Moving to the Czech Republic: how to find a job and obtain a visa?

Moving to the Czech Republic on a work contract: be prepared to compete with local professionals.

My move to Prague under a work agreement turned out to be a fairly easy and straightforward process. Usually, the process goes as follows: you either search for a company yourself that is interested in your experience and skills, or you may be discovered through job search platforms. After that, you will need to go through an interview, after which you may receive a job offer — although it all depends on the final situation.

According to Czech laws, when an industrial or financial entity hires new employees, it is required to first publish the job vacancy for local citizens. This vacancy must be available to Czechs for a whole month, and only after this period can foreign candidates submit their resumes. Meanwhile, government authorities closely monitor this rule, and each open position is assigned a unique number upon the publication of the announcement.

Exploring employment opportunities

It is noteworthy that if you are not satisfied with long waiting times and the need to compete with local applicants, there is a way to avoid this: simply complete your studies at an accredited Czech university, regardless of the language of instruction. Once you obtain your diploma, you will have the legal right to enter the job market in the Czech Republic.

The process of obtaining a work visa

Now let's take a closer look at the visa issue: a work visa for the Czech Republic can be processed either in St. Petersburg or in Moscow. As of today, there is also information about the possibility of submitting documents in Yekaterinburg and Novosibirsk, but when I was dealing with this issue, those cities were not accepting documents. My registration is in the Novosibirsk region, so I had to submit my documents in Moscow. This may seem strange, but many residents of the Far East were also forced to travel to the capital to process their visas, at least that was the case a year ago. At first, I tried to submit my documents in St. Petersburg since I was living there, but I did not receive permission and ultimately had to go to Moscow.

The labor market in Prague

There's another interesting point: the job market in Prague isn't as saturated as one might hope, which can make job searching more challenging. However, there's a positive aspect — it's convenient to travel both within the country and beyond its borders!

Documents for obtaining a work visa

Now let's take a detailed look at what documents you will need to obtain a work visa in the Czech Republic. First of all, you should gather the visa application. Then, an important aspect is the contract with a stamp, which your future company should provide you. You will also need the job vacancy number you are applying for and your foreign passport.

• Visa application
• Contract with a sealfrom a potential employer
• Job vacancy number
• Foreign passport
• Work permitfrom the local authority
• Two photosformat 35 by 45 mm
• Diploma of educationwith a translation into Czech, certified by a lawyer
• Confirmation of housing availabilityin the Czech Republic (certificate of ownership or lease agreement)
• Salary certificateif the employer offers housing

Thus, moving to the Czech Republic for work requires certain efforts and time. However, by carefully preparing all the necessary documents and following the standard procedure, you can successfully overcome the challenges that arise. Understanding all the requirements of local legislation and the specifics of obtaining a visa will significantly simplify your task, and the opportunities that open up after employment will provide excellent motivation. Don't forget that your determination and diligence will be important factors for successful integration into the working environment of the Czech Republic.

Obtaining a certificate of no criminal record

Obtaining a criminal record certificate is an important step for those planning to move to the Czech Republic. This certificate is issued by the competent authorities of your country, and you may also need it from countries where you have stayed for more than six months in the last three years. In some cases, a health certificate confirming the absence of infectious diseases may also be required. It is important to note that all documents must be translated into Czech to avoid misunderstandings.

Additional information

If you are interested in more detailed information about the requirements, it is recommended to refer to the official resources of the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic. In case your visa is approved, you will need to prepare a health insurance policy that is valid in the Czech Republic.

Medical examination

It's important to remember that upon arrival in the country, you may be required to undergo a medical examination to obtain a health certificate. For example, I had to see a therapist and get tested, which is considered a standard procedure.

Visa fee and application process

The cost of the visa fee I paid was about 80 euros. However, it should be noted that the visa application process took three months, and such delays are quite common. Moreover, even with a job invitation, properly prepared documents, and a firm intention to move, there is no guarantee of obtaining a visa. One must be prepared for the possibility of rejection, which is part of the reality of this process.

Guidelines for obtaining a residence permit

If you're interested, there are many guides and resources on how to obtain a residence permit in the Czech Republic based on employment. Unfortunately, at that time I did not speak Czech, and, by the way, the situation has not changed since then. The idea of moving came up about a year before the actual event, which I would describe as a spontaneous decision, as such a step requires significant time and preparation.

Studying the English language

When I made the decision to move, my knowledge of English was far from satisfactory—it was even below average. I realized that I needed to urgently improve my skills, which is why I enrolled in language courses. After a few months of diligent study, I attempted to go through an interview, but unfortunately, it ended unsuccessfully. This became an additional motivation for me to continue my studies.

Level of English language

A little later, I reached the intermediate level, and when I finally arrived in Prague, my English improved to above average. Although I still couldn't communicate fluently, it was enough at that moment.

Working in an international company

My new company, where I started working, had an international status, so all business processes and training were conducted in English. They organized several weeks of orientation for newcomers, which greatly helped my adaptation and understanding of the technical aspects of the job.

Financial support

This time was also paid, although at a level below the standard salary, but for me, such support was very valuable.

Czech language and adaptation

As for the Czech language, at that time I didn't know it at all, and unfortunately, I still don't. Moreover, watching my friend who has been living in the Czech Republic for eight years and doesn't speak the local language, I realize that it doesn't prevent her from leading a full life in the country. I am sure that many adapt to life in the Czech Republic without knowing the Czech language, but knowing it certainly gives confidence and can open new doors.

Moving and new opportunities

More and more people are deciding to move abroad in search of a better fate. For example, residents of Perm have purchased property in Alanya to move there immediately after the purchase; or groups of students who went to the Czech Republic for higher education and stayed there for a whole decade; while Ukrainians have found their place in New Zealand and do not regret their choice. Topics related to immigration, investments, and overseas real estate remain relevant and in demand.

Recognition of diplomas

As for diplomas and their recognition, there are difficulties in this area. In practice, it often turns out that companies at the local level are reluctant to accept diplomas issued by Russian or CIS educational institutions. Although it is sometimes possible, such cases are more of an exception. Those who hope to use their diploma need to go throughnostrification– a process in which their higher education document is accredited and recognized in another country.

To do this, you need to submit your diploma to one of the Czech universities and pay for the accreditation services. It's important to remember that not every university from Russia can go through this procedure.

Competition in the labor market

It is also worth considering that even after the diploma is recognized, foreigners do not receive equal status with Czechs: for the first 30 days after job openings are posted, local specialists usually have the advantage. Therefore, many people prefer to pursue their education in the Czech Republic, even if they already have a diploma from their home country.

Many newcomers do this: for example:

• Specialists are moving to the Czech Republic.
• The master's program lasts for two years.
• They are also looking for a suitable job.

After gaining knowledge at the local level, they can fully participate in the labor market and expect equal conditions with local citizens.

Employment sectors in the Czech Republic

When it comes to employment, it's worth paying attention to opportunities in sectors such aslogisticsandinformation technologyCzechia attracts many international companies, including Microsoft, Apple, Google, and Maccandy. One of the reasons why Czechia has not yet adopted the euro is the desire to retain its taxpayers.

The government realizes that it is more advantageous for foreign companies to pay salaries in Czech crowns rather than euros. The introduction of a single currency could pose a risk of these companies leaving the market, which in turn could lead to a shortage of jobs.

Development of information technology

The information technology sector in the Czech Republic is rapidly developing, and my company is actively participating in this process. Logistics also occupies an important niche in the market.

If you intend to attend an interview in response to a specific job vacancy, you can be sure that the position you are considering is indeed the one you are discussing. No circumstances will change at the interview stage, as no one will say, "the conditions have changed, the salary will be lower." While I can't give you a hundred percent guarantee, based on personal experience and stories from acquaintances, I can confidently say that cases of deception in this situation do not occur.

There is another important aspect: in the Czech Republic, even those who are unemployed are required to pay taxes. In the past, this caused me some concern, as I love to travel and am particularly fond of long trips. With such a hobby, this can become a challenging task. One acquaintance went to Asia for several months, and when he returned, he was fined half a million rubles for long-term tax evasion. The tax policy in this country is very strict and applies to the entire working population.

Tax obligations

According to the laws, all individuals – both those who are employed and those who receive income in other ways – are required to pay income tax. If it pertains to wages, the employer acts as the tax agent. In other cases, individuals themselves are responsible for calculating and paying the tax. An important point is that foreigners who stay in the country for more than 183 days and earn income are also required to pay income tax.

Good moments for moving.

In my opinion, there are two good opportunities for immigration to the Czech Republic:

• Study:This is the time when you are in the process of choosing an educational institution. Don't worry if your English skills are not at a high level, as they can be improved. Moreover, once you receive your diploma in Prague, all the worries related to job searching will take a back seat – you won't have to fear that your resume won't interest local employers. Access to the Czech labor market will be the same as that of the country's citizens.
• Moving with the family:This country is great for starting a new life, getting a mortgage, and building a future. The main issue to tackle is finding a job, but for young professionals, securing employment here is not a major challenge, and employers are eager to hire them.

Housing rental in the Czech Republic

When it comes to renting housing, it is necessary to actively take the initiative and consider all possible options. A few years ago, the demand for housing in the Czech Republic was not as high. This is likely due to the fact that the country was not actively open to foreign students. However, currently, the number of students has significantly increased, and to find suitable accommodation, one must act quickly and proactively.

Some people look for apartments on specialized resources, where most of the listings are posted by the locals themselves. On social media, including Facebook or VKontakte, you can find ads not only from local residents but also from European owners. Additionally, foreigners often show more trust in tenants and may offer more attractive rental prices.

Active development of Facebook in Prague

There is a noticeable increase in Facebook user activity in Prague, which opens up wide horizons for communication and information exchange. When choosing accommodation in this city, it is important to consider several key points.

Financial aspects of renting

It is necessary to make a payment for the first and second months of residence, as well as to leave a deposit. This process may seem complicated to organize, especially for those who have come from other countries. Therefore, some landlords prefer not to deal with foreign tenants.

Experience in searching for housing

Personally, I didn't face any difficulties in finding accommodation since I stayed with friends. My friend and I decided to look for an apartment on our own. However, after two weeks of intensive searching provided by our employer for foreign employees, we still couldn't find anything suitable.

During this time, one could expect a room costing around 40,000 rubles, but often it turned out to be shared with several Ukrainian tenants. This is not a biased observation, but simply a statement of fact: indeed, there are quite a few Ukrainians living in Prague, and generally, they behave quite appropriately, not creating conflict situations.

Housing selection

After unsuccessful attempts, we reached out to acquaintances and agreed to rent their cozy euro two-room apartment, the cost of which was below the market rate. My friend and I paid 17,000 crowns a month (which is about 53,000 rubles). Our apartment was located in the Žižkov district, which is close to the city center.

There are many foreign citizens, and to help you better understand this situation, imagine an elevator: in the morning, among five people, there is only one Czech, while the others are Russian.

Rental and purchase prices for housing

The rental prices for apartments in our area, which is located near Olshanskaya Street, start at around 25,000 crowns (which is equivalent to about 75,000 rubles). The rental rates are indeed very high!

When it comes to buying real estate, there is a significant opportunity in the Czech Republic to secure a mortgage with an interest rate of 1-2% per year.

Moving to Prague

As I mentioned before, moving to Prague can be a sensible step, especially for young families ready for new challenges and changes in life. Let me explain why I think so.

• The housing prices in this city are about three times higher than those observed in St. Petersburg.
• For 12 million rubles (about 4 million Czech crowns), you can buy a spacious euro two-room apartment, where the bedroom is about 20 square meters, and the living room with kitchen is 25-30 square meters.
• The cost of housing can be high, but in the Czech Republic, there is an opportunity to get a mortgage at 1-2%.

Comparison with the St. Petersburg market

For example, if someone is planning to buy an apartment for 4 million in St. Petersburg, in the end, they will have to pay the bank back more than 12 million along with interest. Ultimately, the property will still be the same, worth 4 million.

In Russia, borrowers first pay the bank interest, and in case of financial difficulties, they may end up without housing. In the Czech Republic, such situations are unlikely; people there are obligated to pay off the cost of their apartment over a period of 20 years.

As a result, they are left with an amount equivalent to the price of the property they purchased.

Conclusion

It is worth noting that I provided data on housing prices on the outskirts of Prague. This information may be useful for those considering the possibility of moving or investing in real estate in this wonderful city.

Conclusion

As I conclude my story about moving to Prague on a work contract, I want to share my impressions and recommendations for those who are on the brink of similar changes. Moving abroad is always a step into the unknown, filled not only with joys but also with significant challenges. Initial expectations about a new life often clash with harsh realities—competition for job openings, plans regarding visa acquisition, and adapting to a new environment can all lead to stress.

Important aspects

The most important aspect I have learned during my time in the Czech Republic is the necessity of being prepared for difficulties. As experience shows, having knowledge and skills does not always prevent problems related to bureaucracy. For example, visa claims can become a real challenge, which, as I mentioned before, depends not only on the availability of documentation but also on luck.

Positive aspects

However, it's important not to overlook the positive aspects as well. Life in Prague offers numerous opportunities: cultural events, new acquaintances, and travels to beautiful corners of Europe—all of which lift your spirits and inspire new achievements. For me personally, the chance to study and develop my skills in an international company has been a true gift. Even despite the language barrier, the support from colleagues and their willingness to help me learn have helped me adapt and become part of the team.

Tips for future job seekers

• Start in advanceto gather information and outline a plan that takes into account all aspects — from language learning to preparing the necessary documents.
• Be prepared for difficulties.But know that your hard work will pay off.
• Openness to new experiences— it is a key tool for successful adaptation in another country.

Final thoughts

If you dream of moving, don't be afraid to take that step. Let your new life be not just about work, but also an exciting journey of self-discovery and personal growth.

And finally, I want to say that the most important tool for successful adaptation in another country is openness to new experiences. Of course, it's essential to continue improving your qualifications and language skills, but you shouldn't forget about simple human interaction. So, as you embark on this exciting journey, be ready for changes, open new horizons, and enjoy every day spent in a new country.