Visa & Residency

On this page you will find clear information about visas and residence permits for living in the Czech Republic. Browse the main stay options, key requirements, and step-by-step checklists, with links to official sources to help you plan your move and stay confidently.

Who needs a permit

  1. Nationals from EU/EEA countries and their family members generally have free access to the labour market in the Czech Republic and do not need a work permit.
  2. Third-country nationals (i.e., non-EU/EEA citizens) must typically have both a valid residence permit and a work authorisation (or a combined permit) to work.
  3. As of 1 July 2024, citizens of certain countries (Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, UK and USA) no longer require a separate work permit issued by the Labour Authority, though they still need the relevant residence/work visa arrangement.

Types of residency permits and visas

Permanent Residence Permit of an EU Citizen

A permanent residence permit of an EU citizen is a residence permit intended for EU citizens, and subject to conditions for some citizens of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Permanent residence permit is a condition for exercising some rights in the Czech Republic – e.g. it is necessary for obtaining citizenship. However, EU citizens can live and work in the Czech Republic with no residence permit.

Permanent Residence - General Information

If you meet the requirements stipulated by law, you can apply for a permanent residence permit. The permanent residence permit’s validity is not limited in time so it is not necessary to extend it. Only the validity of the residence permit document (biometric card) needs to be extended.

Under what conditions can you most often apply for a permanent residence permit? 

  • After 5 years of temporary residence in the Czech Republic. 
  • After 5 years of continuous residence in the EU Member States (only blue card holders and their family members who have been issued a long-term residence permit for the purpose of family reunification) 
  • Without the requirement of previous residence in the Czech Republic. It applies particularly to children born in the Czech Republic and minor children of parents with permanent residence.

Long-term Residence Permit for the Purpose of Seeking Employment or Starting a Business

is intended for third countries citizens who completed their studies of a university-accredited study programme or completed scientific research in the Czech Republic and wish to seek employment or start a business.

You can apply for a long-term residence permit for the purpose of seeking employment or starting a business if:

  • you hold a long-term residence permit for the purpose of studies and you have completed a university-accredited study programme.
  • you hold a long-term residence permit for the purpose of scientific research and you have completed this research.

Long-term Visa for the Purpose of Doing Business

A visa for a stay longer than 90 days (a long-term visa) for the purpose of doing business is intended for third countries nationals who want to carry out business activities in the Czech Republic.

Who can apply for a long-term visa for the purpose of doing business? 

You can apply for a long-term visa for the purpose of doing business if you are going to carry out business activities, a licensed trade, be self-employed, be a statutory body or a member of a statutory body of a trading company in the Czech Republic.

Special Work Visa

A long-term special work visa is a residence permit intended for the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldavia, Northern Macedonia and Ukraine, who want to work in the Czech Republic temporarily.

Who can apply for a long-term special work visa? 

You can apply for a special work visa if you are a citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldavia, Northern Macedonia and Ukraine. 

The job you are planing to perform must fall into one of the following categories: 

  • Crop and animal production, gamekeeping and associated activities,
  •  forestry and logging, 
  • manufacture of food products, 
  • or manufacture of beverages.

Visa for a Stay Longer than 90 Days for the Purpose of a Working Holiday

A visa for a stay longer than 90 days (a long-term visa) for the purpose of a working holiday is intended for the citizens of those third countries with which the Czech Republic has a correspondent bilateral agreement. The objective of a working holiday is to improve one’s language skills, or to get to know the culture and the society of the target country and to work there temporarily. As the agreements with individual countries differ, below you can find the application’s details per individual country.

Employee Card

An employee card is a type of long-term residence permit that enables third countries citizens to stay and work legally in the Czech Republic for a period longer than 3 months.

Choose Employee Card if:

  • You don’t have a university degree (or your job doesn’t require it).
  • Your salary is below the Blue Card threshold.
  • You just want to work in Czechia without specific plans to move around the EU as a highly skilled worker.

Blue Card

A blue card is a type of a long-term residence permit that enables third country citizens to stay and work legally in the Czech Republic for a period longer than 3 months at a position requiring high qualifications.

Choose EU Blue Card if:

  • You have a degree and a high-qualified position.
  • Your salary meets the 1.5× average requirement.
  • You care about:
    • Stronger status for future EU mobility,
    • Potentially easier permanent residence in the EU,
    • Better options for your family.

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