Obtaining Czech Citizenship and Passport

Czech citizenship grants the right to live, travel, work, conduct business, and receive education not only in the Czech Republic but in any EU member state. There are several legal pathways to citizenship, the most common being by birth or through naturalization. Czech law does not allow foreigners to acquire citizenship simply by purchasing property or investing in the national economy. To qualify for a Czech passport, one must legally reside in the country for at least 10 years.

Benefits of a Czech Passport

A Czech passport provides its holder with a range of rights and privileges:

• The right to vote and run in elections;
• Freedom to reside and work in any EU member state;
• Favorable conditions for running a business;
• Access to public universities with discounted or free tuition;
• Visa-free travel to over 170 countries, including the USA, Canada, and the UK;
• Access to social security and healthcare services.

Czech citizens cannot be deported from the country and are guaranteed entry without restrictions.

Who Is Eligible for Czech Citizenship

The procedure is governed by the Act on Citizenship of the Czech Republic. Applicants must pose no threat to national security and must meet a number of legal requirements. The following categories are eligible to apply for Czech citizenship:

• Persons born on Czech territory;
• Family members of Czech citizens (child or spouse);
• Former holders of Czech citizenship;
• Applicants with permanent residency for 3 years or 5 years (depending on EU citizenship) and for 10 years in general cases;
• Former citizens of the Czechoslovak Republic;
• Applicants with permanent residency granted for humanitarian reasons.

To acquire Czech citizenship, individuals in the above categories must also meet the following requirements:

• No criminal record. Applicants must provide evidence of no convictions for intentional crimes in the Czech Republic, their country of citizenship, or their country of permanent residence.
• Residence in the country. Applicants may be absent from the Czech Republic for up to 2 consecutive months. In exceptional cases (e.g. studies, pregnancy and childbirth, business travel, or serious illness), the total absence may be up to 6 months. The Ministry of the Interior maintains a complete residence history for applicants.
• Knowledge of the language and constitution. Applicants must pass an exam at Charles University in Prague, which tests knowledge of the Czech language as well as cultural, social, historical, and geographical realities. Exemptions apply to children under 15, pensioners, individuals with disabilities, and those who have studied in a Czech-language school or university for the past three years.
• No violations of the Citizenship Act. Applicants must demonstrate compliance with the law, including payment of taxes, fees, fines, alimony, and health and social insurance contributions over the past 3 years.
• Stable income. Applicants are required to submit details of their income and its sources for the 3 years preceding their application.
• No reliance on social assistance. In the last 3 years, applicants must not have placed a substantial burden on the national welfare system — unless due to circumstances such as education, illness, pregnancy and childbirth, caregiving responsibilities, statelessness, or receipt of international protection in the Czech Republic.

Ways to Obtain Czech Citizenship

The method of acquiring citizenship in the Czech Republic depends on the applicant’s individual circumstances, including country of birth, possession of other citizenships, and ancestry. Several legal pathways to Czech citizenship are outlined below.

By Birth

A child automatically becomes a Czech citizen at birth if at least one parent holds Czech citizenship. The child’s legal representative must personally submit an application for a certificate of citizenship at the relevant regional authority or Czech embassy. The application must be accompanied by supporting documents, including the birth certificate and proof of citizenship of one or both parents. The maximum processing time is 180 days. The citizenship certificate remains valid for one year from the date of issuance.

By Establishment of Paternity

Children whose parents were not married at the time of birth may acquire Czech citizenship through paternity recognition, which is possible under the following conditions:

• The child’s mother is not a Czech citizen but is a citizen of an EU or EEA member state or Switzerland, or is a permanent resident of the Czech Republic or stateless. In this case, the child acquires Czech citizenship on the date of consent to paternity recognition.
• The mother is not a citizen of the Czech Republic, an EU or EEA country, or Switzerland, is not a permanent resident, and is not stateless. Citizenship is granted on the day both parents consent to paternity recognition, supported by genetic testing. The evidence must come from expert institutions approved by the Czech Ministry of Justice.
• The mother is not a Czech or EU citizen and is not stateless, but both parents submit a declaration of consent without formal paternity recognition. In this case, cohabitation, parental involvement, and child support payments must be documented.

Applications for citizenship under this basis must be submitted within one year of the child’s birth or of the parents’ formal consent to establish paternity.

By Grant (Naturalization)

Czech citizenship may be granted to applicants who have held permanent residency for at least 3 years (for EU citizens), 5 years (for non-EU citizens), or 10 years (for individuals without legal status). The applicant must personally submit the application at the regional authority corresponding to their place of permanent residence.

By Adoption

Adopted children may acquire Czech citizenship if at least one adoptive parent is a Czech citizen. The status is granted on the day the adoption decision issued by the competent authority becomes legally binding. In the case of an adoption finalized abroad, the child acquires Czech citizenship on the date of recognition of the adoptive parent. Court decisions from Slovakia are automatically recognized in the Czech Republic without additional proceedings.

By Discovery on Czech Territory

A child under the age of three with unknown identity found within Czech territory may acquire citizenship if their origin cannot be determined within six months. Citizenship is granted on the date the child is found.

How to Obtain Czech Citizenship

How to Compile Documents for Czech Citizenship

The set of required documents depends on the basis under which the applicant is applying for citizenship. A complete list is available on the official website of the Ministry of the Interior. Key documents include:

• Autobiography – written in free form and containing information about the applicant’s life in the Czech Republic and abroad, work history, education, and family and community life;
• Application – must include personal details, grounds for application, reason for applying, date, and signature;
• Certificates – including birth, marriage, divorce, or death of a spouse or partner;
• Criminal record certificate – valid for no more than 6 months;
• Proof of residence – in the Czech Republic or another country;
• Language and civics certificate – confirmation of passing the Czech language and constitutional system exam, or proof of at least three years of study in a Czech-language school or university;
• Confirmation of no tax arrears – issued no more than 30 days before the application date;
• Confirmation of no arrears in health and social insurance payments;
• Employment contract or confirmation of job offer;
• Proof of education – such as a school certificate or student transcript for school-aged applicants;
• Proof of income – including old-age or disability pensions, spousal/partner income, or transfers from abroad;
• Documents related to work or business – such as tax returns, trade licenses, or commercial registry extracts.

Spouses may submit a joint application, and minor children can be included in the parent’s application. Documents issued by foreign states must bear an apostille and be officially translated into Czech, except those issued in Slovakia.

Fees and Timeframes

To apply for Czech citizenship, applicants over the age of 18 must pay an administrative fee of CZK 2,000 (approximately EUR 79). In certain cases, the fee is reduced to CZK 500 (about EUR 20). In 2024, the fee for minors and asylum seekers is CZK 500 (EUR 20), or CZK 100 (around EUR 4) if there are justified reasons.

Once accepted, the application is forwarded by the regional authority to the Ministry of the Interior within 30 days. The Ministry has six months to make a decision.

After receiving the citizenship certificate, the applicant must apply for a Czech passport within 12 months of issuance. The application can be submitted at any municipal office with extended authority, or in Prague, at the district office, Ministry of the Interior, or Czech consulate abroad. The passport is issued as a biometric card with fingerprint data, a photo, and a signature.

Passport processing times and fees:

• 30 days – CZK 600 (approx. EUR 24); for children under 15 – CZK 100 (approx. EUR 4)
• Within 24 hours (business days) – CZK 2,000–6,000 (EUR 79–237); for minors – CZK 500–2,000 (EUR 20–79), depending on the issuing office
• Within 5 business days – CZK 1,000–3,000 (EUR 40–118); for minors – CZK 500–1,000 (EUR 20–39)
• Up to 120 days – via consulates, embassies, or municipal offices with extended authority

Passport fees are paid on the day the application is submitted. For express service, part of the fee may be paid upon pickup. The passport is valid for 10 years (or 5 years for applicants under 15). It must be collected in person by the applicant or their legal guardian.

Reasons for Denial of Czech Citizenship

An application for Czech citizenship may be rejected for the following reasons:

• Threat to national security, sovereignty, or territorial integrity;
• Lack of integration into society (family, work, or social integration);
• Residing in the country for less than half of the registered period;
• Absence of a valid 3–5 year permanent residency permit;
• Criminal convictions;
• Failure to pass the Czech language and constitutional knowledge exams;
• Significant reliance on state social support;
• Violations related to taxes, social and health insurance, fines, alimony payments;
• Lack of evidence regarding income and its sources.

According to recent statistics, the last two points are among the most common reasons for refusal.

If an application is rejected, the applicant may file an appeal within 15 calendar days. A new application can be submitted two years later, provided the original reasons for denial have been addressed. Individuals residing illegally in the Czech Republic are subject to deportation.

How to Obtain Czech Citizenship Faster

Obtaining a Czech passport is a long-term process that generally takes 10 years. However, it is possible to acquire EU citizenship through a simplified procedure in as little as one year. Holding an EU passport provides undeniable advantages for legalizing status in the Czech Republic. EU passport holders enjoy the same rights as Czech citizens and benefit from visa-free access to over 165 countries.