In the wake of Brexit, many people of Polish origin living in the UK have begun to consider their status and future in the face of the country’s departure from the European Union. For many of them obtaining EU citizenship and a Polish passport has become an important step towards securing their stability and freedom of movement within Europe. So how can British citizens with Polish roots realize their desire for EU citizenship and a Polish passport?
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Many Polish ancestors ended up in the UK. How did this happen?
Among the UK population there is a large community of British Poles who are descendants of Polish emigrants. Many of their ancestors came to the UK after the end of the Second World War. They included Polish soldiers who fought alongside the Allies, members of the Polish armed forces and those who had been rescued from German concentration and prisoner-of-war camps. After the end of the war, many of them were unable or unwilling to return to Poland, which had become a country under Communist control. This could have entailed repression by the Soviet authorities. Many citizens, as we have already mentioned, were soldiers or members of the Home Army, making them particularly vulnerable to persecution and execution by the Soviets.
Britain offered Polish citizens safety, an opportunity to settle down, raise a family and start a new life. Today, descendants of these war heroes can apply for confirmation of their Polish citizenship and obtain a Polish passport. By looking at the website https://fivetoeurope.com, each such person can receive assistance in locating the necessary documents in the Polish and British archives that are needed to confirm Polish citizenship.
Inheritance of Polish citizenship
The first step for those interested in obtaining Polish citizenship is to understand the issue of inheriting Polish citizenship. According to Polish law, Polish citizenship can be inherited by descendants of Poles who left Poland or Polish territory after 1920. This means that if you have at least one ancestor of Polish descent, there is a chance that you are entitled to acquire Polish citizenship.
Collecting documents confirming your origin
The next step is to collect all the necessary documents proving your descent from a Polish ancestor. These documents may include your ancestor’s birth certificate, documents confirming your ancestor’s connection to Poland, records proving military service in the Polish army under the British Command and any other documents that may be required by the Polish authorities to confirm your ancestry.
Application for Polish Citizenship
Once you have collected the necessary documents, you need to submit an application for Polish citizenship. The application is submitted to the relevant office in Poland or at a Polish consulate abroad. The application will be examined by the Polish authorities, who will decide whether to grant citizenship.
Obtaining EU Citizenship through Polish Citizenship
Having Polish citizenship opens the door to EU citizenship as Poland is a member of the European Union. Polish citizens therefore automatically become EU citizens, which gives them the right to move, work and reside freely in any EU country.
How do I apply for a Polish passport in the UK?
Once you have obtained confirmation of your Polish citizenship, as we wrote about above, you will receive a document that confirms this. It is then necessary to register all relevant vital records, such as birth and marriage certificates, with Polish authorities in order to obtain Polish duplicates of these documents. After these steps, you should contact the nearest Consulate General of the Republic of Poland and make an appointment to apply for a Polish passport. You can contact them by telephone or book an appointment online via E-consulate. However, it is necessary to appear in person to apply for a Polish passport, as fingerprints are required due to the biometric nature of the document. During your visit, you must present original documents for verification by the consular officer.
Where to apply for a Polish passport in the UK?
If you are in the UK and wish to obtain a Polish passport, you can apply at the Polish Embassy in London or at one of the following Consulates General:
– Consular Section of the Polish Embassy in London.
– Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Belfast.
– Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Edinburgh,
– Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Manchester.
To make an appointment to apply for a passport, first contact your nearest consular post directly. Appointments can be arranged by telephone or by using the appointment booking form available on the websites of the relevant diplomatic missions.
What are the benefits of Polish citizenship for Britons?
For Britons with Polish roots, becoming a Polish citizen can be not only a step towards obtaining EU citizenship, freedom to travel across Europe, but also a way to strengthen ties with the country of their ancestors. Indeed, Poland offers many interesting opportunities, from attractive property prices to its rich culture and history.
To summarize, for those with Polish roots in the UK, obtaining EU citizenship and a Polish passport can be an important step in securing their future in the wake of Brexit. A properly submitted application for Polish citizenship and a Polish passport can open up many opportunities and make life in the European Union easier. At the same time, it can also be an effective way to discover new perspectives and strengthen ties with the country of your ancestors.