#LifeInCzechia Do you own a permanent residence permit? Have you ever thought about staying outside Czechia for a period of time? People tend to ask us how long they can stay outside the country – and here are the answers! Watch out, the periods are different for living in the EU and in a third country. We’ll also answer the question of whether having a Czech permanent residence permit can help you obtain the same document elsewhere in the EU.
You can leave Czechia to live in the EU for 6 years if you have permanent residency.
Leaving Czechia with permanent residency
Many people ask us if and for how long they can live outside the Czech Republic as holders of permanent residency.
The time limits differ based on if you want to live in another EU country or in a third (non-EU) country.
The Ministry of the Interior (MOI) will cancel your permanent residency if you reside outside the Czech Republic (but within the EU) for OVER 6 YEARS. Therefore, if you live in – let’s say Germany – for 5.5 years, you’re still fine.
The limits are different for third countries, however. The MOI can revoke your permanent residency validity if you live in a non-EU country for a period that is LONGER THAN 12 MONTHS unless you can justify your leaving Czechia by presenting serious reasons.
These reasons can include pregnancy, childbirth, serious illness, studies, professional training or foreign work posting.
You can find more information regarding this topic on the official website of the Ministry of the Interior or in § 77, c) and d) of the Act on the Residence of Foreign Nationals in the Czech Republic – available HERE.
Note for former blue card holders
Did you come to Czechia on a blue card before you were eligible to apply for permanent residency? Here’s some extra good news for you regarding this matter!
If you were a holder of a blue card before obtaining a permanent residence permit, you can stay outside of the EU for up to 24 months.
Getting permanent residency elsewhere?
Many foreigners living in Czechia with permanent residency seem to think that having this document can help them obtain permanent residency in another EU country.
Unfortunately, that is most likely incorrect.
The fact that you have a permanent residency in the Czech Republic likely doesn’t help in getting a permanent residency in another EU country as every country has its own rules. Also, as we explained above, you will lose your permanent residency in Czechia after 6 years.
That being said, each country may approach this issue differently, so if you’d like to move to another EU country, we recommend first contacting that country’s embassy in your country of citizenship and asking them. You never know!
Alternatively, you can contact your target country’s embassy in Czechia to see if they might have some special insight into the issue.
Want to apply for a permanent residence permit?
When applying for a permanent residence permit, you need to prove that you’ve been continually living in the Czech Republic for at least 5 years. In this case, you shouldn’t leave Czechia for longer than 6 months or 310 days in summary or 12 months in case of serious reasons (such as illness).
Want to know more? Find all the information regarding permanent residence permits in our previous article.
We can help you apply for permanent residency HERE.
Photo source: Andrea Piacquadio, pexels
Article sources: MOI, Czech law
Hi Tereza,
Thank you for all your information. I must admit, I am still confused on one point. I completely understand if you live outside CZ and EU for more than 6 years -your PR can be revoked. Clear on that. However, what has me baffled is can you travel outside the CZ for 3-4 months annually to a non-EU country for vacation are you still penalized? I hope that makes sense. Thank you.
Hi Grenada, if you’d like to be clear on this topic, we’d be glad to offer you a paid consultation on your case. Feel free to send us a scan of your permit at info@foreigners.cz and we’ll look into the possible time away from CZ for your case.
Best,
Tereza
Hi-I have PR.
Hi Grenada,
Yes, if you have further questions about this, email us at info@foreigners.cz.
Best,
Tereza
Hi Tereza – my non-working wife has been here in CZ on a long term family reunification visa for over 5 years. If she applies for and gets permanent residency, what would be the annual cost she would have pay to cover the public healthcare?
Hi Alex, the cost for public health care is 2336 CZK per month. However, there are few situations when she does not have to pay any cost- this applies if she is student under 26 years old, pensioner, or if she is currently registered with the Employment office (in which case they usually pay for her health care for 6 months).
Hello Tereza,
I’ve had PR in The Czech Republic since 2001. I am thinking of returning to my home country (Canada) next year to study for one year. My question is: how long before I leave must I report my intentions to MOI? Is there an official document I must fill out or will it be enough to nook an appointment with a representative and let them know? I went to their website but could find no information on this.
Thank you,
Ephraim
Hello Ephraim,
thank you for your comment! Please, send a message to info@foreigners.cz and our consultants will help you! Have a nice day, Terezia
Hello, Terezia,
I’ve lived in CZ for 6.5 years, but during this period, I ve been abroad for 322 days. Am I qualified to apply for PR?
Thank you!
Tracy
Hello, thank you for your comment! Please send a message with your question to info@foreigners.cz and our consultants will help you! Have a great day
Pokud požádám o ukončení můj přechodného pobytu z důvodu rozvodu . Jak dlouho trvá vydání rozhodnutí o ukončení pobytu
Dobrý den, OAMP rozhodne bez zbytečného odkladu.
Hello Tereza,
From 06.02.2018-06.02.2023
I spent 135 day abroad
I am 3rd party country citizen. And almost will be 6 year living in Czech Republic. I will apply for permanent residency on December and in that time it might be exceed 310 day ( but it will be not for 5 year but rather 5 year and 10 month ) this year I had situation which I stayed 60 days and will be 70 days as well abroad.
It can be problem or they will be fine for first 5 year 135 day?
Thanks in advance. Arzu.
Hello, I’d recommend a consultation here, I’m not quite sure how you calculate that. The rule is: the period of absence of the foreigner from the territory during the period of residence referred to in (a) to (d), provided that the individual periods of absence have not exceeded 6 consecutive months and have not exceeded 310 days in the aggregate. You can find out more here: https://www.mvcr.cz/mvcren/article/third-country-nationals-permanent-residence.aspx?q=Y2hudW09Mg%3d%3d
If you are interested in a consultation, please contact us at info@foreigners.cz