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I was born in Poland, moved to the US when I was 5 - Dual Citizenship Question


1172ftj  6 | 17  
30 Nov 2014 /  #1
So,

Both my parents were originally polish citizens.

My mom gained US citizenship through naturalization. My dad holds his green card.

I was born in Poland and moved to the US when I was 5.

I never had a polish passport, but me being born there gives me polish citizenship?

At the moment I have US citizenship born abroad (I think I automatically gained this because of my mother?)

And lastly, what does Polish citizenship entitle you? Basically, just makes you legal to live/work there for extended time and gives you the living benefits of a Polish citizen?

Thanks.
Looker  - | 1129  
30 Nov 2014 /  #2
If you were born in Poland, then you have also Polish citizenship.

Basically, just makes you legal to live/work there for extended time and gives you the living benefits of a Polish citizen?

Yes.
OP 1172ftj  6 | 17  
30 Nov 2014 /  #3
Ok thanks. That's what I had thought but I got confused.

As for my siblings, they were born in the US but lived/went to school for a few years in Poland.

They would need to apply for polish citizenship, or do they automatically hold it as well from my parents?
AdrianJ3737  - | 5  
7 Jul 2015 /  #4
Merged: Citizenship Question

Hello All!
New to the forum! I am a 24 year old male living in New York. I was born in Polska in Grajewo in the Mazury region. While I do believe I still have citizenship, I am not 100% sure. I had a Polish passport, but it expired a bit ago and I've used my American passport whenever traveling to the country, which I do pretty often to visit friends and family. Am I granted the same rights as residence in respect to healthcare. For example, if God forbid I were to get into an accident, would I have any trouble being treated. Or on the other hand, if I were to run into trouble with the law in Poland, would I be treated as a Polish resident or American?

On a side note, if anyone knows the process, and whether it is easy or not to renew a Polish passport, that would help a lot. I have had such a hard time getting in touch with anyone at the Polish Consulate in NYC.

Thanks a lot!
delphiandomine  86 | 17823  
7 Jul 2015 /  #5
Am I granted the same rights as residence in respect to healthcare.

Healthcare in Poland is based upon the insurance principle, which means that you need to have paid health insurance in order to get treated. There is no universal coverage based on being a citizen alone.

Or on the other hand, if I were to run into trouble with the law in Poland, would I be treated as a Polish resident or American?

Polish, if you've got Polish citizenship, which you have.

I have had such a hard time getting in touch with anyone at the Polish Consulate in NYC.

Should be easy enough to do in person in Poland. Just go to the passport office with your old passport and ask them how to renew it.

The New York consulate is staffed by idiots. Try Chicago.
AdrianJ3737  - | 5  
7 Jul 2015 /  #6
Thanks for answering! So your saying I am a Polish citizen? No question?
delphiandomine  86 | 17823  
7 Jul 2015 /  #7
If you held a Polish passport at some point, then you are without a shadow of a doubt.

Be careful, because it also means great responsibility. For instance - if you're caught driving under the influence of drugs/alcohol, you'll be treated solely as a Polish citizen. Even if you don't hold a Polish identity document, they can and will find you on the various databases - which means you won't get any help from the American government.

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