Finding a job
Ostrava and the related region, known as Moravian-Silesian region (in Czech: Moravskoslezský kraj), keeps looking for professionals and talents from all parts of the world. Research, hi-tech and innovative team members, leaders and managers can find interesting opportunities. Prominent fields are especially IT, engineering and manufacturing. You can also find a job in global services outsourcing provided to clients from all around the world in many different languages. Two different languages other than Czech are often especially sought after. Yes, from Ostrava you can service US clients for example!
As an EU citizen or EU citizens’ family relative, you don’t have to obtain a work permit to start working in the Czech Republic. It feels good: your employer will be obliged to apply the same rules to you as to any other Czech citizen.
Opportunities crop up all the time and the number of international companies keeps growing steadily, also due to the automotive industry operating in the wider region. New research and talents incubator centres established by the major universities in Ostrava call for researchers and scientists in a number of areas. Start-ups and innovative entrepreneurial initiatives are supported and subsidised by the Regional Government.
There is still a limited number of international cuisine restaurants and Ostrava is always “hungry” for new options and inspirations in the culinary field. Local communities want to enjoy food and merchandise from all over the world, and the newly established shipment, wholesale and retail businesses are still far from covering the demand.
And, of course, qualified language teachers of English, as well as of other languages, such as French, Spanish, German, or Russian, are needed at the city’s numerous schools and language schools. Several bilingual and international schools and a number of state schools employ native speakers as teachers.
Before jumping into employment, you might find useful to learn about types of Employment contracts (in a special section).
All legal documentation and information about Employment can be found at the official website of the Labour Office of the Czech Republic:
Another source, Basic information on employment regulations can be found at the website of the State Labour Inspection Office. Information about living and working conditions in the Czech Republic are available through EURES websites.
No.
Third country foreign national? – No need to worry. You can find a job, but you will need to do some paperwork first. Below we clarify a few points to start you off with getting the paperwork done. More detailed information can be found at the official website of the Ministry of Interior of the Czech Republic. Answers to particular questions, advice and help can be got in person or via e-mail at the Center for Support of Integration of Foreigners, aka CPIC. tel.: +420 596 112 626, e-mail: icostrava@suz.cz
Opportunities crop up all the time and the number of international companies keeps growing steadily, also due to the automotive industry operating in the wider region. New research and talents incubator centres established by the major universities in Ostrava call for researchers and scientists in a number of areas. Start-ups and innovative entrepreneurial initiatives are supported and subsidised by the Regional Government.
There is still a limited number of international cuisine restaurants and Ostrava is always “hungry” for new options and inspirations in the culinary field. Local communities want to enjoy food and merchandise from all over the world, and the newly established shipment, wholesale and retail businesses are still far from covering the demand.
And, of course, qualified language teachers of English, as well as of other languages, such as French, Spanish, German, or Russian, are needed at the city’s numerous schools and language schools. Several bilingual and international schools and a number of state schools employ native speakers as teachers.
Before jumping into employment, you might find useful to learn about types of Employment contracts (in a special section).
All legal documentation and information about Employment can be found at the official website of the Labour Office of the Czech Republic:
Another source, Basic information on employment regulations can be found at the website of the State Labour Inspection Office. Information about living and working conditions in the Czech Republic are available through EURES websites.
YES. For working in the Czech Republic as an employee obtaining a work permit (=“povolení k zaměstnání”) is a must. If you want to work here as an independent entrepreneur the procedure is different. The Municipality Point of Single Contact will give you more information about becoming a self-employed entrepreneur. The work permit may come with an “employee card” combining in one card a work permit and residence permit for the purpose of employment.
That depends on the type of residence permit. If you already have a long-term residence permit for a different purpose (studies, family, business…) and you want to start working, then you and also your employer need apply only for the work permit.
There are a few exceptions where you are not required to obtain a work permit; for example when you are a student or a graduate from a Czech high school or university, or if you hold a longterm residence permit for the purpose of family reunification (code 95).
There are a few new conditions, for specific information please contact CPIC.
The work permit is always valid only for a particular position with a particular employer, it does not allow you to work with any employer. Most larger employers will support you in obtaining your work permit as a part of the hiring process. If you have to do it yourself, contact the Labour Office ( = Úřad práce České Republiky). In Ostrava, the main offices are based in the City Centre: Úřad práce, 30. Dubna 2c. Moravská Ostrava. Check opening hours and the map.
Prior to employing you, your employer will have to announce the open position for a foreigner to the Labour Office and you will have to wait 30 days for the position to become available. Read the detailed instructions on the process at the official website of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.
Your application has to specify several things: the potential employer, the job position, the place of work, and the duration of the job. Your diploma will also be asked for. The original secondary or university degree diploma has to have an apostille or superlegalisation – a stamp from the local authority in the country where the diploma was issued proving its authenticity (done in the country of origin or via embassies). It also needs to be translated into Czech by a court authorised language service with a ‘rubber stamp’ (soudní překladatel).
One important detail: the job position stated in the application must have been reported to the Labour Office as being vacant for 30 days. This means that the Labour Office will first have to try to fill the position by offering it to other job applicants who have already registered with it. Only when this is unsuccessful can the job be offered to you and the work permit for non-EU citizens be issued.
Obtaining the Work Permit is described in-depth at the Ministry of Interior’s webpage.