Work permits and visas in Czechia: An employer’s guide

Hiring in Czechia? Whether you’re bringing on a new team member or relocating someone from your existing workforce, you’ll need to follow the country’s immigration and work permit rules.

Understanding which type of work permit applies is key, since every worker needs the right documentation before they can legally work in Czechia. Add in local laws around immigration, tax, and employment, and things can get complicated quickly.

That’s why we’ve put together this guide. Here, you’ll find a comprehensive breakdown of work permits in Czechia, from the different options available to practical tips. So let’s jump straight in.

Why is it important to obtain the right work permit in Czechia?

If you’re hiring or relocating employees in Czechia, it’s important to stay compliant with the country’s immigration and work permit rules. Failing to do so can expose your business to financial penalties, legal risks, and even reputational damage.

To avoid complications, it's crucial to make sure that every team member has the right legal status to live and work in the country before they start, and that you seek professional advice where necessary.

See also: The complete employer’s guide to hiring in Czechia

Who needs a work permit in Czechia?

The following groups of people do not need a work or residence permit in Czechia:

• Czech citizens (even if they currently live abroad)
• Permanent residents
• Citizens of European Union (EU) countries
• Citizens of Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, and Liechtenstein

Note that EU/EEA/Swiss workers must still obtain an EU registration certificate (Registrační osvědčení občana EU) within three months of entering Czechia. This is to simplify administrative processes.

All other foreign nationals must obtain a work and residence permit to work legally in Czechia, although citizens of some countries do not require a work permit (more on this later).

Remote’s Relocation service can help advise on whether your employee is eligible to work in Czechia, and provide tailored guidance on visa and immigration requirements. Learn more.

What types of work permits are available in Czechia?

As mentioned, non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens must obtain a residence permit and, in most cases, a work permit to work in Czechia. Here are the main options:

Employee Card

The Employee Card (Zaměstnanecká Karta) is the most widely used work permit for foreign nationals seeking long-term employment in Czechia. It functions as both a residence permit and a work permit in one, making it practical for individuals who plan to live and work in the country for more than 90 days.

To obtain one, applicants must have a valid job offer in a position that is registered in the Central Register of Job Vacancies Available for Employee Cards (which is maintained by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs).

The card is usually granted for the duration of the employment contract (up to a maximum of two years) and can be renewed. If the holder changes jobs, they must inform the Ministry of the Interior, and in some cases, approval is required before starting a new position. The Employee Card covers most professions but is designed primarily for mid-level roles, as opposed to highly specialized or seasonal work.

EU Blue Card

The EU Blue Card is a residence permit that enables holders from outside the EU to live and work in most of the 27 member states. 

It is tailored for highly skilled professionals (i.e., those with a university education or equivalent qualifications), and is intended to attract and retain skilled workers in fields where there is a shortage of expertise in the Czech labour market. To qualify for an EU Blue Card, the applicant must present proof of higher education and hold a job offer that is classified as highly qualified and pays at least 1.5x the Czech average gross annual wage. Learn more about EU Blue Cards.

Intra-company employee transfer card

The intra-company employee transfer card is designed for employees of multinational companies who are temporarily transferred to a Czech branch from outside the EU. It specifically applies to managers, specialists, and trainees, ensuring that companies can move their staff across borders without excessive bureaucracy.

The card allows these individuals to live and work in Czechia for the duration of their transfer, with managers and specialists allowed to stay for up to three years, and trainees up to one. Importantly, this card also provides intra-EU mobility rights, allowing the holder to work at branches of the same company in other EU countries. This makes it a practical solution for large corporations with multiple European operations.

Seasonal work visa

For seasonal workers who want (or need) to stay in Czechia for longer than three months, the government provides a long-term visa for the purpose of seasonal employment. This visa is valid for nine months, and is typically issued to workers in the following industries:

• Agricultural activities
• Building, architecture, and construction
• Civil engineering
• Tourism, entertainment, and hospitality
  
  

Short-term employment visa

For employment lasting less than 90 days, a short-term employment visa is issued. This is often used for temporary projects, specialist assignments, or urgent work that requires an employee to be physically present in Czechia for a limited time.

It is tied to a specific work permit issued by the Czech Labour Office, meaning the visa cannot be granted until the permit is approved.

Because of its short validity, this visa is not renewable in the same way as long-term permits, such as the Employee Card. Once it expires, the worker must leave the country and reapply if they wish to return for another short assignment. It is therefore used mainly for project-based roles rather than ongoing employment.

Other work permits

In addition to the standard categories, Czechia operates several programs designed to support the recruitment of specific types of workers, including:

• The Key and Scientific Staff Program, which makes it easier for universities, research institutions, and technology firms to hire international experts.
• The Highly Qualified Employee Program, which targets roles requiring advanced skills.
• The Qualified Employee Program, which is aimed at workers in industries where there is a high demand for labour (such as manufacturing and services).

These programs often speed up the visa process and provide a clearer route for both employers and employees. However, eligibility is typically limited to applicants from certain countries with which Czechia has agreements, and employers must be pre-approved to participate. They are a strategic tool to fill labour shortages while maintaining control over immigration flows.

How to obtain a work permit in Czechia

To obtain an Employee Card, there must first be a concrete job offer in place from a Czech employer (as mentioned above, this position must be listed in the Central Register of Job Vacancies Available for Employee Cards). The role must also comply with Czech labor standards.

Your employee will also need to gather the required documents for the Employee card application process, including:

• A completed Employee Card application form
• A valid passport
• An employment contract or official job offer letter
• Proof of accommodation in Czechia (e.g., a lease agreement or a landlord’s affidavit)
• Proof of professional qualifications (if required)
• Valid health insurance
• A clean criminal record certificate
• Passport photographs

Note that all foreign documents generally need to be officially translated into Czech and apostilled.

Your employee must submit the application in person at one of Czechia’s official diplomatic missions (i.e., the Czech embassy or consulate in their home country). Bear in mind that some Czech diplomatic missions have Employee Card application quotas, and your employee may need to check in advance if applications are being accepted.

The application fee is 5,000 CZK and typically takes around 60 to 90 days to process. Note that if the employee is already legally in Czechia with another type of visa, they may be able to apply directly at the Czech Ministry of the Interior.

If the application is granted, your employee will need to collect a special entry visa from the same embassy or consulate (the visa for a stay longer than 90 days for the purpose of collecting a residence permit (D/VR)), unless they are eligible to enter Czechia in another way.

They can then travel to Czechia, where they will need to register at an office of the Ministry of the Interior within 30 days. After this, they will be required to provide biometric data, and be issued with their residence permit.

Exceptions for some foreign nationals

While all non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals require a work and residence permit, citizens of some countries have, since 2024, been granted free access to the Czech labor market, meaning they do not require a work permit — only a residence permit.

Currently, this applies to citizens of:

• Australia
• New Zealand
• The US
• Canada
• The UK
• Israel
• Japan
• South Korea
• Singapore

Note, however, that these citizens still require a valid entry visa, and must still obtain the residence permit to live in Czechia.

Does Czechia offer a digital nomad visa?

Yes, Czechia offers a digital nomad visa, enabling remote employees of foreign companies (and freelancers) to live and work in Czechia.

However, it is only currently available to professionals in the fields of IT or marketing, and applicants must be a citizen of one of the following countries:

• Australia
• Brazil
• India
• Israel
• Japan
• Canada
• Mexico
• New Zealand
• Singapore
• South Korea
• The UK
• The US
• Taiwan

Applications are assessed by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and applicants must provide: 

• A completed application form
• Proof of existence of the foreign employer
• An affidavit from the employer that it employs at least 50 employees worldwide
• An employment contract in English (with key passages officially translated into Czech)
• Proof of education and/or experience

The salary or remuneration of the employee must also be at least 1.5x the average Czech gross annual salary, as designated by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.

Note that if the applicant is successful, they must still obtain a residence permit to live and work in Czechia.

See also: Which other countries offer digital nomad visas?

How can Remote help?

To hire or relocate employees to Czechia, you’ll need to have your own local entity there. This is a process that can be complex, lengthy, and expensive.

You also need to comply with relevant immigration laws and regulations to avoid potential penalties, as well as handle payroll, benefits, and all other HR requirements.

This is where Remote’s employer of record (EOR) service can be invaluable. We act as the legal employer in Czechia on your company’s behalf, and handle onboarding, payroll, and benefits. We help ensure that you are fully compliant with all local employment and payroll tax laws, and can onboard your employee in a matter of days, too, saving you time, money, and resources.

Alternatively, if you already have an entity in Czechia, we can assist in international employee relocation with case-by-case immigration assessments, and guidance on the visa process.

To learn more about the processes involved in relocating international employees, download Remote's Relocation Guide, or contact our Relocation team today.