Polish Card and Repatriation: A Path to Poland for People of Polish Descent (2026)

For millions of people of Polish descent – in Belarus, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, as well as in the USA or Brazil – there are two official paths to "return to Polishness": Polish Card (a document confirming membership in the Polish Nation, opening the fastest path to permanent residency and citizenship) and repatriation (for descendants of deportees from the Asian part of the former USSR – with citizenship acquired upon crossing the border). Both procedures have changed significantly in 2025–2026: a new consolidated text of the Polish Card Act, a new deportation condition in repatriation, and increased fees for citizenship. This guide describes the state as of July 22, 2026 – every condition and every amount verified in the texts of the laws.

Polish Card: Who Can Obtain It

The conditions from the Polish Card Act (consolidated text: Dz.U. 2026 poz. 76) – all at once:

1. Declaration of belonging to the Polish Nation – submitted in writing before the consul (or governor).
2. Connection to Polishness: at least basic knowledge of the Polish language (considered native) and knowledge and cultivation of Polish traditions and customs – the consul assesses this during the interview if you do not have a certificate or Polish school diploma.
3. Ancestry: Polish nationality of yourself or at least one of your parents or grandparents, or two great-grandparents – or a certificate from a Polish or Polish community organization confirming active involvement in activities for the Polish language and culture for at least the last 3 years (the list of eligible organizations is published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
4. Statement that neither you nor your ancestors were repatriated from the USSR based on agreements from 1944–1957.

A person who already has Polish citizenship or a permanent residency permit in Poland will not receive the Card (the Card loses its validity by law) – as it is simply no longer needed. Each application is reviewed by the ABW. Since 2019, there is no country restriction – people of Polish descent from all over the world, including the USA or South America, can apply for the Card. The Card is valid for 10 years (renewable for another 10; after the age of 65 – indefinite); children receive it upon their parents' application.

What the Polish Card Provides

What the Card does not provide: it is not citizenship, does not in itself entitle to cross the border or settle – for that, a visa (free) and the residency path below are needed.

Where to Apply – and Important Path for Belarusians

By default, the application is submitted to the consul responsible for the place of residence (visits through e-consulate). The entire procedure is free of any fees, including consular fees – the law states this explicitly; anyone who demands money for "arranging the Card" is an intermediary you do not need.

Proof of ancestry (statutory catalog): Polish identity documents of ancestors, civil status records and baptismal certificates, school diplomas, documents of service in Polish military formations, deportation or imprisonment documents with an entry of Polish descent, foreign documents with an entry of Polish nationality, as well as the Polish Card of a parent or grandparent. If documents are missing – start with archives: step by step, our genealogical guide leads us. An appeal against a negative decision can be made within 30 days to the Council for Poles Abroad.

Golden Path: From Polish Card to Citizenship in ~2 Years

1. Permanent Residency – No Administrative Fee

   A holder of the Polish Card intending to settle permanently in Poland submits an application to the governor for a permanent residency permit (Article 195(1)(9) of the Foreigners Act) – exempt from the administrative fee of 640 PLN (only pays 100 PLN for the residence card). From April 27, 2026, the application is submitted electronically through the MOS system (see guide to legalizing residency). After obtaining permanent residency, the Card loses its validity by law and must be returned to the governor – it has fulfilled its purpose.

2. Starting Financial Benefit – Up to 9 Months

   A person who has submitted an application for permanent residency based on the Polish Card can, within 3 months of that application, apply to the governor for a financial benefit: for the first 3 months 50% of the minimum wage for the applicant and spouse (in 2026: 2403 PLN/month) and 25% for each child (1201.50 PLN); from the 4th to the 9th month – 60% of these amounts (1441.80 PLN / 720.90 PLN). The county pays out the benefit. Note: the program budget is limited – after 75% of the annual pool is exhausted, the Ministry of Interior and Administration announces a suspension of processing applications; check the current announcement in the BIP of the Ministry of Interior and Administration before arriving.

3. Citizenship – After One Year of Permanent Residency

   A foreigner residing in Poland continuously for at least one year on permanent residency obtained in connection with Polish descent or the Polish Card can apply for recognition as a Polish citizen (Article 30(1)(7) of the Citizenship Act). Requirements: official confirmation of Polish language proficiency at at least B1 level (state certificate – exam max. 150 euros – or diploma from a Polish school). Administrative fee: 1000 PLN (increased from 1.08.2025 from 219 PLN); statutory decision period – 6 months. Important: the presidential project extending periods for the general path of recognition does not affect the Polish Card path.

The scale of the phenomenon: from 2008 to 2023, over 450,000 Polish Cards were granted, with the vast majority of applications coming from Belarus and Ukraine.

Repatriation: Citizenship Upon Crossing the Border

Repatriation is a separate, stronger institution – for victims of Soviet deportations and their descendants. The repatriation visa means that Polish citizenship is acquired by law upon crossing the border of Poland. Conditions (after the amendment effective from August 1, 2025 – in total):

• Polish descent (declaration of nationality + parent, grandparent, or two great-grandparents of Polish nationality + connection to Polishness) – confirmed by the consul, currently within 3 months;
• permanent residence before January 1, 2001 in the territory of: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, or the Asian part of Russia (Ukraine and Belarus are not covered by repatriation – for them, the Polish Card is appropriate);
• NEW from 1.08.2025: requirement that the applicant or their ancestors were subject to deportation or exile by the authorities of the former USSR due to Polish descent – evidence must be presented (deportation documents, rehabilitation). This condition significantly narrows the circle of eligible individuals; applications submitted before the amendment are processed under the old rules.

Paths to settlement: invitation from the municipality (resolution of the municipal council ensuring housing for at least 2 years – the municipality receives a subsidy for this), statement from close family in Poland, own title to premises and source of income, or place in an adaptation center (stay up to 90+90 days, with language and vocational adaptation courses), granted by the decision of the Government Plenipotentiary for Repatriation. The visa also covers the spouse and descendants up to the fourth degree traveling together; the non-repatriating spouse receives permanent residency (without administrative fee).

Financial assistance (amounts based on the average salary from Q1 2026 – 9562.88 PLN):

• one-time for resettlement: double the average salary for the repatriate and each family member (currently about 19,100 PLN/person) + reimbursement of travel costs + about 9,500 PLN "school" for each child (from January 1, 2026, paid by the Plenipotentiary, application within 3 months of citizenship confirmation, account in a Polish bank);
• supplements for renovation and furnishing the apartment (base 6000 PLN/person, annually indexed; paid by the county, application within 2 years);
• housing assistance for those arriving through the center: rent subsidy up to 300 PLN/month/person or subsidy for purchasing an apartment – up to 25,000 PLN per person plus up to 25,000 PLN for the household (total for a maximum of 10 years; selling the apartment before 10 years means partial reimbursement);
• professional activation: reimbursements for courses and equipping the workplace.

Polish Card or Repatriation – What to Choose?

Related Guides

• Searching for Roots: Genealogy in Poland from Abroad – How to Obtain Ancestors' Records
• Legalizing Residency and Work in Poland – MOS System
• Ukrainian Citizens in Poland 2026
• Foreign Spouse and Family of a Polish Citizen

Sources

Legal status: July 22, 2026. The amounts of repatriation benefits depend on the average salary (updated quarterly), and the benefit for Polish Card holders – on the minimum wage of the given year; availability of benefits may be periodically suspended due to budget limits (announcements in the BIP of the Ministry of Interior and Administration). The situation of Polish Card holders in Belarus is described based on media reports – when assessing risk, rely on your own judgment. Informational guide – does not replace legal advice.