Record numbers of Britons enquiring about eligibility for Polish passports post-Brexit

RECORD numbers of Britons are making enquiries about their eligibility for Polish passports in the aftermath of the EU Referendum.

The number of UK citizens contacting the Eastern European nation’s embassy has rocketed by 10,000, officials revealed.

A spokeswoman said: “We’ve had a lot of calls and email enquiries from people enquiring about the possibilities of getting Polish passports.

“Since the referendum we’ve had 280 emails and around 700 phone calls so it’s been a big number.

“Before, we were generally getting 10 enquiries in total each month.”

The surge follows a similar spike in demand for Irish passports – thought to be prompted by fears over Britons’ ability to travel freely across the continent in the aftermath of last month’s Brexit vote.

Any Briton with at least one Polish parent is eligible to apply for Polish citizenship – and with it the EU member state’s passport.

The travel document enables holders to travel, work and settle freely across the 27-nation bloc – a major point of debate during the referendum debate.

Britons will still be entitled to freedom of movement until Article 50 negotiations – the formal process of exit from the EU – are complete.

The embassy spokeswoman told the Evening Standard the majority of those enquiring about their eligibility for the passports are Britons married to Polish citizens.

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She said: “It’s generally British citizens who are married to Polish people and have children who would like to know how to get a Polish passport and citizenship.

“The other people have Polish relatives or Polish grandparents who are eligible and have decided to apply.”

However, Polish citizenship is generally not granted to people whose only link to the nation is through marriage.