Have Czech roots and dream of living in the heart of Europe?

If your parents or grandparents were of Czech nationality, you might be eligible for a special confirmation that can make your move to Czechia easier. It’s not a fast track to citizenship, but it can help you apply for a Czech Schengen visa or permanent residence with less hassle.

What Is the Confirmation of Belonging?

The Confirmation of Belonging to the Czech Expatriate Community is an official certificate issued by the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

It proves your Czech origin and serves as a supporting document for your visa or residence application.

And best of all? It’s completely free and available to foreigners who can show genuine links to Czech heritage.

Who Can Apply

You can apply if:

• You’re not a Czech citizen, but one of your parents or grandparents had Czech nationality.
• You keep Czech traditions or participate in Czech cultural life abroad.
• You’re a member of a Czech expatriate association outside Czechia.
• You plan to apply for a Czech visa or long-term residence permit.

This certificate confirms your connection to Czech culture and strengthens your application for living or working in Czechia.

When and How to Apply

You can apply at any time, but it’s best to do so about 90 days before submitting your visa or residence application.

If you live abroad, visit the nearest Czech embassy or consulate in your country. Or if you already reside in Czechia with a valid long-term or permanent permit, you can apply directly through the Special Envoy for Expatriate Affairs at the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

What you’ll need:

• A completed application form (available from the embassy).
• Your passport or ID.
• Documents proving Czech ancestry — such as birth certificates of your parents or grandparents.
• A short CV and family tree.
• Optionally, a letter confirming your membership in a Czech cultural organisation abroad.

The confirmation must be less than 180 days old at the time of submitting your visa or residence application.

Before we proceed with booking of your appointment, we kindly ask you to confirm that you have all the documents listed below ready for submission. Please also confirm that each document meets the formal requirements—namely, that they are in their original form, bear an apostille if issued outside the Czech Republic, and are officially translated into Czech.

1. Completed application form in the Czech language – “Žádost o vydání potvrzení o příslušnosti k české krajanské komunitě v zahraničí“.
2. Curriculum vitae in the Czech language – comprehensive
3. Family tree in the Czech language – clearly outlining your ancestral link to a Czech national. Please include for each individual:
   • full first name and surname
   • full date and place of birth
4. Civil Registry and/or other documents – these must demonstrate a continuous chain of relationships to a person who can verifiably be considered of Czech origin. These documents must be submitted as certified copies with certified translations and an apostille (applies to Australian documents).
   • your original birth certificate with apostille (if issued outside the Czech Republic), officially translated into the Czech language
   • other relevant original civil registry documents (e.g. birth, marriage, death and/or divorce certificates) with apostille (if issued outside the Czech Republic), officially translated into the Czech language
5. Passport – present the original passport. A simple copy of the data page will be taken during the appointment. You will be asked to sign the following declaration:
   “Souhlasím s pořízením kopie mého dokladu totožnosti v souvislosti s řízením o žádosti o Potvrzení o příslušnosti ke krajanské komunitě”.
6. Statement describing your ties to the Czech language and cultural environment (written in the Czech language) – in free form; it may include, for example, information about your family history, use of the Czech language and observance of Czech customs and traditions within your family, contacts with relatives in the Czech Republic, visits to the Czech Republic, etc.)
7. If applicable, Confirmation of your membership in a Czech expat association – if you are a member of a Czech community organisation, include a signed letter from the chairperson stating your personal details, the date you joined, and a brief description of your involvement. If the confirmation is in a foreign language, please include an official Czech translation.
8. If applicable, Certificate of Czech language exam – if you have taken a Czech language test (regardless of the institution or country), we recommend attaching a copy of the certificate as supporting evidence.
9. Copy of a family member’s Confirmation of Belonging to the Czech Expatriate Community – if a relative (e.g. parent, sibling, grandparent) already holds this confirmation (Potvrzení o příslušnosti ke krajanské komunitě) and you have a non-certified copy available, please include it with your application.

Please note: Do not include family photographs or newspaper clippings with your application.

Detailed information about the application for the Confirmation of Belonging to the Czech Expatriate Community (or Czech origin) Certificate (PPKK), including the application form, is available here: Potvrzení o příslušnosti k české krajanské komunitě v zahraničí – Aktualizace Potvrzení o příslušnosti k české krajanské komunitě v zahraničí | Ministerstvo zahraničních věcí České republiky & Potvrzení o příslušnosti ke krajanské komunitě – gov.cz

Need Help with Your Application?

Thinking about moving to Czechia? Don’t get lost in the paperwork.

Get clear answers before you start — book your FREE 15-minute online consultation with Oldřich Lang, our Immigration Specialist from Brno.

Secure your spot today and get expert guidance for your move to Czechia.

 

Source of Photo: Canva

Source of Text: portal.gov.cz