Eligibility quiz
Do you have Czech family roots or belong to a Czech community abroad?
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 embassy or consulate responsible for the place where you live.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Czech embassy or consulate covers your city for Krajan permanent residence applications?”
Book a certificate appointment
If you need a Certificate of Affiliation with the Czech Compatriot Community Abroad, book an appointment at the embassy responsible for where you live. A spouse or child can use the qualifying family member’s certificate.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book an appointment at the Czech embassy in your city for a Certificate of Affiliation with the Czech Compatriot Community Abroad?”
Apply for your certificate
If you need the certificate, attend your embassy appointment in person and apply for it. You will have an interview, and the certificate application is free.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I apply for a Certificate of Affiliation with the Czech Compatriot Community Abroad at the Czech embassy serving your city?”
Wait for your certificate
If you applied for the certificate, wait for the decision and follow the embassy’s instructions to receive it.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I receive my Certificate of Affiliation with the Czech Compatriot Community Abroad from the Czech embassy serving your city?”
Download the application form
Download the Czech permanent-residence application form for the Krajan route.
Download the formFill in the form
Complete every field in Czech using Latin letters and sign the form. For a child under 15, the legal guardian completes and signs the application.
Find form instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Czech Republic Krajan permanent residence application form?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the consulate.
See required documentsBook an appointment
Arrange an appointment with the Czech embassy or consulate responsible for where you live to hand in your permanent-residence application.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book a Czech Republic Krajan permanent residence application appointment at the consulate serving your city?”
Go to your appointment
Attend in person and hand in your signed form and documents at the consulate; a legal guardian submits the application for a child under 15. Pay the application fee as instructed by the consulate.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit a Czech Republic Krajan permanent residence application and pay the fee at the consulate serving your city?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the Ministry of the Interior’s decision and send any corrections or extra documents it asks for. Look for your application on the ministry’s approved-application list and follow the instructions you receive.
Find your decisionSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I check the decision on my Czech Republic Krajan permanent residence application?”
Travel to Czech Republic
Once your application is approved, follow the consulate’s instructions for travelling to the Czech Republic and completing the next steps.
Find travel instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I travel to the Czech Republic after my Krajan permanent residence application is approved?”
Once in the CzechiaOnce in the Czechia
Arrange your arrival appointment
Once you are in the Czech Republic, arrange any registration or fingerprint appointment the authorities instruct you to attend. A parent or guardian should arrange the appointment for their child.
Arrange your appointmentSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I arrange a post-arrival registration and biometrics appointment for Czech Republic Krajan permanent residence?”
Attend your arrival appointment
Attend the appointment to register or give your fingerprints and other biometric data as instructed. Bring your child if the authorities ask them to attend.
Find appointment instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I complete post-arrival registration and biometrics for Czech Republic Krajan permanent residence?”
Collect your residence card
Go to collect your residence card when the authorities instruct you; follow their instructions for collecting a child’s card. The card is evidence of your permanent residence in the Czech Republic.
Find collection instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I collect my Czech Republic Krajan permanent residence card?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates *
Gather your birth certificate and the birth records of the family members through whom you can show your Czech origin. Bring the original records and officially certified copies for your certificate application.
* Only if you apply for a certificate of affiliation.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationMarriage certificates *
Gather marriage certificates that help connect your family records. For a certificate of affiliation, bring the originals and officially certified copies; include a divorce or name-change record if needed to explain a change of name.
* Only if you need them to show your family ties or a change of name.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationFamily origin records *
Gather any official records showing your family member's Czech nationality or origin. For a certificate of affiliation, bring the originals and officially certified copies.
* Only if you use a family member's official Czech nationality or origin record.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationFamily tree *
Prepare a family tree showing your family ties and Czech origin. Write it in Czech for your certificate application.
* Only if you apply for a certificate of affiliation.
Considerations
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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