CzechiaFamily residence permit

Family reunification in Czechia

The family reunification residence permit allows the spouse, children or certain categories of parent of a foreign national lawfully living in the Czech Republic to join them and obtain a residence permit of their own. The permit remains valid for as long as the family tie and the sponsoring family member's status endure.

Source: ipc.gov.cz — Long-term Residence Permit for the Purpose of Family Reunification

Who can obtain a family reunification residence permit

Spouse or partner

An official marriage or registered partnership, including same-sex couples
Both spouses must be at least 20 years old at the time of filing

Children

Minor children under 18 and stepchildren
Adopted minor children or children under the sponsor's guardianship
Adult children unable to support themselves on medical grounds

Parents

A lone parent over 65
A parent of any age unable to look after themselves on medical grounds

Family of a person granted asylum in the Czech Republic

The spouse, if the marriage was concluded before leaving for the Czech Republic
Minor children and stepchildren
Students up to 26 who are dependent on the parent
The parents of a minor who has been granted asylum

What it costs

Administrative fee when filing within the Czech Republic	2 500 CZK
Fee for a child under 15 when filing in the Czech Republic	1 000 CZK
Consular fee when filing abroad	2 500 CZK
Total government feesThe sum of the mandatory rows in the table.	6 000 CZK

Documents to gather

The core package of documents for the application

The completed application form
A valid passport
Proof of accommodation in the Czech Republic
Proof of funds for living costs
A photograph
Comprehensive health insurance
The original document proving the family relationship — a marriage or birth certificate
The parents' written consent, if the applicant is under 18
When filing from abroad — a certificate of no criminal record from the country of citizenship (not required for children under 15) and certificates of no criminal record from countries where the applicant has lived continuously for 6 months or more over the last 3 years
A medical certificate — at the separate request of the authority

How the process runs

How the family reunification residence permit is arranged

1
Checking the status of the sponsoring family member
The sponsor must hold a valid residence permit or permanent residence and have lived in the Czech Republic for more than 15 months, and both spouses must be at least 20 years old. For an employee card holder 6 months of residence is enough, and for holders of an EU Blue Card, an intra-corporate transfer card or an investment residence permit no minimum period is set.
2
Gathering the documents
You need the application form, passport, proof of accommodation and funds, a photograph, comprehensive health insurance and the original document proving the family relationship. When filing from abroad, a certificate of no criminal record from the country of citizenship and from countries where the applicant has lived continuously for 6 months or more over the last 3 years is added.
3
Filing the application
The application is filed in person — at a Czech consulate abroad or at a Ministry of the Interior office inside the country if the applicant is already lawfully there.
4
Examination of the application
60 days inside the Czech Republic, up to 270 days at a consulate abroad, 90 days for the family of an EU Blue Card holder
The examination period stops if the authority requests additional documents or suspends the proceedings. Until the decision, the applicant's status is protected by the 'fiction of stay', even if the previous permit has expired.
5
Receiving the permit
The permit is issued for the term of the sponsor's residence document, but for no less than 1 year; if the sponsor holds permanent residence — for 2 years. The holder receives free access to the labour market without an additional work permit.

Timelines and rights

Work

Free access to the labour market: work without an additional permit

Who you can bring with you

Who counts as a family member and on what terms

Spouse or registered partner, including same-sex couples

Both must be at least 20 years old. Polygamous marriages are not recognised under Czech law.

Minor children and stepchildren under 18

Including adopted children and children under the sponsor's guardianship.

Adult children of the sponsor

Only where they are unable to support themselves for health reasons.

Lone parent of the sponsor

Over 65, or of any age where they are unable to look after themselves on medical grounds.

Family of a foreign national granted asylum in the Czech Republic

The spouse, provided the marriage was concluded before leaving for the Czech Republic, minor children and stepchildren, students up to 26 who are dependent on the parent, and the parents of a minor who has been granted asylum.

Trips, renewal and the grace period

The sponsor must hold a valid residence permit or permanent residence and have lived in the Czech Republic for more than 15 months, and both spouses must be at least 20 years old. For an employee card holder 6 months of residence is enough, and for holders of a Blue Card, an intra-corporate transfer card or an investment residence permit no period is required

The permit may be renewed many times, provided the applicant continues to live in the Czech Republic and their family situation has not changed. The renewal is issued for a period that depends on the sponsor's status: where the permit was first issued on the basis of the sponsor's permanent residence — 2 years, and on subsequent renewal in that case — 5 years.

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to permanent residence

Permanent residence is granted after five years of continuous residence in the Czech Republic. A certificate of the Czech language examination is required: those under 15 or over 60, and those who have studied at a Czech school for at least one academic year, are exempt. The fee is 2,500 crowns, or 1,000 for children under 15; within the country the decision takes 60 days.

Route to citizenship

Citizenship is applied for by those who have lived with permanent residence for five consecutive years or accumulated ten years of residence in total. They sit an examination in Czech and in Czech life: the constitutional system, culture, geography and history. The ministry decides within 180 days; the fee is 2,000 crowns, or 500 for a minor.

Frequently asked questions about Family reunification

Who can obtain a family reunification residence permit in the Czech Republic?

A spouse or registered partner (including same-sex couples), minor children and stepchildren, adult children unable to work, adopted children and children under guardianship, and a lone parent over 65 or a parent unable to look after themselves on medical grounds.

How much does it cost to file the application?

The administrative fee when filing in the Czech Republic is 2,500 crowns, or 1,000 crowns for a child under 15. Abroad the consular fee is also 2,500 crowns.

How long does the application take to examine?

Inside the Czech Republic the decision is taken within 60 days. An application filed at a consulate abroad is examined within up to 270 days, and within 90 days for family members of an EU Blue Card holder.

Can you work on this residence permit?

Yes, holders of this permit have free access to the labour market and may work without an additional work permit.

For how long is the permit issued and can it be renewed?

The term equals the validity of the sponsoring family member's residence document, but is no less than 1 year; if the sponsor holds permanent residence — 2 years. It may be renewed many times, for as long as the applicant lives in the Czech Republic and the family situation has not changed; where the sponsor holds permanent residence the renewal is granted for 5 years.

What requirements apply to the sponsoring family member in the Czech Republic?

The sponsor must hold a valid residence permit or permanent residence and have lived in the Czech Republic for more than 15 months, and both spouses must be at least 20 years old. For an employee card holder 6 months of residence is enough, and for holders of an EU Blue Card, an intra-corporate transfer card or an investment residence permit no minimum period is set.

Other ways to move to Czechia

Every route in one list — migration programmes: Czechia.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 7 August 2026.