The Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic has frozen the vast majority of citizenship applications submitted by Russian citizens, said the ministry’s official spokeswoman Hana Mala, emphasizing that the measures are related to the Lex Ukrajina 7 law that came into force in February 2025, as reported by vinegret.
According to the Ministry of the Interior, there are currently 2,250 applications from Russians residing in the Czech Republic registered with the ministry. With rare exceptions, these applications are not being processed — no procedural actions are being taken on them. Exceptions apply only to applicants under 15 years old, individuals who have applied for international protection (including political asylum), and citizens who are of special value to the Czech Republic, such as outstanding scientists or athletes.
Mala noted that the ministry has faced a similar situation before — involving granting citizenship to a person under international protection.
The amendment restricting citizenship issuance to Russian citizens was initiated by the STAN party, led by Interior Minister Vít Rakušan. To expedite the process, it was added to the Lex Ukrajina 7 bill, which regulates the extension of temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees — a standalone project might not have passed parliament.
The document provides for two key changes. First, all citizenship applications submitted by Russians have been suspended until the provisions on temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees expire, which directly depends on the end of Russia’s war against Ukraine. The end date is not yet determined. Second, Russians are required to renounce their citizenship before obtaining Czech citizenship. Currently, this only applies to applicants under 15 years old, but after the suspension is lifted, the measure will apply to all applicants. The process of renouncing Russian citizenship is complex and often requires personal presence in Russia, which, given political repression and restrictions, makes the process unsafe. Moreover, Russian authorities can delay the processing of renunciation.
The amendment applies exclusively to Russian citizens and does not affect other foreigners. According to Minister Rakušan, this decision is dictated by war conditions and national security concerns.
According to the Czech Ministry of the Interior, in 2024, 1,077 Russians obtained Czech citizenship, and in 2023 — 1,176. Both applicants themselves and Czech politicians oppose the new restrictions. In particular, the initiative group Jsme lidé, which unites Russians living in the Czech Republic, is campaigning to repeal the controversial amendment, calling it discriminatory.
