The Czech Republic is preparing to tighten financial requirements for obtaining visas and residence permits. This will directly affect the amounts that must be demonstrated in bank accounts or as income. Learn more about the current requirements, calculation formulas, and what changes are coming soon

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The Czech Republic is introducing changes that could significantly increase the financial burden of obtaining long-term visas and residence permits. The key reason is a revision of the basic social indicators on which immigration requirements directly depend. These indicators determine how much money an applicant must demonstrate in their bank account or confirm as a stable income.

As of April 2026, the official amounts have not yet changed, but the government has already approved an increase in the minimum cost of living. This means that financial thresholds for foreigners will automatically rise along with it.

Important: the new figures are not yet mandatory for submitting documents, but the direction of the changes has already been set. Therefore, those planning to move or legalize their status should prepare for stricter requirements in the near future.

Earlier, we talked about the new rules for the employment of foreign nationals in the Czech Republic.

Are you planning to move, work or stay in the EU for a long time and don't know where to start?

To avoid getting lost in the changes to visa and migration policy, use the immigration guide from Visit World. It contains up-to-date information on obtaining a residence permit and citizenship in different countries, step-by-step instructions, requirements for applicants, a list of documents, deadlines and costs. The guide will be sent to your email in PDF format in just a few minutes and will help you plan your legal move without unnecessary stress.

How are financial requirements for visas and residence permits in the Czech Republic calculated?

Financial requirements in the Czech Republic are not set as a single fixed amount. They are directly tied to two social indicators—the existenční minimum and the životní minimum—which serve as the basic benchmarks for calculation.

As of April 2026, their amounts remain unchanged: 3,130 korunas per month for the existenční minimum and 4,860 korunas for the životní minimum. These are the figures used in all immigration formulas that determine how much money you need to demonstrate to obtain a visa or residence permit.

Long-term visas: how the amount is calculated

For most long-term visas, a standard formula is used that depends on the length of stay. The first month is calculated based on 15 subsistence minimums, with an additional 2 added for each subsequent month.

As a result, even for a relatively short stay, the amount increases rapidly. For example, for a 6-month visa, the applicant must demonstrate approximately 78,250 krona. For minors, this requirement is halved, but the calculation principle remains the same.

Business visa: a different approach to calculation

In the case of a business visa, a fixed high threshold is applied rather than a step-by-step formula. The applicant must confirm an amount equivalent to 50 subsistence minimums, which currently amount to 156,500 kroner.

This means that even at the start of entrepreneurial activity, one must have a substantial financial reserve, regardless of the duration of stay.

Residence permit: focus on income, not just funds

For long-term residence, the criteria become more complex. Here, it is not just the account balance that matters, but the ability to consistently support oneself or one’s family.

The total household income is assessed, taking into account the number of people and housing costs. In practice, this means that the larger the family, the higher the verified income must be, and a simple one-time balance in the account is no longer sufficient.

Important! All these formulas are directly dependent on the subsistence minimum. Therefore, any increase in it automatically raises the financial requirements without changing the application rules themselves.

In our previous article, we provided a detailed guide on possible ways to move to the Czech Republic legally.

What will change after the increase, and who will be affected the most?

Although the new subsistence minimum amounts have not yet been published for immigration procedures, the fact of their increase has already been confirmed at the government level.

This means one simple thing: as soon as the new values take effect, all financial requirements will automatically increase. Without any additional changes to the legislation or formulas.

What specific changes are expected?

The main change is not new rules, but a recalculation of the amounts. Since all formulas are tied to the subsistence minimum, an increase in the base figures immediately leads to a rise in financial thresholds.

In practice, this means:

- Higher amounts required to be shown in the bank account for long-term visas

- Higher requirements for regular income for residence permits

- An increased financial burden for family applications

And this will happen automatically, even if the formulas themselves remain unchanged.

Who will feel the changes the most?

The impact of the increase will be uneven—it all depends on the type of visa and the applicant’s life situation.

The most vulnerable to these changes will be:

- Students, who often apply with minimal financial reserves

- Entrepreneurs, for whom a high entry threshold already applies

- Families with children, where requirements apply to all household members

- Family reunification applicants, where combined income is considered

In these categories, even a small increase in the cost of living can significantly affect the final amounts.

Why is this important right now?

Although the new figures have not yet become the official standard for submitting documents, relying solely on the current minimum thresholds is risky.

The reason is that changes may be implemented without a lengthy transition period. In such a case, financial requirements could increase literally “between the submission and review” of the application.

Can you apply if you don’t have enough funds?

In most cases, financial requirements in the Czech Republic are quite strict: if an applicant cannot confirm the required amount or a stable income, this becomes a direct grounds for rejection. However, in certain categories, there are still ways to bypass or partially offset this threshold.

When are exceptions possible?

The greatest flexibility is provided for student visas. In these cases, you are not required to demonstrate the full amount of personal funds if there is official confirmation of funding.

This refers to situations where expenses are covered by:

- A university or educational institution

- A government agency

- An international program or grant

- A legal entity or sponsor

If such funding covers only part of the expenses, the difference can be covered with personal funds.

What is important to consider?

Even in flexible categories, the key factor is not simply the presence of funds, but their verified source and stability.

For example, in cases where regular income is required (such as for a residence permit), a one-time balance in the account may not suffice. The consulate or immigration authorities may request additional documents, but ultimately, the applicant must still meet the financial criteria.

Where are there almost no exceptions?

For standard long-term visas, and especially for business categories, the rules are significantly stricter. If the amount or income is below the established threshold, this cannot be compensated for by explanations or alternative documents.

In such cases, additional proof may be requested. However, the final decision still depends on meeting the official financial thresholds. In other words, you can “formally apply,” but without the required financial level, there is virtually no chance of a positive decision.

To learn more about the specifics of obtaining a Digital Nomad visa in the Czech Republic, please follow the link.

What should you do right now?

Although the new financial thresholds have not yet taken effect, relying solely on the current minimum requirements is already risky. The Czech Republic is clearly moving toward raising them, and once the new social indicators are approved, the amounts required for visas and residence permits may increase automatically.

The best strategy right now is to prepare documents and finances not just “barely enough,” but with a buffer. This means you should immediately set aside larger amounts than the minimum required at the time of submission to avoid problems if the rules change during the application review.

Before submitting your application, you should pay attention to a few key points. First, you need to realistically assess your budget and ensure that your funds are sufficient not just on paper, but also in light of potential increases in requirements. Second, it is important to update all documents confirming your income—bank statements, contracts, or certificates that demonstrate the stability of your financial situation. Third, you must verify your housing documents, as living expenses are also factored into the calculations.

It is also worth reviewing the basis for your application. In some cases, changing the category—for example, switching to a student visa instead of a weak business case—may be more advantageous in terms of financial requirements.

Another important detail is not to rely on outdated information. In the Czech Republic, all calculations are tied to variable indicators, and even a small increase in the cost of living changes the final amounts. That is why you should rely only on current data from official sources, not on forums or old articles.

The general trend is clear: financial requirements are gradually becoming stricter, and the focus is shifting from minimum thresholds to the applicant’s actual financial stability. This means that what plays a key role is not simply having money, but the ability to consistently provide for oneself or one’s family in the long term.

Planning to move or legalise your status? Use our proven guide!

To live legally in another country, expats need to obtain a residence permit, which may eventually entitle them to citizenship. The procedures, requirements and deadlines vary depending on the country and the reason for moving.

You can find up-to-date and structured information on obtaining a residence permit or citizenship in any country in the immigration guide from Visit World. In PDF format, you will receive step-by-step instructions, a list of documents, costs and processing times, applicant requirements, rules for filling out forms, practical advice and status benefits — all delivered to your email in just a few minutes.

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We remind you! New economic indicators show which countries have been able to increase their GDP and which have lost ground due to inflation and slowing growth. Ranking of the richest countries in the world in 2026 — follow the link.