All foreigners relocating to the Czech Republic have to apply for a temporary residence permit in the case in which they will live here for a period longer than three months. A permanent residence permit in the Czech Republic needs to be obtained only if the foreigner lived in this country for a period of minimum five years.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Temporary residence permit types in Czech Republic | For: – study purposes, – business, – family reunification programs, – tourism, – other reasons prescribed by the national law. |
Time needed to obtain the temporary residence permit (approx.) | A residence permit in Czech Republic can be processed in 30-60 days, counting from the day when the application is submitted (the time needed for the issuance can vary based on the purpose of stay). |
Temporary residence permit validity | Minimum 3 months, maximum 1 year |
| Documents for obtaining temporary residence | – the application form, – a valid travel document (identity card or passport), – documents attesting the purpose of stay, – 1 passport photo, – evidence of a valid health insurance, – evidence on the residential address in Czech Republic. |
| Mandatory registrations with state authorities (i.e. with the population/municipality register) | Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic is in charge with the issuance of the residence permit in Czech Republic. |
| Dependents can join the temporary permit holder (Yes/No) | Available in some cases (for instance, for EU citizens). |
| Temporary or permanent residency for investment purposes | – investors can apply for temporary residence if they want to invest here, – when they meet the residency requirements for permanent residency, but there aren’t any expedite immigration programs for investors. |
| Type of investments available for residency purposes | Long-term residence permit for the purpose of investment/ Czech investment visa |
| Minimum investment amount | Approx. EUR 2,9 million (for the Czech investment visa) |
| Minimum temporary residence before applying for permanent residence | A permanent residence permit in Czech Republic can be obtained after 5 years |
| Residency for individuals married to a citizen of the country | The foreign spouses of Czech citizens can become permanent residents in only 2 years. |
| Documents for obtaining permanent residence | – evidence on the visa and the residence permits issued in Czech Republic, – proof of having Czech language skills (A1 level is required), – meeting the financial requirements, – a completed application form, – an extract of criminal records. |
| Naturalization requirements | – be a permanent resident in Czech Republic for minimum 5 years (or 3 years for EU citizens), – have Czech language skills, – a clean criminal record, – have knowledge of the constitutional system in Czech Republic and of the Czech culture and society, – meet financial requirements, – show your participation and integration in the Czech society, – pass the citizenship test. |
| Citizenship after permanent residence | One has to be a permanent resident for at least 5 years (or 3 for EU and EEA citizens) in order to have the right to apply for citizenship. |
| Dual citizenship permitted (Yes/No) | Yes, permitted since 2013. |
Our immigration lawyer in Czech Republiccan assist with the issuance of the residence permit.
Table of Contents
What are the main legal services I can obtain from lawyers?
Our team of Czech immigration lawyersprovides a wide range of legal services designed to successfully complete your immigration procedures. We offer legal representation to all foreigners, regardless of their nationality (rules vary based on this factor), the reason of arrival, etc. Our main services are:
- tailored assistance on the law applicable to your nationality (EU/ EEA citizens, third party nationals);
- legal assistance for obtaining a visa (third party nationals who apply for residency must hold proper visas);
- step-to-step guidance in accordance with the purpose of arrival (different procedures must be followed based on the reason of arrival: investment, study, work, family reunification, etc.);
- assistance for preparing the application file;
- maintaining a close connection to all the Czech authoritiesinvolved in the procedure (Czech embassies, consulates, Czech police, etc.);
- post-relocation services (renting/ buying a property, enrolling children in local schools, registering for taxes, starting a business, etc., depending on the case), etc.
Do I need a temporary residence permit in the Czech Republic in 2026 as an EU citizen?
The citizens of the European Union who want to stay in the Czech Republicfor periods longer than three months can apply for a temporary residence permit. The Czech immigration lawdoes not impose this as an obligation (however, it is recommended to have this document).
What documents should I prepare for temporary residency?
In order to apply for temporary residency, the following steps are necessary:
- complete a standard application form;
- provide a personal identification document (identity card or the passport);
- provide a document which states the purpose of the stay;
- add a recent photograph – the standard size required by law;
- offer proof of having medical insurance (the document is not necessary if the purpose of moving to the Czech Republicis related to employment);
- proof of accommodation in the Czech Republic.
We invite you to watch a video on how to obtain a residence permit in the Czech Republic:
On what legal grounds can I obtain a long-term residence permit in 2026?
The long-term residence permit in the Czech Republic can be obtained for multiple purposes. Some of these are:
- scientific research;
- studies;
- employment;
- business purposes;
- family reunification programs.
Czech residency by investment is also possible under certain conditions.
When can I apply for permanent residence in the Czech Republic?
The main aspect foreigners should be aware of when it comes to permanent residence in the Czech Republic is that this right is granted after living in this country for a period of minimum 5 years. This period is required for both persons who arrive from the EU member states, as well as those outside the EU.
Are there any circumstances in which I can obtain permanent residency in a shorter amount of time?
There is also the possibility to acquire Czech permanent residence in a period of only 2 years of continuous living in this country. This right is granted to persons who fall into the category of close family members of EU citizens.
Are there any processing fees charged for permanent residency applications?
Yes, in 2026, those who want to apply for permanent residency must pay a processing fee, as follows:
- CZK 2,500 – the standard processing fee, which is also charged for the issuance of a new document or when the document was damaged or lost;
- CZK 1,000 – the reduced processing fee, charged when the applicant has an age of maximum 15 years old.
Are there any fee exemptions?
Yes, the Czech Republic immigration lawstipulates that the Czech authorities will not charge processing fees for permanent residency applications in the case in which the applicants are children below 6 years old.
Can non-EU minors acquire permanent residency in the Czech Republic?
Please mind that permanent residence in the Czech Republic for non-EU citizens is available for persons who are younger than 15 years old, but in this case, such persons are required to have their applications signed by their legal guardian.
Do I need to know the Czech language in order to obtain permanent residency?
Yes, Czech language obligations appear for most non-EU foreigners who apply for permanent residency. In this sense, they need to hold a Czech language certificate (A2 level), unless exempted.
When can I be exempted from proving my Czech language abilities?
Czech language exemptions for the purpose of acquiring permanent residency are allowed in the cases the applicant:
- is under 15 years of age;
- is older than 60;
- has graduated schools where he/ she learned at least 1 year of Czech;
- already holds a Czech language certificate recognized in the Czech Republic.
In the infographic below, we invite those who want to apply for a Czech residence permit in 2026 to discover the main steps involved in the procedure:
How long do I have to wait for my residency application?
In the case in which the application is made from the Czech Republic, the law guarantees that the applicant will receive an answer in a period of maximum 60 days. Applications made from outside the country can be processed in maximum 180 days.
What are the advantages of Czech permanent residence?
There are many benefits of being a Czech permanent resident, such as:
- They can become part of the Czech society;
- can work here;
- can apply for a loan;
- can purchase a property;
- enter the national health system;
- register in any of the education institutions available here;
- can start a business and have numerous other rights, following the same procedures applicable to Czech citizens.
What are my legal limitations as a permanent resident?
While permanent residency grants most of the rights Czech nationals have, there are a few rights that only Czech nationality offers, such as:
- to vote;
- to hold an institutional function;
- to have a Czech passport.
When can I apply for Czech citizenship as a permanent resident?
Being a Czech permanent resident opens the possibility of acquiring Czech nationality, a process which can be started after living here for a period of minimum 10 years.
How many foreigners reside in the Czech Republic?
Persons who want to relocate to the Czech Republicin 2026 must know that the number of foreigners living here has been constantly increasing:
- by the end of 2022, the foreign population accounted for 1,12 million people, which represented around 10% of the country’s entire population;
- by 2026, the number of foreigners living here has slightly increased, to 1,13 million (according to the Czech Ministry of Interior, there are 1,131,197 foreigners registered with the local authorities).
For more details on how to obtain any of the residence permits prescribed by the Czech immigration law, please contact our immigration lawyer in Czech Republic.
