Czech Republic to Introduce Mandatory Registration for EU Citizens from 2030
Residence applications are expected to go online as early as January 2029
Photo: AI-generated
The Czech Republic will introduce mandatory registration from 2030 for EU citizens who wish to stay in the country longer. The Interior Ministry wants to establish more accurately how many EU citizens live in the country.
From 1 January 2030, citizens of other EU member states who wish to stay in the Czech Republic for more than 90 days will generally have to register with the Interior Ministry. They will normally have 90 days from the date of entry to do so. According to the Czech Interior Ministry, the new requirement is expected to affect around 200,000 people.
EU citizens already have to report to the Foreign Police
At present, EU citizens can choose to apply to the Interior Ministry for a registration certificate. However, those who intend to stay in the Czech Republic for more than 30 days already have to report where they are staying to the Foreign Police within 30 days of entering the country. Accommodation providers, such as hotels, can also report on their behalf.
EU citizens who are already living in the Czech Republic on 1 January 2030 and intend to stay for more than a further 90 days will have until 31 December 2031 to register. Anyone who already holds a registration certificate or a permanent residence permit will not have to register again.
The Chamber of Deputies passed the new law on foreign nationals in September. The Senate approved it on 21 October, and President Petr Pavel signed it into law on 4 November. The Interior Ministry wants to use registration to get a clearer picture of how many EU citizens live in the country. It is intended to make it easier for those affected to deal with the authorities and to help municipalities collect any charges due.
Online residence applications from 2029
The Interior Ministry plans to introduce digital accounts in stages from January 2029. Foreign nationals will be able to use these accounts to submit residence applications, communicate with the relevant authority and receive official correspondence electronically. The ministry expects this to speed up procedures.
The law also sets out the circumstances in which the authorities can revoke a right of residence following a criminal conviction. The grounds for doing so depend on the person’s residence status. According to the Interior Ministry, digitisation is expected to speed up these procedures as well.
New reporting requirements will also apply to schools and sports clubs that enable foreign pupils or athletes to stay in the Czech Republic. They will have to inform the authorities if the pupils or athletes fail to start their studies or sporting activities, or if those studies or activities come to an end. The existing procedures for asylum and temporary protection will continue to apply.
