Citizenship by Declaration (Act No. 186/2013 Coll.)

Czech citizenship by declaration is a simplified, restorative pathway that allows former Czech or Czechoslovak citizens and their direct descendants to reclaim or acquire citizenship. Unlike the standard naturalization process, this pathway is purely administrative; you do not need to live in the Czech Republic, pass a Czech language exam, or prove a specific level of income.

This pathway is specifically designed to rectify the loss of citizenship caused by the turbulent political history of 20th-century Central Europe. It was significantly expanded in 2019 to include the children and grandchildren of former citizens, making it one of the most accessible "citizenship by descent" programs in the European Union.

The current system is governed by Act No. 186/2013 Coll., which modernized Czech nationality law. A pivotal change occurred on September 6, 2019, via Act No. 207/2019 Sb., which opened the door for second-generation descendants (grandchildren) who previously had no path to citizenship.

Because this is a "declaration" rather than an "application for grant," the state has limited discretion. If you prove your lineage and your ancestor’s former citizenship through the Matrika (Registry Office) or Národní archiv (National Archives), the state is legally obligated to issue you a Certificate of Czech Citizenship (Listina o nabytí státního občanství prohlášením).

• European Union Rights: As a Czech citizen, you are an EU citizen. You have the right to live, work, study, and retire in any of the 27 EU member states without a visa or work permit.
• Dual Citizenship: The Czech Republic fully allows dual and multiple citizenship. You are not required to renounce your current nationality.
• Consular Protection: You are entitled to protection by Czech and EU embassies and consulates worldwide.
• Voting Rights: You gain the right to vote in Czech national elections and European Parliament elections.
• Family Reunification: While your spouse does not automatically become a citizen, they gain significant rights to residency and work within the EU as the family member of an EU citizen.
• Access to Services: You have full access to the Czech healthcare system, social security, and domestic tuition rates at public universities.