Residence Permits
The Czech Republic is a Member State of the European Union. Every EU citizen has the right to live and work in another Member State. There are different types of permits for movement in the territory of the Czech Republic, such as visas, residence permits, etc., with regard to the country of origin (citizenship) of the particular individuals.
EU citizens can (but are not obliged to) apply for temporary residence if they intend to stay in the Czech Republic longer than 3 months. Step-by-step instructions can be found on the website of the Ministry of the Interior (= Ministerstvo vnitra). For more details, please have a look and download the application form.
You can submit your application in person at the Foreign Police Department – MOI office Ostrava, Výstavní 55, Ostrava.
Opening hours: Mo, We: 8.00am – 5pm and Tue, Th: 8.00am – 2pm. You can also make an online appointment.
The Foreign Police official language is Czech (solely and compulsory) so you cannot expect the clerks to use English in communication with you. A good idea is to bring along an interpreter, a friend or, which is a very elegant solution, to come on Monday or Wednesday morning where there are social workers provided by CPIC, the governmental agency. They speak English and will help you with the paperwork.
Please keep in mind that all documents must be originals or notarized copies (sometimes an Apostille is required). Also, once you have a residence permit, you are obliged to report a change of your home address, passport number, family status or surname within 15 days (30 days in the case of a change of address).
There are special conditions for a family member of an EU citizen who is not an EU citizen himself/herself (see who is “family member”). Step-by-step instructions can be found on the website of the Ministry of the Interior (= Ministerstvo vnitra). For more details, please have a look and download the application form.
You can submit your application in person at the Foreign Police Department – MOI office Ostrava, Výstavní 55, Ostrava.
Opening hours: Mo, We: 8.00am – 5pm and Tue, Th: 8.00am – 2pm. You can also make an online appointment.
The Foreign Police official language is Czech (solely and compulsory) so you cannot expect the clerks to use English in communication with you. A good idea is to bring along an interpreter, a friend or, which is a very elegant solution, to come on Monday or Wednesday morning where there are social workers provided by CPIC, the governmental agency. They speak English and will help you with the paperwork.
Please keep in mind that all documents must be originals or notarized copies (sometimes an Apostille is required). Also, once you have a residence permit, you are obliged to report a change of your home address, passport number, family status or surname within 15 days (30 days in the case of a change of address).
You can request Permanent residence after 5 years of continuous residence in the Czech Republic. The process is very similar to the application for temporary residence. It is advised to follow the step-by-step instructions on the website of the Ministry of the Interior. Additionally, there is one more thing to do: Confirmation of accommodation which is not the original contract between you and your landlord, but an more extradocument.
You can submit your application in person at the Foreign Police Department – MOI office Ostrava, Výstavní 55, Ostrava. Mo, We: 8.00am – 5.00pm and Tue, Th: 8.00am – 2.00pm. You can also make an online appointment.
The Foreign Police official language is Czech (compulsory and solely) so you cannot expect the clerks to use English in communication with you. A good idea is to bring along an interpreter, a friend or, which is a very elegant solution, to come on Monday or Wednesday morning where there are social workers provided by CPIC, the governmental agency. They speak English and will help you with the paperwork.
Please remember that once you have a permanent residence you must always be insured with the public health insurance. You can apply for Czech citizenship usually after another 3 years. Also, all changes have to be reported to the MOI office (Výstavní 55) within 30 days.
There are special conditions for a family member of an EU citizen who is not an EU citizen himself/herself (see who is “family member”). As a non-EU citizen who is a family member of an EU citizen with permanent residence in the Czech Republic, you can apply after 2 years of continuous residence in the Czech Republic if you have been a family member of an EU citizen for at least 1 year. Step-by-step instructions can be found on the website of the Ministry of the Interior (= Ministerstvo vnitra). For more details, please have a look and download the application form.
You can submit your application in person at the Foreign Police Department – MOI office Ostrava, Výstavní 55, Ostrava.
Opening hours: Mo, We: 8.00am – 5pm and Tue, Th: 8.00am – 2pm. You can also make an online appointment.
The Foreign Police official language is Czech (solely and compulsory) so you cannot expect the clerks to use English in communication with you. A good idea is to bring along an interpreter, a friend or, which is a very elegant solution, to come on Monday or Wednesday morning where there are social workers provided by CPIC, the governmental agency. They speak English and will help you with the paperwork.
Please keep in mind that all documents must be originals or notarized copies (sometimes an Apostille is required). Also, once you have a residence permit, you are obliged to report a change of your home address, passport number, family status or surname within 15 days (30 days in the case of a change of address).
As a non-EU foreigner who intends to stay in the Czech Republic for over 90 days you will need a long-term visa or residence permit.
Paperwork and getting things done with authorities can sometimes be a pretty hard job even in your mother tongue. Fortunately, in Ostrava, there is the official contact service (CPIC) for third country foreign subjects available free of charge to get advice and useful tips as to exactly how to apply and what to submit. As of 1st July 2020 the same service is also provided by the same contact place for EU-citizens. Also, more information about visa applications can be found at the Ministry of Interior. If you are already in the Czech Republic and want to extend you residence permit, please follow the information on the website of the Ministry of Interior.
You can request Permanent residence after 5 years of continuous stay in the Czech Republic. Please follow the step-by-step instructions on the website of the Ministry of Interior. Additionally, there are a few more things to do:
- Confirmation of accommodation which is not the original of the contract between you and the landlord, but a separate document;
- Proof of funds which is the confirmation of your income or other profits from a bank account that is registered in your name;
- Czech language exam (A1) – materials available online.
You can submit your application in person at the Foreign Police Department – MOI office Ostrava, Výstavní 55, Ostrava. Mo, We: 8.00am – 5.00pm and Tue, Th: 8.00am – 2.00pm. You can also make an online appointment.
Please remember that once you have permanent residence you must always be insured with the public health insurance. You can also draw unemployment benefits and you also have the right to be registered as a job seeker at the Labour Office (Úřad práce). You also have the right to be employed without a work permit, etc.
You can apply for Czech citizenship usually after another 3 years. Also, all changes have to be reported to the MOI office (Výstavní 55) within 30 days.