Submitting an Application Without Prior Residence in the Czech Republic

EU CITIZENS

If you are an EU citizen, you may apply for a residence permit even if you have not previously held any residence permit¹. However, in the case of a permanent residence permit you must submit a proof of previous continuous stay in the Czech Republic.

FAMILY MEMBERS OF EU CITIZENS

As family members of EU citizens, you may, under certain conditions, apply for the following residence permits in the Czech Republic without having previously resided in the country:

• Temporary residence permit ²,
• Permanent residence permit :
  • if you as a permanent residence permit holder apply for a permanent residence permit for your minor child,
  • if you are a surviving relative of a deceased citizen of the Czech Republic, who was registered as a permanent resident in the Czech Republic, or   
  • if you are a surviving relative of an EU citizen who worked in the Czech Republic and who either: 
    • resided in the Czech Republic continuously for at least 2 years, or
    • died as a result of a work-related injury or occupational disease, or
    • you have lost your Czech citizenship through marriage with this EU citizen or acquired Czech citizenship through such marriage;
  • you are applying on humanitarian grounds (for example, you are caring for an EU citizen who cannot look after themselves due to their health condition, or you are applying for a child born in the territory of the Czech Republic), 
  • your residence in the territory is in the interest of the Czech Republic.

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¹ § 87a Act on the Residence of Foreign Nationals.

² § 87b Act on the Residence of Foreign Nationals.

As third-country nationals, you may apply for the following types of residence permits without the condition of prior residence in the territory of the Czech Republic, under certain conditions:

• A long-term residence visa for the purpose of tolerated stay
• A Blue card
  • Only if you hold a valid Blue Card issued by another EU Member State.
• A long-term residence permit for the purpose of studies
  • Only if you hold a valid long-term residence permit for the purpose of studies issued by another EU Member State.
• A long-term residence permit for the purpose of scientific research
  • Only if you hold a valid long-term residence permit for the purpose of scientific research issued by another EU Member State.
• Recognition of the legal status of a resident of another EU Member State
• A long-term residence permit for a resident of another EU Member State
  • Only if you hold the same type of residence permit in another EU Member State.
• Permanent residence permit, if you are a holder of a permanent residence permit yourself, and wish to apply for the same type of residence permit for your minor child
• Permanent residence permit on humanitarian grounds
• Permanent residence permit for reasons of special consideration
  • This applies, for example, to persons with a proven Czech origin (fellow countrymen).
• Permanent residence permit, if your stay is in the interest of the Czech Republic. 
• Permanent residence permit, if your previous residence permit had been abolished on the grounds stipulated in § 77 par. 1 letter c) or d), if the period of the legal effect of the decision is shorter than 3 years.