Eligibility quiz
Is your grandparent or your grandparent’s spouse a European Union (EU) citizen?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in Czechia
You can live, rent a home, open a bank account and use ordinary services in Czechia for the period on your card.
A close family member’s card lasts for the expected stay of their family member, up to five years; certain other family members’ cards last up to three years.
It can be extended repeatedly while you live in Czechia and still qualify as a family member.
Study in Czechia
You can live and study in Czechia on the same general basis as other people living there lawfully.
Work in Czechia
Holders can work for any employer without a separate work permit or employee card, and can run a business.
Travel without visas
With a valid card and travel document, you can leave and return to Czechia repeatedly while your card is valid.
You can also visit the Schengen Area without a visa, but the card does not let you settle indefinitely in another country.
Permanent residence after five years
You can generally gain permanent residence after five years of continuous temporary residence.
The wait is two years for a close family member of a Czech or EU citizen with permanent residence, if the relationship has lasted at least one year.
Permanent residence documents last ten years and can be extended repeatedly for ten years at a time.
How to apply
Applying at a local officeApplying at a local office
Find your local office
Find the Ministry of the Interior office that serves the place where you live in Czechia.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Czechia Ministry of the Interior office handles temporary residence permits for family members of EU citizens in your city?”
Download the application form
Download the application for a temporary residence permit for a family member of an EU citizen.
Download the formFill in the form
Complete every section of the application form and sign it.
Find form instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Czechia application for a temporary residence permit for a family member of an EU citizen?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the local office.
See required documentsGet a revenue stamp
Get a CZK 200 revenue stamp to pay the application fee. The office does not accept cash or card for this fee.
Find revenue stampsSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where can I buy a revenue stamp for a Czechia temporary residence permit for a family member of an EU citizen?”
Arrange your visit
Arrange an appointment with your local office if needed. To book online, create an account on the Information Portal for Foreigners.
Book an appointmentSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book an appointment for a Czechia temporary residence permit for a family member of an EU citizen?”
Hand in your application
Go to the local office in person with your signed form, required documents and revenue stamp. Pay the fee with the stamp when you hand in your application.
Find submission instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit a Czechia temporary residence permit application for a family member of an EU citizen at the Ministry of the Interior?”
Wait for the decision
Answer any requests from the Ministry and attend any appointment it asks you to attend for your fingerprints or documents.
See what happens nextSearches DuckDuckGo for “What happens after I apply for a Czechia temporary residence permit for a family member of an EU citizen?”
Collect your card
Follow the Ministry’s instructions to collect your residence card. The card documents your permission to live in Czechia as a family member of an EU citizen.
Find collection instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I collect a Czechia temporary residence card for a family member of an EU citizen?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates
Get your birth certificate and your parent’s birth certificate to show your relationship to your Czech grandparent. Submit the original records; if adoption, marriage or a name change is needed to show the link, include the relevant records too.
Grandparent’s residence record *
Provide a record showing your Czech grandparent’s residence in the Czech Republic. A Czech grandparent must be registered for permanent residence in the Czech Republic where the rules require it.
* Only if the application form asks for proof of your grandparent’s residence.
May need translationConsiderations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Lost or damaged card
Report a lost, stolen or damaged residence card within three working days.
Late reporting of a lost, destroyed, damaged or stolen card can lead to a fine of up to CZK 5,000.
Reporting personal changes
Report changes to your name, marital status, travel document or residence document within 15 working days.
Report a new address within 30 working days if you will live there for more than 180 days.
Late reporting can lead to a fine of up to CZK 3,000.
Residence can end
You can end your residence voluntarily, or it may be taken away if your family relationship no longer qualifies, you stop living together in Czechia, or for serious legal reasons.
Exceptions and your family life must be considered.
For ordinary reasons, you generally get 60 days to leave; you may apply for another residence status and keep work access while that application is decided.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
CrowdSauce by Expats.cz
English Facebook group for people interested in Czech visas and local life
Join on FacebookExpats and foreigners in the Czech Republic #LifeInCzechia
English Facebook group for people living in the Czechia interested in Czech visas
Request to joinExpats in CZE - help and support group
English Facebook group for people living in the Czechia interested in Czech visas
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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