Karta Polaka - what nationalities can apply?

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!

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.


Why don't come for six months first?

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.

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


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.

Norwegians can live in Poland freely, just like EU citizens can, so you have nothing to worry about :)

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.

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 :-)

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.

Delphiandomine: My Polish cousin and her husband had to apply for a work permit and residency permit when they moved to Norway...

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


Same goes for you in Poland.

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.

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.

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.

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


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/


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



You'll want the consulate, not the embassy. And they can only tell you what Polish law says, not what Norwegian law says.

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 :-)

Harry: thank you for your advice, so basically I just need to confirm the Polish citizenship?

That's how I would read everything.