This article will take an in-depth look into Czech citizenship by descent (CBD), its eligibility requirements, benefits, and how to acquire it in 2024.
Nestled in the heart of Europe, the Czech Republic offers a primary European base for a second home, company, or investment. The country also has the sixth most powerful passport in the world, making for an excellent addition to your passport portfolio.
If you have Czech ancestors, don’t waste the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get your hands on a Tier A EU passport. Set up a call with us, and we’ll make the whole process a breeze for you.
Czech Republic – Country Overview
The Czech Republic shares its borders with Germany, Austria, Poland, and Slovakia.
The official language is Czech, and the currency is Czech Koruna.
The country is a perfect blend of old and new. In the Czech Republic, you’ll find UNESCO heritage sites, thousand-year-old architecture, modern world-class spas, unspoiled countryside, and more.
Prague, the capital city, is a UNESCO monument and one of the world’s most popular tourist spots.
Add in EU citizenship, and it’s a no-brainer to want to be a citizen of a country that brings so much to the table, and if you have a proven bloodline to go with it, it’s nothing short of a jackpot.
Before discussing how to get Czech citizenship by descent, let’s discuss why.
Benefits Of Obtaining Czech Citizenship By Descent
Strong Passport
The biggest reason to apply for Czech Republic citizenship by descent is its passport.
According to the Nomad Passport Index, the Czech passport is the sixth most powerful passport in the world, offering visa-free access to 172 countries worldwide.
If you’re a digital nomad, investor, or entrepreneur frequently traveling for business, investment opportunities, or just fun, being a Czech citizen will pay off excellently.
European Union Member State
The Czech Republic became a part of the European Union on May 1, 2004, which means that Czech citizens can live, work, and study anywhere in the EU.
Being an EU citizen, you’ll also have access to free tuition and universal healthcare. Moreover, Czech citizenship offers far more than lifestyle perks.
The EU is also the world’s largest single market making it a hub of opportunities for investors and entrepreneurs.
Whether you want to settle, study, or start a business in a prospering market, Czech citizenship will help you every step of the way.
Taxes in the Czech Republic
Although Czechia is far from tax-free, it’ll be unfair not to acknowledge how much it has simplified its personal and corporate taxes.
Personal income tax rates are 15% and 23%, while corporate income tax stands at 19%. While these aren’t low tax brackets, they aren’t high either.
With strategic tax planning, you can hope to lower your taxes in Czechia while enjoying all the perks of living in one of the most beautiful countries in the world.
Now that you know some of the most significant benefits of obtaining Czech citizenship, let’s see what the Czech law says about getting Czech citizenship by descent.
How To Get Czech Citizenship By Descent 2024
To apply for Czech citizenship by descent, you must prove your heritage, fulfill the eligibility criteria, and present personal and ancestral documents.
Also, the documents must be translated into the Czech language.
Before getting Czech citizenship, you should note that the Czech Republic and Slovakia came into existence after the dissolution of Czechoslovakia on January 1, 1993.
The dissolution date and the nationality of those living in the former Czechoslovakia region are of utmost importance when getting Czech citizenship through ancestry.
Let’s see who is eligible for Czech citizenship by descent and what the Czech law says about it.
Who Can Claim Czech Citizenship By Descent?
The foundation of Czech citizenship by descent can be found in the Czech Citizenship Act No. 186/2013 Section 31 (Acquiring Citizenship by Declaration).
Under the Czech Citizenship Act, applicants can claim their citizenship by declaration if:
- They have lost their Czech/Czechoslovak citizenship, or
- They are the direct descendants of current or former Czech/Czechoslovakian citizens
The points above are simplified, and their validity highly depends on the effective date of the amended Czech citizenship law (January 1, 2014).
Who Is Eligible For Czech Citizenship By Descent?
To be eligible for Czech citizenship, at least one of your ancestors (mother, father, or grandparents) must fulfill all the conditions mentioned below:
- born in the Czech Republic
- did not leave Czech Republic territory before 1918
- never became citizens of the Slovak Socialist Republic on January 1, 1969
- never had Slovak citizenship after January 1, 1969, or is/are currently citizen(s) of Slovakia.
If at least one of your direct ancestors meets all the criteria mentioned above, you’d still be eligible for Czech citizenship even if:
- They lost their Czech citizenship, or
- They were a Czechoslovakian citizen until 31st December 1992 and, since then, did not declare whether they were Czech or a Slovak citizen.
- The ancestors were born in Czechoslovakia between October 1, 1949, and May 7, 1969, and didn’t acquire Czech citizenship by declaration.
All the above points may seem pretty detailed, but they are, in fact, simplified. The law further mentions specific dates, nationality criteria, and affiliations that must be met for eligibility.
Let’s see what the Czech law states about citizenship by declaration.
What is the Czech Citizenship Act?
The Czech Citizenship Act No. 186/2013 Section 31 discusses the following significant clauses regarding Czech citizenship by declaration.
Section 31 Paragraph 2 – Former Czechoslovak Citizens
Former Czechoslovakian citizens who permanently resided in the Czech Republic/Czech Socialist Republic can also apply to acquire Czech citizenship by declaration.
The one exception is that the applicant cannot be a Slovak citizen on the declaration date.
Section 31 Paragraph 3 – Ancestry
Section 31 Paragraph 3 of the Czech Citizenship Act was amended in 2019 and discussed citizenship by ancestry for people of direct Czech origin.
Per Section 31.3, if your parents or grandparents are current or former Czech/Czechoslovakian nationals, you can apply for Czech citizenship by declaration.
How to Get Czech Citizenship by Descent – The Application Process
You can submit your Czech citizenship application to regional authorities if you are in the Czech Republic. However, if you live abroad, you can submit your application to your nearest Czech embassy.
The regional authorities will forward your application to the Czech Ministry of Interior within thirty days of your application submission.
It is up to the Ministry of Interior to accept or reject your application.
Once the Ministry receives your application, it can issue a decision regarding your citizenship within 120 days.
Should You Get Czech Citizenship by Descent?
A strong passport, an EU membership, and a simplified tax regime – Czechia offers everything a Nomad Capitalist could ever need.
Moreover, the Czech Republic has recognized the right of dual citizenship since 2013. So, you don’t need to worry about renunciation.
Considering all this, getting Czech citizenship by descent should be a no-brainer.
The Constitution can seem complicated, and the paperwork is another story altogether. From birth certificate to marriage certificate to death certificate, you will need to extract a bundle of documents proving your lineage.
This is where we come in. From speaking with clients we know how complicated and overwhelming it can seem. The rewards are considerable but the challenges of compiling documents and dealing with bureaucrats sounds insurmountable. That’s why we created our special citizenship by descent service to help make the process easier.
We’ll help you track down all the paperwork you need whiling walk you through every step of the process to guarantee you have the best possible chance of obtaining your new citizenship.
