Knowledge of Polish is a mandatory condition for nearly every path to citizenship and EU resident status. For an overview of all available paths, see our "Polish Citizenship in 2026: All Paths" article. Currently, B1 level is required, confirmed by a state certificate. But a bill under review in the Sejm could raise that bar to B2 and add a separate civics exam. Here's what applies now, and what could change.

What's required today

B1 level, confirmed by a state certificate, is a mandatory condition for: recognition as a Polish citizen based on time held on permanent residence or EU resident status (we cover these paths in separate articles — citizenship via EU resident status and how to obtain EU resident status itself); and for obtaining EU resident status itself.

An important distinction: permanent residence (pobyt stały) itself can generally be obtained without B1 — the certificate only becomes mandatory at the next step, when applying for citizenship, not at the stage of obtaining permanent residence; whereas for EU resident status, B1 is required upfront, as a condition for obtaining the status itself.

The certificate is issued following a state exam organized under the guidelines of the State Commission for Certifying Knowledge of Polish as a Foreign Language (Państwowa Komisja Poświadczania Znajomości Języka Polskiego jako Obcego) — only this type of certificate is guaranteed to be accepted by voivodeship offices when filing documents.

Where and when to take it

The exam is administered by authorized examination centers across Poland — the current list of centers is published by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. In 2026, B1-level sessions for adults are held several times a year — including in February, April, June, October, and December; the exact schedule for a specific center and city should be checked in advance, since spots often fill up ahead of time. Adults, as well as teenagers aged 16+ with written parental or guardian consent, are eligible to take the exam.

What could change

The government bill (being drafted by MSWiA) proposes raising the language requirement from B1 to B2 and introducing a separate civics exam of roughly 40 questions on Polish history, culture, and civic life. For broader context on the citizenship reform, see our article "Polish Citizenship in 2026: All Paths and the New 10-Year Bill".

As of publication, the bill has not been passed and remains at the legislative stage; the current requirement is still B1 with no additional civics exam.

How to prepare now

Even if the citizenship path you're considering is still formally some way off (for example, if you haven't yet accumulated the required time on EU resident status or on permanent residence), it's worth preparing for the B1 exam early — the certificate has no expiration date and can be obtained well in advance of filing your main document package. If the bill raising requirements does pass, a B1 certificate already obtained will, by the general logic of such transitional arrangements, most likely remain valid for already-filed or already-initiated procedures — but this is worth confirming as the bill progresses.

Not sure whether to take the B1 exam now or wait for the reform to develop? During a free consultation, we'll review your situation and recommend the best course of action.

Frequently asked questions

Are there exceptions to the exam requirement? Certain categories of applicants (for example, those who completed school or university with instruction in Polish) may be exempt from the exam upon presenting the relevant educational document — details should be confirmed individually.

Is a B1 certificate obtained several years ago still valid? Unlike many foreign language certificates, the state proficiency certificate has no expiration date and is accepted regardless of how long ago it was issued.

Is it true that the B2 exam is already mandatory? No — as of publication, the B2 requirement and the separate civics exam remain at the bill stage and are not currently in force.

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