Eligibility quiz
Did one of your parents or grandparents lose Czech or Czechoslovak citizenship before 1 January 2014?
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 consulateApplying at a consulate
Find your consulate
Find the Czech embassy or consulate responsible for the place where you live.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Czech embassy or consulate handles citizenship by declaration for your city?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the consulate.
See required documentsGet the declaration form
Ask your consulate for the Czech citizenship declaration form for your route.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I get a Czech citizenship by declaration form from the consulate serving your city?”
Fill in the form
Fill in and sign the declaration form. For a child, a parent or another authorised representative completes and signs it.
Find form instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Czech citizenship by declaration form as a descendant?”
Book an appointment
Arrange an appointment with your consulate to make your declaration in person.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book an appointment for Czech citizenship by declaration at the consulate serving your city?”
Go to your appointment
Bring your signed declaration and documents to the consulate in person. Pay the CZK 500 fee, or its equivalent in the currency the consulate accepts, and ask the consulate how to pay.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit a Czech citizenship by declaration application at the consulate serving your city?”
Wait for the decision
The consulate sends your complete application to the Czech authority, which issues a citizenship document if it accepts your declaration. Respond to any requests for more information or documents.
See how long it takesSearches DuckDuckGo for “How long does Czech citizenship by declaration take when applying through a consulate?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates
Get your birth certificate and the birth certificates needed to show your connection to your Czech or Czechoslovak grandparent through your parent. Include a child’s birth certificate if a declaration is being made for them.
Grandparent's citizenship records
Provide evidence of your Czech or Czechoslovak grandparent’s loss of citizenship, showing when and how it happened; this could be a naturalisation certificate or a certificate releasing them from Czechoslovak citizenship. If you apply through your parent instead, provide their records; for a declaration under section 32, provide evidence of the family member’s qualifying Czechoslovak citizenship on 31 December 1992.
Marriage certificates *
Provide your marriage or registered-partnership certificate and any of your parent’s or grandparent’s certificates needed to show your family connection. If a marriage or partnership ended, include the divorce judgment or certificate, or partnership-dissolution document.
* Only if you, your parent or your grandparent married or entered a registered partnership.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationDeath certificates *
Provide the death certificate of your deceased spouse or partner. Include your parent’s or grandparent’s death certificate if it is needed for your declaration.
* Only if your spouse or partner has died, or a parent’s or grandparent’s death certificate is needed.
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
Czech Citizenship by Descent
English Facebook group for people interested in Czech citizenship
Request to joinr/CzechCitizenship
English Reddit group for people interested in Czech citizenship
Join on RedditCzech Citizenship Discussion Group
English Facebook group for people interested in Czech citizenship
Request to joinConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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