New legislation
Voting by mail from abroad allows Czech citizens to cast their ballots in elections to the Chamber of Deputies by mail. At its meeting on March 26, 2025, the Government of the Czech Republic approved a regulation defining the territorial jurisdictions of diplomatic missions for the first mail-in voting by Czech citizens abroad.
Electoral districts for Czech citizens living abroad determine which diplomatic mission Czech citizens will fall under when voting. The delineation of these districts is crucial for organizing mail-in voting as well as for cases where voters must cast their ballots in person.
In nine countries, mail-in voting will not be possible due to unreliable postal services. These include Afghanistan, Yemen, North Korea (DPRK), Libya, Palestine, Haiti, Somalia, Western Sahara, and, most recently, the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Czech citizens in these countries will have to vote in person at designated diplomatic missions. For example, voters from Afghanistan will be able to vote at the diplomatic mission in Islamabad, Pakistan
The regulation prepared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs takes effect on April 1, 2025, which will allow for the timely technical implementation of absentee voting. According to estimates by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, approximately 600,000 Czech citizens live abroad, with actual voter turnout for mail-in voting in the upcoming elections estimated at 80,000 people.
How does mail-in voting work? It is available to Czech citizens residing abroad who are registered on a special voter list at the relevant diplomatic mission and who apply for mail-in voting in a timely manner. This means they do not have to travel in person to the diplomatic mission to cast their vote.
Czech citizens residing abroad on a long-term basis who are registered on the special voter list at the relevant diplomatic mission and who apply for absentee voting in a timely manner will be able to take advantage of this new voting option. This step is in line with long-standing efforts to facilitate voter participation for Czech citizens living abroad.
Have you had something happen that has legal implications but you don’t know what course of action makes sense? Do you suspect you are entitled to something, but are not sure whether or how to claim it? Or have you read advice on the internet but each says something different? A Consultation with a Solicitor is just for these situations.
In person and online. Just choose the appropriate service or opt for an independent consultation when you are unsure.
