Who has free access to the labour market?
Free access to the labour market means that you do not need to obtain a work permit to begin working in the Czech Republic. These people can begin working almost immediately after entering the Czech Republic. Section 98 and 98a of the Employment Act (No. 435/2004 Coll.) describes who is entitled to free access to the labour market in the Czech Republic. The following people are entitled to free access, among others:
- European Union (EU)/European Economic Area (EEA) citizens and their family members
- Switzerland nationals and their family members
- Non-EU citizens who have a permanent residence permit in the Czech Republic
- Students from non-EU countries (only full-time students from accredited universities with visa code 23 or 24)
- Foreigners who have graduated from a Czech university or secondary school and have the proper proof of completion
- People of international protection or asylum seekers
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Who has conditional access to the labour market?
With conditional access to the labour market you must obtain a work permit and a valid residence permit to the Czech Republic before you can begin working in the country. The following groups of people are granted conditional access to the labour market:
- Third-county nationals (non-EU/EEA)
- Students under 26 on study exchange programmes
- Interns
- Short-term and long-term visa holders
- Long-term residence permit holders for the purpose of conducting business
Works permits in the Czech Republic cover the following types of work:
- Seasonal work
- Employment for a fixed period to improve the skills of the employee, such as through traineeships
- Employment for exchange students up to the age of 26
- Short-term employment of up to three (3) months
- Long-term employment
Tip for article
Labour law is regulated by a number of legal provisions, but the Labour Code is its “bible”. It regulates both the basic principles and also very specific provisions describing the creation of the employment relationship and the circumstances of its duration. Read more in our article.
How do I apply for a work permit?
To apply for a work permit, you must apply in writing to the relevant regional employment office of the place you work before arriving in the Czech Republic. It is best to be represented throughout this process by your employer or another representative empowered by you, on the basis of a written power of attorney.
When applying, you must attach a copy of your employment contract from your employer in the Czech Republic. If you are employed by an employment agency for the temporary employment of foreigners, the employment contract must also contain a clause stating that you agree to be temporarily employed by the chosen employer.
The administrative fee for a work permit is CZK 500.
What type of work permit should I apply for?
There are two types of work permits in the Czech Republic. This process requires more documents than EU/EEA nationals who are granted free access, thus it is important to keep note of what information pertains to your situation.
Employee Card
The Employee Card is the most commonly applied-for work permit by foreigners. It allows you to live and work in the Czech Republic for a maximum period of 2 years, depending on the length of your employment contract. You may apply for an extension of your card, but you must apply no earlier than 120 days before its expiration date and no later than the last day of its validity. You must apply for an Employee Card by submitting an application with proper documentation to a Czech embassy or consulate in your country of origin, unless you currently reside in the Czech Republic on a long-term visa in which you may apply within the Czech Republic. It takes between 60 to 90 days to process an Employee Card application, so be mindful of your employment timeline.
The Employee Card includes biometric information. Within three days of your arrival in the Czech Republic, you must report to the Department of Asylum and Migration Policy of the Ministry of the Interior to provide your biometric elements for the card. Once this information is collected, you will pay the issuing fee of CZK 2500 before receiving the card.
If your employer or job position changes, you must submit this change to the Ministry of the Interior no later than thirty (30) days in advance. You do not need to report this change if you have free access to the labour market or if your new position is covered by the work permit. However, you cannot change your job in the first six months from the date you collected your Employee Card.
Blue Card
The Blue Card is a type of work permit that is intended for non-EU citizens who wish to work in a position that requires a high level of qualification, including higher university education. The Blue Card is issued for up to 3 months longer than the duration of the employment contract, but there is a maximum of 3 years.
If you change or leave your employment, you must notify the Ministry of the Interior within three (3) working days.
You are eligible to apply for a Blue Card if you meet the following conditions:
- You have a university degree or higher professional education (minimum of three years of study)
- You will be employed in the Czech Republic in a position that requires such a qualification
- Your employment contract extends at least one year
- Your agreed salary is at least 1.5 times the average salary in the Czech Republic.
You may apply for a Blue Card at a Czech diplomatic mission in your country of origin. If you already are a Blue Card holder that was issued by another EU country, you may apply for the Blue Card in the Czech Republic. In this case, you must apply for the Blue Card within one month of your arrival in the Czech Republic. The application process for a Blue Card is the same as an Employee Card.
How is this different from the United States?
In the United States, the Office of Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS) handles all work authorizations and permits. For temporary work, a potential employer must file a petition with USCIS on behalf of the employee and obtain a certificate from the Department of Labor stating that the foreign worker will not adversely affect American workers. From there, the worker can receive one of many temporary worker visas.
For a traditional work permit, known as the Employment Authorization Document, foreigners apply using Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. Eligibility is typically tied to other immigration applications such as a green card or asylum. The application timeline varies from case to case, with some applications taking between 2 to 6 months or longer.
Obtaining the legal right to work in the Czech Republic requires diligent attention to work permit requirements. Once you understand your access to the labour market and the required documents for employment, you will be able to enjoy your new employment in the Czech Republic.
