Who counts as an EU citizen
Citizens of the 27 EU countries. Citizens of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland are not EU citizens but get the same rights. EU citizens and their family members never need a work permit: that is EU law. UK citizens: see UK citizens.
Registration certificate (temporary residence)
The Osvědčení o registraci is what most people call the EU temporary residence permit. It is not a plastic card: it is a green folded paper without a photo. Older ones are titled Potvrzení o přechodném pobytu na území.
- Voluntary: you can live and work in CZ without it. You can apply when you stay longer than 3 months.
- Valid for 10 years. It cannot be extended: apply again, or apply for permanent residence.
- Fee: 200 CZK. Apply in the Czech Republic at an office of the Ministry of the Interior, or by post, data box or e-mail with a qualified signature; not from abroad.
- Documents: the application form, passport or ID card, proof of accommodation, a photo, and health insurance if your purpose is study, family or other.
- The ministry requests a rodné číslo (birth number) for you at the same time, unless you already have one.
- It lets you vote in municipal and European Parliament elections.
Why we recommend it anyway: it is proof that you are resident and tax resident in the Czech Republic, which is very useful if your home country tries to make you pay taxes there. During COVID, people without a residence permit were refused entry. And you need a rodné číslo to register a car in your name (not your business). With the rodné číslo you have one number for all authorities instead of a different "fantasy number" at each office.
The landlord must give written permission to register the residence at the address. In theory the rental contract is enough, but in practice it may be refused, so better use this template: Doklad o zajištění ubytování.pdf.
Ministry: registration certificate.
Who counts as a family member
- Close family: spouse, same-sex registered partner, children and grandchildren under 21 (also of the spouse), the parent of an EU citizen under 21 who takes care of the child, and dependent parents and grandparents of the EU citizen or the spouse.
- Distant family: other relatives (brothers, sisters, cousins...) who were supported by the EU citizen, lived in his or her household, or need personal care for serious health reasons; and an unmarried partner in a stable long-term relationship.
- Family members of a Czech citizen fall under the same rules when the Czech citizen is registered for permanent residence in CZ.
Non-EU family members of EU citizens
A non-EU family member who stays longer than 90 days applies for the Povolení k přechodnému pobytu rodinného příslušníka občana EU:
- Close family of an EU citizen: a residence card (pobytová karta), up to 5 years. Family of Icelandic, Liechtenstein, Norwegian or Swiss citizens, distant family, and family of Czech citizens who have not used free movement: a residence permit card, up to 3 years. Both are biometric cards.
- Fee: 200 CZK. You can apply in the Czech Republic, also during a visa-free stay.
- Documents: the application form, passport, the original marriage or birth certificate, proof of accommodation, health insurance, proof of the EU citizen's residence in CZ (not needed if he or she has a registration certificate or permanent residence), and two photos. Distant family also proves money for the stay.
- You have free access to the labour market and the right to run a business. While the application is pending you can ask for a bridging sticker (překlenovací štítek) to work and travel.
- You must live with the EU citizen. If the relationship ends, there are exceptions that let you stay; ask us.
Ministry: residence of family members.
Permanent residence
You can apply for permanent residence after 5 years of continuous residence, or after 2 years of continuous temporary residence if 1 of those years you were a close family member of an EU citizen with permanent residence, or of a Czech citizen. Not sooner. The fee is 200 CZK and the document is valid for 10 years. Non-EU family members follow the same rules. Ministry: permanent residence of EU citizens, of family members.
To be honest, for EU citizens there is little benefit. You need it for some rights, such as Czech citizenship, and it gives access to public health insurance and social benefits. You will be able to vote and get a job in state organisations, something very few would desire.
Public health care
The registration certificate does not give access to public health care. You must have a gainful activity: employment (at a company registered as employer in the Czech Republic) or self-employment (the trade license).
A non-EU partner (spouse or registered partner) enjoys all rights of an EU citizen, except one: public health care. Even with a residence permit, the non-EU person does not automatically have the right to enrol in public health care. Under certain conditions non-EU spouses and children can be put under the public health care of the EU spouse. The rules are complex, so talk to our consultant about your situation.
Trade license for EU citizens
You can get a trade license with or without the registration certificate. With a registration certificate, or more than 3 months in CZ with a rental contract, you don't need a police clearance. Your checklist: required documents. Back to: the registration steps.
Source: the information portal of the Czech Ministry of the Interior, ipc.gov.cz, Visa and residence permit types, checked in October 2026. The rules change regularly; the ministry page is leading. Sample pictures of all documents: Vzory dokladů vydávaných cizincům (PDF).
