Czech citizenship

After at least five years of permanent residence (three for EU citizens), you can apply for Czech citizenship. You need to pass a Czech language exam and a civics test, show your income for the last three years, and pay CZK 2,000. The Czech Republic allows dual citizenship.

Citizenship by naturalisation (udělení státního občanství) is not automatic. The Ministry of the Interior decides, and there is no legal right to it even if you meet the conditions.

The basic condition is permanent residence for at least five years, or three years for EU citizens. Alternatively, you can apply if you have permanent residence and have lived here legally for at least ten years in total, counting earlier stays of other types. You must also have physically lived here for at least half of that time.

You must pass the exam in Czech language and Czech civics (zkouška z jazyka a reálií) at Charles University's Institute for Language and Preparatory Studies (ÚJOP UK). Some B1 or higher certificates recognised by ALTE, a Czech school-leaving exam or a state language exam can replace the language part, but not the civics part. People under 15 or over 65, people with at least three years of schooling taught in Czech, and people whose health does not allow it are exempt.

You also need a clean criminal record from abroad (not older than six months), confirmations that you have no debts with the tax office, customs, social security and your health insurer, and proof of your income and its source for the past three years. You must say whether you received social benefits in that time.

The fee is CZK 2,000 per adult and CZK 500 per child. You apply in person at the regional office for your permanent address.

Since the citizenship law that took effect in 2014, the Czech Republic allows dual and multiple citizenship, and you do not have to give up your current one under Czech law. Your home country may have its own rules, though, so check with its authorities first.

In Brno

In Brno, you apply at the South Moravian Regional Authority (Krajský úřad Jihomoravského kraje). Brno Expat Centre has a step-by-step guide in English.

In Prague

In Prague, you apply at the district office (úřad městské části) of Prague 1 to 22 for your permanent address.

Step by step

1. Check your years of permanent residence and time spent abroad.
2. Book and pass the language and civics exam at ÚJOP UK, unless you are exempt.
3. Get your foreign criminal record extract and have it translated and legalised.
4. Collect proof of income for three years and the no-debt confirmations.
5. Check whether your home country allows dual citizenship.
6. Apply in person at your regional office and pay the fee.

Last checked 2026-11-11. Open this guide in the app to add the dates to your calendar.