After you arrive: registering and other first duties
The first deadlines come fast, especially from outside the EU: 3 working days to report where you’re staying, and 30 days to give biometrics if you came on a visa to collect a residence permit. EU citizens have more time and fewer duties.
Sources: the Act on the Residence of Foreigners and the Ministry of the Interior's foreigners portal.
If you’re from outside the EU
Report where you’re staying: within 3 working days
Go to the Foreign Police office for the area where you live, with your passport, the registration form and proof of travel health insurance (source).
You don’t have to go yourself if your accommodation provider reports you: hotels, hostels and dormitories do this. If you rent privately, ask your landlord whether they’ll report you; if not, go yourself. Children under 15 are exempt.
Came on a visa to collect a residence permit (D/VR)? Two more deadlines
- Within 30 days of arriving: go in person to a Ministry of the Interior office to give fingerprints and a photo.
- Within 60 days of that: collect your residence card on the date they give you. Employee card holders bring their employer’s confirmation that they’ve started work.
Report changes
| What changed | Deadline | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Name, marital status, passport or residence card details | 3 working days | Ministry of the Interior office |
| Lost, stolen or damaged residence card | 3 working days | Ministry of the Interior office |
| Your address | 30 days | Ministry of the Interior office |
(source)
The integration course: within 1 year
Most people with a new long-term residence permit must take a 4-hour adaptation and integration course within a year of getting the permit. It’s in Czech with an interpreter, and there’s no test. It costs CZK 1,500 (CZK 800 if your employer books it). Missing it can mean a fine of up to CZK 10,000 (source).
You’re exempt if you’re studying, under 15 or over 60, on certain fast-track work programmes, or have taken it before. EU citizens and their family members are exempt too.
If you’re from the EU, EEA or Switzerland
- Staying more than 30 days? Report your place of stay to the Foreign Police within 30 days of arriving, unless your accommodation provider does it for you (source).
- The registration certificate is optional. It costs CZK 200, is decided within 30 days and is valid for 10 years. It’s useful as proof of residence and gets you a birth number (source).
- Report changes: name, marital status or passport within 15 working days; a new address within 30 working days.
- Family from outside the EU staying over 3 months must apply for a residence permit within 3 months of arriving. See family permits.
Your birth number (rodné číslo)
Many Czech services ask for a rodné číslo, a personal ID number. The ministry usually assigns one automatically at your first visit: biometrics for non-EU residents, or the registration certificate for EU citizens. It’s printed on your residence card. If you never visited a ministry office, book an appointment and ask for one (source).
Health insurance
If you work for a Czech employer, your employer must register you with a health insurer within 8 days of your first day. Otherwise most people from outside the EU need commercial insurance. See health insurance.