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Moving to the Czech Republic is becoming immensely popular for all foreigners. If you want to live in a country with a low cost of living, safety, and many expats, the Czech Republic is the right place for you.
The Czech Republic, also known as Czechia, is located in the center of Europe; it is an average-sized European country with rich history and cultural heritage. A little guide is prepared for you for more information about the country and how to move there.
Interesting Facts About the Czech Republic
Some exciting facts you might want to know before moving are:
- Czechs love mushrooms, especially the picking part.
- Robots originated in the Czech Republic.
- Its beer, Pilsner, is extremely famous around the world.
- The Czech Republic is home to more than 2,000 castles and the largest castle in the world – Prague Castle.
- Prague, the country’s capital, has the oldest astronomical clock in the world since 1410.
- The country is ranked as the seventh safest country in the world.
- It has more than 535,000 expats.
- The most popular sport is ice hockey.
Who Can Move to the Czech Republic?
Anyone who believes the Czech Republic is the right place to move can do so, but visa requirements change depending on your nationality:
- If you are an EU/EEA/Schengen citizen, you can move there without any restrictions.
- If you are from a country with a visa-free agreement with Schengen, you will not need a visa to move there for the first 90 days, after which you need an appropriate visa/residence permit.
- Nationals from other countries are required to apply for a Czech Republic visa to move there.
How to Move to the Czech Republic as an EU Citizen?
Since May 1, 2014, EU citizens have not needed a visa or any other permits to visit, live or work in the Czech Republic— all you need is to have a valid identity card.
Within 30 days following your arrival, you must notify your local Foreigners’ Police Inspectorate of your presence in the country (unless you stay in a hotel or similar accommodation).
If you want to stay in the Czech Republic for more than three months, you will be entitled to apply for a “Certificate of Temporary Residence for an EU Citizen”.
How to Move to the Czech Republic as a Non-EU Citizen?
Non-EU citizens must apply for a Czech Republic long-stay (national) visa to move there and stay longer than 90 days. Through these national visas, they can apply for a residence permit.
First, within thirty days, they must register their address at the Foreigners’ Police Inspectorate and then apply for a temporary residence permit at the nearest MOI (Ministry of Interior) office.
Moving to Work
Non-EU citizens that want to move to the Czech Republic for work must apply for a long-stay work visa. The country offers three types of work permits:
- The Employee Card.
- The Blue Card.
- The Intra-Company Transferee Card.
The duration of the work visa is between one to three years. Upon arriving in the Czech Republic, you must register with the police and apply for a temporary residence permit at the nearest MOI office. After holding a temporary residence for five years, you can apply for a permanent residence permit.
Moving for Family Reunification
Another way non-EU nationals can move to the Czech Republic is through family reunification. You will be required to apply for a family reunification visa.
To be eligible for the visa, you must be:
- Spouse/partner of someone living in the Czech Republic.
- Dependent children of a foreigner residing in the Czech Republic.
- Someone older than 65 and has a family member living in the Czech Republic.
The validity of the visa will depend on the validity of the family member’s residence permit in the Czech Republic. A temporary residence permit is also issued along with the long-stay family reunion visa. Moreover, you can work and study in the country with a residence permit.
Moving to Study
If you want to move to the Czech Republic as a non-EU citizen for study purposes, you are required to apply for a student visa. A student visa can be issued for short-term stays of 90 days to long-term stays of one year. If you want to stay longer than one year, you will need a long-term residence permit.
How Can I Move Permanently to the Czech Republic?
To move permanently to the Czech Republic, you first should apply for a permanent residence permit. You can apply in person at the MOI office of the Czech Republic.
After staying in the country for five years with a permanent residence permit, you can apply for citizenship.
How to Gain Citizenship in the Czech Republic?
You can gain citizenship in the Czech Republic after five years of residing in the country on a residence permit. Different ways you can gain citizenship are:
- You can get citizenship from your parents and your grandparents.
- You will be qualified for citizenship by naturalization:
- If you have been residing in the country for the last past years with a permanent residence permit.
- If you are a national from one of the EU countries and have lived in the Czech Republic for at least three years.
- If your parents applied for you and you are under the age of 15.
- You can apply for citizenship by declaration if:
- You lost your Czech citizenship before the 1st of January, 2014.
- If your parents/grandparents before December 31, 2013, were citizens of the Czech Republic or Czechoslovakia.
Does the Czech Republic Allow Dual Citizenship?
Since January 1, 2014, the Czech Republic has allowed dual citizenship. The country’s government has a registry for foreigners with dual citizenship.
Nevertheless, some countries do not permit dual citizenship; therefore, ensure that the country you come from allows it because if not, you might have to decide which citizenship you want to keep.
How Can I Move My Belongings to the Czech Republic?
You can move your belongings in different ways, by air or land, with the help of moving services. You only have to make sure which one works best for you. The Czech Republic has a few shipping guidelines you must follow:
- If you have been living outside of the Czech Republic and owned your belongings for at least six months before importing them, your household goods and personal belongings will be imported duty-free.
- Your belongings must be imported within one year you were issued a Czech visa.
- You must be registered and accredited with the local authorities of the Czech Republic.
The government of the Czech Republic restricts and subjects to customs duties a few items:
- Firearms must be authorized by the Czech embassy in your country.
- Two photos of each item must accompany the artwork, paintings, and antiques.
- Plants must have a Phytosanitary certificate.
- Alcohol will be subject to customs duties unless:
- Wine 2 liters per person.
- Liquor 1 liter per person.
- Tobacco will be duty-free when it is in the following amounts:
- 200 cigarettes.
- 250 gr loose tobacco.
In addition, prohibited items imported into the country include:
- Narcotics or illegal drugs.
- p*rnographic materials.
- Weapons, ammunitions, or explosives.
Can I Move to the Czech Republic With Pets?
You can move to the Czech Republic with pets, but you must meet a few requirements beforehand.
- All pets must have a microchip to be identified. The microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccine.
- All pets must have a Rabies Certificate from the veterinarian. The vaccine must be old for at least 21 days.
- If you travel with more than five pets, they must be older than six months.
- You must provide a few documents for your pets:
- An EU Health Certificate. It is valid for ten days after the issuance and must be filled out by a veterinarian.
- Airline Health Certificate.
- Rabies Certificate.
- Microchip Implantation Record.
Note: All required documents must be endorsed by your country’s government agency responsible for the import and export of animals.
Why Should I Move to the Czech Republic?
The Czech Republic, similarly to all countries you decide to move has its pros and cons:
| Pros | Cons |
| Low cost of living— In the Czech Republic the living costs are relatively low. Compared to other European countries, the expenses for everyday goods and services tend to be below average. | Low salaries— compared to other European countries, Czech salaries are quite low. The country is ranked #20 out of 28 European Union member countries. In 2023, the minimum wage has increased to CZK 17,300, but it is still low compared to other countries. |
| Healthcare— the Czech Republic has affordable and high-quality healthcare. If you become a permanent resident or an EU national, you will have access to free medical care. | Cold winters— winters in the Czech Republic tend to be extremely cold and dark. You can expect the winter to be from mid-November to March, with temperatures below freezing. |
| Safety— the Czech Republic is one of the safest countries in the EU. If sometimes any crime happens, the police are swift and responsive. | Pickpockets— while the Czech Republic is considered one of the safest countries regarding serious crimes, that doesn’t mean petty crimes won’t happen. |
| Accessibility— located in the center of Europe, the Czech Republic is accessible to other European countries. You can easily for a few hours be in another country. | Customer service— customer service, and bureaucratic procedures are quite slow in Czechia which irritates expats; especially if you come from a country where these types of work are done swiftly. It’s important to be patient and understand that each country has its own way of dealing with administrative procedures. |
| Culture and lifestyle— the Czech Republic is quite diverse due to the huge number of tourists and expats. The country is home to many cultural events, and you can enjoy everything, ballet, opera, sports, various restaurants, mountains, forests, etc. | Gender pay gap— the Czech Republic is one of the countries with the widest gender pay gap in Europe. Women employed in the same position earn 12% less than men. |
Popular Areas for Czech Expats
Check out the top places to live in the Czech Republic for those considering a move:
- Prague
- Brno
- Ostrava
- Plzeń
- Kolin
Prague
Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic and, at the same time, it’s the largest city in the country and one of the major cities in Europe. The city is relatively known for its cobblestone roads that encompass Romanesque structures and Gothic observatories extending back more than 1,000 years. The Czech Republic, located in the center of Europe, makes Prague the cultural, economic, and political center of central Europe.
Furthermore, compared to other major European cities, Prague is more affordable, and you can access public and private hospitals with high medical standards. Finally, the city has an extensive public transportation system. The popular means of transportation and the fastest is the metro, and the links are expanding over time.
Brno
Brno is the Czech Republic’s second-largest city. The usual expats that move to the city are students. Brno has 13 universities in and around the city with world-class facilities and quality. Brno is considered an IT hub and is mostly known as the “Silicon Valley of Central Europe”. There are many locals and expats employed in this sector; for this reason, 75% of foreigners earn more than the country’s average income.
In addition, Brno has a great main square with exquisite buildings that are historically relevant even now, such as Spilberk Castle. Brno also has an outstanding public transportation system and a booming nightlife.
Ostrava
Ostrava is a picturesque city in the northeastern part of the Czech Republic and is the perfect combination of old and new. For those who want to experience the “real” Czech Republic, Ostrava is a good choice. Historically a mining town, it’s now a vibrant cultural center with a lot to offer.
Ostrava is always a pleasant surprise, with various things to see and do, including underground coal mines, rafting, and a great music festival. Moreover, throughout history, coal, iron, and steel have changed the lives of generations. Ostrava represents technological development and the industrial revolution more than any other Czech city.
Plzeň
Plzeň is the Czech Republic’s fourth-largest city, with a population of around 180,000. Plzeň is home to one of the most famous beers, Pilsner, and the biggest sports team in the country. The city is also very close to the capital.
The cost of traveling to Plzeň is a little higher than in some of our other cities. With rent, utilities, food, and transportation included, a single person can live comfortably for about $950 per month. Experiencing the country or going on excursions might require a bit more budget.
Kolin
This lovely city is situated in the center of Bohemia, relatively close to Prague but far enough away to retain many of its small-town charms. Kolin was founded in the 13th century by King Premsyl Otakar II. It is a historical city with considerable gothic and baroque architecture, the most known landmark is the Gothic Cathedral of St. Bartholomew.
Furthermore, in Kolin, you’ll find that living costs are also pretty reasonable. You can live comfortably for less than $900 per month.
Move to Czechia for a Cheap Life
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