Strengthening security while digitalizing the agenda for residence permit applications in the Czech Republic. According to the Czech Ministry of the Interior, these are the main goals of the new Act on the Residence of Foreign Nationals. What exactly does this law bring? And how does it affect non-EU citizens seeking a residence permit based on their family ties to Czech citizens? This article covers that as well.
What you will learn in this article:
What changes the new Act on the Residence of Foreign Nationals introduces
How the proposed modifications may affect the stay of foreign family members of Czech citizens
When the new law takes effect and which type of insurance you should arrange
Digitalization, Better Registration, and Prevention
According to its creators, the draft of the new Act on the Residence of Foreign Nationals focuses primarily on the digitalization of the residence agenda and making it more transparent overall. What does that mean in practice? For instance, the option of online communication and interconnection with the necessary state databases. It also includes the registration of European Union citizens so that the state can keep track of the residence of literally all foreign nationals staying in the Czech Republic.
“Digitalization will allow us to better connect key registries so that the state has fast and comprehensive information, and it will contribute to better registration of foreigners. Thanks to this, it will be possible to streamline inspections, strictly penalize illegal stays, or revoke the residence of individuals who commit criminal activity,” says Minister of the Interior Lubomír Metnar.
Stronger tools for the potential revocation of residence are another important measure of the new legislation. Officials intend to apply them against criminal offenders and those who pose a threat to public order or internal security.
Mixed, Czech-Foreign Couple? Watch Out for More Complicated Procedures
As experts on immigration legislation point out, the new law may also have an impact on the cohabitation of Czech-foreign couples. This is particularly true for citizens of Vietnam, Mongolia, Russia, as well as China, the United States, or the United Kingdom, who, according to statistics, belong to the heavily represented groups of non-EU foreigners in the Czech Republic.
If they apply for a residence permit as family members of Czechs—for example, because they marry a Czech woman or a Czech man—they must expect more complex paperwork associated with the residence application or its extension. They must also prepare for the fact that, in some cases, they might have to resolve the entire situation in their country of origin and wait for the sometimes lengthy decisions of local authorities. The Ministry of the Interior argues that this is merely an effort to eliminate marriages of convenience and that the amendment will not affect the majority of mixed couples.
Commercial and Comprehensive Health Insurance
If you are applying for a temporary residence permit of an EU family member in the Czech Republic and you do not have a job here (meaning you do not fall under the public health insurance system), you need to have commercial health insurance arranged. “For stays longer than 90 days, comprehensive health insurance is required. In terms of its scope, it is equivalent to the healthcare provided by the public health insurance system. Commercial health insurance for foreigners is provided by several insurance companies in the Czech Republic. You can easily compare their offers in our clear comparison tool,” reminds Ladislav Griga, Head of Telesales at FaBrika, the company that operates the website InfoCizinci.cz.
The new Act on the Residence of Foreign Nationals is set to become effective from the beginning of 2029.
Brief AI Summary of the Article:
What are the main goals of the new Act on the Residence of Foreign Nationals and when will it take effect?
The main goal is the digitalization of the residence agenda, better registration of foreigners, and strengthening the internal security of the state. The new law is scheduled to take effect from the beginning of 2029.
How will the law affect Czech-foreign couples from non-EU countries?
Third-country nationals applying for residence as family members of Czechs must expect more complex paperwork and, in some cases, the necessity to handle the application in their country of origin. With this step, the Ministry of the Interior aims to eliminate marriages of convenience.
What kind of health insurance must unemployed foreigners have for stays over 90 days?
If a foreigner does not fall under public health insurance, they must have commercial comprehensive health insurance arranged. In terms of scope, this corresponds to the care provided by the public system.
