Obtaining Czech citizenship is not just a paper formality, but a legally demanding process that requires meeting a number of conditions. Whether you are married to a Czech, a long-term resident or want to return to your roots, we will explain step by step how to obtain Czech citizenship.
Czech citizenship is not just a formality. It is a ticket to the world of civil rights, freedoms and obligations. A citizen of the state has access to everything that the Czech legal system guarantees: the right to vote, the right to diplomatic protection, the right of residence without restrictions, access to health care and social benefits.
Citizenship also represents a stronger link to the state, which can have both practical and symbolic effects. Foreign citizens settled in the Czech Republic, living and working here, naturally consider whether they want to become a full part of society, including legally. But how to obtain citizenship of the Czech Republic? It’s not a short route, but it’s not insurmountable either, as long as you know what you are entitled to and how to proceed correctly.
The basic rule is simple: a child becomes a Czech citizen if he or she has at least one parent with Czech citizenship. This principle of the so-called right of blood is enshrined in the Nationality Act.
In certain cases, however, a child can acquire Czech citizenship by birth on Czech territory if he or she would otherwise be stateless. A child found on the territory of the Czech Republic is also a Czech citizen if its origin is unknown and the nationality of its parents cannot be ascertained.
Thus, the rules think not only about standard family situations, but also about children in danger or homeless children under the age of 3. If at least one of the parents is a Czech citizen, the child acquires citizenship automatically. Otherwise, the situation can be resolved by applying for citizenship under other provisions of the law.
Our experienced attorneys will advise you on how to properly apply for Czech citizenship and prepare the necessary documents for you. Don’t waste time making mistakes – book a consultation today.
Marriage to a Czech citizen does not automatically mean that the other partner also becomes a citizen of the Czech Republic. However, according to the Czech Citizenship Act, a foreigner who is married to a Czech citizen and meets other conditions can apply for citizenship. The basic condition is that the marriage lasts at least 2 years and the foreigner has been a permanent resident of the Czech Republic for at least 1 year. He or she must also demonstrate knowledge of Czech language and Czech realities.
Thus, the law assumes actual cohabitation, not a formal marriage with no connection to the Czech Republic. Moreover, the Ministry of the Interior retains the discretionary power not to grant citizenship if it has reasonable doubts about the sincerity of the marriage or the integration of the applicant. Therefore, obtaining Czech citizenship by marriage is not automatic – it is an option for which you must actively apply and meet the conditions.
The most common route to citizenship is through an application for citizenship, called naturalisation. According to the law, the applicant must meet several conditions:
In certain cases , certain conditions may be waived, especially for applicants with humanitarian reasons or those who have renounced their Czech citizenship in the past. In addition, the applicant must pay an administrative fee (CZK 2,000 for an adult and CZK 500 for a minor or an asylum seeker).
However, none of the conditions automatically confer the right to citizenship – the Ministry has the right to reject the application if, for example, it considers that the applicant has not demonstrated sufficient integration into society. The procedure is governed by the Administrative Code and can take several months.
The law also provides for specific situations. Citizenship can also be acquired by declaration, e.g. in the case of descendants of former Czech citizens who have lost their citizenship as a result of emigration.
Furthermore, the Ministry may also grant citizenship for reasons worthy of special consideration, for example, in the case of persons who have contributed to the good reputation of the Czech Republic abroad or have been subjected to persecution in their country of origin. The acquisition of citizenship can also be simplified in cases of children in the care of Czech citizens or children who have been granted orphan status. In these cases, the conditions are not as strict as for standard naturalisation. However, these possibilities are exceptional and always depend on the individual assessment of the case by the Ministry of the Interior.
Tip: Would you like to have a wedding with a foreigner in the Czech Republic? We will advise you on what documents you will need, the difference between a civil and a religious ceremony and how to change your surname or the question of your children’s citizenship.
Citizenship of the Czech Republic cannot be lost against one’s will, which is a major change from the past. The law stipulates that a Czech citizen can only lose his or her citizenship on his or her own application and only if he or she has another citizenship. Therefore, the loss of citizenship cannot occur automatically, e.g. by adopting another citizenship.
If someone has lost Czech citizenship in the past, he or she may apply to regain it. Typically, these are former emigrants or their descendants. The Ministry of the Interior also assesses the application individually and takes into account the historical and family context. Thanks to these provisions, for example, descendants of emigrants from 1948-1989 can return to Czech citizenship and obtain the rights associated with it.
Citizenship is applied for at the regional office or at the office of the municipal district in Prague according to the place of permanent residence. It is necessary to fill in the application form provided by the Ministry of the Interior. The application must be accompanied by:
The administrative authority may request additional documents. The procedure takes several months and the law does not set a fixed deadline for a decision.
Applicants often underestimate the formal correctness of documents or fail to state important facts. The most common mistakes in the application process often stem from underestimating the formal correctness of the documents or failing to mention important facts. Typical errors include invalid or incorrect translations of documents, incomplete residence information, failure to prove language skills due to inadequate certification, failure to document living situations such as income, and the wrong legal title for the application.
It is therefore essential to prepare for the administrative procedure well in advance and ideally consult a lawyer throughout the process. While legal representation is not compulsory, it can be the thing that saves your citizenship in the end. A lawyer can help you choose the right course of action for your case, review the application and attachments, and deal with any appeals or consider alternative routes to citizenship (e.g. through a declaration). Areas such as acquiring Czech citizenship by marriage or the return of a former emigrant to Czech citizenship require not only knowledge of the law but also experience in administrative practice.
Working with a specialist can save you years of waiting. Obtaining Czech citizenship is not a matter of a few signatures, but a legally and administratively demanding process. From our experience, we know that it is essential to demonstrate a genuine connection to the Czech Republic, knowledge of the language and integrity. Because becoming a Czech citizen means not only obtaining a document, but also anchoring yourself in a legal and cultural space that makes you part of the state, not just a visitor.
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Acquiring citizenship of the Czech Republic is not a mere formality, but a complex legal process that requires strict conditions and the correct procedure. One can become a Czech citizen automatically at birth if at least one of the parents is a citizen of the Czech Republic, or in certain cases by birth on the territory of the state if the child otherwise has no citizenship. For adults, the most common route is naturalisation, which requires at least five years of permanent residence (three years for EU citizens), good character, knowledge of Czech language and realities, the ability to support oneself and loyalty to the Czech Republic. Citizenship can also be obtained by marriage to a Czech citizen, but permanent residency and actual cohabitation is a prerequisite. The law also allows for special cases of acquiring citizenship, for example, to descendants of former citizens or for reasons worthy of special consideration. Citizenship cannot be lost against one’s will, and those who lose it on their own application may apply for its restoration. The application is submitted to the relevant office with complete documentation, and applicants often make mistakes in terms of incorrect translations, incomplete data or inappropriate documents.
Musíte mít většinou trvalý pobyt v ČR alespoň 5 let (3 roky pro občany EU), bezúhonnost, znalost češtiny a reálií, schopnost se uživit a prokázat loajalitu k České republice.
Ne, sňatek s českým občanem automaticky nezakládá právo na občanství. Musíte splnit další podmínky, například trvalý pobyt v ČR alespoň 1 rok, manželství trvající minimálně 2 roky a prokázat znalost češtiny.
České občanství nelze pozbýt proti vaší vůli. Ztráta může nastat pouze na základě vlastní žádosti a pokud máte jiné občanství.
Základními dokumenty jsou doklad totožnosti, potvrzení o trvalém pobytu, výpis z rejstříku trestů, doklad o znalosti češtiny a českých reálií, doklad o zabezpečení příjmu, případně oddací list a správní poplatek.
Právní zastoupení není povinné, ale velmi doporučené. Právník vám pomůže vyhnout se chybám, správně připravit dokumenty a případně řešit komplikace či odvolání.
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Ondřej is the attorney who came up with the idea of providing legal services online. He's been earning his living through legal services for more than 10 years. He especially likes to help clients who may have given up hope in solving their legal issues at work, for example with real estate transfers or copyright licenses.
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