British Citizenship for Polish Nationals: Complete Guide
Polish nationals are one of the largest non-British nationality groups in the UK. Many have lived in the UK for years or even decades and are now considering British citizenship. This guide covers the full process, including the EU Settlement Scheme route and post-Brexit considerations.
- Section
- British Citizenship
- Reading time
- 10 min
- Last checked
- 2 September 2026
- Source
- The published Immigration Rules and GOV.UK guidance, linked throughout this guide.
- Rowan does not
- Look at your own case, tell you which route to choose, or say what the Home Office will decide. This guide shows the published rules and where to read them.
In short
- Poland allows dual nationality. You can hold both Polish and British passports.
- EU settled status counts as qualifying immigration status for citizenship.
- You must pass an English language test at B1 level or provide a qualifying degree.
- Polish documents not in English need certified translations.
Polish nationals can become British citizens through naturalisation, typically after obtaining settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme. Poland permits dual nationality, so you can hold both passports. This guide covers the full process, documents needed, and specific considerations for Polish nationals in 2026.
Dual Nationality: Poland and the UK
Poland permits dual nationality. This means you can become a British citizen without giving up your Polish citizenship. You can hold both a Polish and a British passport, and use whichever is most convenient for travel.
As an EU citizen, your Polish passport remains useful for travelling within the EU and the Schengen area. Your British passport will be useful for other destinations and as proof of your UK status. Many Polish-British dual nationals carry both.
The EU Settlement Scheme Route
Most Polish nationals in the UK applied for status under the EU Settlement Scheme following Brexit. If you have settled status (indefinite leave to remain), you can apply for British citizenship after holding it for at least 12 months.
If you have pre-settled status, you must first upgrade to settled status (after 5 years of continuous residence) before you can apply for citizenship. Pre-settled status alone does not qualify you for naturalisation.
Eligibility Requirements
To apply for British citizenship as a Polish national with settled status, you must:
- Have held settled status for at least 12 months
- Meet the residence requirement: no more than 450 days absent in 5 years, and no more than 90 days in the last 12 months
- Pass the English language requirement at B1 level or above
- Pass the Life in the UK test
- Be of good character
- Intend to continue living in the UK (or be employed in Crown service or similar)
English Language Requirement
Polish nationals are not exempt from the English language requirement. You must demonstrate B1 level English through:
- A Secure English Language Test (SELT) at B1 or above
- A degree taught or researched in English, recognised by UK ENIC. Note that a degree taught in Polish does not qualify, even if it included English language modules
Many Polish nationals who have lived in the UK for years speak excellent English but still need to provide formal evidence. If you have not yet taken a test, book one well in advance of your citizenship application.
For information on exemptions based on age or medical conditions, see our guide on English language exemptions.
Documents You Will Need
Polish nationals should prepare:
- Polish passport or national identity card (dowod osobisty)
- Proof of settled status: Your digital status from the EU Settlement Scheme, along with the share code or status letter
- Birth certificate (akt urodzenia): With certified English translation
- Life in the UK test certificate
- English language evidence
- Proof of residence: Council tax bills, bank statements, payslips, HMRC records
- Two referees: See our referees guide
Absence Rules and Travel
Poland is relatively close to the UK, and many Polish nationals travel back frequently for family visits, holidays, and events. Keep careful track of your absences:
- No more than 450 days absent in the 5 years before application
- No more than 90 days absent in the 12 months before application
Frequent short trips (weekends, Christmas visits, summer holidays) can add up. Use our residence calculator guide to check you are within the limits.
The Application
Apply online through GOV.UK. The fee is £1,839 including the £130 ceremony fee. After approval, attend your citizenship ceremony.
Processing takes approximately 6 months in 2026. For information on faster processing, see our guide on the priority service.
After Becoming British
Once you are a British citizen, you can:
- Apply for a British passport
- Vote in all UK elections (as an EU citizen with settled status, you could already vote in local elections, but citizenship gives you the right to vote in general elections too)
- Travel on whichever passport is most convenient
- Access all public services without any immigration conditions
The Polish community in the UK is one of the largest and most well-established, with major populations in London, the West Midlands, the East of England, and Scotland. For community resources, see our guide on community groups.
Questions and answers
Can Polish nationals hold dual British and Polish citizenship?
Yes. Poland permits dual nationality, and the UK allows British citizens to hold other nationalities. You do not need to renounce your Polish citizenship when you become British. You can hold both passports and use whichever is most convenient.
Can I apply for British citizenship with EU settled status?
Yes. If you have settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you can apply for British citizenship after holding it for 12 months, provided you meet the other requirements including residence, good character, English language, and the Life in the UK test.
Do Polish nationals need an English language test for citizenship?
Yes. Polish nationals must demonstrate English language ability at B1 level or above through a Secure English Language Test or a qualifying degree taught in English. A degree from a Polish university taught in Polish does not meet the requirement, but a degree taught in English may qualify if recognised by UK ENIC.
How does Brexit affect Polish nationals applying for citizenship?
Polish nationals who were resident in the UK before 31 December 2020 and obtained settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme can use that as their qualifying immigration status. Those who arrived after Brexit need a visa like any other non-EU national.
This guide is general information about published immigration rules. It is not advice about an individual application under s.82 Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, and Rowan is not regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority. Immigration rules change several times a year. For advice on a particular situation, contact an adviser authorised by the Immigration Advice Authority or an immigration solicitor. Always check GOV.UK for the authoritative current rules.