From the beginning of the year 2021, The United Kingdom officially doesn’t belong to the European Union (EU) anymore. New obligations and restrictions might be still unclear, not mentioning the addition of the current coronavirus situation. Therefore, we are bringing, from our point of view, the most useful information for UK nationals living in and moving to the Czech Republic.
Visas and Residency
Those who were legal residents in the Czech Republic before January 1st 2021, should access a residence document.
However, you have to prove your legal residence via:
- certificate of temporary residence
- permanent residence permit issued for the UK citizens before February 1st, 2020,
- residence document issued after February 1st, 2020 in the same format, with an “EU Withdrawal Agreement” stamp on page 2 for a temporary residence certificate and page 4 for a permanent residence permit
How to access the residence document?
To get this document you have to report to the Ministry of Interior (MOI) by December 31, 2021.
Originally, it was set that the temporary and permanent certificate could be requested at the MOI by December 31, 2020. If you were not able to make it, the application can be still submitted, after January 1, 2021, too. However, a longer examination process of these applications can be expected due to the need for more detailed evidence
Although under the Withdrawal Agreement your rights won’t be affected if you do not meet the deadline, we recommend you to obtain all the required as soon as possible.
Visa
Since UK citizens fall into the third country citizens from now on, for stays in the territory of the Czech Republic exceeding 90 days a long-term visa or residence is needed.
For short term stays (not exceeding 90 days) UK citizens should apply for a Schengen visa.
Travelling
Every time travelling somewhere, one should always carry a residence permit as well as a valid passport.
If you have only recently applied for the residence permit and did not receive it yet, carry at least proof of application.
If you have not even applied yet carry evidence that you are resident in the Czech Republic. This could include a tenancy agreement or a utility bill in your name, dating from 2020.
Coronavirus and Traveling
From now on, UK citizens are allowed to travel to the Czech Republic only in justified cases. If, due to the epidemiological situation, the UK is listed in red/orange countries as non-safe, the UK citizens who do not hold a residence permit or do not fall into the exempt categories will not be able to travel to the Czech Republic at all.
Passports
Always check your passport validity before booking a trip. It applies, that you must have at least 6 months left on an adult or child passport to travel to most countries in Europe. This requirement does not apply if you are entering or transiting to the Czech Republic.
Working in the Czech Republic
If you were legally resident in the Czech Republic before 1 January 2021, you have the right to work, as long as you remain legally resident.
You may need to apply for one or both of the following:
- UK criminal records certificate
- extract from the Czech Criminal Register
If you are planning to come to the Czech Republic to work, you may need a visa.
Driving licence
All Czech Republic residents have to exchange their UK driving licences for Czech ones.
However, this exchange can be only in case the person was living in the Czech Republic for at least 185 days. This has to be proven with at least two documents e.g. permanent residence permit, temporary residency permit, lease agreement, property ownership listing, employment contract, etc.
The exchange can be done at any municipality with extended competence.
Healthcare
All British citizens already living in the Czech Republic have lifelong rights to health care in the Czech Republic, but again only as long as they are resident in the Czech Republic. Apply for health insurance here.
Money and Taxes
If you work in the Czech Republic, you have the same tax rights and duties as Czech citizens.
Do you still find the rules regarding living in the Czech Republic after Brexit confusing? We recommend you check on our latest blogs regarding Brexit:
- The Never Ending Story of Brexit; Permanent Residence Permit and Updates for UK ‘Latecomers’
- Obligations of British Citizens after Brexit
- BREXIT: Why Apply Now for Temporary Residence Permit?
Additionally, we can help you with most of the issues mentioned above. Feel free to contact us or use our consultation service. For more information not only about the Brexit situation, be sure to follow our blog and subscribe to our newsletter.
Sources: gov.uk, blog.foreigners.cz
Image source: pexels.com
