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Since 2019, it has been possible to obtain Czech citizenship through grandparents. This amendment is intriguing not only for families forced to leave Czechoslovakia after 1948 but also for the descendants of emigrants who departed the country earlier.
Czech Citizenship Through Parents or Grandparents
The amendment to the Citizenship Act in 2019 also allows individuals to obtain Czech citizenship if at least one of their parents or grandparents held citizenship in the former Czechoslovakia. Therefore, children can now apply for Czech citizenship, a possibility that did not exist before the amendment. Prior to this change, families were often legally divided—where one child had a different citizenship than another, depending on the date allowing dual citizenship acquisition. It was not merely a formality; the second child had the rights and responsibilities of a citizen of the Czech Republic, while the first did not. This situation, for instance, hindered travel, returning to the Czech Republic, or attending schools.
The amendment also extended the opportunity to acquire Czech citizenship not only to the descendants of emigrants from the past regime but also to the grandchildren of those who left Czechoslovakia before World War II. To obtain Czech citizenship, they only need at least one Czech parent or one Czech grandparent.
When Czech Citizenship Cannot Be Obtained
It is essential to emphasize that the possibility of acquiring Czech citizenship does not apply to former citizens, or their descendants, if citizenship was lost after World War II based on the so-called Beneš Decrees. Additionally, individuals who have chosen Slovak citizenship are also ineligible to obtain Czech citizenship.
Dual Citizenship
Historically, the Czech Republic did not allow dual citizenship, requiring Czech emigrants to renounce their Czech citizenship when acquiring foreign citizenship. This changed on January 1, 2014, when the Czech Republic started permitting dual citizenship. Individuals who historically lost Czech citizenship now have the opportunity to reclaim it and thus hold dual citizenship.
What Needs to be Submitted
To obtain Czech citizenship, a citizen has a legal right if they provide the necessary documents and complete the relevant forms. These documents must be submitted in their original form and translated into Czech. If the documents are from abroad, it is generally necessary to have them authenticated with an apostille. To acquire citizenship, it is necessary to submit birth, marriage, and, if applicable, death certificates for all individuals listed in the application—meaning the applicant and potentially their parents and grandparents. Additionally, documentation proving the date and manner of the loss of Czech or Czechoslovak citizenship of at least one of the parents or grandparents must be provided.
Submitting an Application from Abroad
Handling the entire process may seem complex, especially for individuals without a delivery address in the Czech Republic and those who do not have sufficient command of the Czech language. However, the entire process of obtaining Czech citizenship and Czech birth certificates can be managed from abroad. At Holubová Lawyers, we have experience with such cases and are happy to assist you. We are ready to represent you. Personal presence is only required at the final step, i.e., when obtaining a passport or ID card.
Do not hesitate to contact us.
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Jasper Brinkman
Jasper Brinkman
"Following a devastating hotel fire in Prague, the law firm Holubová advokáti, led by attorney Klara Dvorakova, successfully represented our extended family as a group of victims. The firm navigated complex international insurance and compensation laws to defend our rights.
I would like to acknowledge the extraordinary efforts the firm had to make to bring our case to a successful compensation under extremely difficult circumstances."
Stewarts
Stewarts
"A visit to her daughter in London turned Eva's life upside down when she says she stepped into a crossing on a green light but was hit by a car. Despite her remarkable bravery, she faced a long treatment due to fractures in her pelvis, and the associated limitations and pain are likely to persist for the rest of her life. Regular headaches and impaired concentration compound her challenges.
Eva contacted us through an organization temporarily helping her manage her difficult living situation. At that time, she was destitute, relying only on subsistence payments. We were able to assist her because we specialize in personal injury and have contacts with proven colleagues abroad.
We worked with Stewarts, a UK law firm, on this case. Attorneys Klára Dvořáková and Rebecca Huxford helped Eva with the documentation in her case, explaining her options and the differences between the Czech and British systems of healthcare and social benefits reimbursement. Within a few months, thanks to the professional cooperation between the two offices, an offer of compensation from the insurance company of approximately CZK seven million was achieved. The client accepted this settlement because she did not want to deal with courts in the United Kingdom.
Subsequently, we assisted the client with related tax issues and contacted Auditone, a tax consultancy firm, which arranged for the filing of a tax return. Compensation for lost income is taxable, unlike most personal injury compensation.
'No one has done as much for me as you,' Eva said.
The fact that we were able to help Eva gives our work meaning and brings us great joy. We are very happy that, thanks to our many years of active involvement in the international professional organization PEOPIL, we can cooperate on such cases."