Czech residence permit in 2026: how to get it
Since 2024 Czech embassies have not accepted applications from Russian citizens, apart from family exceptions. We cover the types of permits, the lawful routes that remain, the fees and when you can apply for permanent residence.
In short
- Czech embassies have rejected Russian citizens' applications without examination since 2024, apart from family exceptions.
- The route is two-step: a visa of up to a year, then a residence permit of up to two years from the Ministry of the Interior.
- Fees are about $230 for the visa and about $120 for the permit.
- Permanent residence comes after 5 years of continuous residence and a Czech exam.
In detail
The Czech Republic grants residence for work, business, study and family, but for Russian citizens that door is almost closed. Since 1 April 2024, under government regulation No. 55/2024, their applications for visas and residence permits at Czech embassies are deemed inadmissible and are not examined, apart from narrow family exceptions. If you hold another citizenship and work remotely, start with the page Czech nomad and freelance visa.
Types of Czech residence permits
The route is almost always two-step. First a foreigner obtains a long-term visa of up to one year at an embassy, then in the Czech Republic obtains a residence permit for the same purpose from the Ministry of the Interior for up to two years.
The purpose decides everything: employment, your own business under a trade licence, study, family reunification. After five years of continuous residence you can apply for permanent residence, which requires a Czech language exam.
Remote workers from a special list of countries get a fast track: the ministry must decide on their application within 45 days instead of the usual 90. Russian citizens are not on that list.
Restrictions for certain nationalities
Through an embassy, only in exceptional cases. There are few of them:
- short-stay visas for family members of Czech and EU citizens;
- family reunification with a relative already living in the Czech Republic;
- permanent residence for minor children of Czech permanent residents;
- cases where the person's stay is recognised as being in the interest of the Czech Republic.
Business and freelancing are not on this list.
There is also a lawful but narrow alternative. A Russian citizen with EU long-term resident status in another member state can apply for Czech residence at a ministry office inside the Czech Republic within three months of entry. And those already living in the Czech Republic on a residence permit can renew it from inside the country.
One more detail: since 3 July 2024 the Czech Republic does not admit Russian citizens with non-biometric passports and does not accept such passports for applications. The passport must have a chip.
How much a Czech residence permit costs
| Step | Fee | Processing time |
|---|---|---|
| Long-term visa at an embassy | ~$230 | 90 days, 120 in complex cases |
| Residence permit from the Ministry of the Interior | ~$120 | 60 days |
| Trade licence for a business | ~$50 | on the day of application |
Fees are a small part of the cost. Health insurance for the whole period, housing with a lease, sworn translations of documents and funds in an account, which most purposes require you to show, cost more.
Fees are $350, but a rejection without examination costs time
The law does not forbid applying for a Czech visa and residence permit on your own. But mistakes cost more than the fees: a Russian citizen's application outside the exceptions, which the embassy deems inadmissible, a non-biometric passport, insurance that does not cover the whole period, a lease without the right to reside, a translation not done by a sworn translator. We check whether your case fits an exception or the EU long-term resident route, prepare the documents and see the application through to the residence card.
The cost of support depends on the ground and your family; a manager will calculate it in the chat.
Permanent residence and Czech citizenship
Permanent residence is granted after five years of continuous residence. It lets you live and work without being tied to a purpose and does not require giving up a Russian passport.
Citizenship is a separate matter. Since 10 February 2025 the Czech Republic grants it to Russian citizens only after they leave Russian citizenship, so many stop at permanent residence. Details are in Czech and Russian dual citizenship. Elderly parents who want to move to their children are covered in retiring in the Czech Republic, and residents' taxes on the page taxes in the Czech Republic.
How we help
Nomad and freelance visa
We check whether your citizenship qualifies and prepare the application and trade licence.
Learn more →Company in the Czech Republic
Company registration, a director and a business account in the EU.
Learn more →Taxes in the Czech Republic
Residence, tax returns and taxes for freelancers with a trade licence.
Learn more →We will find a lawful route to living in the Czech Republic. Tell us about your citizenship, family and status in other EU countries. We will show which ground fits and when you can apply.
FAQ
Which nationalities face restrictions on Czech residence in 2026?
How much does a Czech residence permit cost?
After how many years do you get permanent residence in the Czech Republic?
Can you get Czech residence through a company?
Don’t want to figure this out alone?
We handle the whole process end to end: we check your documents, match a program to your situation and give you honest timelines and costs. Ask your question in the chat: the free consultation starts right here. Legal representation before authorities and courts is handled by Murblz specialists together with locally licensed partners.
The Murblz consultant replies straight away in the chat on this page. Describe your situation and we will work it out together.
Free consultation