Significant Updates in Czech Citizenship Law
For years, a group of descendants of Czechoslovak emigrants faced a daunting challenge - obtaining Czech citizenship was unavailable to those born between 1949 and 1969 and their children. However, a new proposal is now underway, seeking to reshape the eligibility for acquiring Czech citizenship by heritage and open the door to reconnect with historical roots.
The proposed amendment to the Citizenship Act of the Czech Republic is currently in the initial phases of legislative consideration. Its main goal is to level the playing field for those aspiring to acquire citizenship by heritage. By extending eligibility to the fourth generation of direct descendants, the proposal challenges the existing limitation of a maximum of the third generation. However, the legislation change involves also a solution of historical injustices that persisted in the Citizenship Act since the communism era, limiting access to citizenship declaration by heritage for individuals born between 1949 and 1969. If the proposal is accepted, it could potentially redress inequalities among citizenship applicants, acknowledging circumstances beyond their control.
This persisting unfair legal framework resulted in instances where descendants of the same parents found themselves divided. Some had the opportunity to acquire citizenship, while others did not—a peculiar situation determined solely by the year of their birth.
Newly eligible individuals to declare Czech citizenship under the proposed bill include great-grandchildren of former citizens who lost Czechoslovakian citizenship and individuals born between October 1, 1949, and May 7, 1969, outside Czechoslovakia to a parent who was a Czechoslovakian citizen at that time, along with their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
The last-mentioned category of individuals had the opportunity to acquire citizenship by heritage through a declaration in 2014, but only for a very brief period of one year. A significant number of people were unaware of this option and missed the deadline. With this amendment, they would now have the chance to seize this opportunity once again. This inclusive approach strives to correct past oversights and provide a renewed chance for those who missed an opportunity to declare citizenship in 2014.
Anticipated to come into effect in the latter part of 2024, the amendment prompts an early call to action. Initiating the document collection process sooner rather than later is recommended, considering the necessity of gathering various documents from overseas for acquiring citizenship through ancestry.
Who will be newly eligible to apply for citizenship by heritage?
Great-grandchildren of former citizens who lost Czechoslovakian citizenship.
Individuals born between October 1, 1949, and May 7, 1969, outside Czechoslovakia to a parent who was a Czechoslovakian citizen at that time, along with their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Will this new procedure be temporally restricted?
No, unlike in 2014, there won't be any temporal restrictions.
Is the process challenging?
While obtaining citizenship by declaration is a simplified process compared to the standard citizenship application, the challenge may lie in gathering all necessary documents to prove your descent from Czechoslovak emigrants.
Exploring Your Eligibility for Czech Citizenship? Contact us at EXPATLEGAL, law office. Our lawyers are dedicated to helping you reconnect with your roots and assist you with your Czech citizenship application, guiding you every step of the way.