CURRENT HIRING FOR CZECH REPUBLIC

---

Foreigners not from the European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) must apply for a Schengen visa before entering the Czech Republic. About 40 states also have agreements with the country that allow citizens to stay for up to 90 days as long as the visit isn’t related to employment or business.

The Czech Republic has two main visa categories — long-term and short-term Schengen visas. Your employees are eligible to apply for either one for employment purposes, but they’ll still need a work permit to stay compliant. The differences between the visas follow:

• Short-term: A short-term visa allows holders to stay within the area for no more than 90 days over 180 days. This larger category is broken into further visa types depending on the reason for the holder’s visit, such as business, employment, study, or tourism.

• Long-term: Anyone planning on staying in the Czech Republic for more than 90 days needs a long-term Schengen visa. The application process is lengthier and may include an interview at the Czech diplomatic mission where the individual applies.

In addition to these Czech Republic working visas, the country has two long-term permits that act as both residence and work permits — the EU Blue Card and the employee card. EU Blue Cards are only eligible for EU citizens labeled as highly qualified individuals. Nationals from non-European countries can apply for an employee card if they offer skills and qualifications the country needs.

Requirements for a Czech Republic working visa depend on the type of visa your employees need. All Schengen visas require:

• A completed application form

• A passport valid for at least three months before departure

• Two passport-sized photos

• Documents outlining the nature of the applicant’s stay, such as a work permit

• Proof of travel medical insurance

• Proof of intention to leave the country once the visa expires, including a plane ticket

• Proof of accommodation for the duration of the stay

• A document outlining the nature of the applicant’s stay

• A criminal record from the country of residence

• Proof of financial security

• Payment of visa application fees

The general rule in the Czech Republic is that employment contracts are executed for an indefinite duration. Fixed-term contracts can be executed but they cannot exceed three years.

It is legally required to put a strong, written employment contract in place in the Czech Republic. The contract should include a job description, start date, location, required notice periods, wage and salary information, collective bargaining information, and information about probationary periods if applicable. For a trial period to be valid, it must be put in writing and agreed to prior to the employee’s start date. An offer letter and employment contract in the Czech Republic should always state the salary and any compensation amounts in Czech koruna rather than a foreign currency.

The standard work week in the Czech Republic consist of up to 40 hours per week. Employees can work overtime if ordered by the employer due to serious operational reasons. Overtime cannot exceed 8 hours per week over the next 26 weeks. A total of 150 overtime hours are included in annual remuneration — employees who worked more than 150 overtime hours must be paid at least 25% of their base salary. 

The Czech Republic celebrates 13 public holidays for which employees are given the day off, including:

• New Year’s Day

• Good Friday

• Easter Monday

• May Day

• Liberation Day

• Cyril and St. Methodius

• Jan Hus Day

• Statehood Day

• Independence Day

• Freedom and Democracy Day

• Christmas Eve

• Christmas Day

• Second Day of Christmas

If public holidays fall on the weekend, they are not transferred over to a week day.

Employees in the Czech Republic are entitled to a minimum of 4 weeks off per year. Vacation is counted in hours. Therefore, employees can apply for a half day of leave. 

From the 1st day to the 14th day of sickness, the employer pays 60% of salary.

From the 15th day to the 380th day of sickness, the Social Security Administration bears the cost.

Pregnant employees are entitled to 28 weeks of maternity leave or 37 weeks for multiple births. Leave can start 6-8 weeks prior to the expected due date. During this time, the Social Security Administration pays the maternity benefits to the employee amounting to 70% of her assessed salary.

• Parental Leave: One of the parents is also entitled to parental leave until the child is 4 years of age.

• Care Leave: Employees are entitled to up to 9 days of care leave if caring for a child under the age of 10 or for providing care to a sick family member.

• Parental Allowance: A parental allowance is paid by the Labor Office and the amount paid is CZK 300,000 per child up to the age of 4 years, regardless of income.

Employers contribute 9% of the employee’s salary to the state health insurance funds. There is no maximum salary base for health insurance. 

Private health insurance is sometimes offered by employers, however, the Czech healthcare system is considered to offer high-quality services.

Meal vouchers are commonly offered by Czech employers

The 13th month bonus in the Czech Republic is considered a gratuity and is not required by local law. Performance based bonuses are more common. 

The employer can set a probationary period of up to three or six months in the employment contract. The length of probationary period depends on the nature of the work performed.

An employment contract can be terminated by agreement, notice, immediate termination or termination within the probationary period, however, a notice period of at least two months must be given by either the employee or the employer.

Severance Pay: If an employee is terminated based on “organizational reasons” the following severance pay amounts apply:

• 1 month’s salary if an employment relationship to the employer lasted less than one year

• 2 month’s salary where an employment relationship to the employer lasted at least one year and less than two years

• 3 month’s salary where an employment relationship to the employer lasted at least two years.

There are two levels of tax: 15 % and 23%, depending on gross monthly income. Employees with a gross monthly income of more than CZK 161,296 pay 23%.

Employers contribute 24.8% of the employee’s salary to the state social security funds. A cap is set for social security funds at 48 times the monthly average wage or CZK 1,935,552 in 2023.

The application process for a Czech Republic work permit rests on both the employer and the employee. Foreigners can work only in positions where you couldn’t find any suitable candidates within the Czech Republic or other EU member states. When you meet the country’s conditions, you can submit a work permit application to the Labor Office in the district where you’ll employ the foreigner. Your employees must have a work permit before entering the Czech Republic, or you’ll be held liable.

For employees to gain work permits, you must submit the following documents on their behalf:

• Proof of identity

• Proof of address in the foreigner’s country of permanent residence

• Your company’s identification information

• Information about the place, duration, and type of work

• Declaration from you saying that you will employ the foreigner

• Notarized copies of all academic and professional qualifications

• Payment of the administration fee

Every non-EU citizen has to register with the Foreign Police Department or at an office of the Ministry of Interior within three working days of arriving. Within 30 days, they must register at their local Foreigners’ Police Inspectorate or an office of the Ministry of Interior. EU Blue Card holders and prospective employees also need to go to the Ministry of Interior’s Department of Asylum and Migration Policy to provide biometric data within three days of arriving.