Eligibility quiz
Do you have permanent residence in Czechia?
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 authority responsible for your permanent residence in Czechia. In Prague, find the municipal district office responsible for your address.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which office in your city accepts an application for Udělení státního občanství in Czechia?”
Write your application
Write, sign and date your application, saying who you are, what you are asking for and which office it is for. Explain your request and, if you are asking for a requirement to be waived, say which one and why.
See how to writeSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I write an application for Udělení státního občanství in Czechia?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for your local office.
See required documentsGet the questionnaire
Go to your local office to get the questionnaire for an application for a grant of Czech citizenship.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I get the questionnaire for Udělení státního občanství at the office in your city, Czechia?”
Fill in the questionnaire
Complete the questionnaire at the office with the official.
See how to completeSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I complete the questionnaire for Udělení státního občanství in Czechia?”
Hand in your application
Hand in your signed application and questionnaire in person at the same office. Bring your supporting documents in the required form.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Where do I hand in an application for Udělení státního občanství in your city, Czechia?”
Wait for the decision
Wait while the office sends your application to the Ministry of the Interior for a decision. Respond if the ministry asks you to attend an interview or provide more information.
See how long it takesSearches DuckDuckGo for “How long does a decision on Udělení státního občanství in Czechia take?”
Complete your citizenship oath
If your application is approved, follow the authority’s instructions to take the citizenship oath if required. You become a Czech citizen by taking the oath, unless an exception applies; you can then apply for a Czech passport.
See how to completeSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I take the citizenship oath after approval for Udělení státního občanství in Czechia?”
Documents needed
Required to applyRequired to apply
Birth certificate
Provide your birth certificate. Bring the original or a version your filing office accepts.
Proof of your funds
Provide documents showing where the money you use to support yourself in the Czech Republic comes from. Include pension or foreign-income evidence, or proof of your spouse’s or partner’s income, if you rely on it.
Tax arrears certificates
Get certificates from the Czech Financial Administration and Customs Administration showing that you have no recorded tax arrears. The certificates must be no more than 30 days old; an approved deferral or instalment arrangement is allowed.
Residence and travel records
Provide documents showing your residence in the Czech Republic and your stays abroad. Bring the originals or versions your filing office accepts.
Police certificate
Provide a criminal-record extract or equivalent document. It must be no more than six months old; if the country concerned does not issue or will not provide one, provide the permitted declaration of good character instead.
Application forms
Provide your signed and dated written application and the Questionnaire to an application for grant of Czech citizenship. In your application, say why you are applying and explain any requirement you are asking to have waived.
Life history
Write a life history in Czech in your own words. Cover your residence in the Czech Republic and stays abroad, work, study, and family and social life.
Social security certificate
Provide the certificate showing that you have no recorded social security premium arrears. An approved deferral or instalment arrangement is allowed.
Marriage or partnership records *
Provide your marriage certificate or registered-partnership document. If your marriage or partnership ended, also provide the final divorce judgment or the decision ending the partnership.
* Only if you are or have been married or in a registered partnership.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationSpouse or partner’s death certificate *
Provide the death certificate of your spouse or registered partner. Bring the original or a version your filing office accepts.
* Only if your spouse or registered partner has died.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationStudy records *
Provide confirmation of your studies and your latest school report or other evidence of study. Bring the originals or versions your filing office accepts.
* Only if you study or have studied in the Czech Republic.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationLanguage and civics certificates *
Provide your Czech-language and civics examination certificates. Instead, you can provide proof that you attended a Czech-language primary school, secondary school or higher-education institution for at least three school years.
* Only if you are aged 15 to 65 and do not have a qualifying disability.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationEmployment records *
Provide confirmation of your employment and income, along with employment contracts or employment confirmations. Include other evidence of your work in the Czech Republic.
* Only if you work or have worked as an employee in the Czech Republic.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationContribution endorsement *
Provide a document supporting your application on the basis of your significant contribution. It must come from a ministry or central government authority, the President’s Office, a public or state university, or a public research institution.
* Only if you apply because of a significant contribution to the Czech Republic.
Considerations
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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