When Unemployed
No one wants to be unemployed, but if such a situation happens there is a social security system. The main role of the Czech social security system is to register the unemployed people and to provide them with information about available job vacancies, as well as to help them apply for unemployment benefits.
There are 3 Labour Offices (Úřad práce) in Ostrava (in the city centre, Vítkovice and Poruba), you should visit one in the area of your residence. When you become unemployed registration at the Labour Office is not obligatory, but without registration you can not apply for unemployment benefits and later, when applying for the retirement pension, it is a disadvantage that there are “blank” periods during which you were not either employed, self-employed, or registered as unemployed (you can also be in the “replacement” period, such as on maternity leave, etc.). While unemployed, social security payments are not required and health insurance payments are covered by the government.
Your former employer is obliged to inform the Social Security Office and your Health Insurance Company about the termination of your job. Nevertheless we recommend to contact your Health Insurance Company yourself to discuss further steps.
You can apply for unemployment benefit if you were working for at least 12 months within the last 24 months (and you were paying social security) if you were employed. The self-employed have different rules. If you want to know more, please contact us.
First, you need to fill in the form “Žádost o zprostředkování zaměstnání” (Application for the Employment Mediation). You do it online and then bring a hard copy with you. Also, you need a valid ID (or passport) and proof of your residence in the Czech Republic (domicile/temporary/permanent residence in Ostrava or a flat lease agreement).
The Labour Office issues a document proving that you are registered and sends the information to your Health Insurance Company. After your first visit the clerk will arrange a meeting with you after a few months and within this time you are obliged to actively search for a job. Once you find a job you must announce this fact to the Labour Office and also to your Health Insurance Company.