Eligibility quiz
Do you have Czech origin through a parent, grandparent or earlier ancestor?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in Czech Republic
You can live indefinitely in the Czech Republic.
Your residence card needs replacing, but its expiry does not itself end your permanent residence.
Study in Czech Republic
You can study in the Czech Republic without a limit on the level or subject imposed by your residence status.
Admission, tuition and student support have separate rules.
Work in Czech Republic
You can work for any employer, change jobs or work for yourself immediately, without a separate immigration work permit.
Visit Schengen countries
With a valid passport and Czech residence card, you can visit other Schengen countries, normally for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period.
Rent or buy housing
You can rent or buy housing in the Czech Republic and open an account.
Use public healthcare
You are covered by public health insurance, whatever your citizenship.
The insurance pays for covered healthcare, though you must register with an insurer and some care may require a payment from you.
Get support
You may qualify for social support, including family, housing, pension, unemployment or education support, under its rules.
For state social support, residence generally counts after 365 days from registration.
Resettlement help may cover moving, housing, healthcare and schooling, plus up to CZK 50,000 per adult or CZK 20,000 per person under 18; it is discretionary and quotas may apply.
How to apply
From outside the CzechiaFrom outside the Czechia
Find your consulate
Find the Czech consulate that serves the place where you live.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Czech consulate serving your city handles Czechia Krajan permanent residence applications?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the consulate.
See required documentsGet the certificate form
Get the application form for the Certificate of Affiliation with the Czech Compatriot Community Abroad. If you are applying as a minor child, your qualifying parent needs the certificate.
Find the formSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I get the Czechia Certificate of Affiliation with the Czech Compatriot Community Abroad application form for Krajan permanent residence?”
Fill in the certificate form
Fill in the certificate application form. If you are applying as a minor child, your qualifying parent fills in their own certificate application.
Find form instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Czechia Certificate of Affiliation with the Czech Compatriot Community Abroad application for Krajan permanent residence?”
Book a certificate appointment
Arrange an appointment with your consulate for the certificate application. If you are applying as a minor child, your qualifying parent arranges their appointment.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book an appointment at the Czech consulate serving your city for a Czechia Certificate of Affiliation with the Czech Compatriot Community Abroad for Krajan permanent residence?”
Apply for the certificate
Take the completed certificate application and required documents to your appointment at the consulate and attend the interview. If you are applying as a minor child, your qualifying parent attends; the certificate application is free.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I apply at the Czech consulate serving your city for a Czechia Certificate of Affiliation with the Czech Compatriot Community Abroad for Krajan permanent residence?”
Wait for the certificate
Wait for the certificate before submitting the residence application. If you are applying as a minor child, your qualifying parent provides their certificate for your application.
Find certificate informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How long does a Czechia Certificate of Affiliation with the Czech Compatriot Community Abroad for Krajan permanent residence take?”
Download the application form
Download the permanent residence application form.
Download the formFill in the application
Fill in and sign the permanent residence application form. For a child, the parent or other legal representative completes and signs it.
Find form instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Czechia Krajan permanent residence application form for myself or my child?”
Book a residence appointment
Arrange the appointment or registration your consulate requires for a permanent residence application. A parent or legal representative arranges it for a child.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book an appointment at the Czech consulate serving your city for Czechia Krajan permanent residence?”
Attend your residence appointment
Bring the completed application and required documents to the consulate and submit them in person. A child aged 12 or older must attend, and a child under 15 must be accompanied by a legal representative.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit a Czechia Krajan permanent residence application at the Czech consulate serving your city?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the decision and answer any requests for more documents or an interview. A parent or legal representative responds for a child.
Check your applicationGet your entry visa
After approval, follow the consulate’s instructions to get the visa for entering Czechia to collect your residence permit. A parent or legal representative follows the instructions for a child.
Find visa instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I get a visa to collect my Czechia Krajan permanent residence permit after approval abroad?”
Travel to Czechia
Travel to Czechia with your travel document and entry visa. A parent or legal representative travels with a child.
Find travel instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I enter Czechia after approval of a Krajan permanent residence application made abroad?”
Once in the CzechiaOnce in the Czechia
Report and give biometrics
Within three working days of entering Czechia, report in person with your valid travel document to the Interior Ministry office whose address the consulate gave you. You or your child will have identity and biometric details recorded.
Find reporting instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I report and give biometrics after entering Czechia with an approved Krajan permanent residence application?”
Collect your residence card
Return to the Interior Ministry office as instructed, no later than 60 days after biometrics, to check the details and collect your card or your child’s card. Pay CZK 2,500 by revenue stamp at collection; the card is your proof of permanent residence in Czechia.
Find collection instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I collect and pay for a Czechia Krajan permanent residence card after biometrics?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates
Get your birth certificate and your Czech parent's birth record to show your family connection and Czech origin. For your compatriot certificate application, bring the original official records and certified copies. If you were adopted, include the adoption decision.
Family tree
Prepare a family tree in Czech for your compatriot certificate application. Include your parents and grandparents and, if you know them, earlier relatives.
Marriage certificates *
Get the marriage certificates that connect your records to your Czech parent's records. Include a divorce or name change record if it is needed to explain a name change, and bring originals and certified copies for your compatriot certificate application.
* Only if a marriage or name change must be shown to connect your family records.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationConsiderations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Documents and address
Keep a valid passport and residence card, follow residence registration rules and report required changes and lost or damaged documents.
Replace the card generally every 10 years for adults or every 5 years for children under 15.
Health insurance payments
Participation in public health insurance is compulsory.
Depending on your situation, the premiums are paid by your employer, the state or you.
Integration course
Complete the adaptation and integration course within one year of the final decision, unless an exemption applies.
Permits already issued and valid before 1 January 2021 are exempt.
Permanent residence can end
Your permanent residence can end at your request or be cancelled for serious public-order or security reasons, certain deception or other legal violations.
It can also be cancelled after a long absence when the rules on absence and return apply.
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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