The network of honorary consuls have played a significant role in Czech diplomacy ever since the times of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy. Much depleted in 1948-1989, it is now growing to again play an important part in the Czech Republic's consular service. Honorary consuls complement the network of career diplomatic missions and consular posts, assist Czech nationals, promote our country’s economic interests, and represent the Czech Republic in locations where maintaining a career diplomatic mission or consular post would be a cost-inefficient solution. At present, the Czech Republic has more than 250 honorary consulates worldwide. As mentioned above, their importance lies in supporting Czech diplomacy and economic relations, protecting the interests of Czech nationals, and strengthening bilateral relations.

This website is intended to provide honorary consuls with fundamental information about the Czech Republic, guidance on their consular functions, and advice on current developments in the fields of economy, trade, culture and education as well as on matters related to Czechs living abroad. It aims to build a strong working relationship between honorary consuls and Czech public authorities.

The status of consular offices is defined by the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. The instrument divides consular posts into two categories, namely:

• - consular post headed by career consular officers, and
• - consular post headed by honorary consular officers.

 Honorary consular posts are headed by honorary consular officers who are appointed to this position. To qualify for the appointment, the candidate must be a respected individual who has resided in the region for a long time, has detailed knowledge of the local conditions and excellent working relations with local authorities. An honorary consul is appointed on the proposal of the appropriate Czech diplomatic mission or consular post, subject to the consent of the receiving State.

Honorary consuls perform their duties on a voluntary and unpaid basis. Their work consists, primarily, in promoting the Czech Republic’s interests in the fields of economy, culture, science and education, assisting Czech nationals in distress and, last but not least, encouraging tourism as well as cultural and economic cooperation. The work done by the honorary consul is supervised by the head of the appropriate Czech diplomatic mission (embassy or consulate general).

The honorary consul's powers and responsibilities are laid down in the Statute of the Honorary Consular Officer of the Czech Republic. Additional details are provided in the Instructions relating to the Exercise of Consular Functions or, where applicable, in a public law contract concluded with the honorary consul upon taking office.

Honorary consuls pay an important part in ensuring efficient conduct of Czech foreign policy. In today's globalised world, their contribution will be increasingly important.