Immigration update: Czech Republic | Amendment to the Act on the Residence of Foreign Nationals
Amendment to the Act on the Residence of Foreign Nationals
Source of information: Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic, August 2021
OBLIGATION TO PROVE COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH INSURANCE COVER
Effective from 2 August 2021, the Act on the Residence of Foreign Nationals imposes an obligation on foreign nationals entering the Czech Republic and staying in its territory for more than ninety (90) days to take out travel medical insurance covering comprehensive health care within ninety (90) days of entering the Czech Republic.
This obligation does not apply to foreign nationals covered by the Czech public health insurance scheme, or whose health care is covered under an international agreement, or who hold a valid EHIC and GHIC health insurance card. Also, this obligation does not apply to EU citizens and their close family members.
Should there be no change to current setup, for the coming five years from the law amendment’s effectiveness (i.e., from 2 August 2021 to 2 August 2026), travel medical insurance covering comprehensive health care as required by the Act on the Residence of Foreign Nationals must be taken out only exclusively with Pojišťovna VZP, a.s.
CONFIRMATION OF TEMPORARY RESIDENCE FOR EU CITIZENS – REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE
The amended Act on the Residence of Foreign Nationals also introduces a change of the name of the document issued to EU citizens to certify that they are authorized to reside in the Czech Republic.
EU citizens will now receive a “Registration certificate” (instead of the previous “confirmation of temporary residence”), which will continue to be a document without biometric identifiers, valid for ten (10) years.
Effective from 2 August 2021, the previously issued confirmations of temporary residence are regarded as Registration Certificates and remain valid until their expiry date. Therefore, it is not necessary to renew them.
FAMILY MEMBERS OF EU CITIZENS – CHANGES IN DOCUMENTS
Effective from 2 August 2021, documents containing biometric identifiers will be issued to all citizens of third countries, i.e., also to family members of EU citizens. It means a residence card or a residence permit in the case of temporary residence of a family member of an EU citizen, or a permanent residence card or permanent residence permit in the case of permanent residence of a family member of an EU citizen.
Family members of EU citizens who are not citizens of the EU are required to exchange their existing documents for new biometric documents. All non-biometric documents will expire on 3 August 2023. The exchange of the current permits for new documents is performed free of charge.
It is recommended that the extended family members apply for the exchange of their existing documents by 31 August 2022 at the latest to maintain their status as close family members.
UK CITIZENS
The UK citizens who have the confirmation of temporary residence or permanent residence permit in the territory of the Czech Republic are required to exchange their current residence authorization documents for new biometric documents. They must apply for new documents by 31 August 2022.
The same obligation applies to family members of UK citizens who have authorized temporary or permanent residence in the territory of the Czech Republic; such persons are also required to exchange their current residence card or permanent residence permit by 31 August 2022.
The UK citizens who prove that they had residence authorization for the territory of the Czech Republic up to and including 31 December 2020 can still apply for a registration certificate in the Czech Republic, i.e., they will continue to be governed by the provisions of the Act on the Residence of Foreign Nationals applying to EU citizens. Nevertheless, their registration certificate will be issued in the form of a biometric residence permit valid for five (5) years.
For individual case assessments and requirements, service fees, quotes and more information please contact us:
For individual case assessments and requirements, service fees, quotes and more information please contact us:
Viktor Musial
Global Mobility Consultant
Santa Fe Relocation Prague
Tel.: (+420) 720 026 746
Email: Viktor.musial@santaerelo.com
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