Foreign Police registration
All EU nationals planning on living in the Czech Republic for longer than 90 days must register their arrival in the Foreign Police within 30 days from the date of entry. This can be skipped if you are staying in a hotel. The registration must be done in the relevant Foreing Police according to your address.
Temporary residence permit (Registration certificate)
EU nationals do not need any visa or work permit in order to stay in the Czech Republic, however they can obtain the optional Registration certificate (formerly known as Temporary residence permit) as proof of stay in the Czech Republic.
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Residence permit is required for:
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obtaining parking permit in Prague
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purchasing a car
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registering a car & receiving the Czech license plate
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getting a loan or a mortgage
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applying for social benefits such as parental or unemployment benefits
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obtaining visas to other countries from the Czech Republic (without the permit, you need to do so in your home country)
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applying for Temporary residence permit for family member of EU national
The permit is issued in the form of a paper confirmation with 10 years validity. It can be extended by filing a new Residence permit application 2 months prior to the expiration. With a Residence permit, you also receive a Birth number.
Temporary residence permit for non-EU family members of EU nationals
A permit for non-EU family members of EU nationals.
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Two types of family members:
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Close
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spouse or registered partner
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parent of an EU citizen younger than 21 years of age, as long as the child depends on the parent’s care
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parent or a child who depends on the care of the EU national (due to health or financial reasons)
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Distant
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partners in a permanent relationship
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relative of an EU national who is supported by this EU national in the home country
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relative of an EU national who is a member of the household of this EU national in the home country
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relative of an EU national with serious health issues who depends on the care of the EU national
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The application is submitted at the local department of the Ministry of Interior. The permit is issued with three years (distant) or five years (close) validity in the form of a biometric card. It can be extended.
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This is the best type of permit for non-EU nationals as it grants them free access to the Czech labour market.
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My tip: If you are a family member of an EU national who is not Czech, make sure the EU national is a holder of the Registration certificate.
EU nationals
and their family members
EU nationals can freely live in the Czech Republic. They can, however, receive an official proof of their stay.
Permanent residence permit for EU nationals
Permanent residency is usually obtained after a certain period of you living in the Czech republic; most commonly five years. It is issued with 10 years validity and its extension is quite easy. The application is submitted at the local department of the Ministry of Interior. It is issued in the form of a paper booklet the size of a passport.
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Most commonly the application is submitted after you pass five years of continuous stay in the Czech Republic. If you are a close family member of another EU national who is a holder of the permanent residency, you may apply after two years, given you've been family related for at least one year.
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Benefits of the permanent residency:
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entering the register of public health insurance system
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receiving old age pension
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one step closer to citizenship
Permanent residence permit for non-EU family member of EU national
Permanent residency is usually obtained after a certain period of you living in the Czech republic; most commonly five years.
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If you are a close family member of another EU national who is a holder of the permanent residency, you may apply after two years, given you've been family related for at least one year.
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It is issued with 10 years validity and its extension is quite easy. The application is submitted at the local department of the Ministry of Interior. It is issued in the form of a biometric card.
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Benefits of the permanent residency:
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longer validity
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free access to the Labour market
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entering the register of public Health insurance system
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being entitled to old age pension
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one step closer to citizenship