English (UK) 
Čeština Since 2 August 2021, the Ministry of the Interior has been issuing documents with biometric data. However, the Withdrawal agreement does not cover UK citizens coming to the Czech Republic after 31 December 2020 (and who are not family members of the other beneficiaries of the Withdrawal agreement). UK citizens travelling to the Czech Republic after 31 December 2020 will fall into the third country citizens’ category. For stays in the territory of the Czech Republic exceeding 90 days the UK citizens will have to request a long-term visa or long-term residence at the diplomatic mission of the Czech Republic.
If you are a UK citizen covered by the Withdrawal Agreement, you are legally obliged to exchange your existing residence documents for a biometric residence permit from 2 August 2021 or request one according to the length of your stay in the Czech Republic (temporary or permanent) if you do not already have one.
1. UK citizens residing or intending to reside in the Czech Republic for more than three months should request a Registration Certificate (for more information, see https://www.mvcr.cz/mvcren/article/temporary-residence.aspx)
REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE
The Registration Certificate in the form of a biometric card is a document intended for citizens of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland who were in the territory of the Czech Republic as of 31 December 2020 and fulfilled the condition of continuous residence (according to the Withdrawal Agreement).
GENERAL INFORMATION
Who may apply for the Registration Certificate?
Citizens of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland who resided in the territory of the Czech Republic as of 31 December 2020 (and thus meet the conditions of the Withdrawal Agreement) may apply for the Registration Certificate.
How long is the Registration Certificate valid for?
The Registration Certificate for citizens of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is valid for 5 years. The validity of the Registration Certificate cannot be extended. After the expiration of the validity period, you can apply for the Certificate again, or you can apply for permanent residence.
What obligations and limitations are associated with the Registration Certificate?
During your stay in the Czech Republic, you are subject to obligations for foreigners under the law.
What does the Registration Certificate allow you to do?
With the valid Registration Certificate, you have the same rights as citizens of the European Union in the field of employment and free movement on the territory of the Czech Republic.
As part of the application process for the Registration Certificate, Ministry of the Interior staff will also request your personal identification number. This does not apply to foreigners who have already obtained a personal identification number. You need the personal identification number , for example, to purchase a vehicle.
If you would like to apply for permanent residence, the Registration Certificate makes it easier to prove your length of stay in the Czech Republic.
REQUEST IN THE TERRITORY OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC
Who may apply for the Registration Certificate?
You may apply for the Registration Certificate if:
- you are a citizen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and
- you intend to stay in the Czech Republic for more than 3 months and
- you were staying in the Czech Republic as of 31 December 2020 and you meet the conditions of the Withdrawal Agreement.
If you already have the Registration Certificate and wish to continue to reside in the Czech Republic after it expires, you must apply for a new one.
For further precise and up-to-date information, please visit the Ministry of Interior website..
2. If UK citizens have been living here for at least five years, they can apply for permanent residence (for more information visit: https://www.mvcr.cz/mvcren/article/eu-citizens-and-their-family-members-permanent-residence.aspx)
PERMISSION FOR PERMANENT RESIDENCE OF UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND CITIZENS PURSUANT TO THE WITHDRAWAL AGREEMENT (AFTER BREXIT)
Permission for permanent residence of a United Kingdom citizen is a residence permit intended for those citizens who meet the condition of continuous residence and:
- are holders of a valid certificate of temporary residence or Registration Certificate,
- were present on the territory of the Czech Republic as of December 31, 2020 (according to the Withdrawal Agreement).
Permission for permanent residence is a requirement for exercising certain rights in the Czech Republic - for example, it is necessary for obtaining citizenship.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Who may apply for this permission to reside?
You may apply for permission for permanent residence if:
- you have resided continuously in the Czech Republic for 5 years or
- you have resided continuously for 2 years under temporary residence in the Czech Republic, of which 1 year you were a close family member of a European Union citizen who already has a permanent residence permit or a citizen of the Czech Republic or
in specific cases by fulfilling special conditions (see the passage "Who can apply for permission for permanent residence?" below).
How long is the permission to reside issued for?
Permission for permanent residence is issued for 10 years. For persons under 15 years of age, it is issued for 5 years. 5 years.
What does the permission to reside look like?
What obligations and limitations are associated with this permission to reside?
During the validity of the residence, you are subject to obligations for foreigners under the law.
What does this permission to reside allow you to do?
With a valid permission for permanent residence, you have the same rights in the Czech Republic in terms of employment and free movement as European Union citizens.
Persons with permanent residence have access to public health insurance, the right to social support benefits, and are entitled to employment and business.
May I apply for this type of residence even if I do not have a Registration Certificate or a confirmation of temporary residence?
Yes, you may, but you must provide evidence of having stayed continuously in the Czech Republic for the required period. Under certain conditions, you may apply without fulfilling the continuous residence requirement. You must also provide evidence that you were staying in the Czech Republic on December 31st, 2020 (as per the Withdrawal Agreement).
REQUEST IN THE TERRITORY OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC
Who may apply for a permanent residence permit?
Citizens of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland who were staying on the territory of the Czech Republic on December 31st, 2020 (thus fulfilling the conditions of the Withdrawal Agreement) and who also fulfill the condition of continuous residence in the Czech Republic. You may apply for a permanent residence permit:
- After 5 years of continuous residence on the territory of the Czech Republic,
- After 2 years of continuous temporary residence in the Czech Republic, if you have been a close family member of another European Union citizen who already has a permanent residence permit or a citizen of the Czech Republic for 1 year during that period,
- If you have reached the age of entitlement to an old-age pension during employment or other gainful activity. In this case, you must submit an application:
- after 12 months of activity on the territory, and
- after 3 years of continuous residence on the territory.
- If you have terminated your employment or other gainful activity due to third-degree disability after 2 years of continuous residence on the territory, provided that you work in the territory of another European Union member state and return to the territory at least once a week. This applies only if you have been staying and working on the territory continuously for at least 3 years.
Without the requirement of prior residence on the territory, you may apply if:
- you are entitled to a disability pension for third-degree disability due to a work-related accident or occupational illness during employment on the territory, or
- you apply for humanitarian reasons, or
- you apply for a child born on the territory of the Czech Republic, or
- you apply for reasons worthy of special consideration, or
- your stay in the territory is in the interest of the Czech Republic, at your own request, or
- you, as an underage child, are entrusted to a substitute care provider with a permanent residence permit.
Continuous residence on the territory means that your absence from the territory does not exceed 6 months per year or exceeds this time due to serious reasons (but not more than by one year even for serious reasons, except for military service during which the residence is not interrupted even if it lasts longer than one year).
For further precise and up-to-date information, please visit the Ministry of Interior website..
