Living in the Czech Republic

Attend a citizen outreach meeting

• Theread BritishLiving Embassyin regularlythe holdsEU: eventsprepare across Czech Republic for UKBrexit

• attend nationals. Attend one of our citizen outreach meetings to keep up to date on working and living in the Czech Republic after Brexit.

  You can also:

  • read the Czech government’s website on how to prepare for Brexit.
  • read Living in the EU: prepare for Brexit

  Visas and residency

  Check the entry requirements for the Czech Republic.

  You need to secure a Czech residence permit before Brexit if you want to guarantee your stay in the Czech Republic.

  You must register your stay with the Czech Foreign Police (in Czech) first. You will need this confirmation of your registration with the Foreign Police when you apply for Czech residency status.

  Read our guidance on moving or retiring abroad.

  Visas and residency after Brexit

  If the UK leaves the EU without a deal you arewill residentneed into enter the Czech Republicimmigration scheme. To do this, you must make an appointment with the Czech immigration authority.

  If you have a certificate of temporary residence, you will need to apply for either a long-term residence permit or a permanent residence permit before the end of the2020.

  If implementationyou periodhave ona 31permanent Decemberresidence 2020,permit, you will beneed able to stay.change your current documents for a new biometric card by the end of 2020.

  IfYou therecan arelook at this flowchart from the Czech Ministry of Interior which explains the process.

  In the event of changes to residency rules or registration processes after Brexit, we will update this guidance as soon as information is available.

  Passports and travel

  You can apply for or renew your British passport from the Czech Republic.

  You can look at our travel advice for the Czech Republic and sign up for up-to-date information on local laws and customs, safety and emergencies.

  Passports and travel after Brexit

  CheckAfter yourBrexit, passportthe isrules validon fortravel travel.will Yourchange. passportCheck shouldyour bepassport is valid for thetravel. proposed duration of your stay; you do not need any additional period of validity on your passport beyond this.

  You’ll need to renew your passport before travelling if you do not have enough time left on your passport.

  TheIf rulesthe onUK travelleaves will stay the sameEU untilwith thea enddeal, ofnothing thewill implementationchange perioduntil onthe 31end Decemberof 2020. During this time you can continue to travel tofreely countries in the Schengen area with your UK passport. What happens after 2020 will form the next part of negotiations.

  If there’s no deal, new travel rules will apply. You must have at least 6 months left on an adult or elsewherechild passport to travel to most countries in Europe (not including Ireland). If you renewed your current passport before the EUprevious withone expired, extra months may have been added to its expiry date. Any extra months on your UKpassport passport.over 10 years may not count towards the 6 months needed.

  WeIf there is no deal, UK nationals will updatenot theseneed pagesvisas withfor detailsshort ofstays anyelsewhere changesin the EU. You will be able to thestay rulesup asto soon90 asdays informationin isanother available.EU, EEA or EFTA country, within a 180 day period. You shouldmust signretain upevidence forof updatestravel (e.g. train and plane tickets), in case these are requested by national authorities. If you hold a residence permit from an EU, EEA or EFTA country, you will be able to thistransit guidance.through other EU, EEA or EFTA countries to reach your country of residence.

  Healthcare

  Read the NHS guidance on healthcare in the Czech Republic.

  If you live in the Czech Republic and receive an exportable UK pension, contribution-based Employment Support Allowance or another exportable benefit, you may currently be entitled to state healthcare paid for by the UK. You must apply for a certificate of entitlement known as an S1 certificate.

  If you are resident in the Czech Republic, you must not use a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from the UK for healthcare in the Czech Republic.

  When you travel from the Czech Republic for a temporary stay in another European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland, you can use an EHIC to access state-provided healthcare in that country. During that short stay:

  • the EHIC covers treatment that is medically necessary until your planned return home

  • an EHIC is not a replacement for comprehensive travel insurance

  • read our travel advice pages and advice on foreign travel insurance

  If you are a student, read the NHS guidance on healthcare and studying abroad.

  You can find an English-speaking doctor in the Czech Republic.

  You must also check your prescriptions are legal in the Czech Republic.

  Healthcare after Brexit

  ThereIf willthere beis noa changesdeal, to your healthcarecurrent rights on access beforeto 31healthcare Decemberin 2020.the YouCzech canRepublic alsowill continueremain tothe usesame youruntil EHIC,the end of the implementation period, as long as you didremain before,a duringresident thisin time.the Czech Republic.

  If there’s no deal, you arewill livingstill inbe able to access the Czech Republichealthcare orsystem moveif:

  • you thereare permanentlyemployed beforeby 31a DecemberCzech 2020,employer

  • you you’ll have life-longa healthcarepermanent rightsresidence inpermit

  • you theare Czechself-employed, Republicas long as youyour docircumstances now,don’t providedchange

  If there’s no deal, your S1 form will no longer be recognised by Czech authorities. You must take action now to decide how you remainwill resident.ensure access to healthcare if there’s no deal.

  For more information, read the Czech Health Insurance Bureau’s website for guidance on access to the Czech healthcare system after Brexit.

  Working

  If you currently have your healthcare costs paid for by the UK government, we can help if you are asked to pay for treatment during the first 6 months after Brexit. To organise a payment, you must give your healthcare provider’s details to the NHS Business Services Authority’s Overseas Healthcare Services.

  Your EHIC may not be valid if there’s no deal. The UK has offered to maintain the EHIC scheme if there’s no deal, however this is reliant on the Czech Republic continuing to accept UK EHICs.

  Read the NHS guidance on healthcare for UK nationals living in the Czech Republic and studyinghow it may change after Brexit.

  Working in the Czech Republic

  If you are registered as a resident in the Czech Republic, you have the right to work in the Czech Republic. Read our guidance on working in another EU country.

  You may need to apply for one orof both of the following:

  • UK criminal records certificate

  • extract from the Czech Criminal Register

  Working in the Czech Republic after Brexit

  YourIf there is a deal, your right to work will not change,change asuntil longthe asend youof remain resident in the Czechimplementation Republic.period.

  If youthere’s gainedno yourdeal, professionalyou qualificationmay inneed the UK before Brexit, it will continue to beapply recognisedfor bya Czechwork authorities.

  Recognitionpermit decisionsif madeyou onare qualificationsswitching obtainedjobs inand thedo UKnot orhold thea EUpermanent beforeresidency the end of the implementation period on 31 December 2020 are not affected.permit.

  IfRead youthe haveguidance noton hadproviding yourservices professionalafter qualificationsBrexit recognised,if youyou’re willplanning haveto untilstart thea endbusiness, ofprovide thea implementationservice, periodor todo submita anjob application under the current rules.

  Studying in thea Czechregulated Republicprofession after Brexit

  Brexit.

  If you aregained enrolledyour atprofessional aqualification Czechin university,the BrexitUK willbefore notBrexit, affectit your fees. You will becontinue able to continuebe in,recognised orby enrol into, study programmes taught in Czech free of charge. Fees for programmes taught in English will also not change.authorities.

  Read the guidance on continuing your studies in the European Union after Brexit.

  Money and tax

  If you work in the Czech Republic, you have the same tax rights and duties as Czech citizens.

  The UK has a double-taxation agreement with the Czech Republic to ensure people do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.

  Read guidance about:

  • telling HMRC if you leave the UK to live abroad

  • rates of tax on your UK income if you live abroad

  • paying income tax in the Czech Republic

  You should obtain professional advice on paying tax in the Czech Republic.

  Declaration of overseas assets

  If you live in the Czech Republic for more than six months in the current year, you will need to pay tax on your worldwide income here. This may include income from securities, insurance, annuities, and property. We recommend that you check with your local Czech tax office.

  National Insurance

  Find out if you can pay National Insurance while abroad in order to protect your State Pension and entitlement to other benefits and allowances.

  If you are employed or self-employed in the EU or EEA and you have a UK-issued A1/E101 form, you will remain subject to UK legislation until the end date on the form.

  If the end date on your form is after 31 October 2019, you should contact the relevant EU, EEA or Swiss authority to confirm whether you need to start paying social security contributions in that country after 31 October, as well as UK National Insurance contributions.

  Find out more about social security contributions after a no-deal Brexit.

  Money and tax after Brexit

  Brexit will not change existing double-taxationdouble taxation arrangements for UK nationals living in the Czech Republic. Send your individual taxpayer questions about double taxation to the relevant tax authority.

  Pensions

  YouIf willthere’s needno todeal, tellit themay UKbecome governmentmore officesexpensive thatto dealuse with your benefits,UK pensionbank andcard taxin ifthe youEU. areRead movingmore orabout retiringusing abroad.

  Therea willbank becard, noinsurance changesor beforeother 31financial Decemberservice 2020in to the rulesEU.

  Pensions

  You onwill claimingneed to tell the UK Stategovernment Pensionoffices inthat thedeal EU,with EEAyour orbenefits, Switzerlandpension asand atax resultif ofyou theare UKmoving leavingor theretiring EU.abroad.

  If you retire in the Czech Republic, you can claim:

  • your UK State Pension or new UK State Pension. Contact the International Pension Centre to claim

  • your Czech and UK State Pension from the Czech Social Security Administration if you worked in the Czech Republic

  • pensions from working in other EU countries

  Life certificates for UK Statestate Pensionspensions

  If you get a ‘life certificate’ from the UK Pension Service, you need to respond as soon as possible – your payments may be suspended if you don’t.

  Pensions after Brexit

  YouThe canUK government will continue to receivepay youra UK State Pension ifto youthose liveeligible in the EU,EU EEAafter orBrexit. SwitzerlandYour and you can still claim your UK State Pension.

  IfPension you are living in the EU, EEA or Switzerland by 31 December 2020 you will getbe your UK State Pension uprated everyin yearApril for2020, as2021 longand as2022 you continue to live there. This will happen even if you startlive claimingin yourthe pensionEU, onEEA or after 1 January 2021, as long as you meet the qualifying conditions.Switzerland.

  If youthere’s areno livingdeal inand the Czech Republic by 31 December 2020, you will be able to count future social security contributions towards meeting the qualifying conditions for your UK State Pension.

  If you work and pay social security contributions in the Czech Republic, you will still be able to add your UK social security contributions towards your Czech pension. This will happen even if you claim your pension after the end of the implementation period.

  Benefits

  ThereIf willthere’s be no changesdeal, beforethe 31Czech Decembergovernment 2020will totake theinto rulesaccount onperiods claimingof UKwork benefits in the EU,UK EEAbefore orBrexit Switzerlandwhen ascalculating ayour resultCzech ofpension.

  Read theour UKguidance leavingon thepensions EU.if there’s no deal.

  Benefits

  You may still be able to claim some UK benefits like child and disability benefits if you live in the Czech Republic.

  • read our guidance on which benefits you can claim if you live abroad

  • use our tool to check which benefits you can claim while you live abroad

  Many income-related benefits such as pension credit and housing benefit cannot be paid to you if you’re abroad for more than 4 weeks.

  Czech benefits

  You may be entitled to Czech benefits. To find out if you are entitled to Czech benefits and how to claim, you can read the European Union’s guidance on claiming benefits in an EU country like the Czech Republic.

  You can request proof of the time you have worked in the UK from HMRC if you are asked for this.

  Benefits after Brexit

  IfThe youUK aregovernment living in the EU, EEA or Switzerland by 31 December 2020, you will continue to receivepay anychild UKbenefits, benefitsand youdisability alreadybenefits receive.to Thiseligible willpeople continuein forthe asEU longafter asBrexit.

  If youthere’s liveno theredeal and meet all other eligibility requirements.

  If you work and pay social security contributions in the Czech Republic, your UK social security contributions will be taken into account when applying for Czech contributions-based benefits. This will happen even if you claim contributions-based benefits after the end of the implementation period.

  If there’s no deal you must:

  • read our guidance on benefits and pensions in a no deal scenario

  • keep all records of employment and insurance in the Czech Republic

  • tell the relevant Czech authorities if you have a connection to another EU member state, like through a family member or previous employment

  • look at the guidance by the Czech Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs for more information on how to keep access to your benefits

  Driving in the Czech Republic

  If you are resident in the Czech Republic, exchange your UK licence for a Czech one (in Czech). You can do this at any municipality with extended competence (in Czech). You will need to provide at least two documents proving you are resident in the Czech Republic for more than 185 days in a calendar year. This can be your permanent residency permit, temporary residency permit, lease agreement, property ownership listing, employment contract, etc.

  You can still use your Czech licence in the UK for short visits, or exchange it for a UK licence without taking a test if you return to live in the UK.

  For information on driving in the Czech Republic, read our guidance on:

  • what you need to drive abroad

  • driving rules in the Czech Republic

  Bringing a UK-registered vehicle into the Czech Republic

  Read our guidance on taking a vehicle out of the UK.

  If you spend more than 185 days in the Czech Republic with your UK-registered car, you must register your vehicle with Czech authorities.

  Driving after Brexit

  DrivingIf there is a deal, driving licence rules will stay the same untilduring 31the Decemberimplementation 2020.period.

  Read our guidance on driving in the EU after Brexit.

  Voting

  You may be able to vote in some UK elections.

  • check if you are able to vote

  • register as an overseas voter if you would like to vote

  If you are resident in the Czech Republic, you can vote in municipal and European parliamentary elections. You cannot vote in national parliamentary elections in the Czech Republic.

  Voting after Brexit

  UK nationals will no longer be eligible to vote in local or European Parliament elections after Brexit.

  Births, deaths and marriages

  If your child is born in the Czech Republic, you will need to register the birth with local authorities and register the birth abroad.

  If someone dies in the Czech Republic:

  • read our guidance on what to do after someone dies abroad

  • read guidance for UK nationals on bereavements in the Czech Republic

  • consult a list of English-speaking funeral directors in the Czech Republic

  Find out how you can get married abroad.

  You will need to make a declaration in the Register of Vital Records (matrika) in the municipality where you plan to get married.

  Find out about notarial and documentary services for British nationals in the Czech Republic. As of February 2019, you may no longer need to provide Czech translation of your document to Czech authorities. Find out about a new EU regulation which simplifies the authentication process.

  You may also need:

  • English-speaking translators and interpreters in the Czech Republic

  • English-speaking lawyers in the Czech Republic

  Accommodation and buying property

  Read guidance on how to buy a property abroad.

  Pets

  CurrentYou petwill still be able to travel to and from the UK with a cat, dog or ferret when the UK leaves the EU, but the rules will staychange. theRead sameguidance untilon 31pet Decembertravel 2020.to Europe after Brexit.

  While the UK is still a Member State you’ll be able to travel with your pet to the EU under the current pet travel rules using your current EU pet passport. If you’re travelling with your pet for the first time you must visit your vet to get a pet passport.

  Read guidance on returning your cat, dog or ferret to the UK.

  For moving pet travelhorses and other equines read guidance on exporting horses and ponies: special rules.

  Emergencies

  You can dial the European emergency number on 112 or:

  • 158 for police
  • 156 for local police
  • 155 for health emergencies
  • 150 for firefighters

  If you are the victim of crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis abroad, contact the British Embassy Prague.

  Returning to the UK

  Read our guidance on:

  • access to benefits and services if there’s no deal

  • bringing your family to the UK

  • access to higher education, 19+ further education and apprenticeship funding

  • access to benefits and services in the UK if there’s no deal

  • importing vehicles back to the UK

  • bringing your pet back to the UK

  • checking your tax status after returning to the UK

  Tell the UK and Czech authorities if you are returning to the UK permanently. To help prove you are now living in the UK, you must deregister with Czech authorities.

  If you receive UK State Pension or benefits payments, you must tell the International Pension Centre.

  If you get healthcare in the Czech Republic through the S1 form, you must contact the Overseas Healthcare Team on +44 (0)191 218 1999 to make sure your S1 form is cancelled at the right time.

  Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently which includes information on, amongst other things, tax, access to services and bringing family members.

  Disclaimer

  This information is provided as a guide only. Definitive information should be obtained from the Czech authorities. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is not liable for any inaccuracies in this information.