Immigration

Czech Republic |  Immigration changes

Summary

The Czech government has updated its economic migration programs, expanding eligibility for Ukrainian nationals and tightening employer regulations. The Qualified Employee Program now limits applications and sets a higher minimum salary, while the Digital Nomad Program has broadened its scope. A new employment migration project for Indonesian candidates was introduced. Lex Ukraine 7 proposes extended temporary protection, or a simplified long-term residence permit for Ukrainians after March 2025. Free labor market access is granted to selected nationalities, and Employee/Blue Card holders receive added benefits. Employers must report employers’ changes to the Labor Office.

The detail

Changes to Economic Migration Programmes

The Czech government has positively reflected on its experience with governmental programs (Scientific and Research Program, Highly Qualified Employee Program, Qualified Employee Program):

New candidates from Ukraine

New candidates from Ukraine may apply in any governmental program:

• Holders of toleration visas issued in relation to war conflict in Ukraine, and
• Holders of Polish visas from Ukraine that expired on 24 February 2022 that have been automatically extended till now.

Stricker rules for employers

Retrospective verification of program condition fulfillment by the employer at any time within 2 years from the enrollment; the employer must not be connected to the sanctions list.

Qualified Employee Program

A maximum of 50 applications is allowed within a three-month period, unless a collective application is being used.

• With the abolition of the guaranteed wage system, the minimum required salary is 1.22 times the minimum wage.

Digital Nomad Program

This program is designed for entrepreneurs or freelancers who are working from the Czech Republic for a foreign employer.

• Open for candidates from the following states: Australia, Japan, Canada, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, or Taiwan. Newly expanded to include candidates from Israel, Singapore, Brazil, and Mexico.
• Previously accessible only to IT specialists, now marketing specialists may apply as well

Other

The list includes changes that do not fall into a specific category but introduce interesting updates.

• Possibility of later application for family members
• New Project of work migration from Indonesia – launched in June 2024, intended for candidates with polytechnic education.

Changes for Ukrainian nationals

Lex Ukraine 7 – at the legislation process

Holders of the Czech temporary protection will have two options after March 31, 2026:

1. Extension of temporary protection via the proven 2-phase mechanism, or
2. Application for a specific long-term residence permit through a simplified procedure.

Issued as a separate purpose of residence and valid for 5 years.
Intended for a limited group of people (not widespread)
Free access to the labor market

• Simplified mechanism: There will be no individual administrative proceedings for applications. Instead, the Ministry of the Interior will create a single list of eligible individuals based on data recorded by state authorities and online registration.
• Conditions: Two years of temporary protection, especially with economic self-sufficiency,
  require a sufficiently high, legally insured, and taxed income.
• Entire families: The assessment will be conducted jointly, similar to the process used in family
  reunification.

Other Changes

Update on free access to labor market

Free access to the labor market for nationals of selected countries: Australia, Japan, Canada, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, Singapore, Israel and newly Taiwan.

Changes for Employee Card and Blue Card holders

• Blue card holders may apply for an additional work permit.
• Employee card holders may enjoy unemployment support for 60 days or until the decision about the change of employer is made, provided this is handled at the Labor Office.

Employers

Employers should notify the Labor Office not only of the start and end dates of an employee’s employment but also of any relevant changes that occurred – personal data updates, passport information, address in the home country, highest education of an employee

Contact us

For a deeper discussion on the above, please reach out to your Vialto Partners point of contact, or alternatively:

Jana Zelová
Director

Jarmila Bačová
Senior Manager

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