Guidance

Living in Czechia

Information about moving to, living or retiring in Czechia – including visas, working, healthcare and driving.

From:
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Published
15 November 2013
Last updated
11 November 2025 — See all updates

Getting help with living in Czechia

Help from the Czech government

For any questions about moving to or living in Czechia, you may be able to get help from the:

The UK government and the British Embassy in Prague cannot give personalised advice on moving to, living or retiring in Czechia.

Professional help in Czechia

You can also get help from English-speaking professionals in Czechia, including:

  • lawyers
  • translators
  • notaries
  • funeral directors

Help from the UK government

Read the travel advice for Czechia to understand the risks you may face if you live in or visit Czechia. This includes the latest information on:

  • visas and entry requirements
  • laws and cultural differences
  • safety and security

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad.

Get help from the UK government abroad, including in an emergency.

Visas, residency and citizenship

Make sure you meet the entry requirements for Czechia before you travel.

Visas and residence permits

Check which visa or residence permit you need to live in Czechia.

You can get a visa to:

  • work
  • study
  • live with family in Czechia
  • invest or do business in Czechia
  • do research
  • get medical treatment

For more information, read the Czech government’s guidance on entry and residence.

Registering as a resident

Once you arrive, you need to register your residency in Czechia.

If you have any problems or questions about registering your residency, contact:

Extending or replacing your visa or residence permit

Contact the Czech Ministry of the Interior for information on how to:

  • extend your visa or residence permit
  • replace a lost, damaged or stolen visa or residence permit

Permanent residency

You may be able to apply for permanent residency in Czechia if you have lived there legally and continuously for at least 5 years.

To find out if you’re eligible and how to apply:

Citizenship

Czechia recognises dual citizenship with the UK. This means that you do not have to give up (renounce) your British citizenship to become a Czech citizen.

To find out if you’re eligible for Czech citizenship:

Help with visa, residency and citizenship applications

The British Embassy in Prague cannot help with Czech visa, residency or citizenship applications.

For any questions or issues, contact the Czech Ministry of the Interior or:

Residency if you moved to Czechia before 1 January 2021

If you moved to Czechia before 1 January 2021, and have been legally living there since then, you and your family members have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.

Residence permits if you moved to Czechia before 1 January 2021

If you moved to Czechia before 1 January 2021, make sure you have a biometric permanent residence permit for UK citizens. This shows that you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.    

If you have a paper Czech residence permit (‘Potvrzení o přechodném pobytu’ or ‘Potvrzení o trvalém pobytu’) you must exchange it for a biometric residence permit as soon as possible.

Under the new digital Entry/Exit System (EES), you’ll need a biometric permanent residence permit for UK citizens when entering or leaving Czechia. If you have one, you will not have to register with the EES when entering, leaving or travelling within the Schengen area. Without it, you may be wrongly identified as overstaying in the Schengen area and denied entry to Czechia or other Schengen countries.

If you do not have a residence permit

If you were living in Czechia before 1 January 2021, but do not have a residence permit, you must apply for a biometric permanent residence permit for UK citizens. 

The Czech Ministry of the Interior’s guidance on residence documents for UK citizens explains how to apply. You’ll need to submit evidence to prove that you met the residency criteria at the time.

If your application is successful, you’ll get a biometric residence permit. 

If your application is unsuccessful, you may be able to appeal. Consider getting legal advice from an English-speaking lawyer in Czechia.

Renewing your residence permit if you moved to Czechia before 1 January 2021

You’ll need to renew or extend your residence card or permit every 5 or 10 years, depending on which one you have. 

For information on how to renew or extend your residence card or permit:

Bringing family members to Czechia if you moved there before 1 January 2021

The Czech government’s guidance on residency for EU citizens and their family members explains:  

  • which family members can join you in Czechia
  • how and when they should apply for their residence document
  • fees and processing times

Passports and travel

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:

  • apply for a British passport from abroad
  • travel urgently without your British passport

If you have a Czech residence permit or long stay visa, the time you spend in Czechia does not count towards the 90-day visa-free period you can spend in the Schengen area.

Always carry your passport and residence card or permit when entering, leaving or travelling within the Schengen area. If you’re asked to show your passport at border control, make sure you also show your residence document or other evidence of residence status. Your passport may be stamped if you do not.

If you have dual citizenship with an EU or European Free Trade Association (EFTA) country, you should enter and leave Czechia using your EU or EFTA passport.

European Entry/Exit System (EES)

Under the new digital Entry/Exit System (EES) there are new rules for entering, leaving or travelling within the Schengen area. Non-EU nationals will need to have their photo and fingerprints taken or verified at the border. This data will be stored in a digital record and used to monitor how long visitors have spent in the Schengen area.

British nationals legally resident in Czechia, and who have a biometric residence card do not need to register with the EES.

If you’re legally resident in Czechia but do not have a biometric residence card, contact the Czech Ministry of the Interior for information on how to get one.

For more information about the EES, read:

Healthcare in Czechia

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:

  • plan your healthcare
  • take medicine abroad

To find out how to get medical treatment:

Working in Czechia

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers working abroad, including documents you may need from the UK government.

To work in Czechia, you may need a work permit or work visa. Our guidance on travelling to Czechia for work explains the different work permits and visas available to you. 

You do not need a work permit or visa if you have been living in Czechia legally since before 1 January 2021, as you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.

To apply for a job, you may need to provide:

If you live in Czechia and were regularly commuting to work in another EU or European Free Trade Association (EFTA) country before 1 January 2021, read guidance for frontier workers.

Recognition of qualifications

If you want to work in Czechia, you may need to get your foreign qualifications recognised.

Driving in Czechia

Read our guidance on moving, living and retiring abroad. This covers how to:

  • drive abroad legally
  • take your UK vehicle abroad
  • get driving licence letters

The Czech Ministry of Transport provides information on driving in Czechia, including:

For more information read guidance on:

Driving in Czechia using a foreign driving licence

You can drive in Czechia for up to 3 months using a driving licence issued in:

  • the UK
  • Gibraltar
  • Jersey
  • Guernsey
  • the Isle of Man

You cannot replace or renew any of these licences if you live in Czechia.

Exchanging your UK, Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or Isle of Man driving licence

To continue driving after 3 months, you must exchange your driving licence. You can do this at any municipality which provides this service. These are known as ‘úřad obce s rozšířenou působností’.

To find your nearest municipality, use the map of municipality offices (in Czech). The municipalities which offer an exchange service are shown in blue on the map.

If you moved to Czechia before 1 January 2021, and have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement, you do not need to exchange your driving licence. However, you can choose to do so. For more information, read the Czech Ministry of Transport’s guidance on exchanging your UK licence if you were living in Czechia before 1 January 2021.   

You should apply for the exchange before the 3 months is over. Applications may take time to process, and you’ll need your Czech licence to drive legally. 

You’ll need to take a driving test to exchange an Isle of Man driving licence. You do not need to take a test to exchange a UK, Gibraltar, Jersey or Guernsey driving licence.

Applying for a Czech driving licence

If you cannot exchange your driving licence, you can apply for a Czech driving licence.

You’ll need to pass theory and practical driving tests.

Disabled drivers

You may be able to apply for an EU parking card for people with disabilities.

You may also be able to apply for a Czech disabled parking card at any municipality which provides this service.

To find your nearest municipality, use the map of municipality offices (in Czech). The municipalities where you can get a disabled parking card are shown in blue on the map. These are known as ‘úřad obce s rozšířenou působností’ or ‘municipal offices with extended powers’. 

If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Czechia, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.

Tax

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers tax, including paying UK tax and National Insurance. 

The UK has a double taxation agreement with Czechia so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.

Contact your local Czech tax office (in Czech) for any questions about double taxation relief.

Consider getting professional advice on paying tax in Czechia. To do this, find an English-speaking lawyer in Czechia.

Declaring your assets

If you live in Czechia for more than 6 months in the current year, you must pay tax on your worldwide income there. This may include income from:

  • securities
  • insurance
  • annuities
  • property

Check what you need to do with your local Czech tax office (in Czech).

National Insurance

Check if you need to pay National Insurance if you’re going to work in the EU, Gibraltar, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland.

Pensions

Claiming your UK pension

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:

  • how to claim your UK State Pension
  • where the UK government pays an annual increase in the State Pension

Your UK State Pension is calculated differently if you’ve previously lived in Australia, Canada or New Zealand and now live in the EU.

Claiming a Czech pension

Contact the Czech Social Security Administration (CSSA) to find out whether you can claim a Czech pension.

Benefits

Claiming UK benefits

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to claim UK benefits abroad, including Child Benefit. 

You can also read guidance on benefits and pensions for UK nationals in the EU, EEA or Switzerland.

Claiming Czech benefits

You may be entitled to some Czech benefits.

To find out if you’re eligible and how to claim:

You can also contact the Czech Social Security Administration (CSSA).

Buying and renting property in Czechia

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers buying and renting property abroad. 

Contact an English-speaking lawyer in Czechia if you’re considering buying property or land in Czechia.

Voting in Czechia

UK elections

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:

  • vote in UK elections from abroad
  • register as an overseas voter

Czech elections

You cannot vote in Czech elections unless you hold Czech citizenship.

You also cannot vote in European elections unless you hold citizenship of an EU country.

Studying in Czechia

If you plan to study in Czechia, you must meet all student visa requirements before you travel.

You do not need a student visa if you have been living in Czechia legally since before 1 January 2021, as you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.

For more information, read guidance on:

You can also contact:

Children

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers moving abroad with children, including:

  • getting permission to take your child abroad
  • claiming UK Child Benefit abroad
  • child maintenance payments if a parent lives abroad

You can also read the Czech government’s guidance on pregnancy, childcare and parenting. This explains the different family benefits and allowances you may be able to claim in Czechia.

Schools and education

The European Commission provides information about the school system in Czechia.

All children aged 5 to 16 must attend school or home school in Czechia.

For more information, read the Czech government’s guidance on education in Czechia. This covers how to enrol your child in preschool, primary and secondary school.

Childcare

The Czech Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs is responsible for childcare services in Czechia.

For more information on childcare and child allowances, read guidance on:

Births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships

Births

If your child is born in Czechia, register the birth with the Czech authorities.

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:

  • register the birth with the UK authorities to get a UK birth certificate
  • apply for your child’s first British passport

Deaths

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:

  • what to do after someone dies abroad
  • how to register the death with the UK authorities

If someone dies in Czechia, read guidance on:

Marriages and civil partnerships

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get married or form a civil partnership abroad. 

The Czech government provides information on:

Divorce and separation

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get a divorce or end a civil partnership.  

The European e-Justice portal offers guidance on divorce and legal separation in Czechia.

Consider taking legal advice from an English-speaking lawyer in Czechia.

Documents for British people in Czechia

Read our guidance on documents for British people abroad. This covers: 

  • legalising and certifying UK documents
  • marriage and civil partnership documents
  • affirmations and affidavits
  • witnessing signatures

Lawyers, translators and notaries

To find an English-speaking lawyer, translator or notary in Czechia, read guidance on professional services if you’re abroad.

Pets

If you want to bring your pet with you to Czechia, read guidance on:

Returning to the UK

Read returning to the UK permanently. This includes information on bringing family members back to the UK, tax and access to services.

If the NHS funds your healthcare in Czechia through the S1 form, contact the NHS Overseas Healthcare Team to cancel it.  

Disclaimer

We provide this information as a guide only. For definitive information, contact the Czech authorities.

Read our consular information disclaimer.

Updates to this page

Published 15 November 2013
Last updated 11 November 2025 show all updates

  1. Rewrote guide to make it easier to read and understand.

  2. Update to the section on the EU Entry/Exit System.

  3. Updated information on applying for biometric cards (Visas and residency section).

  4. Reference to the EES roll-out date has been removed as the exact date has not yet been confirmed.

  5. Entry/Exit System (EES) introduction date has been removed, as the introduction of the EES was postponed and new date not confirmed.

  6. Updated the Visas and residency section with information on the Entry/Exit System (EES), which the EU will introduce in autumn 2024.

  7. Annual review and update of the content and links

  8. annual review

  9. Important information in the Working in the Czech Republic, and National insurance sections if you work in the Czech Republic, even it if it is for an employer based in the UK.

  10. Updated the Visas and residency section to include information on the process for UK nationals with Czech residency to exchange their residency permit for a biometric card before 31 August 2022.

  11. Guide reviewed and updated with new information, including in the sections on passports, national insurance and social security contributions.

  12. Driving section updated with latest guidance on how to exchange your driving licence.

  13. Guidance reviewed and updated including money, tax and banking and benefits sections

  14. Guidance reviewed for Passports and travel, Healthcare, Working in the Czech Republic, Studying in the Czech Republic, Emergencies, and Returning to the UK sections.

  15. Professional qualifications section updated for British citizens who are moving or moved to the Czech Republic after 1 January 2021 and those living there since before 1 January 2021.

  16. Healthcare section updated including guidance on the S1 form and applying for EHIC and GHIC cards; working in the Czech Republic section updated with link to Department for International Trade (DIT) guidance on working or providing services and education section updated with link to DIT guidance on recognition of professional qualifications.

  17. Coronavirus section updated with a link to guidance on vaccines.

  18. Updated as the transition period ends with new information on residency, pet travel and moving to the Czech Republic

  19. Passports and travel section updated on carrying proof of residence when travelling.

  20. Healthcare section updated on how to apply for a new UK EHIC as a student or S1 holder. Working section updated with information on frontier workers.

  21. Passports and travel section updated to include information on passport validity and entry requirements when travelling to other European countries from January 2021.

  22. Brexit update: includes further details on passport validity, healthcare rights and State Pension uprating if the UK leaves the EU with a deal.

  23. Brexit update: healthcare section updated to reflect transitional arrangements announcement

  24. Brexit update: Pensions section updated to include further details on State Pension uprating.

  25. EU Exit update: information in the "Passports and travel after the UK leaves the EU" section updated

  26. Births, deaths and marriages: We added information on the the EU Regulation on Public Documents (Regulation 2016/1191) which simplifies the circulation of certain public documents.

  27. EU Exit update: updated EU Exit information in visas and residency, healthcare and driving sections

  28. We have updated the contact details you need to apply for an S1 form.

  29. Updated information on passports: you must use the checker tool to see if your passport is still valid for your trip

  30. EU Exit update: added information on an outreach event in Brno on 19 February

  31. EU Exit update - Updated information on access to healthcare

  32. EU Exit update: updated information on pensions and driving

  33. Added information about an outreach event planned for January 2019 in the "EU exit: what you need to know" section.

  34. EU Exit update: New information in residency and visa section on draft withdrawal agreement in principle between the UK and EU. Plus information on travelling with pets in Europe in pet section.

  35. Brexit update: added in official recommendation from the Czech Ministry of the Interior

  36. Complete revision of guidance to ensure it's up to date and accurate.

  37. Updated information on Brexit.

  38. Added Brits in the Czech Republic Facebook page to the information on expat communities in the Czech Republic.

  39. First published.

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