Different Ways to Get Czech Citizenship

The following are the three main ways to become a citizen of the Czech Republic:

• The declaration.
• (Birth) descent. Its main principle of nationality law is jus sanguinis, which means “right by blood.”
• Naturalization.

How to Get Czech Citizenship by Declaration?

You may apply for Czech Citizenship by declaration if you meet the following requirements:

• Before January 1, 2014, a former Czechoslovak or Czech citizen lost their Citizenship.
• An individual who is the child or grandchild of a former Czech or Czechoslovakian citizen. If your parent or grandparent ceased to be a Czech or Czechoslovak national before December 31, 2013, you would be eligible.

Documentation regarding your Czech ancestor is required as part of the Czech Republic citizenship application by declaration. The events surrounding the loss of Citizenship must be proven, as well as your relationship to them. Even though it can be bureaucratic, it is manageable with the right help.

How to Get Czech Republic Citizenship by Descent?

It is possible to inherit someone’s nationality from their parents or grandparents.

• You got it from your parents: Anyone born to a Czech citizen is considered a Czech citizen at birth. The place of birth does not matter. There is a possibility that you will have to prove your paternity if your parents are unwed and you have a connection to Czech through your father.
• From your grandparents: Either your maternal or paternal grandparents are Czech citizens.

If you wish to become a Czech citizen by descent, you must apply for a Certificate of Czech Citizenship. The application must be made at the local Ministry of the Interior office.

How to Get Czech Citizenship by Naturalization? 

By naturalization, you can become a Czech citizen if:

• You have lived in Czech for at least five years and possess a residency permit.
• Citizens of another EU country have lived in the Czech Republic for at least three years.
• Your parents are applying for your under-15-year-old children.

Additionally, some people legally living in the country can apply for immediate naturalization. These people should:

• Originally from the Czech Republic, now live there.
• You formerly belonged to the Czech or Czechoslovak Republic.
• Adopted by a citizen of the Czech Republic.
• You are married to a Czech citizen.
• In the Czech Republic, you are stateless or a refugee.

For naturalization, you must be able to meet the following requirements:

• Prove your proficiency in the Czech language.
• You must have a clean criminal record.
• Having a basic understanding of the Czech Republic’s constitutional system.
• Educate yourself on Czech society, culture, geography, and history.
• Demonstrate that you are financially responsible and a good taxpayer.
• Show your family, professional, and social ties to Czech society.
• Establish your non-threat status in the state of Czech.

You will need to pay a fee if you need to take Czech language and civic knowledge exams to become a Czech citizen.

How to get Czech Citizenship in Two Unusual Ways?

• Children under 15 living in Czech whose parents cannot be identified are considered Czech citizens.
• If you were born in the Czech Republic and your parents were stateless, you are eligible for Citizenship.

Czech Citizenship Application & Fees

You must file your application in person at the appropriate Regional Authority, regardless of which route you choose. File your application to the Municipality of Prague if you are in Prague. Please explain why you will not present any of the required documents, and request an exemption.

All supporting documents must be ready before visiting the Regional Authority office to apply for Czech Citizenship. You will fill out the application during your appointment.

You will then be sent a copy of your application along with your attached documents by the Regional Authority within 30 days. The Czech Internal Ministry will decide on your citizenship application within 180 days.

Application for a Czech citizenship certificate

Once your application is approved, you must apply for a Czech Citizenship Certificate (CCC). All applicants must present a valid ID or passport along with the Personal Data Form.

Czech and Czechoslovak Applicants

• Adult or minor application form.
• Certificate of birth from the Czech Republic.
• Certificate of marriage, if applicable.
• Obtain a copy of the citizenship certificate of any other country in which you hold Citizenship.

Note: All authenticated documents must be properly translated into Czech.

Foreign-born applicants

• Adult or minor application form.
• Certificates of foreign birth and translations.
• Fees for applying for Czech Citizenship
• An adult: Kč 2000.
• Minor child: Kč 500.
• Asylum-seeker: Kč 500.
• Czech citizenship affidavit and birth certificate of both parents.
• Certificate of the marriage of parents. You must send both the original and translated documents if you are married outside the Czech Republic.

Process of application

You must provide the following information:

• A translated copy of your birth certificate if you were born outside the Czech Republic.
• Identity Card or Certificate of Citizenship of the Czech Republic.
• Two copies of a passport-format photograph.
• If you were married outside of the Czech Republic, provide a translated copy of the marriage certificate.
• Passports are issued by the Ministry of Interior or by consular offices abroad.

It takes 120 days for a new passport to be processed from abroad. If you apply from the Czech Republic, it will take 30 days.

Dual Citizenship of the Czech Republic

Dual citizenship has been allowed in the Czech Republic since 2013. By virtue of this nationality law, you can keep your current passport.

If you are a dual citizen, you can:

• You can travel easily between the countries.
• Both countries allow freedom of movement and work.
• Both countries own property.

Among the drawbacks is the potential for double taxation, and it is obligated to obey the laws of both nations.

Dual citizenship is not allowed in some countries. A Japanese citizen who wishes to obtain Czech citizenship must renounce their Japanese citizenship. We can provide detailed advice on this matter.

Benefits of Czech Republic Citizenship

Several reasons exist for choosing Czech as second citizenship. Traveling visa-free to 183 different countries is possible with a Czech passport. In addition, you can live, work and travel in all 28 EU member countries.

Czech nationality is highly respected. Besides economic strength, convenience, human development, political stability, and overseas employment opportunities, the country also offers its citizens political stability. It is ranked as one of the most powerful passports.

You will benefit from an excellent educational system and quality healthcare by choosing to live in the Czech Republic. The country also has a low cost of living.

Is it possible to revoke my Czech citizenship?

According to Czech law, citizenship cannot be revoked. But there are two exceptions to this rule. The state may change the conditions for naturalization, which may impact pending citizenship applications. Fraudulent applications may be reviewed within three years as well. You may voluntarily give up your Czech citizenship if you have another citizenship.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to become a Czech citizen?

If you were born in the Czech Republic and have previously held citizenship proof (e.g., passport, ID card), you can usually apply for a Czech citizenship certificate within 1 to 2 months. Otherwise, expect a waiting period of 3 to 6 months.

Is it possible to buy citizenship in the Czech Republic?

The Czech Republic currently does not have a Citizenship Program. Our company feels that this is a pity because the Czech Republic would benefit our customers and boost the country’s economy.

How much does Czech citizenship cost?

An adult must pay CZK 2 000 as an administration fee to obtain Czech citizenship. In some cases, the Ministry of Interior may reduce an adult’s administration fee to CZK 500 if there are special circumstances.

Is it possible to obtain Czech citizenship by marriage?

Citizens of a third-country state may apply in the Czech Republic for citizenship by marriage after living continuously in that country for five years or after three years if they are citizens of an EU, EEC, or Swiss member state.

How easy is it to get PR in the Czech Republic?

If you are not an EU citizen, you can apply for a permanent residence permit after five years. The requirements for non-EU citizens are almost the same as those for EU citizens, with the exception of the requirement to take a Czech language exam.

Can I stay in the Czech Republic for a long time?

Tourists, business travelers, students, and most others (except workers) are entitled to enter the Czech Republic without a visa for up to 90 days. This counts along with presence in all Schengen countries for a maximum of 90 days out of 180 days.