At the end of January this year, more than one million foreigners were living in the Czech Republic, according to statistics from the Ministry of the Interior. However, these statistics do not include foreigners staying for less than 90 days. Citizens of the European Union are also not included in these numbers, as they do not need any residence permits to stay in the Czech Republic. Foreigners from so-called third countries, i.e., countries outside the EU, need a visa or a long-term residence permit. If they come for work, they also need a work permit or a business license.
What this article covers:
How many foreigners work in the Czech Republic and in which sectors
Who needs a work permit
How to obtain a Blue Card
Foreign Workers in Czech Republic
Almost 900,000 foreigners were officially employed in the Czech Republic at the beginning of this year, according to the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. More than 130,000 were self-employed. Which countries do most foreign workers come from?
- Ukraine
- Slovakia
- Poland
- Romania
- Bulgaria
- Hungary
In which industries do foreigners most commonly work?
- Manufacturing
- Administrative and support services
- Wholesale and retail trade
- Construction
Work Permit
Foreigners from outside the EU and the European Economic Area who want to work in the Czech Republic must obtain a valid work permit in addition to their residence permit. This applies to seasonal workers as well as those posted by their home country employer. The work permit requirement also applies to holders of long-term residence permits for business purposes. Czech authorities, specifically the regional branches of the Labour Office, can issue such permits for up to two years, tied to a specific job and employer. The application can be submitted before arriving in the Czech Republic. The administrative fee is CZK 500.
Blue Card
Highly qualified professionals can apply for a Blue Card. It serves as both a long-term residence and employment permit, allowing the holder to both live and work in the Czech Republic. Several conditions must be met, including:
- A university or higher vocational education
- An employment contract
- A gross salary at least 1.5 times higher than the average annual wage in the Czech Republic
The Blue Card is issued for up to 3 years for a specific listed vacancy. You can find the job listing database here.
If you are coming to the Czech Republic to work, study, or reunite with your family and need commercial health insurance, you can use our foreigner health insurance comparison tool.