Moving to Poland as an expat poses an important question: should you pursue Polish dual citizenship or settle for long-term residency?

Many people don’t really know the differences between the two, so it makes choosing one path or the other very, very difficult.

In the article below, we’ll clarify the differences and help you sort out which one is right for your new life in Poland.

Dual Citizenship vs. Long-Term Residency: What’s the Difference?

Dual Citizenship means you’re fully recognized as a Polish citizen while maintaining your original nationality. This also gives you full citizenship in the EU.

Long-term residency, on the other hand, lets you live and work indefinitely in Poland but keeps your original nationality as your sole citizenship, granting you fewer rights, particularly in politics and EU travel.

Side-by-Side Comparison Chart

Aspect Dual Citizenship Long-Term Residency
EU Mobility Unrestricted Limited (Poland only)
Political Rights Voting and candidacy None
Property Ownership No restrictions Permits for some property types
Healthcare Full public healthcare Full public healthcare
Military Duty Possible if reinstated None
Travel Benefits EU passport, global mobility Limited Schengen travel
Residency Security Permanent, irrevocable Conditional, revocable
Process Complexity High (language, integration, lengthy) Moderate (simpler, shorter)

Qualification Requirements

Dual Citizenship

To get Polish citizenship through naturalization, expats typically need:

  • At least three years of permanent residency in Poland (or ten years total legal residency).
  • Polish language proficiency at B1 (intermediate) level.
  • Stable income and housing.
  • Clean criminal record.

 

Citizenship grants you an irrevocable right to remain in Poland, vote in all elections, and receive an EU passport enabling free movement across the EU.

Learn more about this route for how to become a Polish citizen.

Long-Term Residency

To qualify for long-term residency (permanent residence permit or EU long-term resident permit), you must generally:

  • Maintain continuous legal residence for five years on temporary permits.
  • Prove stable income and housing.
  • Have no serious criminal convictions.

 

A permanent residence permit doesn’t usually require language certification, although the EU long-term resident permit does require B1 Polish.

Rights and Privileges

Dual Citizenship

As a Polish citizen, you:

  • Gain full political rights, including voting and candidacy in elections.
  • Hold an EU passport, allowing unlimited travel, work, and residence throughout the EU.
  • Face no restrictions on property ownership, including agricultural land.
  • Can pass citizenship to your descendants.
  • Have guaranteed permanent right to reside in Poland, regardless of duration abroad.

Long-Term Residency

As a long-term resident, you:

  • Can live, work, and study indefinitely in Poland, without separate work permits.
  • Have access to healthcare and public education similar to citizens.
  • May face property ownership restrictions (e.g., permits required for purchasing farmland).
  • Do not receive political rights like voting or holding public office.
  • Could lose residency if absent from Poland for extended periods (over six continuous years).

Taxes and Financial Considerations

Taxation is largely similar for both citizens and residents in Poland. Both pay taxes on worldwide income if Poland is their primary residence.

Tax treaties between Poland and the U.S./Canada usually prevent double taxation. You can learn more about this arrangement in our full page on understanding tax liability as a Polish dual citizen.

In short? Polish citizenship itself doesn’t create additional tax obligations because taxes are residency-based.

Healthcare and Social Benefits

Healthcare rights are comparable. Both citizens and residents can access Poland’s public healthcare (NFZ) through employment or voluntary contributions.

Plus, both can obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for healthcare coverage within other EU countries.

It’s similar with other social benefits (child allowances, pensions, education access). These are mostly residency-dependent, making little practical difference between citizens and long-term residents.

Travel Flexibility

This is a major benefit of Polish citizenship. And we see a big difference show up here. Polish citizens possess EU passports granting visa-free travel to 180+ countries and unlimited residence in other EU countries.

Meanwhile, long-term residents can travel visa-free within the Schengen Zone for tourism (90 days within 180 days), but must go through separate permit or visa applications to live, study, or work in other EU countries.

Military and Civic Duties

Dual citizens (particularly men aged 18–60) theoretically face potential military conscription if reinstated (currently suspended), and that comes down to their pledge of allegiance to Poland that is part of the citizenship process—often a very triumphant moment at the end of the journey!

Long-term residents avoid military obligations, and they don’t have to pledge an oath of allegiance to the country.

Which Path is Right for You?

Obviously, you are the only person on earth who is fully equipped to answer this question. But we’ve worked with lots of people who’ve had to make this judgment call for themselves, and the following are general guidelines worth considering.

Choose Dual Citizenship if:

  • You’d like to permanently integrate into Polish society and deeply bond your family to the culture.
  • EU-wide mobility and full political engagement really matter to you.
  • You want peace of mind and to be worry-free about your status.
  • You’re ready for the commitment of learning Polish to an intermediate level and investing several years into living and working in Poland.

 

Choose Long-Term Residency if:

  • You aren’t planning on making Poland your permanent home.
  • You’re content living in Poland indefinitely but aren’t ready for citizenship.
  • You want to maintain your original nationality without added obligations (like the possibility of military service).
  • You’re comfortable with conditional permanence (subject to certain limitations).
  • Language barriers or integration hurdles make citizenship less appealing.

The Bottom Line on Dual Citizenship vs. Residency

For most expats, the question comes down to what they see the future holding. Dual citizenship is much more complete and permanent—and it’s therefore more difficult and final. Long-term residency offers some security to indefinitely live in Poland, but it isn’t quite so complete a process.

If you’d like more guidance on the process to either dual citizenship or residency, contact us for a free consultation call with one of our experts. We’ve helped many families make this transition, and we’d be happy to give you whatever support you need.