Since Poland has only recently begun to attract many immigrants, the model of their integration is still taking shape and has not taken on such a clear form as in Western countries. What strategy should Poland choose? In Europe, two models of integration are the main points of reference. On the one hand, there is the assimilation model (most fully implemented by France), in which immigrants are expected to become similar to members of the host society and to accept their norms, values ​​and customs as their own, at the expense of the traditions of their country of origin. On the other hand, there is the multicultural model (attempted to implement by, for example, Great Britain), in which immigrants are not required to abandon their culture or traditions, but only to respect the law that applies to everyone. In the first model, responsibility for integration is attributed to a greater extent to immigrants, while in the second it falls to the host society. Which way does Polish public opinion lean?

To find out, we asked Poles to respond to 10 statements relating to the integration of foreigners. It turned out that the statements closer to the assimilation model were met with the greatest support. Almost everyone agreed that foreigners settling in Poland should learn to speak Polish (93%) and adapt to Polish culture, norms and values ​​(92%), and the vast majority also believed that they should live among Poles, not among other foreigners (77%). Opinions were quite divided, however, in the case of the statement most inclined towards the assimilation pole, that foreigners in Poland should try not to stand out, and therefore give up, for example, wearing traditional costumes such as burka or turban in public spaces - although slightly over half of the respondents agreed with it (54%), a significant number (37%) were against it.

Do you agree with the following statements?

The majority also supported intermediate statements emphasizing the two-sided nature of the integration process. Among the statements closer to the multicultural pole, the highest level of support was recorded for the two mildest ones, stating that foreigners settling in Poland should be able to maintain their customs and traditions (71%, although only 14% agreed strongly) and that the settlement of people of different cultures in Poland can enrich Polish society (53%, again only 14% of decisive opinions and 33% against). Less than half agreed with the statement that the Polish state should make it easier for foreigners to cultivate their customs and traditions, e.g. by supporting schools or clubs (47% for, 40% against). On the other hand, opposing voices significantly prevailed in the case of the statement that foreigners from a given country should be able to live side by side, e.g. inhabiting specific districts of large cities, where they would live in accordance with their customs (62%), potentially creating so-called ghettos.

Regardless of whether we are closer to the assimilationist or multicultural model, successful integration should make a foreigner an equal member of society. We were interested in how the respondents imagined this final stage of successful integration. To find out, we decided to return to the question we asked ten and twenty years ago – what is necessary to recognize someone as a Pole? It turned out that over the years (and with the influx of immigrants), the requirements placed on people aspiring to be Poles have changed in many aspects and, generally speaking, have rather increased. Compared to 2005, respondents attach much less importance to whether someone identifies as a Pole (a drop from 69% to 36%) and more to whether they speak Polish (38% compared to 20% in 2005), have Polish ancestors (34% compared to 25%) and live in Poland permanently (31% compared to 23%).

In your opinion, what is necessary to recognize someone as Polish?
Please choose the two most important features from the list provided