Permanent Residency in the Czech Republic

Are you thinking about changing from temporary or long-term residency to permanent residency in the Czech Republic? Do you know who can apply, what conditions need to be met, and when to start the application process?

Pexpats has you covered. Learn the differences between temporary and permanent Czech residency, as well as the benefits and rights of permanent residency, with official information from the Ministry of the Interior.

Find everything you need to know about applying for Czech permanent residency, all in one place and explained in simple terms.

• Foreigners who have lived in the Czech Republic for at least 5 years (student visas and refugees count 1 year as 6 months).

• Family members of an EU citizen who have lived in the Czech Republic for at least 2 years, with the EU citizen holding permanent residency for 1 year.

• Newborns of permanent residency holders.

• Blue Card holders who have lived in the Czech Republic for 2 years and at least 3 years in another EU country

However, there are some exceptions that allow you to apply for permanent residency before staying 5 years in the Czech Republic:

• A spouse of a refugee (if the marriage was registered before the spouse entered the Czech Republic).

• A refugee’s child under the age of 18 (who has not applied for refugee status).

• A former Czech citizen.

To calculate the continuous 5-year residence period required for Czech permanent residency, use one of the following methods:

A. Long-term visa and residence: Time spent on a long-term visa or residence permit counts toward the 5 years of continuous stay. The application process for extensions is also included in the 5-year period.

B. Asylum seekers: Time spent as a statute asylum seeker or someone under subsidiary protection, according to the Asylum Act, counts as 5 years for every 10 years spent in this status.

C. Temporary residence permits: Time spent under a temporary residence permit, including any application processing time, counts if:

• A long-term residence permit was granted after the termination of temporary residence of an EU citizen's family member (under paragraph 87f(5)).

• The foreigner applied for a residence permit while waiting for the temporary residence of an EU citizen's family member to be processed.

D. Student visa and absences: Time is counted at half the rate (1 year counts as 6 months) if:

• The foreigner held a long-term student visa (D/VC/24 or D/VC/23) — 10 years count as 5 years

  .

• The foreigner held a student visa for purpose of "OTHERS"— 5 years count as 5 years

The foreigner should not be outside the Czech Republic for more than 310 days to qualify for permanent residency. Note: This does not apply if the foreigner was pregnant or had health complications

Time will not count towards applying for continuous residency in the Czech Republic under 3 circumstances.

1. There has been a transfer of the foreigner in the territory by a foreign employer, foreign legal entity, or foreign individual.

2. Residence of the foreigner in the territory has been granted for the purpose of seasonal work, or for meeting the needs of a Czech individual. This includes accommodation, spending, educational and social needs (such as au pairs).

3. The foreigner has been imprisoned, interrupting their period of continuous stay in the territory. This time is interrupted until the foreigner’s release from prison.

If the foreign national meets requirements, they can apply for permanent residency even if currently living outside of the Czech Republic.

Should their long-term residency expire while not present in the territory, applicants must file within 6 months of the permit’s expiration. If applicants do not meet this deadline, they will need to file at a Czech Embassy.

Applicants may file for permanent residency after 5 years of continuous stay in the Czech Republic. However, the foreign national must hold one of the following for staying in the territory.

• Long-term visa;

• A long-term residence permit, or

• Document-based on residence according to S.I.no 325 of 1999* or S.I. no 221 of 2003, or

• During the period for departure due to termination of temporary residence of a family member of an EU citizen. In this case, the EU citizen must have had 5 years continuous stay in the Czech Republic.

To apply for a permanent residence permit in the Czech Republic, you must submit your application in person at the Ministry of the Interior (MOI) office where you are registered. The required documents include:

• Application form

• Valid Passport

• One passport-size photo (3.5 cm x 4.5 cm)

• Proof of accommodation

• Proof of sufficient funds(non-EU citizens)

• Czech language exam certificate

• Criminal clearance document (if requested)

All requirements for applications cannot be older than 180 days. This is with the exception of the travel document, birth certificate, Czech language acknowledgement, and the photograph if their appearance has changed.

From 1 September 2021, the Czech language exam for permanent residency has been increased from the A1 to A2 level. Those who do not need to take the Czech language exam for permanent residency include the following exceptions.

• Children under 15 years of age;

• Permanent resident applicants who have continuously studied at a Czech institution in the last 20 years, or with a minimum 1 year of Czech language at Charles University or through a Czech Language School;

• Those who can prove Czech language A2 ability through an equivalent test at a Czech Language School;

• EU Citizens and non-EU family members;

• People with disabilities;

• Anybody over 63 years of age.

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By obtaining Czech permanent residence, individuals get mostly the same rights and responsibilities as a citizen. However, there are some exceptions. For example, permanent residents still do not have the right to vote or to serve in the Czech Armed Forces.

The benefits of permanent residence include the following rights:

• Permanent residents can apply for a loan or mortgage through a Czech bank.

• They have free access to the labor market (no need for an employee card or a blue card).

• Third country nationals can start their own businesses and not be depend on any visa and residency rules

• There is access to social support for certain life situations (unemployment), and access to a pension from retirement.

There are a number of reasons the MOI can reject an application for permanent residence in the Czech Republic.

• State Security reasons;

• Falsified documents;

• Disruption of Public Order;

• Falsified or incorrect information during the interview process;

• The applicant doesn’t meet conditions for long-term stays;

• Active deportation to another country;

Also note. If the individual has married once and based their permanent residency application on this status, they cannot divorce and marry another individual.

A permanent residence can be cancelled if:

• Obtaining Czech Citizenship;

• Getting deported;

• Death;

• Conviction of a crime for more than 3 years, or;

• The foreigner has been imprisoned for 3 years continuously.

Pexpats can help you through the entire process. We answer all your questions, prepare the paperwork, and submit everything on your behalf through Power of Attorney. You skip the bureaucratic hassles and in 45 days complete the process.

Check out our Czech permanent residency package to get started.