A residence permit in the Czech Republic is an immigration status that grants a foreigner the right to legally reside, work and conduct business activities in the territory of the country. In order to obtain temporary residence, you need a reason (e.g., employment, enrollment in a university or investment), prepare documents and submit an application. The rules of immigrants’ residence and the conditions for acquiring a residence permit are regulated by the Law No. 326/1999 “On the Residence of Foreigners in the Czech Republic”.

The status of a temporary resident of the Czech Republic provides for a restriction in rights – the holder of a residence permit can enter without a visa only in the EU and Schengen area, and to be employed only in the territory of the Republic. At the same time, the passport of one of the EU countries opens almost unlimited opportunities for employment, business, education and tourism. To obtain EU citizenship it is not necessary to reside on the territory of a certain state for a long period of time – applicants can apply for EU passport programs within 4 months or less. The details of the simplified procedure, conditions of participation and other details can be found out at a consultation with a Relocation Compass migration specialist.

What does the resident status give

By applying for a residence permit in the Czech Republic, a foreigner receives a number of opportunities:

• legal residence on the territory of the country for two years with the right to further extend the period of stay;
• access to the labor market, if the type of residence permit card provides for such permission;
• medical care after registration in the Czech health care system or on the basis of an insurance policy;
• the right to visit member states of the European Union and Schengen area without additional permits;
• the right to cross the borders of the Czech Republic for entry and exit without restrictions;
• the right to apply for a Czech passport in the future.

Ways to obtain a residence permit

In order to legally reside in the Czech Republic for longer than 3 months, it is necessary to have grounds for obtaining a residence permit. The table below shows the cost and terms of legalization of temporary residence status depending on the purpose of stay in 2024.

Investments and business

It is possible to obtain a residence permit for the Czech Republic for 2 years with the right to extend it for a similar period on the basis of investments. Foreign entrepreneurs and/or managers of foreign commercial companies may apply for temporary residence. The Czech residence permit is granted if the investor fulfills the following conditions:

• invests at least CZK 75 million (EUR 2,980,856) in the company;
• undertakes to create at least 20 new jobs for at least 2 years for European Union citizens (including their family members).

The investor does not have to invest the entire amount mentioned above – 60% of it can be replaced by various tangible and intangible assets, e.g., equipment. Additional documents to be attached to the dossier when requesting a residence permit:

• confirmation of registration as an entrepreneur;
• a business plan describing the target orientation of the funds to be invested;
• a document issued not earlier than 30 days ago, confirming authorization to transfer money;
• financial statements of the company for the last 2 calendar/reporting years;
• a statement confirming that the company has not been declared insolvent in the country of incorporation;
• certificate of origin of funds and assets;
• confirmation of the absence of outstanding debts to Czech state authorities, e.g., customs, treasury.

Doing business in the Czech Republic is another reason for applying for a residence permit. Foreigners who plan to:

• carry out entrepreneurial activities as legal entities;
• register as self-employed;
• become members of the statutory body of a trading company;
• carry out licensed trade;
• carry out activities as a statutory body.

It is possible to obtain a residence permit in the Czech Republic on the basis of running a business for 2 years. An entrepreneur can repeatedly extend his temporary residence status for the same period. Businessmen add the following documents to the basic dossier:

• proof of regular monthly income to cover the costs of staying in the Czech Republic (minimum 178 EUR) and rent (at least 665 EUR);
• a certificate of registration of the company in the Czech commercial register or the register of trade licenses;
• proof of absence of debts to Czech state authorities.

The advantages of carrying out investment and/or business activities in the Czech Republic include the possibility of increasing monthly income. Entrepreneurs will also be able to conclude contracts, cooperate with companies registered in other EU countries or enter the pan-European market on their own.

Work

An immigrant who comes to the state for employment purposes can apply for a Czech residence permit. Such foreigners receive an employee card.

A labor immigrant receives temporary residence for a maximum of 2 years with the right to extend the status for a similar period. In this case, the period of validity of the document depends on:

• the period for which the contract with the Czech employer is concluded;
• the period during which the work permit is valid;
• the period specified in the decision of the authorized state body on the immigrant’s right to engage in certain employment activities.

It is necessary that the vacancy for which the foreigner is applying is registered in the Central Vacancy Database. Otherwise, the employer will not be able to employ the immigrant in the company.

When changing jobs in the Czech Republic (including transfer to another position) it is necessary to inform the Ministry of the Internal Affairs about this fact. At the end of the employment relationship, it is necessary within 60 days to conclude a new contract with another Czech employer or obtain a residence permit on another basis – otherwise the employee card will be canceled.

The basic dossier is supplemented by a contract with a Czech employer, a work agreement or another similar document. It is also necessary to provide proof of registration of the vacancy in the Central Vacancy Database, if the data about it were not entered in the application for residence permit.

The main advantage of employment in the Czech Republic is the opportunity to improve your financial situation. In 2024 the average monthly salary in the country amounted to 1 746 EUR, which will be enough to cover not only basic expenses.

Education

Studying in the Czech Republic is the basis for obtaining a residence permit. A temporary residence card for 2 years with the right to extend it until the end of studies is issued to a student who fulfills one of the following conditions:

• enrolled in a Czech higher education institution;
• is enrolled in a language or professional training program of a state university / EU university or on the basis of an international agreement;
• will conduct research at a Czech university.

Receiving education at a secondary school, higher vocational school or within the framework of one of the international student exchange programs is also a basis for obtaining a residence permit. In this case, the temporary resident status is issued for one year, and the extension is available until the end of studies.

Immigrants to the basic file is required to attach a certificate of enrollment in an educational institution or the original certificate of study (e.g., student card). Minors should provide parental consent. It is also necessary to provide proof of funds to cover the costs of living in the Czech Republic during the period of study. For example, if the expected duration of study is 1 year, adult applicants need to have about 4,602 EUR, and applicants under 18 years of age – 2,301 EUR. Alternatively, a statement can be provided that the immigrant’s living expenses are covered by the host organization, a legal entity.

Immigrants should consider the option of studying in the Czech Republic, because in this case they can get a diploma of international standard, which is recognized in almost all countries of the world. In addition, some universities of the republic (for example, Charles University) are represented in the ranking of the best educational institutions in the world QS World University Rankings.

Marriage and family reunification

To obtain a residence permit in the Czech Republic, the person inviting the immigrant must be a citizen or resident of the country. The following persons are eligible to move:

• spouse or registered partner at least 20 years old;
• a single/divorced parent or a widower over 65 years of age;
• minor natural/ adopted children (including those of the partner);
• a single/divorced parent or widower (regardless of age) who is unable to support themselves for health reasons;
• adult financially dependent children who are unable to support themselves due to disability or other health problems.

The period for which an applicant receives a residence permit card depends on the immigration status of the inviting person – see the table for details.

If the inviting person is a resident of the Czech Republic, it is necessary that he/she meets one of these requirements:

• resides in the republic with a residence permit/permanent residence permit for at least 15 months;
• has an employee card and stays in the country for more than six months;
• has obtained a residence permit on the basis of making investments;
• is a holder of an EU Blue Card or an employee card issued on the basis of an intra-corporate transfer (including from a company registered in another EU country);
• has received or applied for a residence permit for the purpose of conducting scientific research, finding a job and/or establishing a business.

If a minor child, single parent (regardless of age), family member of an asylum seeker applies for reunification, the inviting person does not need to meet the above-mentioned requirements.

In addition to the basic dossier, asylum seekers need to supplement the basic dossier with documents proving kinship with a resident/citizen of the Czech Republic, e.g., a marriage certificate. If the status is requested for a minor, the parents need to provide written consent. Also, the inviting person must have a stable monthly income to cover the living expenses of family members – see the table for details.

Additionally, the inviting person needs to prove that he/she has enough money each month to cover the housing costs. The required amount depends on the number of family members:

• one-two — 665 EUR;
• three – 764 EUR;
• four and more — 922 EUR.

The advantage of the basis of family reunification is that the invitees have the right to work in the Czech Republic without a special permit.

Real estate in Czech Republic as a ground for application for a residence permit

The fact of buying real estate in the Czech Republic is not a basis for obtaining a residence permit. However, having your own apartment/house in the country can positively influence the decision of the state authorities to grant the status of temporary resident. This is due to the fact that when applying for a residence permit applicant should confirm the place of residence in the country. Also buying real estate in the Czech Republic is a profitable investment in order to get profit from renting.

Process of applying for residence permit in Czech Republic

The general procedure of applying for a Czech residence permit consists of 4 steps:

1. Request of a residence permit.
   The application must be submitted to the Czech embassy/consulate in the country of citizenship/permanent residence. Before visiting the state body, it is necessary to book a time for the visit via e-mail. After the embassy/consulate employee receives all documents, the immigrant pays the state fee and waits for the decision. You can track the status of the application processing on the official portal by individual number.
2. Issuance of a long-term visa type D/VR.
   This stage can be bypassed only by persons who already have an entry permit or those who can cross the border within the visa-free regime. After the residence permit application is approved, you should apply to the Czech embassy/consulate to request a D/VR visa. The application is processed for an average of 3 months, but the period for businessmen can be extended up to 120 days. Consular fee for D/VR visa is about 100 EUR, business owners pay about 199 EUR.
3. Entry and registration.
   If a foreigner has arrived in the Czech Republic on the basis of a D/VR visa, he/she must register at the nearest department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs within 30 days from the date of entry, and within the visa-free regime – within a period of up to 3 days. During the visit to the state body, the employee signs up the immigrant to submit biometric data.
4. Receipt of the temporary resident ID card.
   The term of issuance of a temporary resident ID card is 60 days from the date of submission of biometric data. To obtain the document, it is required to apply to a branch of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

It should be noted that a foreign entrepreneur can request a residence permit only on the territory of the Czech Republic. In this regard, the businessman must first obtain a long-term visa type D/VR, enter the country and then apply to the Ministry of Internal Affairs for a temporary resident card.

Czech residence permit does not grant a foreigner all the rights of EU citizens and requires regular renewal. A specialist of the Relocation Compass company will suggest more attractive options of programs that lead to obtaining an EU passport during a personal consultation.

Required package of documents

To apply for a Czech residence permit, the applicant needs to prepare:

• ID card.
  It is necessary to present a document issued not more than 10 years ago and officially recognized by the Czech Republic – e.g., a passport or ID card. It is required that the passport has at least 2 blank pages and that all information in it is legible.
• Application.
  The application form differs depending on the basis of immigration. The data must be entered in capital/printed letters in the Czech language or in the Latin alphabet. If there is not enough space for any information in the section provided, it must be entered on a separate sheet of paper.
• Proof of housing in the Czech Republic.
  Proof can be a document of ownership of real estate. It is also allowed to submit a rental agreement for an apartment/house.
• Photos.
  It is necessary to attach a 35 x 45 mm color or black-and-white photo without glare and retouching, which hide/alter the applicant’s facial traits.

Also attached to the basic dossier are documents confirming the purpose of immigration, the exact list depends on the grounds. In addition, may be required:

• Criminal record certificate.
  This document should be requested from all countries where the applicant has resided for at least 6 months in the last 3 years.
• Health certificate.
  The document should be in the form of a medical report (signed by a doctor and stamped by the institution) and confirm the absence of dangerous infectious diseases of the applicant.

Reasons for refusal and what to do with it

A foreigner will not be granted residence permit status if he or she does not have a legitimate reason for requesting it. Refusal is given to persons who provide false information about themselves, fictitious documents and/or an incomplete file. The status is also not granted if an employee of the Czech state body establishes the fact that the costs of the foreigner’s stay will be covered from the budget of the Republic. You can appeal against the refusal within 15 days of receiving the decision. For successful immigration, the applicant will need to comply with all the conditions of the Czech legislation.

Whether it possible to lose the status

Unlike citizenship, which is almost impossible to lose, the Czech residence permit card can be revoked if the immigrant no longer meets the conditions of its original issuance. It is also possible to lose the status of temporary resident for other reasons:

• in case of lack of own/rented housing;
• due to the commission of a crime that qualifies as a threat to national and/or public security;
• if you have been sentenced to imprisonment for a period of one year or more in the Czech Republic or another EU country.

The Czech residence permit card allows you to reside legally in the country, but its validity is limited. With a residence permit you can travel around the EU and Schengen countries without a visa, but for travel to other countries you need to request permission.

A more attractive option for legalization in the European Union is to apply for a passport under an accelerated procedure. You can find out the details of legalization under the simplified program at a consultation with a Relocation Compass migration specialist.