Visas, residence permits, and citizenship in the Czech Republic
For immigrants hoping to be granted full citizenship in the Czech Republic, the wait can last a decade. In most cases, this is how the process plays out:
- A type C short-term visa for 90 days over six months
- Type D long-term visa for a year
- Two temporary residence permits lasting two years each
- Permanent residency for five years.
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Citizens of countries which do not have a visa waiver agreement with Schengen Area member states need to apply for a type C visa before travelling. It permits a maximum stay of 90 days every six months and it’s possible to apply for a single or multi-entry document.
Applicants can receive a visa for one, two, or five years from the Czech consulate. They can also be denied entry.
Grounds for short-term Schengen visas to the Czech Republic:
- tourism or medical treatment;
- invitation from a business partner;
- culture or sports;
- studies or scientific research;
- employment;
- invitation from an individual;
- property ownership;
- legal entity foundation;
- if the applicant has any family members who are EU nationals;
- if the applicant is under 18 years of age and has parents who are long-term or permanent residents of the Czech Republic.
Applicants for a Schengen visa must book an appointment online through the Czech Visa Service Centre’s website. According to the new rules, the documents can be submitted from six months before the trip.
If applying for the first time, applicants need to submit their biometric data (fingerprints) in person at a visa application centre.
Visas for real estate owners
Owning a property in the Czech Republic entitles the owner to a multiple entry Schengen Visa, which allows the holder to spend 90 days of six months (180 days of one year in total) in the region. Property owners and their parents, spouses, children (under 18), and grandchildren are also eligible for this type of visa.
If their property is in the process of being built, applicants need to provide an extract of the land register or the agreement with the developer.
515,000 €
Total area 142 m² 3 bedrooms
317,000 €
Total area 81 m² 2 bedrooms
737,000 €
Total area 181 m² 3 bedrooms
363,000 €
Total area 103 m² 1 bedroom
426,000 €
Total area 135 m²
309,000 €
Total area 56 m² 2 bedrooms
395,000 €
Total area 64 m² 2 bedrooms
730,000 €
Total area 159 m² 3 bedrooms
LONG-TERM VISA
On a long-term type D visa, it’s possible to live in the Czech Republic for 90 days of six months (no more than 180 days of one year in total). This is a multiple-entry visa and it’s valid for one year.
Grounds for long-term visas for the Czech Republic:
- studies;
- cientific research;
- family reunification;
- business;
- sporting activities;
- residence permit arrangement.
Visa applications need to be submitted in person at a Czech embassy or visa centre if applying from outside the Czech Republic, after an appointment has been made online. All documents must be submitted personally and exclusively in the Czech language. Certificates issued in a foreign language need to be translated and authenticated by a Czech notary.
NB: Long-term visa applications may take four months to be reviewed. Student, teacher, or scientific researcher visas can be obtained quicker and take no more than two months to process.
Holders can stay for no more than 90 days of every six months in the other countries of the Schengen Area on a long-term type D visa.
TEMPORARY RESIDENCE
To live in the Czech Republic for more than 90 days every six months, applicants need to obtain a long-term type D visa. It’s then possible to apply for a temporary residence permit.
The documents required to apply for temporary residence must be submitted no earlier than 120 days, and no later than 14 days, before the visa expires. The temporary residence application review period may range between two and nine months. The residence permit is issued for one or two years and can be extended for an unlimited number of times.
Foreigners must reside in the Czech Republic for more than 183 days a year to become a tax resident. Otherwise, their temporary residence permits may not be extended.
NB: Purchasing real estate does not entitle owners a residence permit in the Czech Republic, but is considered an advantage when applying for a temporary residence permit on different grounds.
The website of the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic has all details about temporary residence permits and the requirements applicants need to meet.
Grounds for temporary residence in the Czech Republic
Residence permits are available to students from any institution registered with the Ministry of Education if they intend to study for more than three months. The university or language school must provide a confirmation of acceptance. Residence permits are issued for the period of study – they are not valid for more than a year but can be renewed. This type of a residence permit is processed in two months.
Researchers who have signed an agreement with a scientific organisation are entitled to a temporary residence permit. The scientific organisation must provide an invitation and a written commitment to cover the expenses of the applicant’s trip to the Czech Republic. The decision to issue a residence permit is made within two months.
International students who have graduated or completed a scientific project in the Czech Republic can swap their residence permits for the purpose of study or scientific research for residence permits, so they can search for jobs or open a business. To do so, they must provide proof of their graduation or successful completion of scientific research. They must also confirm that they have a place of residence and the financial means to remain in the country for the duration of their intended stay. Residence permits for job hunting or opening businesses are issued for nine months and cannot be extended.
Since 2014, an employee card is required to work in the Czech Republic and substitutes both a residence and work permit. To get hold of one, an employee must have a labour agreement with a company – the card is also required in order to buy or rent real estate. Documents confirming the applicant’s professional qualification/s may be requested.
An employee card is most often issued for the term of the employment contract and is valid for a maximum of two years, but can be renewed repeatedly. An employee card is usually processed within two months.
The main requirement for the issuance of a residence permit to facilitate opening a business in the Czech Republic is registering a company in the country and obtaining an individual business licence. The applicant must prove financial solvency, the absence of any debt, and a place of residence. It is possible to obtain a residence permit within two months for the purpose of running a business.
Temporary residency through family reunification can be granted if an applicant’s spouse has already resided in the Czech Republic for at least 15 months as a temporary or permanent resident. Children under the age of 18 or financially dependent adult children are also eligible to apply for family reunification.
This type of a residence permit is also available to the elderly parents of temporary or permanent residents – they must be dependent for health reasons or over 65 years of age, and documentary proof of family ties is relationship. Regarding minor children (under 18), parental consent is also required. The residence permit is issued for one or two years and can be extended. The decision to issue a residence permit is made within six to nine months.
In 2017, the Czech Republic introduced an opportunity for investors to receive residence permits in exchange for a significant contribution to the country's economy. The main requirement is to invest at least Kč75M (almost €3M) and create a minimum of 20 jobs. Up to 60% of the amount can be invested in real estate.
The applicant must prove financial solvency, the legal source of funds, and that they have no debt, as well as provide financial statements for the previous two years. Investors must propose business plans for their projects to the Ministry of the Interior. If approved, the candidates receive a two-year residence permit that can be extended to maintain the investment. Investment-based residence permits are issued within one or two months.
Basic documents required for a residence permit in the Czech Republic:
- residency application;
- passport;
- two 3.5 x 4.5 cm photos;
- documentary proof of grounds for residency: confirmation of university enrolment, labour contract, an extract from a company register, etc;
- proof of financial solvency – personal bank account statement or bank reference, employment and salary certificate, labour agreement, tax department certificate, etc;
- proof of residence – property title deed or rental contract;
- clean criminal record from the applicant's home country and any other
- country/countries the applicant has lived in for over six months out of the previous three years;
- medical insurance;
- confirmation that the applicant is free from serious infectious diseases.
All documents must be submitted personally and exclusively in the Czech language. Certificates issued in a foreign language need to be translated and authenticated by a Czech notary.
515,000 €
Total area 142 m² 3 bedrooms
317,000 €
Total area 81 m² 2 bedrooms
737,000 €
Total area 181 m² 3 bedrooms
363,000 €
Total area 103 m² 1 bedroom
426,000 €
Total area 135 m²
309,000 €
Total area 56 m² 2 bedrooms
395,000 €
Total area 64 m² 2 bedrooms
268,000 €
Total area 121 m² 2 bedrooms
PERMANENT RESIDENCE
Those who have lived in the Czech Republic for five years are eligible for permanent residency. If the application is submitted in the Czech Republic, the Ministry of the Interior will either approve or reject it within two months. If the application is made abroad in a Czech embassy, the decision can take up to six months. If the application is accepted, the Ministry of the Interior will contact the applicant by phone and set a date for the residence permit to be issued and biometric data submitted.
If applying from abroad because an applicant’s residence permit has expired, successful applicants will be issued a visa for more than 90 days so they can receive residence permits.
Permanent residents enjoy the same rights as Czech citizens, except for the right to vote. After five years of permanent residence in the Czech Republic they can apply for citizenship.
Grounds for permanent resident status in the Czech Republic
After five years of residence in the Czech Republic, it’s possible to apply for a permanent residence permit. Applicants must not have left the country for more than six consecutive months nor more than ten months in total during the five-year period. Applicants must own or rent a property, have stable financial resources, and be competent in speaking the Czech language. Applicants must also have a clean criminal record and be free from serious infectious diseases.
Foreigners of Czech descent are entitled to become permanent residents of the Czech Republic even if they have not obtained previous residency in the country. Their spouses and minor children (under 18) are also eligible for permanent residence. Applicants have to prove their Czech descent as well as write a motivation letter explaining why they would like to live in the Czech Republic. In addition, it is necessary to prove financial solvency and place of residence.
A Blue Card combines the features of a work and EU residence permit. It is only available to highly-qualified, academically trained professionals who have an employment agreement for at least a year with a salary exceeding the national average level of €11,400 per annum by at least 1.5 times.
Foreigners can apply for permanent residency in the country if they have used a Blue Card to live in the EU for five years, of which two must have been spent in the Czech Republic. To do so, it is necessary to prove financial solvency, place of residence, and pass a Czech language exam.
The children of foreigners who hold permanent Czech residency are also entitled to permanent residency. Applications must be sent within two months of the child’s birth.
In this case, a type of permanent residency for the purpose of family reunification is granted. A minor child (under 18) of a foreigner who holds permanent residency is also eligible for permanent residency. In this case, it is not necessary for the child to have lived in the Czech Republic before.
Basic documents for permanent resident status in the Czech Republic:
- application for the status of permanent residency;
- passport;
- proof of having lived in Czech Republic for five years (or other grounds for permanent residency);
- two 3.5 x 4.5 cm photos;
- proof of residence – property title deed or rental contract;
- proof of financial solvency – employment and salary certificate, labour agreement, tax department certificate, extract from a company’s bylaws, explaining the distribution of profits between the partners;
- A2 level Czech language certificate;
- clean criminal record from the applicant's home country and any other
- country/countries the applicant has lived in for over six months out of the previous three years;
- medical insurance;
- proof that the applicant is free from dangerous infectious diseases.
All documents must be submitted personally and exclusively in the Czech language. Certificates issued in a foreign language need to be translated, apostilled, and authenticated by a Czech notary.
CITIZENSHIP
It is possible to apply for Czech citizenship after 10 years of legal residency in the country.
Starting July 1, 2020, applicants for Czech citizenship must provide documentary proof of their stay in the country for 10 years. Labour agreements, business activity records, and Czech university studies certificates qualify.
To become a Czech national, it is necessary for the applicant to specify the source of their income and pass an exam in the Czech language and history of the country.
The Czech Republic recognises dual nationality.
Applicants must meet these conditions to qualify for Czech citizenship:
- possess official residency status for the five years previous to the application (three years if married to a national of the country);
- be integrated into the Czech society (have a job, personal connections, family);
- pose no threat to national security;
- have a clean criminal record;
- demonstrate Czech language proficiency at B1 level
- pay taxes and social/medical insurance contributions properly while staying in the country;
- not overburden the public social and welfare assistance system while residing in the Czech Republic (not being dependent on benefits, government transfers, etc; sub-section (8) § 14 of the Act 186/2013 Sb. on Citizenship of the Czech Republic),
The decision to grant citizenship is made solely by the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic. Applications are usually reviewed for about six months before being approved or rejected.
Foreigners must pledge allegiance within 12 months after a positive decision, then they will be confirmed as Czech citizens.
Residence permit in other countries:
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