Spouse’s Rights to Polish Citizenship
When addressing the topic of Polish citizenship, the question often arises: what about the spouse? In many cases, one family member may be eligible for citizenship due to their Polish roots, while the spouse comes from a completely different background. In this article, we aim to clearly and comprehensively explain the rights of a spouse of a Polish citizen, what is possible, what is not, and which benefits remain available to you as a couple.
The Principle of Jus Sanguinis – Why a Spouse Is Not Automatically Eligible for Citizenship
Polish citizenship, like that of many other European countries, is based on the principle of Jus sanguinis – “right of blood.” This means that citizenship is granted based on a blood connection to a parent or grandparent who is a Polish citizen, not based on marriage or residence. Therefore, when one spouse obtains Polish citizenship, the other spouse does not automatically become a Polish citizen.
It is important to emphasize this from the start: marriage to a Polish citizen does not grant citizenship. It may serve as a basis for other pathways, but it does not confer the right automatically. This is a crucial distinction to understand in order to avoid false expectations or misunderstandings.
Registering the Marriage in Poland – A Necessary Step
One of the important stages in the process is registering the marriage in Poland. As part of the Polish citizenship process, we ensure your marriage is recorded in the Polish registry. This process is an integral part of our service and does not involve any additional cost to you.
Registration is important not only for formal reasons but also because it establishes recognition of the spouse as accompanying the Polish citizen. Once the marriage is legally registered in Poland, doors open for broader recognition within the European Union.
Residence and Work Rights in Europe – Spouse of an EU Citizen
Even if the spouse does not obtain full Polish citizenship, being married to an EU citizen opens significant opportunities. A non-EU spouse gains the right to reside and work in EU countries as long as they are living with their EU citizen partner.
In practice, this means that if you decide to move to Paris, Athens, Berlin, Barcelona, or any other European city, the non-European spouse can obtain a residence permit and work legally without special quotas or complicated procedures that other foreign citizens typically face. This provides substantial employment and economic security and allows you to maintain a normal family life even outside of your home country.
Differences Between Full Citizenship and Residence Authorization
It is important to understand that non-European spouses do not receive all the rights of an EU citizen. The main differences lie in two key areas:
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They cannot obtain an independent European passport.
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They do not have the right to vote in parliamentary or local elections.
Other than that, most rights are identical – the right to work freely, access to healthcare, freedom of movement across Europe, and living together without special restrictions. This authorization is not permanent and must be renewed every few years according to the laws of the specific country of residence.
Practical Benefits for Couples
The benefits for non-European spouses go beyond employment. These rights open up a whole world of possibilities:
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Legal residence in various EU countries
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The ability to purchase property and work without restrictions
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Access to local healthcare and education systems
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Nearly unrestricted freedom of movement across European countries
In other words, even if the spouse does not hold a Polish passport, simply being in a partnership with a Polish citizen allows you to live a full family life, almost indistinguishable from that of a local citizen.
