Foreigners who come to the Czech Republic to work can get a job for a short period of time. Usually, short-term work lasts up to three months. For short-term work, you do not need to apply for an additional visa if you are coming from a country with which the visa-free regime is in force. 

If you are traveling from a country that does not have a visa-free regime, you need to obtain a Czech Work Visa (up to 90 days).

A Czech work visa is issued for short-term employment that requires a stay of up to 90 days within six months.

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Documents required to obtain a Czech work visa (up to 90 days)

• Application form, which must be filled in in English or Czech, signed and dated by the applicant 
• Passport, which must be valid for at least three months after the date of your arrival from the Czech Republic. In addition, the passport must be issued within the last 10 years and contain at least two free "visa pages"
• 2 photos
• Residence permit/Visa (if your country of residence and citizenship are different)
• Travel itinerary, accommodation reservation (if not specified in the invitation)
• Confirmation of the visit (letter from the employer)
• Medical insurance. Minimum coverage of 30,000 euros

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The term of issuance of a work visa (up to 90 days).

The average period for obtaining a Czech work visa (up to 90 days) is 5-20 calendar days.

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Visa fee for a work visa (up to 90 days)

The visa fee is 90 euros, which is paid at the time of application. In addition, you will also need to pay other administrative fees such as visa center fees, courier fees, etc. depending on the country and location of your documents.

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Where to apply for a Czech work visa

You apply for a Czech work visa at Czech visa application centers, embassies or consulates, depending on which ones accept visa applications in your country of residence. If there is not one in your country, you need to apply to the nearest embassy or consulate at your address.

For legal long-term employment in the Czech Republic, a foreigner needs to obtain a work visa.

A work visa is intended for applicants who wish to find a job in the Czech Republic, as well as for highly qualified persons who are candidates for a European Union Blue Card. This type of visa is valid for one year.

All documents must be submitted in 3 sets (1 x original and 2 x copies) in order to have 2 complete sets of documents. Original documents will be returned upon completion of the application process. Documents issued in languages other than Czech or English must be translated.

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Required documents for obtaining a Czech work visa

• Application form, which must be filled in in English or Czech, signed and dated by the applicant 
• Passport, which must be valid for at least three months after the date of your arrival from the Czech Republic. In addition, the passport must be issued within the last 10 years and contain at least two free "visa pages"
• 3 photos
• Residence permit/Visa (if your country of residence and citizenship are different)
• Proof of employment in the Czech Republic (employment contract or job offer)
• Proof of qualifications (diplomas and certificates)
• Curriculum Vitae - Curriculum Vitae (CV) with certificates, diplomas and qualifications obtained
• Proof of residence (if not specified in the invitation or contract)
• Certificate of no criminal record. The document must be issued in the country where you have lived for the last five years. This document must also be valid for no more than 90 days and must be apostilled with a translation into Czech or English.
• Medical certificate. A document issued by a legally recognized doctor stating that you do not suffer from any disease that would have a serious impact on public health.

For more information on the list of required documents and conditions for obtaining a visa, please follow the link: https://www.mzv.cz/jnp/en/information_for_aliens/long_stay_visa/long_stay_visa.html

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Timeframe for obtaining a work visa

The average time for issuing a Czech visa is 10-60 calendar days. It depends on your country of application.

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Visa fee

The visa fee for a Czech work visa is 95 euros for foreign nationals. The fee may vary depending on your nationality or country of application.

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Where to apply for a Czech work visa

You apply for a Czech work visa at Czech visa application centers, embassies or consulates, depending on which ones accept visa applications in your country of residence. If there is not one in your country, you need to apply to the nearest embassy or consulate at your address.

A long-term visa for seasonal employment is required for citizens of so-called third countries who perform work that depends on the change of seasons for more than three months. Seasonal employment can last for a maximum of six months.

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Documents required 

• An application form that must be filled in in English or Czech, signed and dated by the applicant 
• A passport that must be valid for at least three months after the date of your arrival from the Czech Republic. In addition, the passport must be issued within the last 10 years and contain at least two free "visa pages"
• 3 photos
• Residence permit/Visa (if your country of residence and citizenship are different)
• Proof of employment in the Czech Republic (employment contract or job offer)
• Proof of residence (if it is not specified in the invitation or contract)
• Certificate of no criminal record. The document must be issued in the country where you have lived for the last five years. This document must also be valid for no more than 90 days and must be apostilled with a translation into Czech or English.
• Medical certificate. A document issued by a legally recognized doctor stating that you do not suffer from any disease that would have a serious impact on public health.

For more information on the list of required documents and conditions for obtaining a visa, please follow the link: https://www.mzv.cz/jnp/en/information_for_aliens/long_stay_visa/seasonal_employment.html

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Where to apply for a Czech work visa

You apply for a Czech work visa at Czech visa centers, embassies or consulates, depending on which ones accept visa applications in your country of residence. If there is not one in your country, you need to apply to the nearest embassy or consulate at your address.

Citizens of Switzerland and EU member states do not need to obtain any permits. Also, the following categories of citizens do not need a work permit:

• Athletes, artists, scientists
• Rescuers in the course of performing missions
• International drivers if they are employed by foreign companies and sent to the Czech Republic to perform their duties
• Accredited journalists
• Graduates of Czech universities
• Foreigners who have been granted subsidiary protection, asylum or a long-term residence permit for the purpose of obtaining protection

All other foreign nationals planning to take up employment in the Czech Republic must obtain a work permit.

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Which authority should I apply to?

1. The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs on its website provides information about jobs in the Czech Republic, about employment agencies, and also maintains a database of vacancies for foreigners. 
2. Employment centers issue work permits. They can also help you find a job if you've lost one.
3. Ministry of the Interior-Department of asylum and migration policy issues employment cards. More detailed information can be found here.

Working hours: Legislation limits the length of working hours. Under normal circumstances, a working week should not exceed 40 hours. Employees also have the right to rest and to take scheduled breaks during the working day. The working day generally starts at 8:00 or 9:00 a.m. and lasts until 5:00 or 6:00 p.m. with a lunch break. The working week usually consists of five working days.

Vacations: Vacations are an important part of the Czech work culture. Employees are entitled to a minimum of 4 weeks of vacation per year, and some categories of employees may be entitled to longer vacation.

Dress code: The dress code in the Czech work environment can be quite conservative. In more formal areas, business attire such as suits for men and formal wear for women may be expected. However, in some more informal industries, casual or business casual dress is allowed.

Employment contract: The law requires a written employment contract between employer and employee. The contract must specify working conditions, salary, working hours, and other important details.

Protection against dismissal: The law sets out the rules under which an employee can be dismissed. Dismissal can take place with certain justifications, such as the employee's incapacity, violation of labor rules, or changes in the employee's organization.

The European country is also attractive from a financial point of view: the relatively low average monthly salary of Czech employees, minimal living expenses, and a low income tax rate of 19%.

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What types of Czech business structures are there?

There are currently a variety of legal entities that can be established in the Czech Republic.

General partnership (v.o.s.)

In a general partnership, two parties trade under a common name and bear equal obligations and liability for the company's activities up to the amount of their individual contributions. The partners are liable with all their assets, and the company is liable with all its assets.

Limited liability company (LLC)

A s.r.o. is the most common type of company established in the Czech Republic. As in many countries, the partners in an SRO are liable for the company's obligations only to the extent of the capital they initially contributed to the company. In the Czech Republic, SROs must start their activities with a minimum registered capital of CZK 200,000.

Joint-stock company (a.s.)

A joint-stock company is established by concluding a memorandum of association, including the company's articles of association, and issuing shares. Shares can be freely traded without registration in the Czech Commercial Register, which makes it attractive if you plan to take your company public. A joint-stock company must have a minimum authorized capital of CZK 2 million. At least 30% of this amount must be paid at the time of company registration.

Cooperative

A cooperative may conduct business activities in the interests of its members, the number of which need not be specified. A cooperative is liable with all its assets.

Branch office

A branch office is not technically a Czech company, but only a representative office of your foreign business in the Czech Republic. Branches have a rather extensive set of restrictions and must list all planned activities in their application to the Commercial Register. The company must also appoint a head of the branch, who must be either a Czech resident or a foreigner with a long-term residence permit in the Czech Republic.

Joint venture

Any of the above forms of business may be a joint venture, in which there are two partners, one of whom is usually a Czech resident.

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How does the process of setting up my Czech business work?

10 steps to set up your Czech SRO

1. Obtain police records for all current or future managing directors.
2. Ask the tax office to confirm the documents that none of the company's partners has any outstanding tax liabilities.
3. Obtain certified statutory declarations and signature samples for all current and future directors.
4. Establish an office for the company's operations, as well as property documents if you are purchasing real estate.
5. Prepare a memorandum of association, which must be signed and certified by an authorized representative.
6. Open a bank account to deposit the initial capital.
7. Register with the Trade Licensing Office and apply for a license.
8. After the company is established, apply for registration in the Trade Register within 90 days.

The following documents are required for registration:

• Partnership agreement signed by an authorized person
• Proof of deposits
• Bank certificate confirming the possibility of making deposits
• Certified copies of trade licenses
• Lease agreement or documents confirming the ownership of the office premises
• Declarations of managers required by law
• Police certificates of no criminal record of the managers
• Legal stamp

9. Register with the Social Security Administration and choose a health insurance company within 8 days of registration

10. Finally, register with the Tax Office within 30 days of the company's establishment

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What taxes will I have to pay from my Czech business?

If you open a business in the Czech Republic, you can expect to pay two or three types of taxes:

1. Corporate tax - currently 19%.

2. VAT - the standard VAT rate is 21%, but some goods may be taxed at a reduced rate of 15 or 10%.

3. Road tax - applies only if you plan to use the car in your business. Road tax rates vary, but range from 1000 to 5000 CZK per year.

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What kind of visa do I need?

If you plan to reside in the Czech Republic, you need to obtain a long-term residence visa.  Find more information here.

1. Learn Czech: While some jobs in the Czech Republic may have English as a working language, knowing Czech is a big advantage. Learn the basics of the language and specialized terms related to your industry. This will help you communicate with local colleagues and clients and make you a more competitive candidate.
2. Be prepared for cultural differences: In the Czech Republic, there may be some cultural differences in the way people communicate and work. Be polite, punctual, and professional in all your interactions with potential employers. Follow local customs and etiquette to create a positive impression.
3. Get involved in networking: Make contacts with professionals in your field, attend professional events, conferences and networking meetings. In the Czech Republic, personal connections and references play an important role in the job search. Networking can help you access hidden vacancies and get recommendations from professionals.
4. Use online resources: Use a variety of job search websites and online platforms such as Jobs.cz, Prace.cz, LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and others. They provide an opportunity to search for vacancies, post your CV and establish contacts with employers.
5. Work environment: Many organizations in the Czech Republic are characterized by professionalism and goal-oriented approach. Employees value accuracy, efficiency and a high level of work performance.