The 2019 amendment to the Czech Citizenship Act (Section 31(3)) allows grandchildren of Czechoslovak citizens who lost citizenship due to emigration or political persecution to apply for Czech citizenship. No residency requirement. Full EU citizenship. Dual citizenship permitted since 2014.
Legal Basis
Act on Czech Citizenship (Act No. 186/2013 Coll.), Section 31(3) — 2019 amendment. This amendment covers descendants of Czechoslovak citizens who lost citizenship due to emigration or political persecution. Dual citizenship permitted since the 2014 amendment to the same Act.
Zero — process handled at Czech embassies and consulates worldwide
Passport Rank
5th globally (Henley Index 2026)
Visa-Free Countries
190+ countries
Overview
Czech citizenship by descent was significantly expanded by the 2019 amendment to the Act on Czech Citizenship (Act No. 186/2013 Coll., Section 31(3)). This amendment specifically targets descendants of Czechoslovak citizens who lost citizenship due to emigration or political persecution — a pathway designed to reconnect the Czech diaspora scattered during the communist era. Grandchildren (2nd generation) of such citizens can apply without residency requirements. The Czech Republic has permitted dual citizenship since 2014. The Czech passport provides full EU citizenship and visa-free access to 190+ countries.
Step-by-Step Process
1: Verify eligibility: confirm Czech/Czechoslovak ancestor lost citizenship due to emigration or political persecution — Family records research + Czech National Archives · 2–6 weeks · ~$0–$100
2: Gather vital records: birth, marriage, and death certificates for yourself and all ancestors in the lineage chain — Local vital records + Czech civil registry · 4–12 weeks · $100–$400
3: Obtain documentation of ancestor's Czech/Czechoslovak citizenship and how it was lost (emigration records, political persecution documents) — Czech National Archives + Czech Interior Ministry archives · 4–12 weeks · $100–$300
4: Have all foreign documents apostilled and officially translated into Czech — Secretary of State office + certified Czech translator · 4–8 weeks · $200–$600
5: Submit application at Czech embassy/consulate or Regional Office of the Ministry of Interior in Czech Republic — Czech embassy/consulate or Czech Ministry of Interior Regional Office · 1 day · ~CZK 500 (~$23) application fee
7: Apply for Czech ID card and passport — Czech embassy/consulate or in Czech Republic · 4–8 weeks · ~CZK 600 (~$28) passport fee
Advantages
Full EU citizenship — live, work, and study across all 27 EU member states
Czech passport ranks 5th globally with visa-free access to 190+ countries
Dual citizenship permitted since 2014 — no renunciation required
No residency requirement — process handled at Czech embassies worldwide
2019 amendment specifically designed for communist-era diaspora
Relatively affordable process compared to other EU citizenship pathways
Considerations
2-generation limit (grandparent) — great-grandparent claims not covered under Section 31(3)
Requires proof that ancestor lost citizenship due to emigration or political persecution
Czech National Archives can be slow to respond to foreign requests
Czech language proficiency may be required for some naturalization pathways (not descent)
Processing times of 6–18 months
Requirements
Applicant's birth certificate (apostilled)
Birth, marriage, and death certificates for all ancestors in the lineage chain
Documentation of Czech/Czechoslovak ancestor's citizenship and how it was lost
Emigration records or political persecution documentation
Certified Czech translations of all foreign documents
Apostille stamps on all foreign documents
Completed application form
Current valid passport (copy)
Tax Considerations
Non-resident dual citizens are taxed by Czech Republic only on Czech-sourced income. Czech Republic has a 15% flat income tax rate. Tax residency is established by spending more than 183 days per year in Czech Republic.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the 2019 amendment cover?
Section 31(3) of the Czech Citizenship Act (2019 amendment) specifically covers descendants of Czechoslovak citizens who lost citizenship due to emigration or political persecution. This was designed to reconnect the Czech diaspora scattered during the communist era (1948–1989). Grandchildren (2nd generation) of such citizens can apply.
Does Czech Republic allow dual citizenship?
Yes. Since the 2014 amendment to the Act on Czech Citizenship, dual citizenship is permitted. You can hold Czech citizenship alongside your existing nationality without renunciation.
What if my ancestor was Czechoslovak, not Czech?
Czechoslovakia dissolved in 1993 into Czech Republic and Slovakia. For citizenship purposes, Czechoslovak citizens who were residents of the Czech part of Czechoslovakia (Bohemia, Moravia, Silesia) became Czech citizens. If your ancestor was from the Slovak part, you may have a claim to Slovak citizenship instead.
Is there a language requirement?
No language requirement for the descent pathway under Section 31(3). Czech language proficiency is required for some other naturalization pathways but not for citizenship by descent.