Research shows positive attitudes towards migrant workers
The Public Opinion Research Center (CBOS) in Poland conducted a survey among Polish adults to explore public opinions on migrant workers. 93% of respondents expressed agreement with the presence of migrant workers in the labour market, while only 4% said they were completely opposed to it. The highest level of acceptance was found among people with higher socio-economic status and those over the age of 35.
Further questions related to interactions with migrant workers. 29% of respondents said they have daily contact with migrant workers and another 29% estimated their interaction was weekly. A further 14% declared that they themselves have hired migrant employees.
Report on migrant students in Polish schools
The Centre for Citizenship Education (‘Centrum Edukacji Obywatelskiej’) published a report analysing data on migrant students in Polish schools. In the 2024-2025 school year, migrants accounted for 5.3% of all students in schools, kindergartens and adult educational institutions. Their number amounted to a total of 353 000 people from 148 countries, including 150 000 children displaced from Ukraine.
The report highlights a high dropout rate among migrant students in secondary schools and limited participation in additional Polish language classes. Recommendations made include that Polish language lessons should be mandatory in order to better ensure the academic and social integration of migrant children.
Government announces new approach to naturalisation
The Ministry of the Interior and Administration announced a new approach to naturalisation in Poland, built around four pillars: (1) length of residence in Poland, (2) loyalty to the Polish state, (3) a naturalisation test, and (4) tax residency. As representatives of the Ministry emphasised, the goal of the new measures is not to make naturalisation in Poland more difficult, but to assess the level of integration of migrants applying for Polish citizenship.
The required period of stay on the basis of a permanent residence permit is to be extended from three to five years, during which time the applicant will need to maintain tax residency in Poland. In addition, applicants will be required to sign a loyalty declaration. The naturalisation test will include multiple-choice questions on Polish history, language, and recent political, economic and social developments, as well as open-ended questions concerning the basic values and norms of Polish social life. During the test, migrant will have to demonstrate Polish language proficiency at the B2 level (currently, the B1 level is required).
Application fees for Polish citizenship increase
Poland’s recently amended Act on administrative fees introduced an application fee of 1 669 PLN for the approval of Polish citizenship by the country’s president. Additionally, recognition as a Polish citizen by the national administration (Voivode) now carries an increased fee of 1 000 PLN. These fees are non-refundable in a case of negative decision.
In 2024, 16 300 people – half of whom are Ukrainian citizens – were granted Polish citizenship. This represents a significant increase compared with 2023 (10 000 people) and 2019 (6 600).
New rules on access to collective accommodation for people displaced from Ukraine
Newly published rules on collective accommodation centres for people displaced from Ukraine restrict access to elderly people, people with disabilities and pregnant women. In addition, those receiving Polish pensions will now be required to pay 15 PLN (approximately 3.5 EUR) per day for their stay.
Residents of collective accommodation centres will receive support through the ‘Together Toward Independence’ project, implemented by the Ministry of the Interior and Administration in cooperation with the Polish Red Cross and the Polish Centre for International Aid. The project aims to assist people leaving collective accommodation centres with finding new housing by providing financial assistance and integration support, including individual career counseling, Polish language classes and community integration activities.
Local authorities map key challenges in migrant integration
Representatives of local authorities from across Poland met to discuss and exchange knowledge on key challenges in migrant integration. The meeting was organised by the Rescue Foundation as part of the ‘Laboratory of Social Cohesion – Support for Social Inclusion in Regions’ project, co-financed by the European Union.
A representative of the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy announced during the meeting that in 2026 a national integration strategy will be introduced, which will be complementary to the migration strategy adopted in October 2024 and is intended to address ongoing challenges in integration. He also presented developments in the National Integration Network, which comprises Centres for the Integration of Migrant across the country.
