The Czech government is gradually releasing some restrictions which were introduced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As stated by the Ministry of Interior, EU citizens can again return to the Czech Republic without a temporary or permanent residence certificate, starting from Wednesday, April 22.
What EU citizens need instead of residence permit
Since it is currently not necessary for the EU citizens to have their residence permit in order to be allowed into the country, they will need other documents instead: ID card, purchase contract or lease or sublease agreement, plus one additional valid document proving the reason for their arrival into the country. This document can be:
- health insurance card issued by a Czech health insurance company
- confirmation of study in the Czech Republic
- confirmation of employment in the Czech Republic for the duration of more than 90 days (this doesn’t have to be a work contract, a document issued by the employer especially for the purpose of getting back to the Czech Republic can also serve as evidence)
- Czech trade licence/business owner or a similar certificate
After the arrival into the Czech Republic, it is obligatory for them to undergo a 14-day long quarantine.
APPLY FOR YOUR RESIDENCE PERMIT NOW
The situation in the Czech Republic is, however, changing day by day, and having the residence permit is still the safest option. Thus we strongly recommend applying for a temporary or permanent residence permit if you don’t have one yet so you are surely allowed to re-enter the country when the borders are closed.
This was confirmed to us by employees of the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic via a phone call. Details can be found in the following document (UPDATE May 14: The document was removed from the Ministry’s website).
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Source of the photo: unsplash.com
Hi, I was wondering for this most recent post allowing EU citizens to return to Czech, would this include UK citizens? I’m not sure how brexit would effect this as UK is no longer EU – but maybe there is an exception?
Hi Jordan,
yes, even though the UK is no longer an EU member state, this also includes the UK citizens.
Kind regards,
Anna
Hi Anna, I’ve been given a short-term visa for the purposes of visiting the Ministry of Interior and collecting my employee card (which includes both work & residency permit). I also have a lease agreement, but I’m from a non-EU country and can’t enter Czech Republic to collect my employee card. I’m wondering if I might have any other options at this point rather than waiting? Would appreciate your feedback, thank you!
Hi Emre,
I’ve just got a mail from one of my colleagues and unfortunately, it is not possible. In order to get into the Czech Republic, you’d need either a multiple entry visa or a residence in the Czech Republic.
If you, however, need any further help, feel free to contact us. We are also offering consultations.
Kind regards and take care,
Anna
Hello, My wife is a Czech citizen with a Czech passport but no residency. I am an American who has been living in England for almost 3 years with no vistis to the U.S. in that time. We currenly have British residency (I do have a resident’s card). My wife and I are looking to return to the Czech Republic as her university studies in the the UK will be completed at the end of April. We would like to know how we would be able to get back to the Czech Republic with our two children. Can you please advise on this matter.
Hi Stanley,
since your wife has a Czech passport and is therefore still a Czech citizen, all of you should be allowed into the country – her as a Czech citizen and you as her family member (same applies to your children). You can find some information on that topic in this article.
If you need any further help, feel free to send a mail to info@foreigners.cz (please, include also the city you are planning to relocate to). We also offer consultations.
Kind regards and take care,
Anna
Hi. Thanks for sharing. I was wondering if the 14 days of quarantine are still required caming from Italy.
Thanks.
Hi Matteo,
thank you very much for your comment! You’re welcome! 🙂
Best regards and take care,
Anna
Hi. I think you forget the answer.. do I have to quarantine myself caming in cz? Because I usually stay there a few weeks and it would be a problem.
Thanks!
Greetings from Italy
Ah yes, sorry.
As for your question: quarantine is still mandatory for everyone entering the country.
Kind regards,
Anna
Can American citizens with temporary residence come?
Hi Lisa,
anyone with a residence permit can enter the country.
Kind regards,
Anna
Hi, I am a European citizen and I have all documents required to return to Czech Republic (in case I leave )with the exception of a purchase contract/lease or rental contract. I have czech health insurance here , I have a infinit time work contract (I work here for 8 years) , I am registered in my embassy as living in Czech republic, I have Portuguese Id and passport. I don’t have a flat rental contract since I just have a verbal agreement with the owner of the flat where I live. There is any chance I can still return without a flat rental contract? Thanks , Claudio
Hi Claudio,
I checked a few official sources, however, in all of them, it is specifically stated that it is necessary to have the purchase contract/lease or rental contract and at least one of additional documents. Having a valid ID card could possibly help you to get back but this is a very specific situation, so I recommend you to either send an e-mail to info@foreigners.cz (please, include also the city you live in) or schedule a consultation with one of my lovely colleagues who will be able to give you a detailed piece of advice 🙂
Kind regards and fingers crossed,
Anna
Hi there.
Our draughtier is a UK and Irish passport holder and has now finished university In England and we would like her to come to us in Prague for the holidays. She does not have Czech Residency. Her name is however on our lease agreement as she used to live in Prague. I am UK passport holder but I have Czech temporary residency. My wife is a UK passport holder but does not have residency. My daughter has a Czech medical card but this has expired.
Is it possible yet for her to return to Czech, when flights resume
Thanks
Zac
Hi Zac,
unfortunately, in order to be allowed into the country, it is necessary that all additional documents be valid. However, the restrictions are being gradually lifted, so she might be soon allowed to enter the Czech Republic anyway.
Kind regards,
Anna
Hello,
What if you are a non EU citizen (American) who has a Dutch residence permit and Dutch income, with a purchase contract for a flat in Prague, but no Czech work or school contract?
In my case , I just want to stay a while with my longtime girlfriend (“family reunion”) who has permanent residence in Czechia. Can this kind of family reunion or staying in one’s secondary residence be sufficient to be allowed entry? ( I can show bank statements that I have enough funds)
Hi Robert,
unfortunately, this only applies to EU nationals and family reunification would be possible only if you were married to your girlfriend.
Kind regards,
Anna
Hey! Do you know if these rules still apply after the news of yesterday evening? In the press conference they only talked about opening the borders for holders of residence permit.
Hi Verena,
yes, these rules still apply.
Kind regards,
Anna
Hi, I’m an Erasmus student with an accommodation contract at Domeq (Brno) until June. Right now I’m in my home country (Spain) but I’d like to come back to Czech Republic. Is it possible?
Thank you, Irene
Hi Irene,
as far as I know, it should be entirely possible, but you can send an e-mail (info@domeq.cz) or call on this number: 00420 774 428 111 and talk directly to Domeq’s coordinator. Hope this helps 🙂
Kind regards and take care,
Anna
Hi Anna,
hope you are well.
Thank you for this news.
I´d like to ask a question on behalf of my friend.
If one would receive a work contract in this time, to work in Prague but wouldn´t have a rental contract as they were just coming here, would they be allowed to enter the country and then search for an accommodation?
They are an EU citizen.
I read also today that the borders will open in a way with next week. But one would need a negative test certificate or do a 14-day quarantine.
Thank you,
Nejc
Hi Nejc,
thank you very much for your comment. I am doing fine and I hope that so are you 🙂
As for your question: Unfortunately, this is not possible as they are not living here yet. However, I suggest that you (or your friend) send an e-mail regarding this situation to info@foreigners.cz, schedule a consultation or you can also check this link. My colleagues will be able to help with this 🙂
About the second part of your question: Yes, you’re absolutely correct. This will be actually covered in our next article.
Kind regards and take care,
Anna
Anna,
I’d like to travel and return to CR, here is my situation. I’m an American with a CR address, am on the Zivno List, and pay both CR health and social insurance. I understand to return you need a virus test no more than 4 days old. Is the test given at the border upon return? Or, do I need a document stating I’ve had the test and the results were negative?
Thank you, Jean
Hi Jean,
Thank you very much for reaching out to us! Unfortunately, as far as I know, this only applies to EU citizens. As an American citizen, you still need to have a temporary or permanent residence in the Czech Republic to be able to return. Check this link, if you’re interested. Hope, you’ll be able to get to the Czech Republic soon 🙂
Kind regards and take care,
Anna
Kind regards,
Anna
Hello i would like to ask one more time be sure. I’m sorry I hope it won’t be so annoyed.
I don’t have permanent residence neither temporary residence.
But I have Czech Insurance, I have contract for rent a room, I have also confirmation from my company that I’m worker. I stuck in Poland because I have home office, I came to PL before emergency state. I think right now to come back to Prague in May. Will not be any problem to cross border? Thank you
Hi Agnieszka,
thank you very much for reaching out to us! You most certainly don’t have to apologize – we’re here to help you 🙂
If this is an official contract, you there should be no problem. Just make sure you have all the necessary documents that could help you prove your right to enter the country 🙂
Kind regards and take care,
Anna
Hi,
I am EU citizen currently risiding in the Czech Republic.
I need to apply for a temporary residency and have all of the necessary documents except employment.
I was recently expected to change jobs, except my new job fell through because of coronavirus. So I am unemployed, does this mean I can’t apply for it? Even though I’ve lived and worked here for a few years now.
Thanks
Hi Jade,
unfortunately, one of the things you need to be able to apply for the temporary residence permit is a document confirming the purpose of the stay – in your case it would be the job. More information regarding the temporary residence permit can be found on the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic’s website.
However, my colleagues might be able to help you, so you can either schedule a consultation or send an e-mail to info@foreigners.cz 🙂
Kind regards,
Anna
Hello, I’m a Ghanaian citizen and a student at UHK. I applied for a visa extension in March before the lockdown. Though my application has been accepted but I can’t go to the immigration office. My employer needs my Visa before I can start the job. I’m now in the school dormitory and I need to work. Please, what should I do?
Thank you
Richard Andoh.
Hi Richard,
according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, people who intend to stay in the Czech Republic can apply for an extension of their stay at the Department of Asylum and Migration Policy of the Ministry of the Interior. I am, however, not sure about new applications so my best advice for you is to either contact some of my colleagues who specialize in this by sending an e-mail to info@foreigners.cz or scheduling a consultation – they have more information on this issue than I have and they will be able to help you 🙂
Kind regards and fingers crossed,
Anna
hello,
I am an Iranian student and study my Ph.D. in Czech republic but it’s my first year and I don’t get my temporary residency card yet. what about us? can we go and return?
Hello,
sadly, the Ministry of the Interior hasn’t released any information on this topic. However, you can try to contact my colleagues at info@foreigners or schedule a consultation with them through a web form here. They’ll be able to help you 🙂
Kind regards,
Anna
Hello, I am a non-EU citizen who has a long-term permit in the Czech Republic due to the fact that my husband is a permanent resident in the Czech Republic. My permit expired end of last year and I have applied for an extension. However, during this pandemic I needed to travel outside of Czech Republic and stayed for an extended period in the UK until today. Before I left the Czech Republic, I applied for a re-entry visa which will last until the end of May. Is it possible for me to come back in June after the expiration date of my visa?
Thank you!
Hi J,
unfortunately, I have no information on this topic, but you can contact my colleagues at info@foreigners.cz or schedule a consultation with them – they’ll offer you some solutions and will go through the process with you. Hope this helps.
Kind regards,
Anna
Hi I have a question about the health insurance card you mentioned in your article. Does European Health Insurance Card (aka EHIC) works the same in those circumstances?
Hi Nina,
thank you for reaching out to us! I personally have no information on this, however, you can send an e-mail to info@foreigners.cz or schedule a consultation with my colleagues who will be able to help you 🙂
Kind regards,
Anna