Status: employee card
The standard work-and-residence permit for non-EU workers, tied to a specific job.
An employee card is a combined residence and work permit for a specific job. It is valid for the length of your contract, up to two years per renewal. See the full renewal guide for papers and steps.
Changing jobs: if your card does not give free access to the labour market, you report the change to the Interior Ministry before you start. The new job can begin no earlier than 30 days after the Ministry receives your notice, and only once you have its confirmation. In most cases you also cannot change employer in the first six months after collecting your first card. There is no fee.
If your job ends, you must report a new job within 90 days, or your card may lose validity. Report as soon as you can.
Citizens of Australia, Japan, Canada, South Korea, New Zealand, the UK, the US, Singapore and Israel get a card not tied to a vacancy and may change job freely, telling the Ministry within 3 days.
Health insurance: as an employee of a Czech employer you are in the public health system through your job.
In Brno
In Brno, all Interior Ministry residence matters go to the office at Tuřanka 1554/115b. Book through the Foreigners Portal user account or +420 974 801 801.
In Prague
In Prague, go to the Interior Ministry office that covers your district (Chodov, Žukovského, Pekařská or Kolbenova).
Step by step
- Put your card expiry in your profile.
- Before accepting a new job offer, file the change-of-employment notice and wait for confirmation.
- If you lose your job, start looking right away and report a new job within 90 days.
- Keep your employment contract and payslips: you will need them for renewal and permanent residence.
Last checked 2026-11-09. Open this guide in the app to add the dates to your calendar.