Czech citizenship: Step-by-step guide
Brno has become your true home. You have mastered the tram system, found your favourite local spots and built a life here. If you are ready to make it official, applying for Czech citizenship is the exciting final step in your journey.
This guide will walk you through the process clearly and simply, helping you move from being an expat to becoming a fellow citizen.
(Feature image: a bird house in Lužánky park. Photo credits: Brnoregion, Martina Fišerová)
Basic conditions
In most cases, you need a permanent residence permit in the Czech Republic, plus:
- non-EU citizens need Permanent residence in the Czech Republic for 5 years, or
- EU citizens need Permanent residence in the Czech Republic for 3 years, or
- any residence (both EU or non-EU citizens) for 10 years.
There are some exceptions, and you can apply sooner. For example:
- close family members (spouses, minor children) of EU citizens, or
- if a child was born in the Czech Republic or if a child is less than 18 years old.
You must prove that you physically stayed in the Czech Republic for at least half of your residency period. Short absences (under 2 months) or longer ones (up to 6 months) for serious reasons like pregnancy, study, or work trips are generally accepted.
Full list of conditions
You can find a full overview of the conditions on the official website of the Ministry of the Interior.
Applying for Citizenship as a Family
If you are applying for Czech citizenship with your family, here are the simplified rules for spouses and children:
- Joint Applications: Spouses have the option to submit one joint application for citizenship.
- Including Children: Parents (or just one parent) can include children under 18 in their application.
- Independent Applications for Children: A legal guardian can theoretically apply for citizenship for a child under 18 separately. The law technically allows this but in practice, the Ministry of the Interior rejects applications from children if their parents aren’t Czech citizens or aren’t applying with them. They usually say the family isn’t ‘integrated’ enough into Czech society.
- Children aged 15–18: If a child is older than 15, they must provide their formal consent to be included in the application.
- Consent from the Other Parent: If only one parent is applying for a child, the other parent must usually provide a certified signature of consent. This is not required if the other parent has passed away or lost their parental rights. It is also possible to sign the consent in front of the clerk on the day of application submission.
Step-by-step guide to applying for Czech citizenship
Buckle up, this will be a ride. There are 16 steps to the journey, but they should get you there.
1] Pass the required exams
You need:
You can register for both exams online. The database of official test questions and practice materials is also available online. Practical tip: You can also try this practice test created by an expat who successfully passed the exam.
Exceptions from the exam:
- Applicants who have studied (and can prove it) for at least 3 years in a Czech-language primary, secondary, or vocational school/university.
- Applicants under 15 years or over 65 years of age.
2] Set up digital access
Create:
- a Data Mailbox, and
- Citizen Identity (Identita občana).
This will allow you to handle several steps online. Our guide Admin online explains how to set everything up.
3] Get your documents translated
You’ll need official Czech translations of documents such as:
- birth certificate,
- marriage certificate,
- divorce certificate (if applicable).
You can read about official translation and how to arrange it in our guide Translations and Interpreting.
Documents issued abroad usually also need an apostille or superlegalisation, depending on the country.
4] Apply for a history of residence certificate
Submit the application for the Certificate of History of Residence in the Czech Republic
(Žádost o vydání potvrzení o historii pobytu na území České republiky).
- Fee: 50 CZK
- You can apply by post or via Data Mailbox
- The application is sent to your local Ministry of the Interior office
5] Criminal record
You do not need to provide a Czech criminal record excerpt, as the authorities will check this themselves. You only need to provide a criminal record certificate from a foreign country if you have lived there for more than six months at any time during the last 10 years.
Additionally, a certificate from your home country is required if you are applying for citizenship after living in the Czech Republic for less than 10 years (based on a specific exception for earlier filing).
6] Employment confirmation
If you are employed:
- make sure your work contract is valid, and
- If it’s older than 3 months, ask HR for a current confirmation of employment and income (potvrzení o zaměstnání a příjmu).
- If you have had multiple employers, please prepare all relevant employment contracts.
7] Proof of income
Ask your bank for proof of income for the last 3 years.
8] Certificate of no debt – Customs Office
Request a debt-free certificate from the Customs Office (Celní správa):
- can be done online,
- fee: 100 CZK,
- The certificate must be no older than 30 days when you submit your citizenship application.
- How to get a debt-free certificate here.
9] Certificate of no debt – health insurance
Ask your health insurance company for confirmation that you have no outstanding debt.
- For example, VZP can issue this online, by post, or in person. More information here
- This certificate is free of charge.
- The certificate must be no older than 30 days when you submit your citizenship application.
10] Certificate of no debt – Tax Office
Apply online for a debt-free certificate from the Tax Office (Finanční správa):
- fee: 100 CZK (paid by bank transfer),
- The certificate must be no older than 30 days.
- More info at portal.gov.cz
11] Certificate of no debt – Social Security
Request a certificate from the Municipal Social Security Administration (Městská správa sociálního zabezpečení):
- entrepreneurs can apply online,
- employees usually need to visit in person.
- the certificate must be no older than 30 days.
In Brno, the office is at Veveří 979.
12] Write your CV in Czech
Prepare a CV in the form of an essay (not a structured CV).
Include:
- education and work history,
- family and social life in the Czech Republic,
- all countries you have visited while living here (including holidays and work trips).
13] Write your citizenship application
The citizenship application (žádost o občanství) is written in free form.
It should include:
- your name and contact details,
- the authority you are addressing,
- your reasons for applying,
- how you are integrated into Czech society and why you believe citizenship should be granted.
Address it to:
Ministerstvo vnitra
Odbor všeobecné správy
Oddělení státního občanství a matrik
Nám. Hrdinů 3
140 21 Praha 4
14] Final checks
Before submitting:
- double-check that all taxes and local fees are paid (waste fee, dog fee, etc.),
- make sure your surname is clearly visible on your letterbox, doorbell, and apartment door.
15] Submit everything at the Regional Office
Book an appointment by phone with your Regional Office (Krajský úřad).
In Brno, this is Krajský úřad Jihomoravského kraje.
Bring:
- all documents from steps 1–13,
- payment of 2,000 CZK (can be paid by card).
How does the application process itself work? In the office, you will fill out a questionnaire for the citizenship application, submit your documents (please note all documents must be originals or authenticated copies), CV, and the formal application for state citizenship. The officer will check on the spot that you have all the necessary documents and, if everything is in order, will direct you to the cash desk to pay the fee. Your application, along with all the documents, is then forwarded to the Ministry of the Interior.
16] And now… you wait
The Regional Office forwards your application to the Ministry of the Interior within 30 days.
Officially, the Ministry should decide within 180 days, but in reality, the process often takes one to two years. Patience is key here. Applying for Czech citizenship is a complex process; each case is assessed individually.
Please keep in mind that, unlike a residence permit, there is no legal entitlement to citizenship. Even if you submit all required documents, the Ministry of the Interior makes the final decision.
During the process, the Ministry may also request additional documents to support your application.
If you are asking for an exemption or waiver from certain requirements (such as the length of your stay or the Czech language exam), you must always provide a clear reason for your request.
Note: Dual citizenship is fully permitted in the Czech Republic; you do not need to renounce your original nationality unless your home country requires it. Based on legislation (effective since 2024/2025 and continuing in 2026), there are stricter conditions for applicants from the Russian Federation who must prove they have renounced their Russian citizenship before applying for Czech citizenship.
