Free Access to the Labour Market

Free access to the labour market means that, to take up employment in the territory of the Czech Republic, you only need a valid residence permit and do not need to apply for a separate work authorisation for a specific job position.

How can I get free access to the labour market?

Free access to the labour market depends in most cases on your residence permit – i.e., as a third country citizen you cannot be employed without holding a residence permit. If you, for example, study a university accredited programme and you plan to keep residing and work in the Czech Republic after you complete your studies, you must apply for a long-term residence permit for the purpose of seeking employment or starting a business or an employee card before your current residence permit ends. For both of these residence permits you are required to provide a proof that you have free access to the labour market. Please see how you can prove that you have free access to the labour market.

Free access to the labour market applies to EU citizens, their family members and some other categories of foreign nationals specified in the Employment Act. Such foreign nationals are foreigners who, for example:

  • have been granted permanent residence permit in the Czech Republic,
  • study a university accredited study programme on a full-time basis, receive a full-time education at a secondary school, conservatory, higher vocational school or a language school authorised to hold state exams,
  • have completed in the Czech Republic a secondary education, higher vocational education, higher vocational education at a conservatory or a university education,
  • are nationals of the listed countries:
    • Australia
    • New Zealand
    • United States of America
    • Canada
    • United Kingdom
    • Israel
    • Japan
    • South Korea
    • Singapore
    • Taiwan
  • are citizens of Turkey and have been properly employed in the Czech Republic for four years,
  • reside in the Czech Republic with a long-term residence permit for the purpose of family reunification if such reunification is with a foreigner:
    • who holds a permanent residence permit in the Czech Republic,
    • who resides in the Czech Republic with a valid long-term residence permit,
    • who has been granted asylum or subsidiary protection,
    • who undertakes continuous educational or research activities as a university pedagogical or academic worker or a scientist, researcher or innovator in a public research institution or another research institution under specific legislation.
  • have been granted asylum or subsidiary protection.

Free access to the labour market subject to special conditions specified by the Employment Act applies to foreigners who are:

  • teaching staff at a primary or secondary school,
  • teaching and academic staff of a higher education institution who, on a systematic basis, carry out educational or scientific activities in the territory of the Czech Republic,
  • scientific, research or development staff at a public research institution or another research organisation under a special legal regulation who, on a systematic basis, carry out educational or scientific activities in the territory of the Czech Republic,
  • members of the clergy of a church or a religious society registered in the Czech Republic,
  • artists carrying out artistic activities in the territory of the Czech Republic,
  • accredited in the field of mass media.

Under what conditions can you start employment if you have free access to the labour market?

If you have gained free access to the labour market, you can start employment at any time. Neither a start of employment nor a change of employment are subject to authorisation from the Ministry of the Interior.

If you hold an employee card with free access to the labour market, you are obliged to notify the Ministry of the Interior of a change of employment within 3 working days from the day the change took place.