Increasing Number of Israelis Applying for Polish Citizenship

The number of Israeli nationals applying for Polish citizenship has recently marked a significant increase.

In 2024 alone, before the end of the fourth quarter, the number of Israelis applying for Polish citizenship increased to 8,000 from 4,000 registered in 2022, Schengen.News reports. 

Acquiring Polish citizenship, along with the possibility of obtaining an EU passport, is considered a safeguard in the event of a potential crisis, according to a report from Gazeta Wyborcza.

In this regard, Piotr Cybula, who specialises in confirming Polish citizenship, told Gazeta Wyborcza that the motivations of Israeli applicants are not just practical but also result from a sense of threat.

The interest from Israelis to obtain a Polish passport increased following the Hamas attack in October 2023. 

Extended Waiting Times 
Decisions on confirming citizenship for descendants of emigrants from other countries are made by the Department of Foreigners’ Affairs of the Mazovian Voivodeship Office. According to Wprost, the number of applications surged from 11,000 in 2019 to a total of 23,109 in 2023. 

The increasing number of applications is also leading to difficulties in the processing of applications after the officials cannot keep up with their processing; therefore, waiting times have been extended to 13-18 months. 

However, not every applicant receives a Polish passport, in spite of the surge in the number of applications for citizenship. In 2023, out of the total 21,000 applications filed, 15,800 were approved, according to a report from Wprost. 

Polish Passport Gives Visa-Free Access to Over 100 Countries 
The increase in interest in obtaining a Polish passport is also related to several benefits that this passport offers. 

According to the Passport Index of the VisaGuide.World, which ranks passports of 199 countries, in terms of the strength of their passports, taking into account several factors, Poland is placed in the 21st position. 

With a passport score of 89.71, those obtaining a passport from Poland are eligible to travel visa-free to a total of 101 countries and passport-free to 43 countries. 

According to the Passport Index, holders of Polish passports are subject to visa requirements when planning to travel to 18 countries. 

A passport granted by authorities in Poland also gives its holders access to the EU and the opportunity to travel freely and work in the bloc’s countries.

Source: https://schengen.news/increasing-number-of-israelis-applying-for-polish-citizenship/