Citizenship of the Czech Republic: Minimum periods of residence for foreigners

The path to Czech citizenship begins with legal residence in the country for several years. However, the minimum period may vary significantly depending on your situation. Find out more about the current deadlines, naturalization rules, and the stages of obtaining a Czech passport

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Obtaining Czech citizenship is a lengthy process that directly depends on the period of legal residence in the country. For most foreigners, it is not a matter of a few months, but years of permanent residence with resident status. The requirements differ depending on the grounds for residence, the type of residence permit and the applicant's citizenship. On average, 3 to 10 years of legal residence are required before applying for a passport

In this article, we will analyze what exactly the deadlines are in 2025, what they depend on, and what the path from a temporary residence permit to Czech citizenship looks like.

Earlier, we told you that the Czech Republic is experiencing rapid wage growth due to the economic recovery.

Who can obtain Czech citizenship?

Foreigners who have been legally residing in the country for a long time and meet the requirements of the migration legislation can apply for Czech citizenship. The key conditions are continuous residence in the Czech Republic for a specified period of time and a valid residency status.

The right to apply for citizenship usually arises after at least 10 years of residence in the country or through a simplified naturalization procedure for certain categories of persons

The main requirements for applicants include:

- Reaching the age of 18;

- Successful integration into Czech society;

- No threats to state security and public order;

- Compliance with the residency requirement (the established period of residence);

- Czech language proficiency at the level not lower than B1;

- No criminal record in the Czech Republic and the country of origin;

- Knowledge of the Czech Constitution, history and geography;

- Confirmed stable income;

- No dependence on state social assistance.

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How many years do I need to live in the Czech Republic to obtain citizenship?

The period of residence in the Czech Republic before applying for citizenship depends on the migration status of the foreigner and the grounds for staying in the country. The law distinguishes between temporary and permanent residence, and also makes certain exceptions for citizens of the European Union.

In general, the following terms apply:

- 5 years of residence with a permanent residence permit;

- 10 years of total legal residence if most of this period was spent with a temporary residence permit;

- 3 years for EU citizens after obtaining permanent resident status.

In practice, the path to citizenship looks like a step-by-step process. First, a foreigner obtains a long-term visa of type D, then obtains a temporary residence permit for a period of usually up to two years with the possibility of extension. After five years of legal residence, you can apply for permanent residence, and after a few more years - for citizenship.

It is important that the residence is continuous and legal: long trips out of the country, violation of the migration regime, or lack of a valid residence permit may result in the period being recalculated or reset to zero.

You can learn more about the procedure for registering for a tolerance visa extension in the Czech Republic here.

What are the grounds for legal residence in the Czech Republic?

The period of time required to obtain citizenship directly depends on the grounds on which a foreigner resides in the Czech Republic. It determines the type of residence permit, the possibility of its extension, and the subsequent transition to permanent residence.

Employment

One of the most common options is to work under an employment contract in a Czech company. A foreigner applies for an employee card, which is usually issued for a period of up to two years with the possibility of extension.

After five years of continuous residence, you can apply for permanent residence, and after another five years - for citizenship.

Studying

The right to reside is granted to students of Czech secondary and higher education institutions, participants of language programs and long-term internships.

Initially, a temporary residence permit for 1-2 years is issued with an extension. After five years of legal residence, you can obtain permanent residence, and then move towards citizenship according to the general procedure.

Family reunification

Family members of Czech citizens or residents can obtain a residence permit: spouses, children, and in some cases, parents and other dependents.

The mechanism is the same: temporary residence → permanent residence after 5 years → the possibility to apply for citizenship after about 10 years of total residence in the country.

Business and investment

The ground is suitable for entrepreneurs, company owners and investors. It is necessary to confirm real economic activity and a legal source of income.

A temporary residence permit is usually issued for a period of up to two years with an extension. After five years, permanent residence is available, and citizenship is granted after ten years of residence.

Stages of obtaining Czech citizenship: From residence permit to passport

The process of obtaining Czech citizenship consists of several mandatory stages. It is impossible to skip any of them, even if the grounds for residence are legal and stable.

1. Long-term visa (type D)

Moving to the Czech Republic usually begins with obtaining a type D national visa. It allows you to legally stay in the country for more than 90 days and apply for a temporary residence permit.

The visa is issued for a specific purpose: work, study, family reunification, entrepreneurship or investment.

2. Temporary residence permit (TRP)

A temporary residence permit is issued for a period of one to two years and can be extended multiple times. During this period, a foreigner must:

- Comply with the migration regulations;

- Reside in the Czech Republic without long breaks;

- Confirm the purpose of stay;

- Have legal sources of income and accommodation.

It is the years spent with a residence permit that form the basis for further obtaining permanent residence status.

3. Permanent residence (permanent residence)

After five years of continuous legal residence, one can apply for permanent residence. This status grants almost the same rights as citizenship, except for the right to vote and to obtain a passport.

Permanent residency is a prerequisite for most applicants who plan to naturalize.

4. Applying for citizenship

After fulfilling the requirements for residence, language proficiency, integration and financial stability, a foreigner can apply for Czech citizenship.

The application process can take from several months to a year, as not only the documents are checked, but also the actual fulfillment of all the criteria for residence and integration.

If you are planning to move to the Czech Republic or are already living there and want to obtain citizenship in the future, it is important to build a proper migration strategy from the very beginning. Visit Ukraine's lawyers help you assess your situation, choose the best grounds for residence, prepare documents for residence permit and permanent residence, and accompany you at all stages of legalization in the country. This allows you to avoid mistakes, loss of time and problems with migration authorities in the future.

We remind you! European countries are gradually revising their approach to supporting Ukrainians, changing the rules of social assistance and conditions of stay. What was considered standard state support a few years ago is now increasingly being restricted or transformed. Read more about which countries are tightening conditions for Ukrainians and what to consider before moving.

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