💡 In the Czech Republic residence matters for foreigners are handled by the Ministerstvo vnitra (OAMP) and the cizinecká policie; you usually book an appointment through the rezervace termínu website or by phone.
💡 You come to the appointment on time with all documents and the booking confirmation; at the entrance you take a number or show the confirmation. Without a booking you are often not received.
💡 A typical set: passport, photo, valid permit, proof of accommodation (doklad o ubytování), insurance, sometimes a potvrzení o zaměstnání; the full list is on the MV ČR website.
💡 Taking fingerprints (otisky prstů) and a photo is a standard part of the application; follow the requests: Přiložte prst (place your finger), nehýbejte se (don't move).
💡 You are told the pobytový průkaz (residence card) is ready by SMS or letter; you must collect it in person with your passport at the branch where you applied; an authorised person needs a plná moc (power of attorney).
💡 A foreigner must report a change of residence address to the cizinecká policie (foreign police) within the set period; without it problems with extending stay may arise.
💡 A lost or stolen residence card must be reported to the police and then you ask for a new one at the cizinecká policie (foreign police); take the confirmation of your report with you.
💡 Ukrainians in the Czech Republic receive dočasná ochrana (temporary protection) through KACPU (Krajské asistenční centrum pomoci Ukrajině) or the police; a sticker is put in the passport and a permit issued.
💡 Prodloužení is an extension; you usually submit the application within the window before expiry; on the ministry's site there is an instruction jak prodloužit dočasnou ochranu.
💡 A person with temporary protection has the right to work without a separate work permit; check on the stamp or in the certificate whether there is a note about access to the labour market.
💡 The rodné číslo is the personal number in the Czech Republic; for foreigners it is assigned by the cizinecká policie or the ministerstvo; it is needed for the bank, work and insurance.
💡 If there is a mistake in a name or date in a document, report it at once and bring your passport; the sooner it is corrected, the fewer problems at the bank or the insurer.
💡 People with dočasná ochrana (temporary protection) may be entitled to a humanitární dávka (humanitarian benefit) at the úřad práce; conditions and amounts change, so ask for current information and keep documents at hand.
💡 At the úřad práce (employment office) you can register as an uchazeč o zaměstnání (job seeker): this gives access to offers, retraining and sometimes insurance.
💡 At the ÚP there are nabídka zaměstnání (job offers), rekvalifikace (retraining), a poradce (adviser); sometimes free Czech courses.
💡 Information about support (podpora v nezaměstnanosti, příspěvek) is given at the ÚP; the conditions depend on previous work; ask about your case and bring documents.
💡 Rekvalifikace (retraining) are courses the úřad práce may pay for; ask whether there are courses for people with temporary protection and whether you have to be registered.
💡 In the Czech Republic health insurance (zdravotní pojištění) is chosen among several insurers; the largest is VZP (Všeobecná zdravotní pojišťovna); you need ID and the personal number; the card (karta pojištěnce) is issued within a few days.
💡 Ztratil jsem kartu pojištěnce means the card is lost; a new one is usually issued within a few days, sometimes for a fee; meanwhile a doctor may see you on ID.
💡 A child is registered with the same insurer as the parents or another one is chosen; you need the birth certificate and a parent's ID.
💡 You may change your insurer only once a year; you apply to the new insurer and the old one is informed automatically; before changing ask about differences in services.
💡 Tax identification in the Czech Republic is the DIČ (daňové identifikační číslo): for an employee it is usually the rodné číslo with the prefix CZ; a separate number is needed by entrepreneurs and when required.
💡 The annual tax return (daňové přiznání) is filed for the previous year in the set window (in spring); it doesn't concern many employees if the employer withheld tax; ask the tax office.
💡 At the tax office (finanční úřad) they give advice on the return; bring ID and income documents (potvrzení o zdanitelných příjmech from the employer).
💡 A výpis z rejstříku trestů (criminal record extract) is issued at a Czech POINT, post office or municipal office on ID; for foreigners a certificate from the country of origin may also be needed.
💡 A datová schránka is an electronic mailbox for official letters from offices; you can set it up at a Czech POINT or via bank identification; important letters (with a rozhodnutí) arrive there.
💡 An ověřená kopie (vidimace) is a certified copy of a document; it is made at a Czech POINT, a notary or a municipal office; bring the original and a copy or printout.
💡 An ověření podpisu (certification of signature) is done at a Czech POINT, a notary or the post office: you sign in front of the clerk and need a passport or ID; there is a správní poplatek (administrative fee).
💡 Přídavek na dítě is a benefit for families with children on a low income; the application is filed at the úřad práce; for foreigners the conditions depend on the type of stay; ask on site.
💡 Příspěvek na bydlení is help with housing costs for low-income families; you need the lease, proof of income and housing costs; ask at the ÚP.
💡 The rodičovský příspěvek (parental allowance) is paid by the úřad práce up to a certain age of the child; you need the birth certificate, ID and details of income.
💡 A rozhodnutí is an official decision, výzva a demand, lhůta a deadline, odvolání an appeal; at the end there is a poučení (instructions on how to appeal).
💡 An odvolání is an appeal; the deadline in Czech law is usually patnáct dní from delivery of the decision; the letter has a poučení - where and how to submit.
💡 Doplnit podání is to supplement missing documents; ask in what form (poštou, e-mailem, osobně) and by what date; keep proof of dispatch.
💡 An upomínka (payment reminder) is a letter demanding payment of a debt; do not ignore it: check whether the debt is real and ask for the amount and deadline to be confirmed.