Getting a job

Generaly yes. If you wish to work in the Czech Republic as an employee you must obtain a work permit (“povolení k zaměstnání”). The work permit may come with an “employee card” combining a work permit and residence permit for the purpose of employment in one card. In case you already have a long-term residence permit for a different purpose (family, business…) and you want to start working, then you and your employer apply only for the work permit.

Note: If you are an EU citizen’s family relative, then you don’t need a work permit. If you have a long term residence permit for the purpose of family reunification (visa code 95) with nonEU citizen, or you are actively studying at Czech university, you don’t need the work permit either.

Note: If you are a holder of “special visa/temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees” you have a free access to the labor market and can start work today.

That depends on the type of your residence permit. If you have a long-term residence permit for the purpose of business, family (code 17) etc. and you want to start working, you and your employer have to apply for a work permit (“pracovní povolení”) issued by the  Labour Office of the Czech Republic (Úřad práce České Republiky). There are few exceptions where you are not required to obtain a work permit; for example when you are a student or graduate of a Czech high school or university or hold a long term residence permit for the purpose of family reunification (code 95). See the full list of special cases when you are not required to obtain a work permit to start working.

The list of jobs suitable for work permits is available at the Labor Office website > jobs for foreigners.

The work permit or employment permit is always valid only for a particular position with a particular employer. It is not a permit that would allow you to work wherever. Most larger employers will see to the matter of obtaining a work permit for you themselves as part of the process of hiring you. However, if you have to apply for a work permit yourself, the place to go to is the Labour Office of the Czech Republic (Úřad práce České Republiky). In Brno, the main office is at Polní 37. Your employer will have to announce the open position for a foreigner to the Labour office and you will have to wait 30 days for the position to become available. Read the detailed instructions on the process at the official website of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.

Your application has to specify the potential employer, the job position, the place of work, and the length of time the job will last. The folder you have to submit includes your diploma. The original secondary or university degree diploma has to have an apostille or superlegalization – a stamp from the local authority in the country where the diploma was issued and it needs to be translated to Czech by a certified language service. See our guide Authorization, translations and interpreting to find some useful tips. One important detail: the job position stated in the application must have been reported to the Labour Office as being vacant for 10-30 days. This means that the Labour office will first have to try to fill the position by turning to job seekers who have already registered with it. Only when this is unsuccessful will they then issue a work permit to non-EU citizens. Obtaining the Work Permit is described in depth on the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs’ website. Find out more about obtaining an employee card in our guide Visa & residence.

An employee card is a type of work permit that includes a residence card. It means you don’t need to go through another administrative process to obtain a residence permit. A blue card is another type of residence permit, similar to employee card, that’s combined with the work permit, but this time, it is aimed at job seekers with more advanced qualifications. The blue cards are issued in connection with positions requiring university education or higher specialized education and higher income. Both employee or blue cards are linked to a special registry of the Labour Office that is restricted to jobs open to applicants for these cards. The procedure for obtaining both Employee card and Blue card is described at the Ministry of Interior website.

The rights of employees are protected by the Labor code.

Here is a useful handout from the Czech Labor Inspection: Basic information for foreigners on employment in the Czech Republic.