Expats from Australia, USA, UK, Canada, NZ, Israel, Singapore, South Korea, and Japan have free access to the Labor market in Czechia

As of 1 July 2024, citizens of the following countries will have free access to the Czech labor market:

  • Australia

  • Japan

  • Canada

  • Republic of Korea (South Korea)

  • New Zealand

  • United Kingdom

  • United States of America

  • Singapore

  • Israel

What does this mean

No work permit is required for expats from the above-listed countries to work legally in Czechia. It is also no longer necessary to notify the Labor Office of a vacancy.

In most cases, it will still be necessary to apply for a residence permit or visa.

If you plan to stay and work in Czechia for less than 3 months

You cannot rely solely on free access to the labor market and visa-free travel, as visa-free stays are for non-profit purposes. You must apply for a Schengen visa for employment purposes at the embassy. No employment permit is required for this visa.

If you plan to stay and work in Czechia for more than 3 months

You should apply for a non-dual employment card outside of Czechia at the Czech embassy in your country of origin or residence. There’s no need to list the vacancy with the Labor Office first; you will only need an employment contract and other relevant documents required by the Czech authorities.

Once you receive your non-dual employment card, you can change jobs without prior approval from the authorities, but you will need to notify them of any job change. The deadline is currently 3 days, but we suggest confirming the deadline for notification with your lawyer.

If you plan to stay and work in Czechia for more than 3 months as a highly qualified worker

If you meet the criteria for an EU Blue Card permit and could also benefit from free access to the labor market, we suggest reaching out to your lawyer to discuss the benefits of both the EU Blue Card and the non-dual employment card. The EU Blue Card provides many benefits, such as easier mobility within the EU, family reunification, and social security. However, unlike the non-dual employment card, the vacancy needs to be notified to the Labor Office.

If you are being posted to Czechia by an employer based in a third country

Free access to the labor market applies to all citizens of the countries listed above. This includes workers posted to Czechia, including those previously covered under memoranda and working holiday programs.

Do you want to find out if and how you can benefit from this change? Contact us at EXPATLEGAL, law office. Our lawyers are dedicated to helping you every step of the way.

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