Since 2013, the Czech Republic (also known as Czechia) has allowed dual citizenship which grants you access to all 27 EU countries. With a Czech passport, you would have ample opportunities for work, study and travel in Europe.
Our dedicated, professional team, located in the beautiful Czech city of Olomouc, takes care of every single detail for our clients. Whilst our head office is in Melbourne, Australia, we work with clients from all-over the world, including the US, South Africa, Israel, New Zealand, UK, Canada, Mexico and Brazil.
Jakub and his team did an outstanding job of researching my father’s Czech connections from before WWII and was able to navigate the bureaucratic hurdles and channels leading to my successful application to obtain Czech Republic citizenship. Thanks!- Michael Ring
Reclaiming Czech citizenship allows you to reconnect with your heritage, discover new opportunities and perhaps find a new place to call home. Our team can support you on your journey to Czech citizenship, answer all your citizenship related questions and get you an EU passport. Want to know more? Let’s explore how to get Czech citizenship!
Am I Eligible for Czech Citizenship?
There are two main pathways to Czech citizenship. The first pathway is citizenship through descent. This means you have an uninterrupted line between your most direct Czech ancestor and you.
Another way of getting your Czech citizenship is by declaration. This applies to people who may have lost their Czech citizenship or whose direct ancestors lost their Czech citizenship through marriage or naturalization (up to two generations). To be eligible for this, you ancestor also must never have become a citizen of Slovakia.
The eligibility criteria can be complex and this is because the laws, whilst relatively simple, are complicated by the fact that Czechia and Slovakia were once one country.
To be eligible for Czech citizenship through descent or declaration, you must have at least one direct ancestor who:
- Was born in the Czech Republic (today’s territory) AND
- Did not leave the land prior to 1918 AND
- Never became or would be eligible to become a Slovak citizen AND
- Lost their Czech or Czechoslovak citizenship through moving abroad, marriage or naturalization OR
- Was a Czechoslovakian citizen up to December 31, 1992, and has not specified whether they are a Czech or Slovak citizen since.
Your ancestors may have lost Czech citizenship if they permanently moved abroad, as dual citizenship was not allowed until 2013. Since the Czech government changed this law, there are more options to reclaim your Czech heritage and citizenship.
What Documents are Required to Prove my Eligibility?
If you are eligible for Czech citizenship by descent, you are reclaiming what you already have through ancestry. This means that you were already born Czech, even if you were born in another country. Therefore, you must prove your heritage to the Czech government through documentation linking you to your ancestors. You will also need to provide your own documentation, such as birth and marriage certificate and copy of your current passport or other ID.
Documentation requirements can vary from person to person as each case and family history is unique. If you have a more complex case or family history, you will likely have to provide more documents. For example, if you’re applying for citizenship by declaration, more documentation will be required to prove you meet the eligibility criteria.
Documents you may require include:
- Your birth certificate
- Ancestral birth certificates
- Marriage certificates
- Naturalization certificates
- Passports
- Other documents, where applicable, such as adoptions, divorces and changes of name
The more documentation proving your heritage that you can supply, the better your chances of reclaiming Czech citizenship are. Here is a list of just some of the documentation that may be helpful to your application:
- Certificate of right of domicile in Czechia or Czechoslovakia
- Citizenship certificates
- Old passports
- School documents
- Letters and photos
- Family memories and photos
What is the Process Involved and How Long Will It Take?
The process involved can change depending on the complexity of your case and how much documentation you already have. As every family’s history is different, our team creates a unique plan specific to each new client and we guide you across the entire process. So you never have to question whether you’re on the right path, you’ll know that you are!
Overall, the process involves:
- Ancestral research to find vital records of your Czech direct relatives. This step is only required if you do not have enough documentation about your ancestors to prove your eligibility. We specialise in archival research in the Czech Republic as well as other countries that your relatives may have travelled via or settled in.
- Gathering documentation in your birth country and overseas.
- Translating your documents into Czech by our sworn translators and adding Apostilles or other certification confirming authenticity of documentation being supplied and filling out official Czech application forms.
- Submitting your documents to the Czech authorities and waiting for approval. This is done directly through the Prague Office.
- Applying for an EU passport once your citizenship has been approved and becoming a proud dual citizen.
Timelines also differ depending on client complexities. With Polaron, a typical timeline is:
- Gathering of documentation – 10-12 weeks.
- Preparation and filing of your application including document translation and document certification – 10-12 weeks.
- Processing of your case by the Czech authorities – 8-9 months.
Therefore, in just over a year, you could be starting a whole new life anywhere in Europe. As a European citizen, you can travel visa-free in all 27 countries, be eligible for free or low-cost university education, have endless job opportunities or retire in a Mediterranean town of your choosing. The options are endless!
Are There Other Pathways to Czech Citizenship?
You can also become a Czech citizen through naturalization. However, it is a much more involved process as it involves residency of at least 10 years in the Czech Republic, proof of knowledge of the Czech language and history, as well as proof of income and criminal record.
How Can Polaron Help?
With over 20 years of experience, we have the team and skillset to help you obtain Czech citizenship. We’re proud to have a 100% success rate for Czech citizenship confirmations and that we never shy away from complex citizenship cases. In fact, we are known for taking on cases that other companies won’t.
Our team has a physical presence in several countries across Europe, as well as the US, UK and Australia, so we can work with archives and governments on the ground. Plus, all our clients receive administrative, linguistic and project management support, and a dedicated case manager throughout their journey.
What’s Next?
If you’re interested in knowing more about your Czech citizenship eligibility, we can provide citizenship advice and an obligation-free quote during a discovery call. This is an opportunity to tell us your story and ask specific questions about the process, the cost and the timeline. Did you know that in most cases we can guarantee the outcome of your application?
Take the eligibility test to start your journey towards Czech citizenship!