The consular service is an integral part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic (MFA). Its main task is to perform the functions of the executive branch vis-à-vis individuals (natural and legal persons) abroad. The consular service serves Czech nationals as well as foreigners.

In international relations, the basic principle is sovereign equality, which means that no state can exercise sovereign power over the territory of another state, unless provided otherwise by international law. The fundamental document defining areas and boundaries of diplomatic mission’s powers in relation to individuals is the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 24 April 1963, published in MFA Regulation No. 32/1969.

Within the MFA structure, the consular service falls within the responsibility of the Consular Department (providing service to Czech nationals abroad) and the Consular Policy and Methodology Department (in charge of the tasks relating to the entry and stay of foreigners in the territory of the Czech Republic). Both departments are part of the Legal and Consular Section of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic.

Outside the Czech Republic, consular services are provided by consular sections of embassies and by consular posts. There are two types of consular posts: a consular post headed by a career consular officer and an honorary consular post.

The network of Czech honorary consulates, supervised by Czech career posts, continues to develop and improve. The Czech Republic has nearly 170 honorary consulates in different parts of the world. Like some other countries, the Czech Republic increasingly relies on honorary consulates to complement its network of career consulates. Honorary consuls do not have the status of Czech civil servants. However, they must have the required qualifications, including good social standing and knowledge of the local conditions. Honorary consuls receive no salary and are expected to pay the costs incurred by their consulates.

Czech honorary consulates are increasingly important actors in the process of developing bilateral contacts in areas such as economy, trade, science and technology and culture, especially in countries where the Czech Republic has no career embassy or consulate. They play an irreplaceable role in promoting the Czech Republic in their countries, and in assisting Czech nationals and companies faced with problems abroad.

The Czech Republic’s consular service is also responsible for providing consular protection to EU citizens in a third country in situations such as accident, loss of travel documents, emergency, arrest or detention, etc. The general principle for addressing such situations is enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. Its Article 46 states that every citizen of the EU shall, in the territory of a third country in which the Member State of which he or she is a national is not represented, be entitled to protection by the diplomatic or consular authorities of any Member State, on the same conditions as the nationals of that Member State. A similar provision can be found in Article 20 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.