 1,613 Joined: Mar 21, 07 ♂	Jul 6, 07, 01:18 #2
It shouldn't be hard for you to get a Polish passport. I would find out the details but am too busy at present. Maybe somebody else can help this guy? And if you get the passport, I'd advise you to stick to Poland; don't settle anywhere else in Europe. Whether it's in EU, or not, Poland is the country that shall do well in the future. :)

i_love_detroitThreads: 1 Posts: 92 Joined: Nov 13, 06 ♂	Jul 6, 07, 01:22 #3
I have no idea... but have you seen that discussion on the same topic? easyexpat.com/forums/ftopic_4563-0-asc-40.htm Hope that helps.

BornInTheUSAThreads: 3 Posts: 53 Joined: Jun 26, 07 ♂	Jul 6, 07, 03:06 #4
Quoting: i_love_detroit I have no idea... but have you seen that discussion on the same topic? Ah - I've not seen this. Thanks - from what I can glean, it was a bit difficult to get it, but that might have changed recently.

♂

Jul 6, 07, 03:08 #5

Quoting: Puzzler

It shouldn't be hard for you to get a Polish passport. I would find out the details but am too busy at present. ... And if you get the passport, I'd advise you to stick to Poland; don't settle anywhere else in Europe. Whether it's in EU, or not, Poland is the country that shall do well in the future.

On that, we agree. Poles are industrious, hard-working, and only now starting to assert what they're worth across the continent. Besides, as I said before, when I go to Krakow, I see people that look like my family so I feel so much more at home.

And the girls are hot. Like I need another reason.

Lady in red	Jul 6, 07, 03:39 #6
icharsky.com/english.asp seems to be an informative site..........it is a solicitors site though !

BornInTheUSAThreads: 3 Posts: 53 Joined: Jun 26, 07 ♂	Jul 6, 07, 06:21 #7
Hmm...and they're in Krakow. I have to talk with family and see if I can get some supporting paperwork shipped to me first.

rachvtThreads: - Posts: 27 Joined: Jul 1, 07 ♀	Jul 6, 07, 10:25 #8
Would it be harder than to get a British passport?? (just curious...)

Lady in red

Jul 6, 07, 10:32 #9

Quoting: BornInTheUSA

Hmm...and they're in Krakow. I have to talk with family and see if I can get some supporting paperwork shipped to me first.

I think it's all very interesting. I never realised I could get Polish Citizenship.

But, why would I want it and would I then lose my British Nationality because I thought Poland didn't allow you dual citizenship. All a bit confusing really. Wonder if someone can explain it to me, what are the advantages of Polish Citizenship, if you are born in the UK ?

sapphireThreads: 28 Posts: 1,418 Joined: Dec 7, 06 ♀	Edited by: sapphire Jul 6, 07, 10:39 #10
there are no advantages at all as far as I know.. but the guy is from USA isnt he?

Lady in red

Jul 6, 07, 10:43 #11

Quoting: sapphire

but the guy is from USA isnt he?

Yes he is Sapphire. So, there's some advantage there and I understand there's some advantage the other way round too......Polish citizens wanting to work in USA.

I just wondered what being a citizen of a country meant ?

My parents were both Polish, born in Poland and remained Polish till they died so I think it's easy enough for me to get Polish citizenship. But I'm one of these people that want to know all the advantages and disadvantages , wonder if that's a Polish trait or a British trait <grin>

sapphireThreads: 28 Posts: 1,418 Joined: Dec 7, 06 ♀	Jul 6, 07, 10:44 #12
well I dont think you are allowed dual nationality so I would hold on to your British passport if I were you, unless you can have both.

Grzegorz_Threads: 81 Posts: 6,213 Joined: Nov 16, 06 ♂	Edited by: Grzegorz_ Jul 6, 07, 10:45 #13
Quoting: BornInTheUSA My maternal grandparents were both from Poland Well, If your parents were Polish citizens then that would be only formality, but they weren't, even your grandparents weren't and looks like even your great-grandparents weren't because when they left Poland didn't exist, so honestly you rather don't have much chance to get It.

Lady in red	Jul 6, 07, 10:47 #14
Quoting: sapphire well I dont think you are allowed dual nationality so I would hold on to your British passport if I were you, unless you can have both. Don't think it can be taken away Sapphire I was born in the Uk. My parents lived in the UK too........and I sound very British as well :) Joking apart would be nice to get some more information.

RanjThreads: 27 Posts: 1,286 Joined: Sep 29, 06 ♀	Jul 6, 07, 10:47 #15
Quoting: Grzegorz_ My maternal grandparents were both from Poland When he says maternal grandparents, G, he means his mother's parents, hence, his grandparents. :)

Lady in red	Jul 6, 07, 10:47 #16
My grandparents were Polish too ") Lol

sapphireThreads: 28 Posts: 1,418 Joined: Dec 7, 06 ♀	Jul 6, 07, 11:00 #17
Quoting: Lady in red Don't think it can be taken away Sapphire I was born in the Uk. My parents lived in the UK too........and I sound very British as well but if you choose to take citizenship of a country that doesnt allow dual citizenship then dont you have to give up your British passport to do so? Im no expert so correct me if Im wrong, but thats my understanding.

Lady in red

Jul 6, 07, 11:04 #18

Quoting: sapphire

but if you choose to take citizenship of a country that doesnt allow dual citizenship then dont you have to give up your British passport to do so? Im no expert so correct me if Im wrong, but thats my understanding.

I don't know, that is why I am asking the questions. I plead ignorance and am sure someone knowledgeable will be able to assist with some answers .

Are you Polish Sapphire ?

sapphireThreads: 28 Posts: 1,418 Joined: Dec 7, 06 ♀	Jul 6, 07, 11:08 #19
no Im 100% English, my only tentative connection is that my partner is Polish...so thats why I lurk around here sometimes.

♂

Jul 6, 07, 15:14 #20

Quoting: Lady in red

But, why would I want it and would I then lose my British Nationality because I thought Poland didn't allow you dual citizenship. All a bit confusing really. Won

Yes you can have two passports if you want to. It is not a good idea to have two passports if you are British in Poland as if you have Polish nationality and you are in trouble with the police or they want to to undertake national service you will have to do it and the British Consulate will do nothing to help you. If you are an American, I do not know though I suppose that it is a nice way to get around all the bureaucracy and be able to work your way around Europe without having to apply for work permits and visas, after all, Poland is in the EU and it gives privileges now.

Lady in red	Jul 6, 07, 15:23 #21
Thanks for the info. Maybe Poland will have to change now it is in the EU because I understand most EU countries allow dual nationality.Its an outdated law, now in Poland, leftover from the Communist rule. I hope so, I'd like to have dual nationality.

MichalThreads: - Posts: 2,408 Joined: Feb 27, 07 ♂	Jul 7, 07, 15:07 #22
Quoting: Lady in red I hope so, I'd like to have dual nationality. Why? I have explained to you why it is such a bad idea. It has nothing to do with Communism. My eldest son got a Polish passport when he was about six months old and had never even been to Poland. Anybody of Polish origin can have one but what for?

WroclawThreads: 77 Posts: 7,404 Joined: Apr 1, 06 ♂ [Moderator]	Jul 7, 07, 15:18 #23
Quoting: Michal My eldest son got a Polish passport when he was about six months old and had never even been to Poland. Anybody of Polish origin can have one but what for? This seems a strange thing to say. Didn't you have to sign the documents on behalf of your son.

MichalThreads: - Posts: 2,408 Joined: Feb 27, 07 ♂	Jul 7, 07, 15:23 #24
Quoting: Wroclaw Didn't you have to sign the documents on behalf of your son. What has that got to do with anything?

♂ [Moderator]

Jul 7, 07, 15:41 #25

Quoting: Michal

What has that got to do with anything?

It's OK I understand. Your six month old child made a decision to take Polish nationality and just went for it. All this despite his father's better judgement.

Lady in red, you might have to surrender your British passport before getting a Polish one. You can then re-apply for your British passport.
National service doesn't apply to women and if you are in trouble with the police it's the law of the land that dictates what happens not your passport.

Lady in red	Jul 7, 07, 15:41 #26
Quoting: Michal Why? I have explained to you why it is such a bad idea. Yes, and I listened to your comments and thank you for them. But I am very, very proud of my Polish heritage and therefore would like to hold dual nationality. Why not ? Anyway, think it's down to the individual person, don't you ?

Lady in red	Jul 7, 07, 15:43 #27
Quoting: Wroclaw This seems a strange thing to say I agree.

DaisyThreads: 16 Posts: 2,172 Joined: Apr 28, 07 ♀	Jul 7, 07, 15:43 #28
Quoting: Lady in red Lady in red LIR you're trying to reason with a man who marries a Polish woman then constantly slags of Poles

Lady in red	Jul 7, 07, 15:44 #29
Quoting: Wroclaw Lady in red, you might have to surrender your British passport before getting a Polish one. You can then re-apply for your British passport. Thanks for that Wroclaw. I am definitely going to look further into it. I would have told them I was a pacifist anyway (coward really <grin>) if they made me fight. Lol.

Lady in red

Jul 7, 07, 15:48 #30

Quoting: Daisy

LIR you're trying to reason with a man who marries a Polish woman then constantly slags of Poles

I like to think of it as debate, Daisy. We all have different views. I wonder, sometimes if Michal is either, Russian or German descent. Would explain a lot. I certainly don't think he he is Polish or British.

Anwyay, i always welcome healthy discussions so long as Racism or bullying isn't on the topic.

Thanks anyway Daisy. Hope you are feeling better ?

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