Czech words you'll meet
The Czech terms that come up in letters, forms and offices, explained in plain English. Links in our guides bring you straight here.
- apostila, superlegalizace apostille, superlegalisation
- A certificate that makes a foreign official document valid in the Czech Republic. Which one you need depends on the country that issued the document. Residence permits →
- bankovní identita bank identity
- Logging in to government websites with your Czech internet banking. It’s the easiest way to file a tax return online. Identita občana is the umbrella service. Tax return →
- cizinecká policie Foreign Police
- The police service where many newcomers report their place of stay. Residence permits themselves are handled by the Ministry of the Interior, not the police. After you arrive →
- Czech POINT government service counter
- Counters at post offices and town halls where you can get official extracts, such as a Czech criminal record extract, and make some filings.
- ČSSZ Czech Social Security Administration
- Collects social security (pension and sickness insurance). The self-employed pay it monthly advances and send it a yearly overview. Self-employed →
- daňové přiznání tax return
- The yearly income tax return, due in spring. Many employees don’t need one because their employer does the annual settlement. Tax return →
- datová schránka data box
- An official electronic mailbox for letters to and from authorities. The self-employed get one automatically. A message counts as delivered 10 days after it arrives, even if you never open it, so check it regularly.
- dlouhodobý pobyt long-term residence
- A residence permit for more than 90 days for people from outside the EU, issued for a purpose such as study, work or family. Residence permits →
- finanční úřad tax office
- Your local office of the Financial Administration. You file tax returns with it, usually online. Tax return →
- jistota, kauce deposit
- The deposit you pay a landlord. At most 3 months’ rent, it earns interest and must be returned when the lease ends. Deposits →
- komplexní zdravotní pojištění comprehensive health insurance
- Commercial health insurance that covers ordinary care, not just emergencies. Required for most residence applications made in the Czech Republic. Health insurance →
- nájemní smlouva lease
- Your rental contract. Keep a copy: you may need it as proof of accommodation for your residence permit.
- nutná a neodkladná péče necessary and urgent care
- Emergency care that can’t be refused. Also the name of emergency-only insurance, accepted only for your first 90 days after an embassy application. Health insurance →
- OAMP the ministry’s foreigners department
- The Department for Asylum and Migration Policy of the Ministry of the Interior. Its offices handle residence permits, biometrics and changes. Residence permits →
- OSVČ self-employed person
- Short for osoba samostatně výdělečně činná: anyone working for themselves, usually on a trade licence. Self-employed →
- paušální daň flat-rate tax
- One monthly payment for the self-employed that covers income tax, social security and health insurance. No tax return needed. Self-employed →
- pohotovost after-hours emergency service
- Medical care outside surgery hours. Dentists have their own: zubní pohotovost. For emergencies call 112 or 155.
- praktický lékař GP (family doctor)
- Your first point of contact for health care. You register with one; children register with a pediatrician (praktický lékař pro děti a dorost).
- prohlášení poplatníka taxpayer declaration
- A form you sign with your employer so they apply tax credits each month. Sign it with only one employer at a time. Tax return →
- předávací protokol handover protocol
- A signed record of the flat’s condition and meter readings when you move in and out. Your best protection for getting the deposit back. Deposits →
- překlenovací štítek bridging visa
- A free sticker proving you’re staying legally while your renewal is decided. You need it to travel during that time. What if… →
- přerušení živnosti suspending a trade licence
- Pausing your trade licence at the trade office. Free, and it stops social security advances once reported. Self-employed →
- roční zúčtování annual tax settlement
- Your employer works out your tax for the year instead of you filing a return. Ask your last employer of the year by 15 February. Tax return →
- rodné číslo birth number (personal ID number)
- A personal ID number many Czech services ask for. Foreigners usually get one automatically at their first ministry visit; it’s printed on the residence card. After you arrive →
- trvalý pobyt permanent residence
- Residence without a time limit. It brings public health insurance and can be lost after long periods abroad. What if… →
- Úřad práce Labour Office
- Runs the register of job vacancies that employee card applications refer to, and pays unemployment benefits.
- úředně ověřený překlad certified translation
- A translation by a court-registered translator, stamped and bound to the original. Required for foreign documents in most official procedures.
- výpis z rejstříku trestů criminal record extract
- Proof of a clean record. Foreigners usually need one from their home country, certified and translated.
- vyúčtování služeb utility settlement
- Your landlord’s yearly statement of actual service costs against your advances. Due within 4 months of the billing year ending. Utility bills →
- zaměstnanecká karta employee card
- A combined work and residence permit for people from outside the EU. Employee card →
- zdravotní pojišťovna health insurer
- One of seven public health insurers. VZP is the largest. You can change insurer once every 12 months. Health insurance →
- živnostenský list, živnost trade licence
- Permission to run a business as an individual. Registering costs CZK 1,000 at any trade office. Self-employed →