Emigration to the Czech Republic: from idea to documents

Pros and cons of living in the Czech Republic

In search of a better life, Russians go abroad and try to build their lives there. The prospect of life in Europe seduces and beckons, and the wonderful stories of migrants from Russia only add fuel to the fire.

Before planning to move to another country, you should carefully study the issue, determine the advantages and disadvantages of your decision, and prepare for the inevitable difficulties. The Czech Republic attracts with its stable economy and high standard of living.

The advantages of living in this country also include:

• Geographical position . Just a couple of hours drive from Prague you can find yourself in Germany. Slovakia, Poland and Austria are also nearby.
• Climate. All four seasons are expressed in the weather. Cool winter, hot summer, warm autumn and spring.
• Ecology . In all cities, residential areas have green parks with lush vegetation, where you can meet representatives of the forest fauna.
• Public transport . Everything happens according to schedule and with small frequency. Trolleybuses run around the clock. Czechs purchase a long-term travel pass, which is valid for all types of transport. In Prague it will cost only 2010 rubles. per month. Also, one cannot fail to note the quality of the roads.
• All amenities have been created for people with disabilities . Many houses have ramps, and bus drivers, if necessary, leave the passenger compartment during a stop and throw over a special bridge.
• Free higher education.

  
  Emigration to the Czech Republic from Russia is beneficial because the country has free higher education.

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• Medicine is at a good level with state insurance.

Emigration to the Czech Republic from Russia is not as simple as it seems at first glance, and life will be full of obstacles for a foreigner.

Those who have already taken this step note the following disadvantages of living in this country:

• The high cost of utilities, mobile communications and the Internet compared to Russia.
• Expensive gasoline. For comparison, you will have to pay about 87 rubles for a liter of AI-95. per liter
• Those who do not have citizenship of the country, but only have a residence permit, will need to purchase insurance for the child at their own expense. This is not a cheap option and will cost about 600 euros per year.
• Foreigners who do not speak Czech may have difficulty finding work. English is not widely spoken, let alone Russian.

Reviews from those who immigrated to the Czech Republic

Elena, 22 years old, unemployed: She moved to the Czech Republic with her parents 10 years ago. At first it was very difficult in terms of communicating with local residents, since I did not know the language. The mentality is also completely different, even after so many years I see a huge difference, Russians are more open and fast, but here people are very slow, which is even annoying to some extent. But I was pleased with the free schooling, where I learned Czech. Without a doubt, the country is beautiful and historically significant. There are a lot of historical and majestic castles, beautiful and slightly Russian nature.

Andrey, 19 years old, student at the Czech State University. I came to Prague specifically to study at a Czech university. I came in the footsteps of my older brother, who graduated from this university 6 years ago and has now moved to Germany and, thanks to his diploma, got a prestigious job. I study in English, but I take additional courses in Czech. After university I plan to go to Germany.

Inna, 42 years old, accountant. She moved to the Czech Republic 20 years ago after she married a citizen of this country. I fell in love with the Czech Republic immediately and forever. Our children were born here and here all my life. I work in a small company, the salary is low by European standards, but more than Russian. The nature of the country is a separate issue. Almost every weekend we try to go out into nature with the whole family; fortunately we live outside the city, so we have all the conditions for outdoor recreation. The quality of the products is also excellent; we can afford any food for two average salaries. 1-2 times a year we go on vacation to Germany or Austria.

Sergey, 46 years old, businessman. I moved to the country 5 years ago on business immigration with my partner. Registering a business and obtaining a residence permit took about 1.5 months. Six months later I moved my wife and children here. The children were easily placed in school and were satisfied with the level of education they received.

Average salary in the Czech Republic

Despite the fact that the Czech economy has stabilized over the past 30 years, wages have remained low compared to other European countries. Nevertheless, the standard of living of the population is good. The most in-demand employees will be professionals with experience in the technical field, as well as doctors of various fields.

Below is the salary ranking by profession:

The salary is determined by the city of work. The highest level of salaries is in Prague, and the lowest in Karlovy Vary. The state has established a minimum wage (minimum wage) before taxes. It is determined by two indicators: per hour and per month with an 8-hour working week.

In the first case, the minimum wage is 2.9 euros, and in the second – 488 euros. Income tax is 15% and does not vary depending on income level. Those whose annual income is less than 16,000 euros are exempt from paying income tax.

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Methods of immigration to the Czech Republic

Despite some similarities in languages ​​and a common communist past, it is not easy for a Russian to obtain a Czech Republic passport. To do this, you must first obtain a residence permit and live in the country for at least ten years.

Having your own company in the Czech Republic makes it possible to obtain a residence permit, if it really works and brings real income. This may be the right path to obtaining a Czech passport.

To acquire Czech permanent residence, considerable financial investments will be required; they must first be carefully calculated. In particular, you need to know that prices for renting houses are lower than in Moscow, but also quite high. Public transport prices are expensive due to the high cost of gasoline, a liter of which costs 1 euro. Utility fees will also be high, somewhere around 200 euros per month, due to expensive electricity and gas. Mobile communications and the Internet are also very expensive.

But, before you decide to move to the Czech Republic, we advise you to first go there on a tourist visa for preliminary acquaintance and establishing the necessary contacts. In particular, this applies to choosing a place to live or do business, as well as finding out all the features of local taxation and the banking system.

If the initial impression turns out to be favorable, then you can safely go to the Czech Republic to obtain a residence permit. Let's look at the most effective ways to acquire a Czech residence permit.

Family reunification and marriage with a Czech citizen

This primarily applies to marriage with a Czech citizen. But, if previously a husband or wife immediately received permission for permanent residence, now this procedure has been complicated due to the large number of fictitious marriages. Initially, you will only have to rely on a residence permit - dlouhodobý pobyt. And only after three years after marriage, after a long procedure of proving the reality of the marital union, government officials give permission for permanent residence or trvalý pobyt.

It is better to immediately forget about the possibility of a fictitious marriage. Remember that you will be tested frequently and at odd times. At any time of the day or night, the migration service can come to you to determine the authenticity of the marriage. At the slightest suspicion of a fictitious marriage, you will be expelled from the country.

In addition to spouses, the family reunification procedure also applies to children and parents of a Czech citizen. But in the latter case, you will have to prove that the parents require constant care.

We kindly ask you not to trust any companies that, for a fee, promise to find you a grandfather or grandmother with Czech roots. All data on the country's population for many centuries is carefully stored in the so-called “matrix”, or in the state archive. So, you can’t count on being recognized as a Czech in some tribe. You can get deported from the country.

But even if you really are of Czech origin, you will most likely, after a long verification procedure, be offered permanent residence, and not citizenship, as in neighboring Germany.

Work in the Czech Republic

To travel to work in the Czech Republic, you must have an invitation from a Czech employer certified by the Ministry of Labor. Then you will be issued a long-term work visa - dlouhé vízum. It is issued for a period of two years, and during this time you will be required not to change your place of work. And the employer must pay all tax contributions to the state budget for you, as well as pay for health insurance.

If you are a sufficiently qualified specialist, especially in the technical field, then getting such an invitation is not very difficult, but you will need a good knowledge of the Czech language. Although Czech seems similar to Russian, in reality it is far from the case. It will take long and difficult work to master a foreign language. By the way, little English is spoken in the Czech Republic; German is more common. And knowledge of Russian, in general, is required extremely rarely, although the older generation remembers Russian.

Knowledge of English and any other European language is also welcome. In this case, it will be easy for you to find a job in the tourism sector.

But, if your professionalism is insufficient, then finding an employer willing to send an invitation to an unqualified foreigner is quite problematic due to the reluctance of the authorities to give jobs to non-nationals. This is especially noticeable in the context of the pan-European crisis, when local employers are very reluctant to hire not only foreigners, but even their own citizens.

But, if you are a professional in your field, you can try to get a job. This applies, first of all, to representatives of the so-called “craft” professions - hairdressers, tailors, auto mechanics, programmers, who can easily create their own business and work “for themselves”.

Starting your own business

We warn you right away that it will not be possible to open a fictitious company with zero turnover just to obtain a residence permit in the Czech Republic. If a registered enterprise is allowed to operate without income for the first three years, then it will certainly be necessary to provide evidence of the success of its business.

If you really intend to do business in the Czech Republic, then this country provides real opportunities for making good profits. This, first of all, concerns low tax rates, a good opportunity to get a profitable loan, and developed infrastructure. It is important that in the Czech Republic there is almost no crime in our Russian understanding. That is, your business will not be in danger from competitors and mafia structures.

Registering your company in the Czech Republic serves as the basis for purchasing real estate. When simply buying a home, a residence permit is not issued; contrary to popular belief, you need to know this.

In addition to opening your own company, the state allows investing in or acquiring someone else's business. This is also a very attractive option for Russian businessmen, especially considering the absence of corruption and official bribery in government agencies. In just five years you can develop your business to a decent scale; fortunately, you are given three whole years for preliminary “build-up”.

If you are determined to register your company in the Czech Republic, then you should apply for a business visa valid for more than 90 days. After obtaining the status of a private entrepreneur in the Czech Republic, and after the expiration of the visa, you can already apply for a residence permit, which will initially be granted for a period of two years, but can be extended, depending on the success of your business.

Obtaining a residence permit for students

This is perhaps the most effective way to stay in the Czech Republic for permanent residence. Initially, you should choose a higher education institution that will want to invite you to study, and then apply for a student visa. This visa can also be obtained in another, simpler way - by going to the Czech Republic for Czech language courses, and then enrolling in one of the local universities. A visa for studying courses is also issued for 90 days.

Having a student visa does not give you the opportunity to work, but after living in the country, it is quite possible to find an employer who will give you a work visa. In addition, the student has the right to free movement in the EU countries, and this is also an excellent opportunity for further employment.

By the way, the education received in the Czech Republic is of a fairly high level and fully complies with European standards. And students, when applying for a residence permit, no longer need to take a language proficiency exam.

Entry of refugees into the Czech Republic

This method of going to the Czech Republic as a refugee should not be seriously considered at all, since this state, in principle, opposes forced quotas for the distribution of refugees in the European Union. According to statistics, 9 out of 10 applicants for political asylum are refused.

Therefore, you should not hope that in this country you will be warmly welcomed and given permanent residence; rather, it may even be quite the opposite. Instead of a residence permit, you will receive a deportation and will be expelled from the country, which means you will not be able to enter other EU countries.

Comparison of prices in Russia and the Czech Republic for different areas of life

Emigration to the Czech Republic from Russia can significantly affect the way of life, eating habits, financial costs and other aspects of life. The price categories of the two capitals are at the same level, there are no big differences.

Average prices for goods in different categories are presented in the table below.

Basic documents for moving

So, the decision to move has been made, but it alone is not enough. Czech authorities will need a valid reason to admit a new member of society. The first step to obtaining further citizenship will be obtaining a residence permit (RP). Each situation will have its own package of documents necessary to confirm the validity of emigration.

In addition, there is a basic set of documents for applying for a residence permit:

• Foreign and Russian passports.

  

• Certificates of good conduct in the Czech Republic and Russia.
• Insurance policy, the amount of which starts from 30,000 euros.
• Certificate from the bank about the status of the account.
• A document confirming the conclusion of a real estate lease agreement for a period of 1 year or more or the purchase of living space.

All documents provided from Russia must be translated into Czech by translators with a valid license and notarized. When choosing an insurance company, preference should be given to those who have the right to operate in the Czech Republic. The bank account must contain an amount no less than the subsistence level.

At the time of 2021, there must be a minimum of 10,230 rubles per person. per month. For two adults, 17,910 rubles are allotted, an adult and a child under 5 years old - 14,640 rubles, 2 adults and a child of the same age - 23,130 rubles.

Obtaining a residence permit

You can apply for a residence permit if you have suitable grounds and if your stay is for more than 30 days. Documents for obtaining a residence permit are submitted in person to the department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the Czech Republic. The residence permit is issued for a period of 1 year, with the possibility of extension.

Package of required documents:

• Statement.
• Photocopy of the international passport.
• A document confirming that you are provided with housing (purchase or rental agreement).
• Bank account statement confirming your financial independence.
• Receipt for payment of state duty.
• Paid health insurance.
• Certificate of no criminal record.
• Certificate of absence of debts in Russia.

Additional documents and the amount of state duty depend on the grounds for obtaining a residence permit. The application is considered for 1-2 months. All Russian-language documents must be translated into Czech and notarized.

A residence permit in the Czech Republic gives the right to:

1. Legal stay in the territory of the Czech Republic during the period of validity of the residence permit and the ability to move freely throughout the Schengen zone.
2. Relatively easy to obtain a visa to the United States of America, Canada and Australia.
3. Find a job in the country.
4. Get an education at universities and colleges in the Czech Republic.
5. Use the services of European banks.
6. After 5 years, apply for permanent residence.

Emigration routes: advantages of methods, features, additional documents, conditions

Emigration to the Czech Republic from Russia can be reproduced in several ways. It all depends on the purpose and motives of the move.

Job. In-demand professions in the Czech Republic in 2021

Having received a Russian education and some work experience, some specialists go to Europe to look for work. The Czech Republic has become one of the most popular destinations for Russians. In 2021, the most in demand professions were from the medical field, namely dentists, surgeons and nurses.

Also in demand are metallurgists, programmers, chemists, blue-collar workers and drivers.

The demand for seasonal work is always high, so working as a guide or hotel employee is also in demand. The process of traveling to the Czech Republic on a work visa has its difficulties. First, you should find an employer who is willing to undertake the obligations of preparing documents for the work of a foreign citizen.

Secondly, the employer will be required to certify to the Ministry of Labor that no one from the country is suitable for the proposed position. Only after these stages will the ministry issue a work permit and will it be possible to obtain a work visa, the maximum period of which will be 2 years. Upon completion, there is the possibility of extension.

Documents required when applying for a work visa:

• Visa application form.
• International passport and a copy of all completed pages.
• Russian passport and copies of all completed pages.
• Photo 3.5*4.5 cm.

  

• Documents confirming the purpose of stay.
• Bank account statement.
• A document certifying your place of residence.
• Insurance policy.

In addition to the main package of documents, situations arise in which the embassy may request additional certificates, such as an education document or medical certificates.

Education

Moving to the Czech Republic under the guise of studying is quite possible for people aged 16 to 30 years. The education process can take place not only in Czech, but also in English or German, it all depends on the chosen educational institution and specialty.

After a detailed study of all universities and possible options for obtaining an education, you can start preparing to collect documents for a visa.

The main package includes:

• University confirmation of enrollment.

  

• International passport, expiring no earlier than in 11 months, copies of it.
• Questionnaire.
• 2 photos 3.5x4.5.
• Rental agreement for an apartment or property.

Marriage

Connecting your life with a citizen of the Czech Republic is perhaps one of the simplest ways to obtain citizenship. You can become a full member of society after three years of official marriage. The Czech government thoroughly checks each such couple to avoid entering into fictitious marriages.

A migrant, if a relationship fails, is left with nothing. If the marriage is proven to be fictitious, then the visitor receives arrest and subsequent deportation with a ban on entry into the country.

To register a marriage in the Czech Republic, you will need the following documents:

• A copy of a valid international passport.
• Birth certificate translated into Czech.
• Certificate of no obstacles to marriage from the Russian Consulate.
• Certificate of legal stay in the country, obtained from one of the police stations dealing with foreigners. It must be received no later than 7 days before the expected wedding date.

Family reunification

The law provides for obtaining the right to life in the Czech Republic for persons whose family, for one reason or another, ended up in the republic.

For the purpose of family reunification, it is possible to obtain a residence permit for the following family ties:

• Spouse or child.
• Adopted children.
• Parent or guardian of a minor alien who has been granted asylum.
• An incapacitated pensioner over 65 years of age, if his close relatives live in the Czech Republic.

An application for a visa is submitted to the Czech consulate in the territory of the Russian Federation, through which a foreigner enters the country. After entry, a residence permit is issued.

To the standard package of documents for obtaining a residence permit you must add:

• Document on relationship.
• Certificate of income of the host party. The amount of income should not be less than the minimum subsistence level established per person by the legislation of the country.
• An invitation from a relative living in the Czech Republic.

Investments

Opening your own business in the Czech Republic gives you the right to obtain a residence permit. The company must be operating, regularly generate income, and also provide jobs. The country has created all the favorable conditions for doing business: transparent tax schemes, friendliness of credit institutions.

Before applying for a visa, you must obtain a business license from the Trade Department of the Czech municipality.

Then submit the following documents to the country's consulate:

• International passport.
• Document about the purpose of arrival.
• Document on rent of living space.
• 2 photos.
• Medical insurance and certificate of passing the necessary tests.

After 2 months it is possible to apply for a residence permit.

Refugee

The Czech government carefully considers each candidate; only a few are awarded refugee status. The list of persons entitled to be called refugees is established by the Geneva Convention.

If a foreign citizen is persecuted or faces imprisonment because of his race, nationality, political affiliation, or religion, he may qualify as a refugee. This can be done when crossing the border or at the station for working with foreigners.

There is a rule that you need to submit an application to the country whose border is crossed first.

The Czech Republic is located inside Europe, so the number of refusals is high. During the consideration of the application, the foreigner is located in a refugee camp and is not allowed to leave it. If he refuses, he faces deportation with a further ban on entry into the European Union.

Buying a property

It is possible to purchase real estate in the Czech Republic, but this cannot become a reason for obtaining a residence permit. However, owning your own property will be a great advantage when combined with other reasons. When submitting documents for a residence permit, the question of place of residence will arise and your own living space will play into your hands. Also, real estate will provide the opportunity to obtain a long-term Schengen visa.

Reasons for emigrating to the Czech Republic from Russia

Czech legislation provides several options for the possibility of immigration of foreigners. The most common are:

• Employment.
• Getting an education.
• Marriage or family reunion.
• Investments.
• Own business.
• Buying a property.

Let's look at each basis in more detail.

Employment

You can start looking for work while in Russia or upon arrival in the country. The Internet can help with this, namely sites with job vacancies. The most common ones are: portal.mpsv.cz, 24ru.com, flagma.cz. While in the country, you can contact recruitment agencies, but this requires permission from local authorities. There are also special labor exchanges that select vacant positions quite quickly, but for this, an immigrant must have a residence permit. When a place of work is found, it is necessary to provide a contract with the employer with specified information about the position and salary.

Getting an education

In recent years, receiving education at higher educational institutions in the Czech Republic has become increasingly popular. Students are attracted by availability, prices and the opportunity to obtain a residence permit. Moreover, universities in the country teach not only in Czech, but also in English and German.

The most popular among foreigners are Prague's Charles University and the Czech Technical University. Diplomas from Czech universities meet European standards and are valued throughout Europe. You can obtain a residence permit without studying at a university; it is enough to enroll in language courses.

The following documents will be required for immigration on this basis:

• Original and copy of international passport.
• Application form filled out in Latin.
• Contract with an educational institution.
• 2 photos.
• Document on financial security. This could be a bank statement. The minimum amount for a year for one person is about 3,000 euros. If the student is under 18 years old, the amount is halved.
• Certificate of no criminal record.
• Documentary proof that you have a place of residence.

Documents in Russian must be translated into the official language of the Czech Republic and notarized.

Marriage or family reunion

Getting married is a fairly common way to move to a country and obtain a residence permit. Every year, about 100 Russian residents connect their lives with subjects of the Czech state and find a new homeland in the Czech Republic. Immediately after registering a marriage, an immigrant can receive a temporary residence permit, and after two years, permanent residence status. The country of marriage registration does not matter.

An application for a residence permit on this basis is submitted to the department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, to which a package of necessary documents is attached. A complete list of required documents can be found at the nearest police station. The application is considered on average for about one month and, if a positive decision is made, the applicant is invited to the Ministry of Internal Affairs to obtain a residence permit certificate.

Investing in the economy

Contribution to the country's economy allows investors to move to the country and obtain residence permit status. Many investors are attracted to the Czech Republic by its stable economic growth, which guarantees minimal risks when investing. And prices are more affordable than in other Schengen countries. You can invest in the economy through a business (your own or an existing one). You can also purchase shares. Proof of investment is an open account in a bank in the country with the required amount. A residence permit on this basis is issued for 1 year with the right to extension. The Ministry of Internal Affairs makes a decision on this issue in a short time, about 1-2 months.

Business

Business immigration to the country involves registering your own business or purchasing an existing one. Entitles you to obtain a residence permit. The most attractive thing about this program is that the established authorized capital is only 1 crown (0.039 euros).

However, you should know that the higher the authorized capital, the greater the evidence of the profitability of the business, which means the greater the chances of obtaining a residence permit. Registration of a business will not take much time; usually the application is considered no more than 15 days. A prerequisite is that your enterprise must employ at least 20 citizens of this country.

To register your own business you will need the following documents:

• Business plan.
• Photocopy of the international passport.
• Photocopy of birth certificate.
• Certificate of no criminal record.
• Documents for the company with the specified address where the main office will be located, with telephone numbers and email addresses.

Purchase of real estate

Purchasing real estate is the most profitable way of immigration, as it guarantees not only a residence permit, but also your own home. The value of the property does not matter, and the amount does not appear in the cadastral extract at all. Even if you do not need to reside in the country permanently, and there is no need for a residence permit, purchasing real estate gives you the right to a Schengen multiple visa, which means that you can come to the country an unlimited number of times.

Real estate prices are pleasing with their affordability. So a one-room apartment can be bought for 10,000 euros. When choosing this basis, you must add an extract from the cadastre to the standard package of documents for obtaining a residence permit.

Stages of emigration

Emigration to the Czech Republic from Russia is a labor-intensive and energy-consuming process. The path to your goal can be divided into several stages. First of all, you should make sure that the decision was made correctly and prepare for the move. To do this, you need to visit the country, which can be done with a tourist visa.

During your stay, you should discover the non-tourist Czech Republic: find out about the possible rental of an apartment, determine the amount needed to buy groceries, choose your future area of ​​residence and get to know the mentality of the Czechs better.

Staying in the country for more than 3 months is prohibited on a tourist visa. Also, such a document does not give the right to work. You should not look for illegal ways to earn money or try to stay for a longer period without good reason.

Czech legislation takes the issue of immigration seriously and if violations are detected, it will be impossible to obtain permission to live in the country. Therefore, upon returning home after visiting the country, you should prepare to apply for a residence permit.

Obtaining a residence permit may be based on the following reasons:

• Family reunification.
• Education.
• Job.
• Business.
• Investments.

Each of the directions requires its own package of documents, already described above.

Possible difficulties

When changing your country of residence, you need to be prepared to face a lot of difficulties in different areas of life. Firstly, moving involves large material costs. Collecting documents, issuing an insurance policy, state duties, renting an apartment and other expenses will be inevitable. Secondly, finding an apartment is not so easy for a Russian-speaking migrant.

According to the stories of those who have passed this stage, Czechs are more likely to rent an apartment to their compatriots than to a newcomer, so you will have to look for a landlord.

Thirdly, the language barrier plays a big role in the process of integration into society. Among the older generation there are people who have studied Russian; the younger generation does not speak it. It is possible to communicate in English, but not everyone speaks it either.

Learning Czech is a must. Finally, you should be mentally prepared for the rejection by some Czechs of a person of a different nationality. It is impossible to unite everyone, but such representatives occur quite often.

Why the Czech Republic is attractive for migration

In the Czech Republic, like in any other country, there are many pros and cons. It attracts a large number of immigrants due to its features:

• The Czech Republic is a Slavic state, which is why citizens of CIS countries often choose it to move to;
• the country's membership in the EU allows its residents to travel freely within the territory of the European Union;
• the crime rate is lower than in many other countries, corruption is not widespread;
• the climate is suitable for both lovers of heat and cold;
• rich cultural heritage, a large number of different museums and monuments;
• despite the absence of the sea - beautiful nature;
• diversified labor market;
• power not only does not restrict, but also facilitates business;
• low interest rate on loans;
• highly developed public transport;
• high-quality and inexpensive medicine;
• local higher education is accepted by most countries in the world. It is also completely free when studying in Czech.

The Czech language is part of the West Slavic group, which means that speakers of Slavic languages ​​need significantly less time to learn it than to learn other languages. In combination with a similar mentality, this feature creates favorable conditions for immigrants from the CIS countries to easily integrate into local society.

In 2004, the Czech Republic completed its accession to the European Union.

Residents of the Czech Republic, even those who have not yet received citizenship, have the right to freely travel throughout the EU. Also, upon obtaining citizenship, an immigrant can live in any country of the European Union, receive inexpensive or free education within its borders and obtain various benefits if necessary.

Thanks to rapid economic growth and falling unemployment, the crime rate has been falling year after year.

The local climate is mild. In winter, temperatures range from 0 to -4 degrees, occasionally dropping to -10. Summer is also comfortable for most residents - at this time of year the thermometer shows an average of 20 degrees.

Despite the relatively small population, there are about 100 museums in the Czech Republic. Many of them are castles built many hundreds of years ago. There are many world famous cultural treasures here.

The local labor market varies significantly by region. The highest paying jobs are in the capital, but good jobs can also be found in industrial regions. Employment opportunities depend significantly on knowledge of the Czech language, since local residents' command of English is much worse than in many other EU countries.

Reasons for refusing an emigrant

When applying for a long-term visa, you need to be confident in your solvency and carefully prepare the entire package of documents.

The reasons for refusal to obtain a residence permit may be the following:

• Insufficient or inaccurate documents submitted by the applicant.
• Insufficient solvency of a foreigner and lack of independence.
• Violation of the laws of your home country or the Czech Republic.

If the answer to the residence permit is negative, you should, if possible, correct it and re-apply with the entire package of documents.

Where to apply for a residence permit

The collected documents are submitted to the Czech Embassy in the Russian Federation, located at: Moscow, st. Julius Fucik, 12/14 and open on weekdays from 8:30 to 17:00. For those who are already in the Czech Republic, there is the opportunity to submit documents to the local Ministry of Internal Affairs. In addition to the state fee, the applicant will have to spend money on document translations, insurance or intermediary fees.

Depending on the type of residence permit, the following application will be considered during the period:

Main stages of immigration

Regardless of which immigration method is chosen, there is a certain algorithm of actions that should be followed. The immigration process takes a long time - eight to ten years - and requires serious effort on the part of the immigrant. To successfully complete it, you need to go through several mandatory stages, which you should get to know better.

First stage: obtaining a visa

Entry into the territory of the Czech Republic for citizens of the Russian Federation is possible only with a Schengen visa:

• short-term visa C for subsequent immigration can be used in case of a trip to the Czech Republic for the purpose of marriage, purchasing real estate, registering a company, etc.;
• long-term visa D with the right of extension, which allows you to stay in the Czech Republic for more than 90 days in a six-month period, is issued on the basis of study, work card, family reunification, doing business, etc.

From 29.11. 2021 to obtain a long-term visa or permission to stay in the country for a long time, you must register at the Czech Embassy (). When registering, you must provide passport details, contact information and confirm the purpose of your stay in the country. A message will be sent to the applicant's address indicating the date of application.

The processing time for long-term visas may vary depending on the purpose: for study, scientific activity - within 60 days, for family reunification, doing business - from 90 to 120 days.

Second stage: residence permit and permanent residence

After receiving a long-term visa, the immigrant can stay in the Czech Republic in accordance with the stated purpose. An application for its extension must be submitted within 120 days before the last day of expiration of the validity of the visa.

In case of successful extension of stay in the Czech Republic, the immigrant receives the status of a residence permit holder - he is issued a plastic card with biometric data for a period of two years with the right to extension.

After five years of residence in the Czech Republic with the status of a residence permit and compliance with the necessary conditions (for example, not leaving the country for a period of more than 10 months, passing an exam on knowledge of the Czech language, not breaking laws, etc.), the immigrant receives the right to apply for permanent residence.

In some cases, the period of required residence may differ - for example, 2 years for the spouse of a Czech citizen, 2.5 years for a Blue Card holder, 10 years for a student visa holder. The new status gives immigrants almost all the rights that Czech citizens have.

The final stage: obtaining Czech citizenship

After five years of residence in the country with permanent residence status (three for spouses of Czech citizens), you can apply for citizenship of the Czech Republic. Acquiring a new citizenship for many Russians has long been an optional procedure that could easily be done without - they already enjoyed all the benefits and benefits on an equal basis with Czech citizens (free education and medicine for children, equal salaries with Czechs, pensions, social benefits, etc. .), but I didn’t want to lose my Russian passport.

The situation changed after it came into force on 01.01. 2021 new edition of the Czech Law “On Citizenship of the Czech Republic” (Zákon č. 186/2013 Sb.). According to it, renunciation of the previous one is not required to acquire Czech citizenship. In other words, this law allows for dual citizenship.

In any case, the procedure for acquiring Czech indigenous status has been simplified:

• on the one hand, you must provide a package of required papers: a legitimate passport, birth certificate, confirmation of legal and permanent residence in the country, etc.;
• on the other hand, you need to be a respectable citizen: pay taxes, not have problems with the law.

The procedure for extending a residence permit

The first residence permit is assigned for one year, and all subsequent ones for two years. It will not be difficult to renew it; the same documents will be required as upon initial receipt, but the insurance must be concluded for a period of at least two years.

An application for renewal of a residence permit must be submitted no later than one month before its expiration at the immigration police station. The cost of the state fee will vary from 500 to 1500 CZK.

Obtaining permanent residence

A migrant who has lived in the country for five years with a residence permit can apply for permanent residence status in the Czech Republic. Moreover, he can leave the country for up to 10 months for the entire period. Continuous absence should not exceed six months.

When applying for permanent residence, you must collect a package of documents:

• A completed application form.
• Foreign passport and its copy.
• 4 photos.
• Evidence of legal presence in the Czech Republic.
• Documents for your own real estate or rent.
• Insurance certificate.
• Successfully passed the exam in the state language and the basics of life.

With permanent residence status, a migrant has the same rights as a Czech citizen, with the exception of the opportunity to take part in elections. After 5 years of permanent residence, it is possible to sell documents for citizenship and become a full member of society.

Registration of permanent residence

Only after a residence permit has been obtained can you count on permanent residence in the Czech Republic.

Conditions for obtaining permanent residence

The main criterion for obtaining permanent residence in the Czech Republic for Russians is residence under a residence permit for at least 5 years . Moreover, most of the time you need to be on the territory of the Republic.

There should be no problems with the law or visa violations. It is necessary to know the Czech language well.

Another reason that makes it possible to obtain a permanent residence permit is family reunification. This can be a marriage with a citizen of the Czech Republic. Spouses must have been married for at least 3 years . A residence permit for at least 2 years is also required.

It is necessary to provide confirmation that the marriage is not fictitious.

In addition, family reunification includes:

• relocation from Russia of single parents, over 65 years old, for permanent residence with a citizen of the Czech Republic;
• adoption by a foreigner of a citizen of the Republic;
• emigration of an adult child to an elderly parent, over 65 years of age, permanently residing in the country;
• minor children of a Czech citizen or a foreigner with permanent residence.

In addition, the following can emigrate to the Czech Republic from Russia:

• people who have a business in the territory of the Republic;
• citizens who have proven their Czech roots;
• those whose permanent stay in the country is consistent with its national interests.

From 2021, foreigners who have invested more than €2.7 million in the development of the country and created at least 20 jobs will receive long-term residence permits.

Required documents

To apply for permanent residence, you need to fill out a 5-sheet application form. It can be found on the website of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Czech Republic or download the official form right here.

The application must be completed in the national language .

The following documents should be attached to the application:

1. Valid passports: foreign and Russian.
2. Confirmation of the reason for obtaining permanent residence in the Czech Republic. If the basis is residence for 5 years under a residence permit, then simply indicate this in the application form.
3. 2 color photographs 3.5x4.5 cm.
4. Insurance policy.
5. Extracts stating that there are no conflicts with the law or the tax service either at home or in the Czech Republic.
6. Certificate or diploma confirming knowledge of the Czech language.
7. Certificate of housing availability: a lease agreement for at least a year, or a deed of purchase for real estate.
8. Confirmation of the availability of funds, or a certificate of stable monthly income.

All submitted documents must be prepared in Czech or translated into it by official authorities.

Procedure for submitting and reviewing an application

The application is submitted in person to the Czech Embassy, ​​or to the branches of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic. On behalf of a foreign citizen under the age of 15, his legal representative submits documents.

The application procedure is regulated by the Law on Residence of Foreign Citizens and the Code of Administrative Procedure. In the event that a request for permanent residence is not made in the approved application form, proceedings will not be initiated.

Terms and cost of obtaining permanent residence

The Law on the Residence of Foreign Citizens establishes the period for consideration:

• 60 days from the date of submission of the application to the department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs;
• 180 – to the Czech Embassy.

During this time, a decision on the application must be made.

The consular fee is 19.88 euros . All other costs are individual. For certificates, extracts, translations, consultations, you must pay at local rates.

In case of a positive outcome, the Ministry of Internal Affairs will contact the applicant by phone and set a date for obtaining permanent residence and collecting biometric data.

If the application was submitted through the embassy, ​​it will issue a visa to stay in the country for more than 90 days in order to obtain permanent residence. Within 3 days from the date of entry into the Czech Republic, you must inform the office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the date of submission of biometric data.

After this procedure, you must personally, within the prescribed period, but no later than 60 days, pick up the permanent residence card at the office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

When the decision comes into force, the applicant will be automatically entered into the general insurance register.

The card is valid for 10 years . For a child under 15 years old – 5 years .

An application for renewal must be submitted no later than 90 days before its expiration. All you need is an old card and a valid passport.

Cost of processing all documents

Emigration to the Czech Republic from Russia is accompanied by a lengthy collection of all documents. It is easier to prepare them by using a company that provides services in this area. It is quite difficult to do this on your own, and if errors are identified, you will have to go through the entire process all over again.

Companies specializing in such things offer several options for their services, varying in price.

The most economical tariff will cost about 14 thousand rubles. and includes a minimum set of services: an extract from the commercial court, translation of documents into Czech, filling out an application for the consulate in the language of the country. The following package is supplemented by the provision of documents on providing housing and sending all documents by mail. Such a tariff will cost about 30 thousand rubles.

Full support for applying for a residence permit includes, in addition to the above points, opening a personal account in a Czech bank, consultation before an interview at the consulate and registration with the immigration service. The price of such assistance is 49 thousand rubles.

Advice for emigrants from people who have already moved

Those who have overcome the process of moving to the Czech Republic are happy to share their experience with future emigrants.

Discussions take place on thematic forums, excerpts from them are presented below:

• “You shouldn’t despair when you encounter the first difficulties on the way to moving. Without a doubt, they will arise, but you should take them as a lesson and a way to understand the country.” — Anna, has been living in Prague for 5 years.
• “Learning Czech is very important. Don’t be shy about making mistakes; without starting to communicate, you won’t achieve results. Moreover, local residents will begin to be more favorable.” — Sergey, has lived in Prague for 10 years.
• “If you are confident in your desire to stay in the Czech Republic for a long time, you should think about a mortgage and purchasing your own home. The interest is low and the loan is provided even without a residence permit or permanent residence permit.” — Leonid, has lived in Karlovy Vary for 6 years.
• “Frequent communication with people, searching for communities of interests, visiting public places will help you quickly integrate into the social life of the country.” — Maria, has lived in Prague for 2 years.

Having decided to emigrate to the distant Czech Republic from such a native Russia, it is worth weighing the pros and cons. In any case, you should not burn all bridges, but leave yourself the opportunity to return.

Article design: Oleg Lozinsky

Start of moving to the Czech Republic

The Czech Republic belongs to the countries of the Schengen zone, that is, entry into it is limited by a visa regime.
To visit even as a tourist you will need a visa. Until you move to another state for permanent residence, it is advisable to visit it as a tourist. This will allow you to decide on the final option.

Additionally, the first visit allows you to accurately determine the presence of the following factors:

• availability of the required level of language proficiency;
• is the climate suitable?
• assessment of the transport system and its costs;
• checking the availability of housing space and the possibility of renting, as well as prices;
• assessment of state assistance to residents and the work of various social organizations.

Important! The future place for housing, in the form of a city or region, is selected during the first visit. This will allow you to more accurately determine the future.

During the first long visit, you get to know the culture and local people. This moment will allow you to understand whether the republic is suitable for moving or not.