Czech and Russian dual citizenship: can you keep both

10 min read · Published 6 October 2026

The Czech Republic has allowed dual citizenship since 2014, but since 10 February 2025 a special rule applies to Russian citizens: Czech citizenship is granted only after renouncing Russian citizenship. Here is how it works and what the exceptions are.

In short

For Russian citizens, no: since 10 February 2025 the Czech Republic grants them citizenship only after they renounce Russian citizenship. For citizens of other countries dual citizenship is allowed, and children of mixed marriages get both passports at birth.

Previous passport on naturalisation	Kept, except for Russian citizens
Country rule	No need to give up your previous citizenship, except for Russian citizens
Legal basis	Czech Citizenship Act No. 186/2013, amended by Act No. 24/2025
What Russia requires	notify the Interior Ministry within 60 days
Checked	October 2026

Russia allows a second passport, so the restriction here is entirely Czech and applies only to Russian citizens.

What Czech Republic requires on naturalisation

The Czech Citizenship Act No. 186/2013 has allowed dual citizenship since 1 January 2014: citizens of most countries get a Czech passport while keeping their own. But Act No. 24/2025 added a rule for Russian citizens: since 10 February 2025 they are granted Czech citizenship only if they present a document proving loss of Russian citizenship. If the other conditions are met, the Interior Ministry issues a promise of citizenship and suspends the case until the applicant brings the renunciation document. The rule does not apply to those granted asylum in the Czech Republic or to applicants with a significant contribution to the country.

General conditions: 5 years of continuous permanent residence or 10 years of lawful residence in total, with at least half that period spent in the country. You need Czech above basic level and an exam on the country's institutions, history and culture, plus income, paid taxes and no burden on the welfare system for 3 years before applying. The application fee is 2,000 crowns, about $95, the language exam about $160 and the civics exam about $85. The ministry decides within 180 days.

What Russia requires

Russia allows a second citizenship and does not end its own, but inside the country treats you only as a Russian citizen (Article 10 of Federal Law No. 138-FZ on Citizenship).

Within 60 days of receiving the second passport, file a notification with the Interior Ministry (MVD). If you are abroad at that moment, the period runs from the day you enter Russia.
Attach a copy of the foreign passport or another document proving the citizenship.

Failure to notify falls under Article 330.2 of the Russian Criminal Code: a fine of up to $2,400 or up to one year of income, or up to 400 hours of compulsory work.
Late or incomplete notification: a fine of $10-15 under Article 19.8.3 of the Code of Administrative Offences.
A residence permit abroad must be reported under the same rules (Article 11 of Law No. 138-FZ).

A Russian citizen with a second passport may not hold state or municipal office, serve in government bodies or stand for election. The duties of a Russian citizen, including military service, remain, and inside Russia the second passport is not taken into account.

How to keep both passports: step by step

Live in the Czech Republic for 5 years with permanent residence or 10 years of lawful residence in total.
Pass the Czech language and civics exams. Those who studied in Czech for at least 3 years, children under 15 and people over 65 are exempt.
Apply at the regional office or a Prague district office with documents on income and taxes for 3 years.
Receive the promise of citizenship: for Russian citizens the case is then suspended until the renunciation document.
Renounce Russian citizenship through the consulate and bring the document: only then is a decision made.
If the Russian passport matters more, stay with permanent residence: it gives the right to live and work in the Czech Republic without giving up citizenship.

A Russian citizen cannot currently keep both passports when naturalising in the Czech Republic. Both passports are lawfully held only by those who got Czech citizenship by birth, such as children of a Czech parent.

What happens to children

A child with at least one Czech parent is a Czech citizen by birth. If the other parent is a Russian citizen, the child also gets Russian citizenship: the 2025 rule applies only to those applying for Czech citizenship, not to children who got it by birth.

If Russian parents naturalise, children are dealt with in the same way: minors need a separate set of documents, and renunciation of Russian citizenship is arranged for them too.

Taxes and military service

Taxes in the Czech Republic depend on tax residence: you become resident after 183 days a year or through a permanent home. Income tax is 15% and 23% above a threshold. The double tax agreement with Russia is effectively not working: Russia suspended its main articles in 2023.

The Czech Republic has no compulsory military service. Until renunciation of Russian citizenship is completed, the obligations of a Russian citizen, including military registration, remain.

Common mistakes

Applying while counting on keeping the Russian passport. Since 10 February 2025 no decision is made for a Russian citizen without the renunciation document.
Renouncing Russian citizenship before the promise. The ministry first checks the other conditions and issues the promise, then renunciation follows.
Not spending half the period in the country. Long absences reduce the residence that counts.
Not proving income and taxes. 3 years before filing are checked, including cross-border money transfers.
Failing the exams. Czech above basic level and the civics exam are required, except for exemptions.

How to get the Czech Republic citizenship

Czech citizenship is obtained after 5 years of permanent residence or 10 years of lawful residence, with language and civics exams. For Russian citizens the path ends with renouncing Russian citizenship, so for many it is wiser to stay with permanent residence. More about moving on the page Czech Republic.

You can check any pair of countries with the dual citizenship checker and compare all countries in the overview dual citizenship in 2026.

Weigh a Czech passport against Russian citizenship

The law does not stop you applying for Czech citizenship on your own. But for Russian citizens mistakes cost more than the fee: renouncing Russian citizenship before the ministry's promise, a residence period broken by long absences, incomplete income documents. We check whether an exception applies to you, count the period, prepare you for the exams and the documents, and arrange renunciation without a gap if you decide to go ahead.

The cost of support depends on the basis and the family; a consultant will calculate it in the chat.

Talk to a consultant now

This topic in other countries

Dual citizenship rules with Russia in other countries:

FAQ

Can you hold the Czech Republic and Russian citizenship at the same time?

For Russian citizens, no: since 10 February 2025 the Czech Republic grants them citizenship only after they renounce Russian citizenship. For citizens of other countries dual citizenship is allowed, and children of mixed marriages get both passports at birth.

Do I need to notify the Russian Interior Ministry about the Czech Republic citizenship?

Yes. A Russian citizen notifies the Interior Ministry of a second citizenship within 60 days under Article 10 of Law No. 138-FZ; failing to notify carries criminal liability under Article 330.2 of the Russian Criminal Code.

Can you hold Czech and Russian citizenship at the same time?

Not for a Russian citizen naturalising: since 10 February 2025 Czech citizenship is granted only after renouncing Russian citizenship. Children of a Czech parent can hold both from birth.

Does the Czech Republic allow dual citizenship?

Yes, since 1 January 2014. The exception applies only to Russian citizens applying for Czech citizenship.

Are there exceptions for Russians?

Yes: the rule does not apply to those granted asylum in the Czech Republic or to applicants with a significant contribution to the country.

How many years must you live in the Czech Republic before citizenship?

5 years of permanent residence or 10 years of lawful residence in total, with at least half the period spent in the country.

How much does Czech citizenship cost?

The fee is 2,000 crowns, about $95; the language exam is about $160 and the civics exam about $85.

What if I do not want to give up my Russian passport?

Stay with permanent residence: it gives the right to live and work in the Czech Republic without giving up citizenship.

How long does a Czech citizenship decision take?

The ministry decides within 180 days, but for Russian citizens the case is suspended until the document renouncing Russian citizenship.

Don’t want to figure this out alone?

We handle the whole process end to end: we check your documents, match a program to your situation and give you honest timelines and costs. Ask your question in the chat: the free consultation starts right here. Legal representation before authorities and courts is handled by Murblz specialists together with locally licensed partners.

The Murblz consultant replies straight away in the chat on this page. Describe your situation and we will work it out together.

Free consultation

Or message us on Telegram →

FreeConfidentialInstant reply

Czech and Russian dual citizenship: can you keep both

What Czech Republic requires on naturalisation

What Russia requires

How to keep both passports: step by step

What happens to children

Taxes and military service

Common mistakes

How to get the Czech Republic citizenship

This topic in other countries

FAQ

Don’t want to figure this out alone?

Read next

Russia double tax treaties in 2026: which countries still apply them

How to move to Europe from Russia in 2026

Estonian citizenship in 2026: how a foreigner gets it