Citizenship for born in country (Udělení státního občanství)Citizenship for born in country (Udělení státního občanství)
Eligibility quiz
Were you born in the Czech Republic?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Czech passport and ID
Czech citizens can hold a Czech passport and identity card.
The identity card can be used for travel to EU countries and other countries that accept it.
Both documents expire and must be replaced, but citizenship does not need renewing.
Live in Czech Republic for life
Czech citizens can enter and live in Czech Republic indefinitely.
They cannot be refused entry or expelled.
Study in Czech Republic
Czech citizens can study in Czech Republic under the same rules as other Czech citizens.
Work in Czech Republic
Czech citizens can work or run a business in Czech Republic under the same rules as other Czech citizens.
Get help abroad
Czech embassies and consulates can help in emergencies, including illness, accidents, detention, a relative's death or lost documents.
They can help with contacts or issue an emergency travel document.
If Czech Republic has no representation outside the EU, you can seek another EU country's help.
Vote and run for office
Czech citizens can vote and stand in local, regional, parliamentary and presidential elections, subject to each election's age and other rules.
Citizens abroad can register at an embassy or consulate to vote in elections where voting abroad is allowed.
Use public services
Czech citizens can use public services under the same rules as other Czech citizens.
Social payments depend on conditions such as residence, income, family, disability or employment, not citizenship alone.
How to apply
Applying at a local officeApplying at a local office
Find your local office
Find the regional office responsible for your Czech permanent-residence address. In Prague, find the designated district office for your address.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which office handles Udělení státního občanství České republiky for a resident of your city?”
Get the questionnaire
Ask your local office for the Questionnaire for an application for granting Czech citizenship. The office supplies it and completes it with you there.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I get the questionnaire for Udělení státního občanství České republiky at the office in your city?”
Write your application
Write, date and sign your application asking for Czech citizenship, and explain each requirement you want waived and why. For a child, prepare and sign the application on your child's behalf.
See how to writeSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I write an application for Udělení státního občanství České republiky and request a waiver?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for your local office.
See required documentsArrange your visit
Ask your local office whether you need an appointment and book one if required.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I arrange a visit for Udělení státního občanství České republiky at the office in your city?”
Complete the questionnaire
At the local office, complete the citizenship questionnaire with a staff member. If you are applying for your child, complete it for your child with the staff member.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I complete the questionnaire for Udělení státního občanství České republiky at the office in your city?”
Hand in your application
Go to your local office in person with your signed application and documents and hand them in. If you are applying for your child, bring your child and their application and documents.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I hand in an application for Udělení státního občanství České republiky at the office in your city?”
Pay the fee
Pay the application fee to your local office and ask the office how to pay it.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pay the fee for Udělení státního občanství České republiky at the office in your city?”
Wait for the decision
The local office sends your application to the Ministry of the Interior for a decision. Respond if the Ministry asks for more information or asks you to attend a hearing.
See what happens nextSearches DuckDuckGo for “What happens while I wait for a decision on Udělení státního občanství České republiky?”
Follow the decision instructions
Follow the instructions you receive for the citizenship ceremony and the handover of your citizenship document. Once you or your child has become a Czech citizen, you can apply for a Czech passport.
Find ceremony detailsSearches DuckDuckGo for “What happens at the citizenship ceremony after approval of Udělení státního občanství České republiky?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificate
Bring your Czech birth certificate. If you are also asking for a waiver because a Czech citizen adopted you after you turned 18, bring the final adoption decision.
Marriage or partnership records *
Bring your marriage certificate or registered partnership certificate. If you divorced or your partnership was cancelled, also bring the final divorce judgment or partnership cancellation decision.
* Only if you are or have been married or in a registered partnership.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationParent’s citizenship records *
Bring evidence that your parent is a Czech citizen. If you request the waiver based on adoption after you turned 18, bring evidence that your adoptive parent is a Czech citizen.
* Only if you also request a waiver based on a Czech parent or adoption by a Czech citizen.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationSpouse or partner’s death certificate *
Bring your deceased spouse or registered partner’s death certificate.
* Only if your spouse or registered partner has died.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationConsiderations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Military service
Czech citizens may have defence duties, including draft checks and military service, depending on age, fitness and circumstances such as an emergency or mobilisation.
Ordinary service in peacetime is not automatic.
Identity card duty
Czech citizens aged 15 or over who have permanent residence in Czech Republic generally must hold a valid identity card, with some exceptions.
Citizenship can end
You can give up Czech citizenship by formal declaration if you live permanently abroad and have no registered permanent residence in Czech Republic.
You must already have another citizenship or be acquiring one with the declaration.
Citizenship ends when you receive the document confirming its loss.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Applying For Czech Citizenship, anebo kde domov můj
Facebook group for people interested in Czech citizenship (English & Czech)
Request to joinPrague EXPATS
English Facebook group for people living in the Czechia interested in Czech local life
Join on FacebookCrowdSauce by Expats.cz
English Facebook group for people living in the Czechia interested in Czech local life
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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