How to Prove Your Financial Means When Applying for a Visa or Residence in Czechia

When you apply for a long-term visa, a long-term residence permit, or even permanent residence in the Czech Republic, one of the key documents you’ll need is the proof of sufficient financial means — in simple terms, proof that you can support yourself during your stay.

This document is often confusing for newcomers. What exactly counts as “sufficient funds”? How do you prove it? And what if you’re applying as a family? Let’s walk through it step by step.

Why You Need to Prove Your Finances

The Czech Ministry of the Interior wants to be sure that you and your family members have enough money to live here without relying on state support. That’s why applicants must show regular, stable income — not just savings sitting in the bank for a day or two.

Depending on what type of residence you’re applying for, the rules differ slightly.

For Long-Term Visas

If you’re applying for a long-term visa, you’ll typically need to show you have enough money to cover your stay — for example, through a bank statement, proof of scholarship, or employment contract.
However, the focus is on total financial sufficiency, not just a single large transfer. The immigration office wants to see that your income is steady and predictable.

For Long-Term or Permanent Residence

If you’re applying for a long-term residence permit or permanent residence, you’ll need to prove your monthly income rather than a one-time balance. This income must be regular and stable, which means a single bank statement is not enough.

Your proof could include:

• An employer’s confirmation of your average net monthly salary for the last three months.
  (Payslips for the past three months and your employment contract are fine too.)

• If you’re self-employed, provide:

  • Your latest tax return assessment,

  • Proof of paid social and health insurance,

  • Or, if you’re just starting your business, an extraordinary financial statement.

If your income comes from a company where you are a shareholder, you can prove it with:

• Minutes from a general meeting showing profit distribution,

• And proof that tax has been paid.

For people working as statutory representatives or board members, provide:

• A contract for performing the function (e.g., according to §59–60 of the Business Corporations Act),

• And confirmation of your monthly income.

Applying as a Family (Jointly Assessed Persons)

If you’re applying with family members — for example, a spouse or children — your finances are assessed together. The law calls these “jointly assessed persons.”

This usually includes:

• Spouses or registered partners,

• Parents and their dependent children,

• Sometimes also adult children living with parents,

• Or anyone else who shares the same household (unless they declare in writing that they don’t share living expenses).

If you’re a parent applying for your child, but the child is officially in the custody of the other parent, that child isn’t counted in your assessment.
On the other hand, if your child lives only with you, the child support you receive from the other parent counts as part of your income.

How Much Do You Actually Need?

Here’s where things get concrete.
Your monthly income must be at least the sum of:

1. The living minimum for you and each person assessed with you, plus

2. The cost of housing (either the legal “normative rent” or your real, proven housing expenses).

As of January 2023, the living minimum is:

• 4,470 CZK for the first adult in the household,

• 4,040 CZK for each additional adult (over 15),

• 3,490 CZK for dependent children aged 15–26,

• 3,050 CZK for children aged 6–15,

• 2,480 CZK for children under 6.

And from October 2025, the maximum normative rent and energy costs are:

• 13,680 CZK for one person,

• 16,540 CZK for two,

• 18,900 CZK for three,

• 20,510 CZK for four,

• 20,620 CZK for five or more.

Example:
Imagine a mother living with two children aged 16 and 7.
Her actual housing costs are 10,000 CZK per month.
To apply for a long-term residence for her younger child, she must prove a monthly income of at least:

4,470 (herself) + 3,490 (older child) + 3,050 (younger child) + 10,000 (housing) = 21,010 CZK/month.

Other Acceptable Proofs

If you receive financial support from abroad, such as pensions, parental benefits, or scholarships, you can include them — but they must be officially translated into Czech.

If you can’t prove your income with the above methods, you may submit bank account statements showing regular monthly income for at least six months.
(Be aware: this option is not accepted for permanent residence applications.)

Declaration to the Tax Office

Finally, if the immigration office asks for it, you must provide a declaration releasing your financial or tax office from confidentiality, allowing them to confirm your income information.
If you included income from a family member in your application, they must also sign this declaration.

Navigating Czech bureaucracy can feel overwhelming

Especially when it involves finances, paperwork, and long checklists. But once you understand what’s required, it’s mostly about getting the right documents in order and presenting them clearly.

Remember, the goal isn’t to make your life difficult, but to prove that you can live comfortably and independently in Czechia. Whether you’re employed, self-employed, or applying as a family, there’s always a way to demonstrate your financial stability, it just takes a bit of preparation.

If you’re not sure what applies to your specific case or want someone to double-check your documents before submitting them, we’ve got you covered.

Book a free consultation at lifeinczechia.com and talk to one of our relocation experts. We’ll help you understand exactly what the authorities need — so you can submit your application confidently and stress-free.

Source: IPC.GOV

Photo: Canva