Czech residence permit through employment
Zamestnanecka karta
A Czech Employee card is both a residence permit and a work permit. It is given to foreigners who have a permanent work contract with a Czech company. You can use the card to transport your spouse and children and settle in the Czech Republic. After a while you can get permanent residence and citizenship.
Program's details
- Residence permit for up to 2 years with the possibility of renewal
- Moving with your family spouses and children
- The right to work for both spouses
- Permanent residence and citizenship in the future
- Living in Czechia on permanent basis
- Visa-free travel within the Schengen area
- Labor guarantees change of work, sick leave
- Social guarantees education and medicine
The official website of the program
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About the Program
In 2014, the Czech Republic introduced a document that serves as both a residence permit and a work permit. It can be obtained by permanent employees of Czech companies, regardless of the position, but in practice it is most often unskilled work. Therefore, it is useful for highly qualified specialists to pay attention to the blue card of the European Union, which, in addition, provides more opportunities.
The main condition for obtaining the Employee card is the existence of an employment contract or a preliminary agreement with the employer. However, according to the general rules of the European Union, if there is a vacancy, local residents have the pre-emptive right to it: citizens of the Czech Republic and the European Union, holders of permanent residence, residence permit or labor cards. Therefore, the employer first reports the vacant position to the Department of Employment. If a suitable candidate is not found within 30 days, the vacancy is entered into the General specialized database and becomes available to citizens of other countries.
Obviously, under these conditions, most of the attractive offers will go to those who are already in the European Union. And for applicants outside of it, there will be either jobs that are not interesting for Czechs, or that require high and rare qualifications. Therefore, foreigners sometimes agree to unskilled work in order to switch later to a contract corresponding to their level.
Once you arrive in the country, you will be able to change your employer, but you will need to work at least six months from the moment you receive your labour card in the first place. You will also need to first find a new job and get consent for this transition from the Migration Department, otherwise you may lose the right to the card.
The Employee card is issued for the duration of the contract, but not for more than 2 years. Then you can extend it. After 5 years of residence in the Czech Republic, you will have the right to permanent residence, and you will need to pass an exam for basic knowledge of Czech. After 10 years of residence in the country, you can apply for citizenship, for which you will also need to pass an exam for knowledge of the language (advanced level) and the history of the Czech Republic.
Conditions for obtaining a residence permit based on employment
- Employment contract
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The main requirement is to have a contract with the employer. This can be an employment contract or a preliminary contract. In any case, it must indicate the salary, at least the minimum, as well as the number of working hours – at least 15 per week.
- Other requirements
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Mandatory requirements also include:
- No criminal resord.
- Permanent address in the Czech Republic (own or rented housing).
- Travel medical insurance for the period until the beginning of employment, after which the employee will be covered by state medical insurance.
- Knowledge of the Czech language is not included in the list of formal requirements, but in fact it is desirable to master it at least for mundane use.
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Residence permit for family members
Together with the applicant to come to the Czech Republic can:
- a spouse,
- children under 18 years of age or full-time students under 26 years of age,
- dependent parents over 71 years of age.
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Documents
- Foreign passport
- Color photo for a visa
- Application form indicating the position where you will work in the Czech Republic
- Confirmation of the availability of housing in the Czech Republic (owned or rented)
- Certificate of no criminal record
- Work permit from the Czech Employment Center
- Employment contract
- Documents confirming the qualification and right to work in this position. This may include a diploma, driving license, license for regulated professions, and other documents
- Medical report on the absence of dangerous infectious diseases
- Travel medical insurance
- Receipt for payment of fees
For a family:
- Marriage certificate
- Children's birth certificates
All foreign language documents must be translated into Czech and notarized.
Additional expenses
- Fees and charges
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5000 CZK (€190) – when applying through the Embassy, 2500 CZK (€94) – when applying at the Czech Interior Ministry.
An application can be submitted in the Czech Republic by a foreigner who is there on the basis of a residence permit that is not related to work.
- Legal expenses
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€500-2,500
Depending on the package of services. The full package may include searching for an employer, signing an employment contract, translating documents, personal support at the Consulate and migration service, sending documents by express mail, searching for housing and providing a residence permit, etc.
- Insurance
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€25–35 per month for a person
You will need it for the period before switching to state health insurance.
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Rights and Obligations
- 6 months after receiving the Employee card, the applicant can change the employer or profession. At the same time, it is important to find a new job before leaving the old one and be sure to get consent for the transition from the migration authorities.
- You can have more than one job – to be a "part-time employee", you will also need a permit.
- The applicant's children can attend state kindergartens and schools free of charge.
- The applicant's spouse has the right to work in the Czech Republic.
- Full social package: state medical insurance, payment of sick leave, payment of child benefits, the right to a pension, etc.
- The opportunity to visit the countries of the Schengen area and stay there for up to 90 days per half-year.
- The right to permanent residence occurs after 5 years of residence, the right to citizenship-after 10 years.
- You can take out a mortgage on preferential terms.
The procedure for obtaining
