Recognition as a repatriate

Legal basis:

  • law of November 9, 2000 on repatriation,
  • ordinance of the Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration of June 19, 2018 on the model form of the application for recognition as a repatriate and requirements for documents attached to the application.

A person may be recognized as a repatriate if he or she meets all of the following conditions:

  1. is of Polish origin;
  2. prior to the date of entry into force of the Act, was permanently residing in the territory referred to in Article 9 paragraph 1 item 3 of the Repatriation Act;
  3. the circumstances referred to in Article 10a of the Act do not apply to her;
  4. has stayed in the territory of the Republic of Poland on the basis of the permit referred to in Article 144 of the Act on Foreigners of December 12, 2013, or the right of residence referred to in Article 16(1)(3) of the Act on the entry into, stay in and departure from the territory of the Republic of Poland of citizens of the European Union member states and their family members in connection with their studies;
  5. submits an application to the governor within 12 months from the date of graduation from higher education.

A person who meets all of the following conditions may also be considered a repatriate:

  1. is of Polish origin;
  2. prior to the date of entry into force of the Act, resided permanently in the territory referred to in Article 9, paragraph 1, item 3 of the Act;
  3. the circumstances referred to in Article 10a of the Act do not apply to him/her;
  4. has resided in the territory of the Republic of Poland on the basis of a permanent residence permit or a permit to settle, or the right of permanent residence;
  5. has a source of income in the Republic of Poland and a legal title to occupy a dwelling.

A person who meets all of the following conditions may also be considered a repatriate:

  1. has obtained a residence permit in the Republic of Poland as the spouse of a repatriate;
  2. the circumstances referred to in Article 10a of the Act do not apply to him/her;
  3. has a source of income in the Republic of Poland and a legal title to occupy a dwelling

Required documents

In accordance with the Regulation of the Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration of June 19, 2018 on the model form of the application for recognition as a repatriate and the requirements for documents attached to the application, a person applying for recognition as a repatriate shall submit:

  • an application (the template of the application for recognition as a repatriate is specified in the Annex to the Regulation), together with a photograph,
  • copies of civil status certificates, issued by authorities authorized to issue them,
  • originals or officially certified copies of other documents issued by authorities authorized to issue them, confirming the data and information contained in the application,

Documents prepared in a foreign language must be submitted with their translation into Polish, prepared or certified by a sworn translator or consul.

Detailed list of documents:

  1. Completed application for recognition as a repatriate
  2. Curriculum vitae
  3. One current photograph – undamaged, color, 35 mm x 45 mm, taken within the last 6 months before the date of application, having good sharpness, showing the image of the face from the top of the head to the upper part of the shoulders, so that the face occupies 70-80% of the photograph. In justified cases, the application may be accompanied by a photograph showing the person to whom the application relates with eyes closed, with other than natural facial expression or open mouth, if the age or health of the person does not allow the taking of a photograph meeting the previously mentioned requirements
  4. Consul’s decision on the determination of Polish origin. A person who does not have such a decision shall attach documents confirming Polish origin. These documents will be handed over by the voivode to the consul in charge of the last place of permanent residence abroad, in order to issue a decision on the determination of Polish origin (does not apply to spouses of repatriates)
  5. Certified true copy of a valid document confirming identity and citizenship
  6. Copy of birth certificate
  7. A copy of a marriage certificate or other document specifying marital status
  8. Officially certified photocopy of a residence card
  9. Documents confirming the fact of permanent residence before the date of entry into force of the Act on the territory of the present Republic of Armenia, the Republic of Azerbaijan, Georgia, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, the Republic of Uzbekistan or the Asian part of the Russian Federation (does not apply to spouses of repatriates)
  10. Document confirming the source of livelihood in Poland
  11. Legal title to a dwelling
  12. When applying for recognition as a repatriate due to graduation from a higher education institution in Poland, the application must also be accompanied by:
  • a certificate, on studying at a higher education institution under the regulations on taking up and pursuing studies by persons who are not Polish citizens;
  • a copy of the diploma.

All documents drawn up in a foreign language should be submitted with their translation into Polish by a sworn translator or a consul of the Republic of Poland.

The application may be submitted by a minor child. If the other parent of the child does not apply for recognition as a repatriate, the application should be accompanied by:

  • a written statement from the other parent, submitted before the consul, of consent to the minor’s acquisition of Polish citizenship (such statements may be submitted to the consul through the governor), or
  • a court judgment depriving the other parent of parental authority.

An application for recognition as a repatriate involving a minor who has reached the age of 16 shall also be accompanied by his/her written statement of consent to the acquisition of Polish citizenship.

Place to submit the application

Łódzki Urząd Wojewódzki w Łodzi
Department of Civil Affairs and Foreigners
Department of Civil Affairs
104 Piotrkowska St
90-926 Łódź
( 48) 42 664-17-58

To make an appointment, please contact us by e-mail: magdalena.roczek@lodz.uw.gov.pl