More and more Poles living in the UK are choosing to receive British citizenship. They do this mainly for convenience , as well as fear or attachment to a new land .Over the last two decades was getting British citizenship every year several hundred Poles . In
2010 , six years after the Polish accession to the EU and the opening
of the UK labor market , that number has tripled to 1,419 people. And in 2011, has jumped to 1863 - the data shows the British Home Office , or interior ministry .
Those who think of British nationality , is probably several times more . On Internet forums used by Poles is one of the most popular topics of discussion . For many, just now passed since the five-year period of residence in the UK , who must prove applying for citizenship.
Becoming a British citizen is not easy . You
have to prove that you live in the UK for at least five years and
during that time came and went there for more than half a year. The British Ministry of Interior verify whether the applicant to pay taxes on time and do not commit traffic offenses .
An uneasy is also a test of life in the United Kingdom , which has to pass anyone willing . The
questions cover such as this , as there are divisions in the
parliamentary elections , who (parents or the state) pays for the
children's school uniforms , in which the British women were given the
right to divorce , who are due to free prescription drugs ...
Adults pay for filing application 851 pounds. Add
to this the examination fee for a mandatory citizenship ceremony , any
books to study, the cost is more than a thousand pounds per person.
Despite this, many Poles asks each other in a network of formality. And advice on how to prepare for the test. Sometimes also discuss about what their British citizenship . The
reported reasons are practical : it's better to have two passports than
one , I do not want to have more to do with the Polish Consulate in the
UK ; passport handy to easily go on a trip to the United States and
some countries in the Middle East ...
Some people want to have a greater say in the country in which they live. For
example, voting in parliamentary elections ( local and European
markets, as EU citizens , and so they have the right to vote ) .
One
of the disputants want to have an impact on it , "who has our taxes,
who and who declared war on who decides the future of us and our
children."
There
are also those who fear such as that under the pressure of the
financial crisis , the European Union will fall apart and the United
Kingdom decided to again limit the right to work for foreigners.
Polish valid and invalid
Most do not consider this as giving up their first homeland. 32 -year-old Anna , project administrator at the University of Edinburgh, at a ceremony in June received his British passport .
- Decided practical considerations . I wanted to go on holiday to the USA a few years ago, I was denied a visa. British passport gives you the freedom to travel the world - he explains. A week after receiving the passport went on our honeymoon . With her husband , Kuwejtczykiem , moved to New York and Chicago.
Other rights and responsibilities of British citizens are less important to her . - So far, did not vote in local elections , but had to do so. For that voted at the consulate in Polish elections . Now you can vote in British parliamentary elections - he says. Not really feel it when exposed to the British queen. - I thought about it just before the ceremony, where the oath of allegiance to the Queen . I'm not for the institution of the monarchy , just as many people here .
Children going to learn Polish - I still want to be a Pole , I will not deny that . Although sometimes I feel embarrassed when I see how they behave Poles or what is happening in Poland .
Poland is completely not interested but now 34 -year-old Mark, who was promoted to the wholesale fruit and food in Glasgow. By
the end of the year , when only collects the required amount , intends
to apply with his wife and two sons for British citizenship. - The wife turns Polsat , but I do not even want to hear it.
It comes from Upper Silesia , he learned the miner and for a while he worked in a profession . When leaving , he thought it was just for two or three months to make some money . Life in Scotland defines one word: " fairy tale " .
- Health care and education are much better than in Poland - says Marek . - It's amazing that the state can just take care of the citizen.
Mark does not care whether his sons would be well to speak Polish . Older
teens, of course, remember the Polish , but the younger, who had just
turned two years old, already knows some words in English only . - I tell him , "Look , go dog " - he explains. - He had a little accident today [ accident ] , pinch my finger .
Attractive Europe
ielts practice
Poles are still a small group of more than 160 thousand . people each year receive British citizenship . Leaders are immigrants from India and Pakistan. Among
EU citizens without citizenship or other formalities have the right to
live and work in the UK , the Poles , however, by far the largest group .
Britain is not the only EU country whose nationality it seems attractive to some compatriots . According to Eurostat, in 2010 , the majority of Poles ( 3.8 thous.) Received German citizenship . Included here are also those who claim German roots . In second place is Italy ( 1,8 thous.) , Where he obtained citizenship of many Polish women married in Italy. Equally popular as a British citizen of Sweden ( 1.4 thousand . Persons). In Sweden and Italy, the cost of obtaining citizenship , however, only about 800 zł , which is six times less than in the UK.
