Foreigners can retire to the Czech Republic by applying for a long-term stay visa. At the moment, the Czech Republic immigration law does not prescribe an immigration pathway specifically designed for foreign retirees. This means that the law does not provide for a Czech Republic retirement visa.
Thus, the ideal solution is the long-term stay visa, an immigration document that is issued for those who need to apply for residency in the Czech Republic. Our immigration lawyers in the Czech Republic can advise seniors who plan to relocate here on a long-term basis for retirement purposes.
Please know that EU citizens do not have to apply for a long-term stay visa, as they benefit from the right of free movement of persons within the EU borders (however, they will need to apply for residency in the Czech Republic). On the opposite side, all non-EU foreigners must start the formalities for the issuance of the visa, this being a mandatory document for all third party nationals.
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When can one apply for a long-term stay visa in the Czech Republic?
The sole option that can be used as a Czech Republic retirement visa is the long-term stay visa, which can be issued for various purposes. Considering that retirement refers to the part of life in which a person does not engage in any work activities, the long-term visa should not be granted for employment purposes.
Foreigners can retire to the Czech Republic by opting for certain purposes of arrival, such as traveling, study or family reunification. The latter can be used as a reason of relocating here only if the foreigner has family members living in this country, who can be considered closed family members.
Application process for a Czech long-term visa
The application process must start in the country where the person lives as a citizen or as a permanent resident. For this visa type, the Czech Republic immigration law states that foreigners must apply in person and they are also required to participate in an interview with the Czech representatives.
In order to immigrate to the Czech Republic, an eligible applicant must present the following in the visa application file:
- the passport;
- the completed visa application form;
- information on the accommodation arrangements in the Czech Republic;
- information on the financial resources;
- the criminal record;
- payment of the processing fee.
Accommodation evidence can be secured by attaching a valid rental agreement or a property purchase contract. For the latter, applicants may also add a Land Registry extract.
Other requirements for the issuance of the long-term visa in the Czech Republic
The documentation presented above represents only a part of the basic obligations foreigners have if they want to immigrate to the Czech Republic on a long-term basis. For the issuance of this visa, the following must also be taken into consideration:
- provide 2 recent photographs (passport size);
- the fee for the issuance of the long-term visa that can be used as a Czech Republic retirement visa is CZK 2,500 (some foreign nationals are exempt from paying this fee);
- applicants must sign a travel medical insurance, with a value of minimum EUR 30,000, covering the entire validity of the visa;
- applicants must submit their bank statements (for the last 3 months before the application) so that their financial status can be checked.
Please know that a long-term visa does not provide the right to permanent residence. One can achieve this right after 5 years of stay. A long-term stay visa is valid for a period of 1 year and it can be renewed upon its expiry. Our immigration lawyers in the Czech Republic can offer assistance during this stage as well.
Why retire in Prague?
Prague is the country’s capital city and one of the best destinations for expats living in Europe. In a recent study carried out in 2024, it was revealed that the Czech Republic is the 15th safest place to live (at a global level).
Foreigners can retire in Prague as this city provides many attractions, beautiful sceneries and locations, and, more importantly, it offers a better quality of living compared to many cities in Western Europe.
We invite you to address our lawyers for further advice on how to retire to the Czech Republic. We can also offer information on other immigration services, such as permanent residency, Czech citizenship, buying/renting property as a foreigner, etc.
