New Act on the Residence of Foreign Nationals

Residence of Foreign Nationals in the Czech Republic

The presence of foreign nationals has long been an integral part of the Czech labor market and the overall economy. The state therefore needs clear and transparent rules governing their entry, stay, and registration within the country. These rules affect not only public authorities but also have a direct impact on employers and recruitment agencies.

The legal framework in this area is defined by Act No. 326/1999 Coll., on the Residence of Foreign Nationals in the Czech Republic. Over more than two decades, this law has undergone numerous amendments, and a new comprehensive version is currently being prepared. The proposed effective date is January 1, 2029. The new draft aims primarily to eliminate the inconsistencies and complexity of the current legislation.

Key Changes to the Residence System for Foreign Nationals

The proposal prepared by the Ministry of the Interior clearly outlines which areas will remain unchanged and where attention should be focused. The changes will not affect asylum policy, temporary protection for refugees, or the basic conditions for granting residence permits. Instead, the main focus lies in the following areas:

Digitalization of Procedures and Foreigners’ Records

The proposed legislation introduces a significant expansion of electronic communication between applicants and public authorities. Processes related to residence permits are expected to be handled more extensively online, including application submissions, follow-up communication, and document management. Digitalization will also involve integration with relevant state databases, enabling more efficient data verification and better monitoring of compliance with legal requirements.

As a result, centralized records of foreign nationals’ residence in the Czech Republic should become more accurate and up to date. The new legislation is also expected to enhance security, speed up administrative procedures, and reduce bureaucracy. For employers and recruitment agencies, these changes may bring greater transparency and more predictable procedures when working with foreign workers.

Easier Cancellation of Residence in Cases of Criminal Activity

The Ministry of the Interior places greater emphasis on security under the new law. The goal is to allow the state to respond to problematic situations more effectively. The changes target cases where a foreign national’s stay is linked to criminal activity or security risks. They aim to clarify procedures for revoking residence rights and to enable faster decision-making by authorities in justified cases. Together with digitalization, this strengthens the overall security framework of the system.

Mandatory Registration of EU Citizens’ Residence

To remove existing differences in registration requirements among various groups of foreign nationals, mandatory registration will also be extended to EU citizens. In practice, this means additional administrative obligations that must be taken into account when employing workers from EU member states.