Eligibility quiz
Were you a Czechoslovak citizen on 31 December 1992, but not a Czech or Slovak citizen?
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 consulate covers your city for Czech citizenship by declaration?”
Request an appointment
Contact your consulate to request an appointment to make your declaration.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I request an appointment for Czech citizenship by declaration at the Czech consulate serving your city?”
Download the declaration form
Download the Czech citizenship by declaration form, or get it from the consulate.
Download the formGather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the consulate.
See required documentsFill in the form
Fill in the Czech-language declaration form at the consulate. Sign it in front of the official when you hand it in.
Get form helpSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Czech citizenship by declaration form for former Czechoslovak citizens and their descendants?”
Go to your appointment
Bring your form, identification and documents to the consulate, and sign the declaration in front of the official. Pay the consular fee when you hand it in; ask the consulate how to pay.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit a Czech citizenship by declaration application at the Czech consulate serving your city?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the authority to decide and respond if it asks for more information. If you qualify, you will receive a document confirming that you have acquired Czech citizenship.
See decision timesSearches DuckDuckGo for “How long does Czech citizenship by declaration for former Czechoslovak citizens and their descendants take through a consulate?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates
Provide your birth certificate and the birth certificates that connect you to your great-grandparent, including those of your parent and grandparent. Include your child's birth certificate if your child is included in your declaration.
Great-grandparent's citizenship records
Provide records showing that your great-grandparent was a Czechoslovak citizen on 31 December 1992, but was neither a Czech nor a Slovak citizen. Ask the office accepting your declaration which citizenship records it will accept; being a Czech citizen alone does not establish eligibility for this route.
Marriage certificates *
Provide your marriage certificate or registered partnership certificate, and the marriage records needed to connect you to your great-grandparent. If a marriage or partnership ended, include the divorce or dissolution document, or your deceased spouse's or partner's death certificate.
* Only if you or a relative in your family line married or registered a partnership.
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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