Permanent Residence Permit after 5 Years of Temporary Residence in the Czech Republic
A permanent residence permit is a type of permit that is issued upon request to third countries nationals who on the day of application have resided in the Czech Republic continuously for at least 5 years.
GENERAL INFO
TO APPLY IN CZECHIA
TO APPLY FROM OUTSIDE CZECHIA
EXTENSION
Who can apply for a permanent residence permit after 5 years of temporary residence?
You can apply for a permanent residence permit after 5 years of residence in the Czech Republic if on the day of application you meet the requirement of at least 5-year continuous residence in the Czech Republic.
Find out how continuous residence is counted.
How long is a permanent residence permit valid for?
The permanent residence permit’s validity is not limited in time, only the permit document’s validity is. A permanent residence permit document is issued for 10 years, in the case of foreign nationals under 15 years of age for 5 years. The validity of the document can be extended repeatedly.
What does this residence permit look like?
What obligations does this residence permit mean?
If you hold a permanent residence permit, you must follow the obligations for foreigners stipulated by law.
What does this residence permit enable you to do?
If you hold a valid residence permit, you can leave and re-enter the Czech Republic repeatedly. You can also travel within the Schengen Area without a visa.
As permanent residence permit holders, you also have free access to the labour market, access to the public medical insurance and a right to social welfare benefits. Subject to conditions stipulated by law, you can be also entitled to a retirement pension.
Who can apply for a permanent residence permit after 5 years of temporary residence in the Czech Republic?
You can apply for a permanent residence permit after 5 years of continuous temporary residence if you reside in the Czech Republic:
- with a long-term residence permit or
- in the time limit established for leaving the country due to the termination of temporary residence of an EU citizen’s family member or
- based on a document issued under the international protection law or a document issued under the temporary protection of foreign nationals law or
- as an asylum seeker or under subsidiary protection.
How and where can you apply?
Only in person at one of the Ministry of the Interior offices. Applicants under 15 years of age must submit their applications through one of their legal representatives (most frequently through one of their parents).
When do you have a right to submit the application?
When submitting the application, you must meet the requirement of at least 5-year continuous residence in the Czech Republic. It is possible to count even the residence in another state of the EU Member states, if:
- as a blue card holder, you have resided continuously in the Czech Republic for at least 2 years and
- as a blue card holder, you have resided at least one year in another state of the EU Member States.
What is the administrative fee?
2,500 CZK in the form of stamps. 1,000 CZK in the case of minors under 15 years of age.
What is the time limit to process the application?
60 days. The time limit is not running if the proceedings are suspended or if there is a legal ground for it.
STEPS TO FOLLOW IN ORDER TO APPLY FOR A PERMANENT RESIDENCE PERMIT AFTER 5 YEARS OF TEMPORARY RESIDENCE IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC:
1. Prepare the necessary documents
To apply, you will need:
- Travel document
- Proof of accommodation
- Proof of funds for the residence (finances)
- Photograph
- Parental consent if you are under 18 years of age. An application for a minor under 15 years of age must be submitted by his/her parent (or another legal representative or a legal guardian). Parents’ consent in such a case is not necessary.
- Proof that you passed a Czech exam (you do not have to provide the proof if you meet one of the exemptions)
Upon request provide also:
- Document similar to an extract from the Penal Register record
- Consent to disclosure for the Tax Office, and if applicable, a consent to disclosure for the person that is being assessed together with the person who is a party to the proceedings
Upon application you must pay an administrative fee 2,500 CZK in the form of stamps. 1,000 CZK for minors under 15 years of age.
Please review the formal requirements that the documents must meet.
2. Fill in the application form
You can fill in the application form online. Then print out the filled-in form and sign it.
You can also download a blank application form, print it out and fill it in by hand – it must be filled in legibly, in block capitals, in Latin characters, and in Czech. You can also collect the form free of charge at one of the offices of the Ministry of the Interior.
3. Make an appointment to go to a Ministry of the Interior office
4. Submit the application
You must submit the application for a permanent residence permit in person at a Ministry of the Interior office.
If you submit the application in person, you will receive a slip confirming the submission and a reference number assigned to your application. You need to know the reference number, for example, to be able to track the state of your proceedings.
Plan out the application submission in good time as submission of the permanent residence permit application alone does not give grounds for fiction of residence. On the day that the permanent residence permit proceedings come into effect (and, therefore, not only on the day of application!) you must be staying in the Czech Republic legally:
– with a valid long-term residence permit (having at least applied for this permit) or
– in the time limit established for leaving the country due to the termination of temporary residence of an EU citizen’s family member or
– based on a document issued under the international protection law or a document issued under the temporary protection of foreign nationals law
5. Wait for the decision
The Ministry of the Interior will assess your application in administrative proceedings. If any errors are detected in the attached documents, you will be prompted in writing to remedy such errors. In the notice, the Ministry will explain in detail what the errors are and what you have to do to remedy them. It will also set a time limit for you to do so. When justified and if you apply for it in writing, this time limit can be extended.
The Ministry of the Interior also checks if you meet the requirements to obtain the residence permit you are applying for. In such case you may be invited for an interview.
In the course of the administrative proceedings you can:
- Add additional documents to your application.
- Be represented in the proceedings (a Power of Attorney).
- Ask for access to your file.
- Ask for a stay in the proceedings.
- Withdraw the application (Withdrawal of the Application).
You can track the state of your proceedings online on the website under Status of my Application or in your personal account. If you were prompted to provide documents or to remedy errors, the time limit for processing your application is not running until the errors are remedied or for as long as it is established in the notice.
For more information on the state of your application you can submit a written Application for a Notification on the State of the Proceedings. You can find the most common reasons for why processing may take longer in the Database of Frequently Asked Questions.
6. Learn the result of the administrative proceedings
On the website under Status of my application you can see the following states:
- Being processed: No decision has been taken yet. For more information on what you can do in the course of the administrative proceedings please see the previous section.
- Granted: The Ministry’s decision is affirmative. Please see the following section.
- Rejected: The Ministry rejected your application or closed the proceedings. In such a case you will receive the decision in writing. You can appeal against the decision within 15 days of the date you were notified of the decision.
- The decision to reject the application consists of three basic parts:
- The Statement: It contains specific legal provisions based on which the application was rejected. It may also advise you that you must leave the country, including the time limit in which you must do so.
- The Statement of Grounds: It explains why the application was rejected and what documents and proofs served as grounds for the decision on your application.
- Your rights: It informs you on how to proceed if you wish to appeal against the decision.
- The decision to close the proceedings consists of three basic parts:
- The Statement: It contains specific legal provisions based on which the proceedings were closed.
- The Statement of Grounds: It describes the procedure and grounds that led to the proceedings being closed.
- Your rights: It informs you on how to proceed if you wish to appeal against the decision.
7. Make your appointment to have your biometric data taken
If the application is granted, make an appointment by phone to have your biometric data taken. Please note that the appointment date is binding and you must follow the Administrative Procedure Code if you request a reschedule or cancellation.
8. Come to have your biometric data taken
Come to your appointment to have your biometric data taken and take your travel document with you. At this appointment, you will also usually receive the decision for issuance of a permanent residence permit, by which the residence permit proceedings come into effect. At your appointment, you will be also told when to come and collect your card when it is ready.
9. Collect your residence permit document (biometric card)
The final step is to collect your residence permit (biometric card). The time limit for collection is 60 days from the date you had your biometric data scanned.
How and where can you apply?
You can only apply in person at one of the Czech Republic’s diplomatic missions:
- in a country that issued you with a travel document or which you are a national of, or
- in a state in which you have been granted a long-term or permanent residence permit and have been legally residing there continuously for at least 2 years, or
- at any of the Czech Republic’s diplomatic missions if you are a national of one of these countries.
For a list of all the Czech Republic’s diplomatic missions please see the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
What is the consular fee?
2,500 CZK paid in EUR, USD or local currency. For a complete list of consular fees, including exceptions for some countries, please see the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
What is the time limit to process the application?
180 days.
The time limit is not running if the proceedings are suspended or if there is a legal ground for it.
STEPS TO FOLLOW IN ORDER TO APPLY FOR A PERMANENT RESIDENCE PERMIT AFTER 5 YEARS OF TEMPORARY RESIDENCE FROM OUTSIDE THE CZECH REPUBLIC:
1. Prepare the necessary documents
To apply, you will need:
- Travel document
- Proof of accommodation
- Proof of funds for the residence (finances)
- Photograph
- Parental consent if you are under 18 years of age. An application for a minor under 15 years of age must be submitted by his/her parent (or another legal representative or a legal guardian). Parents’ consent in such a case is not necessary.
- Proof that you passed a Czech exam (you do not have to provide the proof if you meet one of the exemptions)
Upon request provide also:
- Document similar to an extract from the Penal Register record
- Consent to disclosure for the Tax Office, and if applicable, a consent to disclosure for the person that is being assessed together with the person who is a party to the proceedings
Upon application you must pay a consular fee 2,500 CZK. For a complete list of consular fees, including exceptions for some countries, please see the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
Please review the formal requirements that the documents must meet.
2. Fill in the application form
You can fill in the application form online. Then print out the filled-in form and sign it.
You can also download a blank application form, print it out and fill it in by hand – it must be filled in legibly, in block capitals and in Latin characters. You can also collect the form free of charge at a Czech Republic’s diplomatic mission
3. Contact the diplomatic mission where you want to submit your application
Before submitting the application, contact the diplomatic mission and make an appointment. For a list of all the Czech Republic’s diplomatic missions and their contact details please see the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
4. Submit the application
You must submit the application in person. In justified cases a diplomatic mission may waive the obligation to submit the application in person.
5. Wait for the decision
The diplomatic mission will turn your application over to the Ministry of the Interior.
The Ministry of the Interior will assess your application in administrative proceedings. If any errors are detected in the attached documents, you will be prompted in writing to remedy such errors. In the notice, the Ministry will explain in detail what the errors are and what you have to do to remedy them. It will also set a time limit for you to do so. When justified and if you apply for it in writing, this time limit can be extended.
The Ministry of the Interior also checks if you meet the requirements to obtain the residence permit you are applying for. In such case you may be invited for an interview.
In the course of the administrative proceedings you can:
- Add additional documents to your application.
- Be represented in the proceedings (a Power of Attorney).
- Ask for access to your file.
- Ask for a stay in the proceedings.
- Withdraw the application (Withdrawal of the Application).
You can track the state of your proceedings online on the website under Status of my Application or in your personal account. If you were prompted to provide documents or to remedy errors, the time limit for processing your application is not running until the errors are remedied or for as long as it is established in the notice.
For more information on the state of your application you can submit a written Application for a Notification on the State of the Proceedings. You can find the most common reasons for why processing may take longer in the Database of Frequently Asked Questions.
6. Learn the result of the administrative proceedings
On the website under Status of my application you can see the following states:
- Being processed: No decision has been taken yet. For more information on what you can do in the course of the administrative proceedings please see the previous section.
- Granted: The Ministry’s decision is affirmative. Please see the following section.
- Rejected: The Ministry rejected your application or closed the proceedings. In such a case you will receive the decision in writing. You can appeal against the decision within 15 days of the date you were notified of the decision.
- The decision to reject the application consists of three basic parts:
- The Statement: It contains specific legal provisions based on which the application was rejected. It may also advise you that you must leave the country, including the time limit in which you must do so.
- The Statement of Grounds: It explains why the application was rejected and what documents and proofs served as grounds for the decision on your application.
- Your rights: It informs you on how to proceed if you wish to appeal against the decision.
- The decision to close the proceedings consists of three basic parts:
- The Statement: It contains specific legal provisions based on which the proceedings were closed.
- The Statement of Grounds: It describes the procedure and grounds that led to the proceedings being closed.
- Your rights: It informs you on how to proceed if you wish to appeal against the decision.
7. Collect your entry visa at the diplomatic mission
If the application is granted, come to the diplomatic mission in order to collect your entry visa – visa for a stay longer than 90 days for the purpose of collecting a residence permit (D/VR). A diplomatic mission’s employee will contact you beforehand in order to schedule an appointment with you. You do not need a D/VR visa if you can enter the Czech Republic in another way, e.g. without a visa with a biometric passport.
8. Get registered at a Ministry of the Interior office upon your arrival
In case you have been granted a D/VR visa, you have to register at an office of the Ministry of the Interior within 30 calendar days of your arrival to the Czech Republic. If you are able to legally enter the Czech Republic in a different way, for example without a visa while having a biometric passport, you have to register within 3 days of your arrival. You will also receive the decision for issuance of a permanent residence permit.
9. Come to have your biometric data taken
Come to the scheduled biometric data scanning appointment. Take your travel document with you. At the biometric data scanning you will agree on a date to collect your completed biometric card.
10. Collect your residence permit document (biometric card)
The final step is to collect your residence permit (biometric card). The time limit for collection is 60 days from the date you had your biometric data scanned.
Under what conditions can you apply for an extension of the validity of your residence permit?
The permit itself does not need to be extended. What needs extending is only the validity of the permanent residence permit document.
How and where do you have to apply?
You can submit the application to extend your permanent residence permit document’s validity at a Ministry of the Interior office, send it by post, Data Box or by e-mail with an advanced electronic signature, or you can submit it through an authorised representative.
When do you have to submit the application?
At the latest the last day of your current document’s validity, at the earliest 90 days before its expiration.
What is the time limit to process the application?
60 days.
The time limit is not running if the proceedings are suspended or if there is a legal ground for it.
STEPS TO FOLLOW IN ORDER TO APPLY FOR AN EXTENSION OF A PERMANENT RESIDENCE PERMIT DOCUMENT’S VALIDITY:
1. Prepare the necessary documents
To apply, you will need:
Upon application you must pay an administrative fee 2,500 CZK in the form of stamps. 1,000 CZK for minors under 15 years of age.
2. Fill in the application form
You can fill in the application form online. Then print out the filled-in form and sign it.
You can also download a blank application form, print it out and fill it in by hand – it must be filled in legibly, in block capitals, in Latin characters, and in Czech. You can also collect the form free of charge at one of the offices of the Ministry of the Interior.
3. You can send the application, or you can make an appointment at a Ministry of the Interior office
You can submit the application at a Ministry of the Interior office, send it by post, Data Box or by e-mail with an advanced electronic signature, or you can submit it through an authorised representative.
If you wish to submit the application in person, please make an appointment online or by phone beforehand. Attention: a lack of free appointment slots will not be considered as a reason for a late application submission. If the offered appointment slot is after your time limit for submitting the application expires, send the application by post, Data Box or by e-mail with an advanced electronic signature, or visit a Ministry of the Interior office without an appointment – with no appointment reservation you have to wait for your turn.
If you are not going to submit your application in person, the date of its posting or the date of its sending by Data Box or email is important for complying with the given time limit. If you post the application at a post licence holder (most commonly a post office) the last day of your current resident permit’s validity, the time limit for submitting the application will be complied with. This applies even in the case that the application is delivered to the Ministry of the Interior after your residence’s validity has expired. We recommend, however, not to leave the submission for the last moment.
If the validity of your permanent residence permit document expires before the decision on the extension application is taken, you can apply for a bridging visa if needed.
4. Go to a Ministry of the Interior office
When submitting the application in person, you will schedule an appointment in order to have your biometric data taken. Come to your appointment and take your travel document with you. At your appointment, you will be told when to come and collect your card when it is ready.
If you do not submit the application in person, wait for the Ministry to process your application. If the application is in order, you will be prompted to come and have your biometric data taken. Come to your appointment and take your travel document with you. At your appointment, you will be told when to come and collect your card when it is ready.
If the Ministry detects an error in the application or in the attached documents, you will be prompted in writing to remedy such errors. In the notice, the Ministry will explain in detail what the errors are and what you have to do to remedy them. It will also set a time limit for you to do so. When justified and if you apply for it in writing, this time limit can be extended.
In the course of the administrative proceedings you can:
- Add additional documents to your application.
- Be represented in the proceedings (a power of attorney).
- Ask for access to file.
- Ask for a stay in the proceedings.
- Withdraw the application (withdrawal of the application).
5. Collect your residence permit document (biometric card)
The last step is to collect your residence permit (biometric card). The time limit for collection is 60 days from the date you had your biometric data collected.