The partner visa in Czech Republic is also known as the partnership visa. However, foreigners must know that these names do not actually refer to a visa, but merely to a residence permit that can be obtained when moving to Czech Republic.
From an official viewpoint, the partner visa in Czech Republic is known as the temporary residency permit for EU family members. The partner visa in Czech Republic is a type of immigration document that can be obtained by persons who are citizens of countries outside the European Union (EU) who are in a relationship with an EU citizen.
The document provides numerous rights to its holder, such as the right of moving to Czech Republic for the purpose of working, living here or obtaining a Czech long term residence permit.
It must be noted that a great advantage of this immigration document is that the persons who have a relationship do not have to be married in order to receive the partner visa. It is sufficient just to have a relationship and the document can also be issued to same-sex couples.
Our immigration lawyer in Czech Republic can offer in-depth legal advice on the steps that must be taken in order to apply for this document. The partner visa in Czech Republic can also be obtained by family members of EU citizens, who will be allowed to relocate here on a short-term basis or by obtaining a Czech residence permit for long term purposes.
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What are the advantages of the partner visa in Czech Republic?
The partner visa in Czech Republic provides multiple advantages and it represents a very straightforward way for relocating here. For example, this is the single document that is similar to a visa for which the applicants do not have to apply at the embassy or the consulate operating in their home countries (as it is the case of other visas that have to be obtained by non-EU individuals).
Instead, in the case of the partner visa the applicants can complete their application while being in this country, although certain exemptions are available.
The application process can typically last approximately 60 days, but it may take even longer than this for the Czech authorities to provide a positive or a negative answer. During this period of time, the non-EU citizen will still be able to live in this country under legal terms, as, after the application is made, he or she will receive a temporary document.
Another important advantage, one of the most relevant for those moving to Czech Republic, is that the partner visa grants the right of working here. And this right is granted from the moment when the application is submitted with the local institutions (the applicant does not need to wait for a positive answer in order to apply for a job vacancy).
An additional advantage of the partner visa in Czech Republic is the validity of the document. Other documents will grant the right to residency in this country for one year or two years and then, the holder of the documents can renew them, but in this case, the partner visa can be issued for a period of 5 years.
After staying here under a permanent residence permit, the person will be entitled to applying for the Czech citizenship. For most of the family reunification documents (granted in the form of a visa), the foreigners should comply with specific standards and make proof of kinship, marriage, and other basic requirements.
The partner visa in Czech Republic does not impose any of these requirements and persons who just date or who declare that they are in a relationship can benefit from the advantages of this residence permit; our immigration lawyer in Czech Republic can present more details on other relevant advantages.
The partner visa in Czech Republic is also addressed to same-sex couples, but it must be noted that all couples have to present strong evidence on the stability of the relationship. Matters such as knowing each other’s family, sharing living costs, living together, having a relationship for at least a year and others can be important aspects when applying for this document.
Are there any new immigration requirements in Czech Republic?
Yes, the Czech immigration law has been modified starting with 2 August 2021, by introducing more stringent rules for immigrants. The visa types and resident permits have been maintained as they were previously before the introduction of the new law.
However, there are new requirements concerning the financial means of the migrants, the health insurance, the administration fees for their residence permits and other similar matters. This also impacts the partner visa in Czech Republic.
For example, one of the main changes is that foreigners must have a valid private health insurance signed in Czech Republic, that must be signed with only one private health insurance provider accredited by the Czech authorities.
This obligation has to be maintained for the first 5 years of stay in Czech Republic, in other words, the migrant can change the health insurance provider only after becoming a permanent resident. The obligation to sign a health insurance policy is imposed for all those who migrate to Czech Republic for more than 90 days, the moment when residence permit formalities are imposed by the law.
There are certain exemptions from this rule, and our immigration lawyer in Czech Republic can present when a foreigner is not legally obligated to perform this activity (this applies if the foreigner has already signed other types of health insurance policies that are recognized by the new Czech law).
Please know that if you arrive here through a partner visa in Czech Republic or any other type of immigration document that grants the right to long-term residency and you are pregnant, there are certain implications for the unborn child, once the baby is born.
The new law stipulates that the baby will be covered by the public health insurance system in Czech Republic only in the first 60 days of life and after the child reaches the 61 day of life, a private health insurance must be purchased.
Also, the new Czech immigration law differentiates between immediate and extended family members and it must be noted that if you arrive under a partner visa in Czech Republic and you are not married to your Czech partner, you are legally considered an extended family member.
As an extended family member, you are required to provide evidence on your on source of funds before arriving here. Our immigration lawyer in Czech Republic can present additional information.
Other requirements are stipulated by the Czech Ministry of Interior, where the application has to be made. When referring to the number of residence permits issued in Czech Republic, Eurostat, the European Commission’s main statistical office, has gathered the following data (for 2017 and 2018):
• in 2017, Czech Republic issued a total of 57,721 residence permits;
• out of these, 15,448 were issued for family related reasons (in 2017);
• this accounted for a share of 26.8% of all the residence permits issued in that year;
• in 2018, the number of residence permit increased at 71,201 documents;
• residence permits that were granted for family related reasons accounted for 23.2% of all the documents in 2018 (16,512 permits).
In comparison, in 2021, Czech Republic issued a total of 58,600 long-term permits, a large proportion (30%) being issued for Ukrainian nationals. Almost 50% of them represent permanent residence permits and the top 3 reasons for moving to Czech Republic were:
- economic (employment);
- family reunification;
- study/education.
Are there any income thresholds applicable in Czech Republic?
Yes, starting with 2021, the Czech law imposes a certain income threshold. Prior to 2021, persons who wanted to apply for a partner visa in Czech Republic did not have to make the proof of a certain income threshold, but now this is legally required.
The thresholds are calculated on a yearly basis, adjusted to the parameters of the Czech economy. According to the Czech Ministry of Interior, the minimum amount required starting with 1st of January 2023 is CZK 3,130 for the first month since the date of the arrival (threshold maintained in 2024 as well).
The Czech immigration law states that this minimum amount has to be doubled for the following months of stay. This requirement is established as per the rules of the Government Regulation No. 436/3033 Coll. and it is applied to all foreign nationals, unless exempted.
An exemption from this requirement is available for persons with an age below 18 years old, who are required to provide evidence on 50% of the required sum, regardless of the duration of stay (however, this rule applies to those who arrive here on long-term visas/residence permits).
Persons wishing to apply for a partner visa in Czech Republic are invited to receive more details from our lawyer. Please contact our immigration lawyer in Czech Republic for advice on the documents one must submit in this case, as well as for information on the procedures the Czech authorities may apply for this type of residence permit.
You can rely on our attorney for any matter related to the issuance of the Czech citizenship as well. You can apply for a partner visa if you are married with a Czech national. Please mind that this visa can also open a simpler pathway to Czech citizenship.
There are a few conditions to comply with, such as a shorter period concerning the residency in this country, but also concerning to the duration of the marriage at the moment of the application (which must be of minimum 1 year).
Besides the shorter requirements for the residence permit in Czech Republic, the spouse of a Czech national has many other benefits, such as the right to starting a business following the same rules applied to Czech nationals, the right to social services and medical health services, free access to health services for the foreigner’s children (as long as they have an age below 26 years old).
