Czech citizenship by grant
naturalisation · Official name: Udělení státního občanství České republiky
The Ministry of the Interior may grant Czech citizenship to people who have held permanent residence for 5 years (3 years for EU citizens), have actually lived in Czechia, pass a Czech language exam and a civics test, show their income and taxes for 3 years, and have a clean record. There is no right to citizenship; it is discretionary. Citizenship starts when the oath is taken.
Life in Czechia
Finance
3
Currency
Czech Koruna
CZK
Czech Koruna
Cost of living
67
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
15–23%
Income tax (national)
VAT 21%
23% on the tax base above 36 times the average wage (CZK 1,762,812 for 2026); a basic taxpayer credit applies.
Living
1
Happiness
#19 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
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Whether this country allows dual citizenship, and what it means for your own passports
Who it’s for
Permanent residents of Czechia, and some groups with waivers (spouses of Czech citizens, people born in Czechia, refugees).
Eligibility
Permanent residence
Sign in to check this route against your profileYou need at least 5 years of continuous permanent residence, or permanent residence plus earlier lawful residence totalling at least 10 years.
Residence required
- Standard
- 5 years
- EU, EEA, Swiss citizens
- 3 years
- Combined residence
- 10 years
- Waivers exist for people born in Czechia and former Czech citizens
- Waivers exist for spouses and children of Czech citizens
- Waivers exist for people under 18, stateless people and refugees
Official wording
At least 5 years of continuous permanent residence (3 years for EU, EEA and Swiss citizens), or permanent residence plus earlier lawful residence totalling at least 10 years. Waivers for people born in Czechia, former Czech citizens, spouses and children of Czech citizens, people under 18, stateless people and refugees.
Actual presence
Sign in to check this route against your profileYou need to have actually lived in Czechia for at least half of the required period.
Tolerated absences
- Normal absencein a row
- 2 months
- Pregnancy, illness, study, work tripsin a row
- 6 months
Official wording
Actually living in Czechia for at least half of the required period. Absences up to 2 months in a row, or up to 6 months for pregnancy, serious illness, study or work trips, are tolerated.
Clean criminal record
Sign in to check this route against your profileShow no final conviction for an intentional crime, or a negligent one with an unconditional prison term.
- Checked in Czechia, your home country, and countries lived in over 6 months
- Look-back for other countries: the last 10 years
- This requirement cannot be waived
Official wording
No final conviction for an intentional crime (or a negligent one with an unconditional prison term) in Czechia, the home country, or countries lived in for over 6 months in the last 10 years. Cannot be waived.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirement
- Document checklist
- Fees
The full requirements are for members
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- 3 more requirements
- 5 documents
- 3 fees
- 5 steps
- Processing times and conditions
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