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Karta Polaka - what nationalities can apply?


Kasia91  
19 Mar 2017 /  #1
Hi everyone!

I have a question about moving to Poland on a permanent basis. My mum is Polish and I have family in Poland and I really want to move to Poland from Norway after I'm done with my second master's degree. I wanted to apply for Polish citizenship but then I'll lose my Norwegian citizenship. I read about Karta Polaka but I really want to apply for that but is it ONLY for people from former Soviet Union who can apply?

I'm sorry if I posted in the wrong forum category!
Ironside  50 | 12340  
19 Mar 2017 /  #2
I read about Karta Polaka but I really want to apply for that but is it ONLY for people from former Soviet Union who can apply?

As for as I know that is the case. Due to the fact that Poles in the east never emigrated bar the forcible resettlement during Soviet times. You can apply for Polish citizenship as that is your only option. If you rather keep your Norwegian passport - well ....

I heard there are a lot of irregularities involving KP.

really want to move to Poland from Norway after I'm done with my second master's degree.

Why don't come for six months first?
OP Kasia91  
19 Mar 2017 /  #3
I've been visiting Poland almost every summer since I was born and I am almost 26, so I don't think I need to live in Poland for six months.

The reason why I don't want to give up my Norwegian passport is because in case I can't find a job in Poland I can come back to Norway.
Harry  
19 Mar 2017 /  #4
My mum is Polish

If your mother is a Polish citizen, you are already Polish and have been Polish since birth.

but then I'll lose my Norwegian citizenship.

I'm not sure that you would if you are already Polish. If you are already Polish, you are legally required to use a Polish passport to enter and exit Poland. My understanding is that Norway accepts dual citizenship in cases where people were born with dual nationality.
delphiandomine  86 | 17823  
19 Mar 2017 /  #5
Norwegians can live in Poland freely, just like EU citizens can, so you have nothing to worry about :)
OP Kasia91  
19 Mar 2017 /  #6
Harry: Unfortunately Norway don't accept dual citizenship yet and I talked to the immigration in Norway and they told me straight out that I'll lose my Norwegian citizenship. The only way I can get another citizenship and not losing my Norwegian citizenship is if I for example are forced to get Polish citizenship if I move to Poland. That's how one of my friends got her Israeli citizenship without losing her Norwegian citizenship.

I read that I just need to confirm the Polish citizenship but I'm going to call the Polish Embassy in Oslo.
OP Kasia91  
19 Mar 2017 /  #7
Delphiandomine: Thank you for your answer but if I have Polish citizenship or something like Karta Polaka it would be easier to get a job in Poland. In Norway, Polish citizen need to apply for a work permit and resident permit and I am sure that Norwegians need a work permit and a residence permit if they want to live and work in Poland as well since Norway is not in the EU :-)
delphiandomine  86 | 17823  
19 Mar 2017 /  #8
No, they don't. Norwegians can live and work here freely, just like Poles can work and reside in Norway freely.

You need a "residence certificate", but this is a formality and given to anyone that applies as long as the documents are correct.

As far as getting a job here goes, being Polish only helps with some limited jobs connected to the government in which Polish citizenship is required. Otherwise, as a Norwegian, you're treated the same as a Polish citizen.
OP Kasia91  
19 Mar 2017 /  #9
Delphiandomine: My Polish cousin and her husband had to apply for a work permit and residency permit when they moved to Norway...
delphiandomine  86 | 17823  
19 Mar 2017 /  #10
What you're talking about is the need to register with the authorities (which is the same in Poland as well) - but there are no restrictions on the stay as long as you have a reason to be there.

udi.no/en/want-to-apply/the-registration-scheme-for-eueea-nationals/?c=pol

EU/EEA nationals are entitled to work, study and live in Norway. All EU/EEA nationals who are going to stay in Norway for more than three months must register

Same goes for you in Poland.
Harry  
19 Mar 2017 /  #11
Norway has accepted dual nationality for many years but only in certain circumstances. In your case, if your mother was a Polish citizen when you were born, you are already a Polish citizen. In that case you will be required to use a Polish passport to enter and exit Poland.
OP Kasia91  
19 Mar 2017 /  #12
Harry: I think I know better if Norway accept dual citizenship or not and they don't. Norway accepted dual citizenship in 1980's when my mum came to Norway, but now they don't. When my mum got her Norwegian citizenship she was asked to give up her Polish citizenship but she never did. However she hasn't renewed her Polish passport so she's only using her Norwegian passport.

When I contacted immigration, I told them that my mum still has her Polish citizenship and Poland gives out citizenship by right of blood and I just need to confirm the Polish citizenship but they still told me that I'll lose my Norwegian citizenship. As I said I'll call the embassy in Oslo tomorrow and talk to them.
delphiandomine  86 | 17823  
19 Mar 2017 /  #13
Don't stress about Polish citizenship, you really don't need it, especially if you don't have a Polish name. It makes life only slightly easier for you here, but there's really not much to be gained by getting it, especially if you have problems in Norway as a result.
Harry  
19 Mar 2017 /  #14
Harry: I think I know better if Norway accept dual citizenship or not and they don't.

OK, read it on the Norwegian government's website yourself:

You can have dual citizenship if
...
If one of your parents is Norwegian, you probably automatically became a Norwegian citizen when you were born. If your other parent's home country has the same rule, you will also be given that country's citizenship and you will thus have dual citizenship.

udi.no/en/word-definitions/dual-citizenship

A person can't just give up Polish citizenship. A person can only apply to President of Poland for permission to renounce citizenship; no presidential permission = no renunciation. newyork.mfa.gov.pl/en/consular_information/polish_citizenship/renunciation_polishconsulate/

When I contacted immigration ... they still told me that I'll lose my Norwegian citizenship.

Refer them to Chapter two, Article 14 of the 2 April 2009 law on Polish Citizenship:

Article 14. The child shall acquire Polish citizenship at birth when:
1) at least one of the parents has Polish citizenship;

Also refer them to Article Article. 6. 1. of the Act on Polish citizenship dated 15 February 1962, as that is the one which applied when you were born:

The child of parents, one of whom is a Polish citizen and the other a citizen of another state, acquires Polish citizenship by birth.

As I said I'll call the embassy in Oslo tomorrow and talk to them.

You'll want the consulate, not the embassy. And they can only tell you what Polish law says, not what Norwegian law says.
OP Kasia91  
19 Mar 2017 /  #15
Delphiandomine: My dad is Norwegian and I have his last name but I have my mum's Polish maiden name as my middle name and I speak Polish.... I'm going to call the Polish embassy. But thank you for advice. At least I can move to Poland if there will be issues with my Norwegian citizenship :-)
OP Kasia91  
19 Mar 2017 /  #16
Harry: thank you for your advice, so basically I just need to confirm the Polish citizenship?
Harry  
19 Mar 2017 /  #17
basically I just need to confirm the Polish citizenship?

That's how I would read everything.

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