#ImmiUpdatesCzechia Do you enjoy living in the Czech Republic? Then you should consider a permanent residence. Why? Because it brings many benefits and even saves you money. But how and when can you apply? We will save you all the trouble looking it up. Find out an overview of all the important information in this article.
Apply for permanent residence today!
Permanent Residence for EU Citizens
Who can apply?
EU citizens and some citizens of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland can apply:
- after 5 years of continuous residence in the Czech Republic,
- after 2 years of continuous temporary residence in the Czech Republic if for 1 out of the 2 years, you have been a close family member* of another EU citizen with a permanent residence permit or of a Czech citizen with a permanent residence in the country,
- at retirement age at which you are entitled to a retirement pension (you have worked in the Czech Republic in the last 12 months + resided continuously for 3 years in the country)
*a close family member of an EU citizen is: a spouse, a same-sex registered partner, a parent who is the primary carer of an EU citizen under 21 years of age, an EU citizen’s offspring (a child, grandchild) who is under 21 years of age, an offspring of an EU citizen’s spouse who is under 21 years of age
Where do you apply?
You must apply for a permanent residence permit in person at a Ministry of the Interior office.
What is the administrative fee?
200 CZK in the form of stamps.
How long does the application take?
A maximum of 60 days (apart from when the proceedings are suspended or if there is a legal ground for it).
What does the process look like?
- Prepare your documents
- Fill in the application form
- Make an appointment at the Ministry of the Interior Office
- Submit the application
- Wait and learn the result
- Collect your permanent residence permit
How long is it valid for?
A permanent residence permit is issued for a period of 10 years.
Permanent Residence for Family Members of the EU Citizens
Who can apply?
EU citizens and some citizens of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland can apply:
- after 5 years of continuous residence in the Czech Republic,
- after 2 years of continuous temporary residence in the Czech Republic if you are a close family member* of an EU citizen/Czech citizen with a permanent residence permit in the Czech Republic AND you have been a family member of this EU or Czech citizen for at least 1 year.
*a close family member of an EU citizen is: a spouse, a same-sex registered partner, a parent who is the primary carer of an EU citizen under 21 years of age, an EU citizen’s offspring (a child, grandchild) who is under 21 years of age, an offspring of an EU citizen’s spouse who is under 21 years of age
Where do you apply?
You must apply for a permanent residence permit in person at a Ministry of the Interior office.
What is the administrative fee?
200 CZK in the form of stamps.
How long does the application take?
A maximum of 60 days (apart from when the proceedings are suspended or if there is a legal ground for it).
What does the process look like?
- Prepare your documents
- Fill in the application form
- Make an appointment at the Ministry of the Interior Office
- Submit the application
- Wait and learn the result
- Make an appointment to have your biometric data taken
- Have your biometric data taken
- Collect your permanent residence permit
How long is it valid for?
A permanent residence permit is issued for a period of 10 years for family members of EU citizens and their validity can be extended repeatedly by 10 years. For family members of the citizens of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland under 15 years it’s 5 years.
Permanent Residence for Non-EU Citizens
Who can apply?
You can apply after 5 years of continuous temporary residence in the Czech Republic:
- with a long-term residence permit OR
- in the time limit established for leaving the country due to the termination of temporary residence of an EU citizen’s family member OR
- based on a document issued under the international protection law or a document issued under the temporary protection of foreign nationals law OR
- as an asylum seeker or under subsidiary protection OR
Or
- without the need for prior residence in the Czech Republic – it mainly concerns children born in the territory of the Czech Republic or minor children of parents with permanent residence.
It is possible to count even the residence in another state of the EU Member states if as a blue card holder, you have resided continuously in the Czech Republic for at least 2 years AND as a blue card holder, you have resided at least one year in another state of the EU Member States.
NOTE: You cannot apply for permanent residence if the extension of the current residence is still in process
Where do you apply?
You must apply for a permanent residence permit in person at a Ministry of the Interior office.
What is the administrative fee?
2,500 CZK in the form of stamps. 1,000 CZK in the case of minors under 15 years of age.
How long does the application take?
A maximum of 60 days (apart from when the proceedings are suspended or if there is a legal ground for it).
What does the process look like?
Same as for family members of the EU citizens. The validity of the permit starts the day your biometric data are taken (you’ll get a confirmation).
How long is it valid for?
The permanent residence permit’s validity is not limited in time, only the permit document’s validity is. A permanent residence permit document is issued for 10 years (5 years for foreigners under 15 years). The validity of the document can be extended repeatedly.
Language Requirements
Note that you must pass a Czech language exam. More details in this article.
Benefits of Permanent Residence
The permanent residence comes with a lot of benefits:
- Free access to the labor market
- Right to unemployment benefits and pension
- Access to health insurance and healthcare
- Access to education
- Possibility to apply for a loan or mortgage
Let us help you with your residence permit. Check it out here. Stay tuned for news and updates in Czechia by following us on social media – Instagram, Facebook. You can also subscribe to our newsletter.
Source: FRS EU, FRS Family, FRS Non-EU,
Image source: pexels
