Guide
The 1951 rule: did your Polish relative keep his citizenship?
Many Polish servicemen settled in Britain after the Second World War and later became British. Whether their children and grandchildren are Polish today often depends on one date: 19 January 1951.
Why this date matters
On 19 January 1951 a new Polish citizenship law came into force. Under the old law of 1920, a Pole who became a citizen of another country usually lost Polish citizenship. Under the new law, becoming a citizen of another country no longer ended Polish citizenship on its own.
In short: if your relative became British after 19 January 1951, he usually kept his Polish citizenship. If he became British before that date, the case needs a closer look.
Became British before 1951? It is not always over
The old law had exceptions. Men who were still subject to Polish military service could not simply lose their citizenship by becoming citizens of another country. Many men who served in the Polish forces were of that age, so some of them kept Polish citizenship even though they became British before 1951. Each case depends on the man's age and situation at the time.
Did it pass to the children?
Keeping citizenship is only the first link. It also has to pass to each next generation:
- Children born after the 1962 law came into force (August 1962) with one Polish parent were usually Polish at birth.
- Children born abroad between January 1951 and August 1962 with only one Polish parent fell under narrower rules. These cases need checking.
- A woman who married a non-Polish man before 19 January 1951 may have lost Polish citizenship, which affects children born after the marriage.
How to find out
The first thing to establish is the exact date your relative became British. You can often find it for free: see the guide on finding a naturalisation date.
Want someone to check your family for you? Email the basics about your Polish relative and I'll reply within 2 working days, free.
hello@polishrootspassport.com
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Polish Roots Passport is an independent service, not connected to the Polish government or the UK Home Office.