Today, Poland is a country fully integrated into Europe. Consequently, we have belonged to the European Union since 2004, thanks to which we can enjoy a number of benefits for our citizens. After all, citizenship of the European Union is a kind of legal bond which links every individual who holds citizenship of one of the Member States, such as the Republic of Poland. Significantly, with the acquisition of Polish citizenship, we also acquire EU citizenship.
The possession of European citizenship gives us a number of numerous entitlements to which every individual in each of the 28 Member States is entitled. What are these benefits? You can find out by reading the following article. However, if you would like to learn even more about Polish citizenship or how to obtain a Polish passport, we encourage you to visit the blog However, if you would like to learn even more about Polish citizenship or how to obtain a Polish passport, we encourage you to visit the blog: https://fivetoeurope.com/blog/, where you will find more noteworthy articles on this subject.
Polish citizenship – rights and privileges
Polish citizens enjoy a number of rights and privileges guaranteed by Polish law. One of the key elements is the right to participate in political life, which includes active participation in elections, both parliamentary and local. A Polish citizen has the right to vote, but also to run for public office or political seats. In addition, Polish citizenship confers access to full legal protection and the right to diplomatic and consular assistance abroad.
It is also worth emphasising that Polish citizens are guaranteed social and economic rights, such as access to health care, public education, as well as the enjoyment of various social benefits. Protection of the right to work, minimum wages, as well as the possibility to make use of cultural and educational state institutions are additional benefits that Polish citizenship brings with it.
Citizenship of the European Union – Freedom of Movement and Citizenship Rights
Citizens of Poland, while being citizens of the European Union, have access to a number of additional benefits resulting from European integration, as we wrote earlier. A key element is the principle of free movement within the EU member states. This means that Polish citizens can travel, live and work in any EU country without the need for additional permits or visas.
The right to freedom of movement goes hand in hand with equality in employment. Polish citizens have an equal opportunity to work in any EU country and their employment rights are protected in accordance with European standards. In addition, EU citizens benefit from simplified procedures for obtaining permanent residence in another Member State.
Civil and political rights in the European Union
Citizenship of the European Union also brings with it a number of civil and political rights that are common to all EU citizens, irrespective of their nationality. They have, for example, the right to participate in elections to the European Parliament, which enables them to influence Union policy-making. In addition, every EU citizen has the right to petition the European Parliament and to apply to the European Ombudsman.
The protection of consumer rights throughout the European Union is another aspect of benefit to Polish citizens. Thanks to the single European market, consumers benefit from guarantees concerning the quality of goods and services and have access to effective mechanisms for resolving consumer disputes.
Education and culture under European Union programmes
As EU citizens, Polish citizens have access to a variety of educational and cultural programmes funded by the European Union. The Erasmus+ programme enables students, academics and young people to participate in educational exchanges and experience life in another EU country. Funding for cultural, scientific and educational projects under EU programmes therefore supports the development of civil society and the exchange of knowledge and experience between member states.
The right to reimbursed medical treatment in the event of sudden illness
As a Polish citizen, you have the right and access to all health care services. Proof of this is the ECUZ card, which entitles us to reimbursed treatment in the case of sudden illness not only in Poland, but also in any other EU Member State.
The aforementioned card may also come in handy during holidays, when we often fly to other countries. What is more, medical care in EU countries is always provided at the highest level, using the most up-to-date technology and innovative treatment methods, so we can be sure that we will always be in the right doctors’ hands.