Eligibility quiz
Did a parent or grandparent have Czech or Czechoslovak citizenship and lose it before the current Czech citizenship law took effect?
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 that serves the place where you live.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Czech embassy or consulate serves your city for Czech citizenship by declaration?”
Get the declaration form
Get the Czech citizenship declaration form for your route from the consulate.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Where can I get the Czech citizenship by declaration form from the Czech consulate in your city?”
Fill in the form
Fill in and sign the declaration form in Czech. If you are applying for your child, fill it in and sign it for your child.
See how to fillSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Czech citizenship by declaration form?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the consulate.
See required documentsArrange your submission
Contact the consulate to arrange how to submit your declaration and book an appointment if it asks you to.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I arrange a Czech citizenship by declaration appointment at the Czech consulate in your city?”
Submit your declaration
Bring your completed form and documents to the consulate, and ask how to pay the fee and pay it. Some consulates also allow submission by post; ask yours for its mailing and signature instructions.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit a Czech citizenship by declaration application at the Czech consulate in your city?”
Wait for the decision
The consulate sends your declaration to the Czech authority for a decision. Respond if the authority asks you for more information or documents.
See how longSearches DuckDuckGo for “How long does a Czech citizenship by declaration decision take through a Czech consulate?”
Receive your certificate
If approved, receive your citizenship certificate through the consulate or as the deciding authority tells you. You can then take the separate steps needed to apply for Czech identity documents.
Find certificate instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I receive my Czech citizenship by declaration certificate through a Czech consulate?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates
Provide your original birth certificate and the birth certificate of your Czech parent. If your application goes through your Czech grandparent, include your parent's and grandparent's birth certificates to show the family link; include your child's birth certificate if the child is included in your declaration. Ask the Czech registry or archive that holds any missing Czech records, or ask a Czech consulate for help.
Parent's citizenship records
Provide records showing your Czech parent's citizenship. If you apply because your parent lost Czech or Czechoslovak citizenship, include proof of when and how it was lost, such as a release certificate or a naturalisation certificate; if you apply based on your parent's federal citizenship, provide proof that they held it on 31 December 1992. If your application goes through your Czech grandparent, provide their records instead; old passports, residence certificates and school records can help support the history but do not replace the required records.
Marriage certificates *
Provide the relevant marriage or registered-partnership certificates for you and the relatives whose records establish your family link. Include divorce or partnership-dissolution documents where they apply. Provide originals or officially certified copies.
* Only if you or a relative in your family line married, registered a partnership, divorced or dissolved a partnership.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationDeath certificates *
Provide your deceased spouse's or partner's death certificate, or the death certificate of the relevant relative in your family line. Provide the original or an officially certified copy.
* Only if your spouse or partner has died or a death record is needed to prove your family link.
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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