Applying for and acquiring a permanent residence permit for the Czech Republic is neither a simple nor fast process, but it does make sense to do it. The reason is that once you have been granted your permanent residence permit, you will enjoy the same status as any Czech national. Permanent residence differs from long-term visas or long-term stays. You can apply for a permanent residence permit as a citizen of an EU country or third-country.
Permanent resident status means you are permitted:
- free access to the labor market;
- to seek employment just like a Czech citizen;
- to conduct business just like a Czech citizen.
Permanent residence also opens the door for you to contribute to and benefit from the public health insurance system, as well as draw on social benefits or retirement benefits. After five years of being a permanent resident, you can apply for Czech citizenship.
Requirements for a permanent residence permit
The biggest challenge is the requirement to stay within the territory of the Czech Republic without interruption for at least five years. This period includes, for example, your stay based on a long-term visa or long-term residence permit (only applicable to third-country nationals). Nevertheless, if you are studying in the Czech Republic, pay close attention to the following. Foreign students usually reside in the Czech Republic based on a visa or a long-term residence permit for the purpose of studying. If this is your case, the time spent studying here is divided by two. For example, four years of study stay is counted as only two years for the purpose of getting the permanent residence permit!
An exception to this rule exists for EU citizens. The exception applies if you are, for at least one year, a family member of:
a) a Czech citizen; and/or
b) an EU citizen who has a permanent residence permit for the Czech Republic.
For the situations above, you only need two years uninterrupted stay within the territory of the Czech Republic.
Uninterrupted stay defined
Uninterrupted stay means that an individual period of leave by a foreign national may not last longer than 6 consecutive months, and the sum of the individual leave periods may not exceed 10 months. Nonetheless, it is possible to leave the country for as long as 12 months for valid reasons (such as the birth of a child, severe illness, study, etc.) without breaking the continuity of your stay. However, the period of leave will be excluded from your stay within the Czech Republic.
It is important to note that breaking the continuity of your stay forms substantial grounds for denying your application for a permanent residence permit.
Required documents for permanent residence applications
Citizen of EU:
- Application form for a permanent residence permit for an EU citizen – available HERE
- Valid travel document
- Two passport photographs
- Document proving fulfilment of either one of the following conditions:
- five-year uninterrupted stay in the Czech Republic (e.g. employment contract); or
- two-year uninterrupted stay in the Czech Republic
- Proof of accommodation (e.g. rental agreement)
Citizen of a third-country:
- Application form for a permanent residence permit for a third-country citizen – available HERE
- Valid travel document
- Two passport photographs
- Proof of accommodation (e.g. rental agreement)
- Document proving that you dispose of funds to cover your expenses – you will find more information HERE
- Certificate that you passed the relevant Czech language exam – you will find more information HERE
- Extract from the criminal register in your home country (only upon request)
Filing your application
All applicants are required to file their application in person at the respective office of the Department for Asylum and Migration Policy of the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic (dependent on the applicant´s address). If you meet the conditions for being granted a permanent residence permit and you are not in the Czech Republic, you can also file your application with the relevant diplomatic representation office for the Czech Republic.
Requirements regarding presented documents
All presented documents must be in the Czech or Slovak languages, or officially translated into Czech. Some documents may not be older than 180 days.
Duration of application process
In principle, the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic issues a decision on granting a permanent residence permit within 60 days. However, if you file your application with a diplomatic representation office, the processing may take as long as 180 days.
Successful application
If your application filed with the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic is decided in your favor, the office will contact you either by phone or email to invite you to make an appointment to accept your permanent residence permit and provide your biometric data.
Remember, you must come in person to the office of the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic no later than 60 days from giving your biometric data to take over your finished card.
Duties associated with permanent residence
Firstly, you are obliged to report any change in your place of residence to the immigration police. Secondly, you need to register and contribute to the public health insurance system. Thirdly, you are responsible for ensuring the validity of your permanent residence permit – the card is issued for 10 years. You can apply to extend your permanent residence at the latest 90 days before it expires.
