Are you a highly skilled professional looking to live and work in the Czech Republic? If so, the EU Blue Card may be your best option. It is one of the strongest residence permits available for non-EU citizens. Compared to the standard Employee Card, the Blue Card gives you more flexibility, stronger rights, and easier mobility across the EU.
In this guide, we will explain everything you need to know about the Blue Card in Czechia: who can apply, what the requirements are, how the process works, and what pitfalls to avoid.
⚠️ Important: This is an overview only. Czech immigration rules are complex, and every application is different. If you want to make sure your Blue Card is approved without delays, it’s best to get professional help. That’s what we do at Move To Prague.
What is the EU Blue Card?
The EU Blue Card is a special type of a long-term residence permit for non-EU citizens with higher qualifications. It was created by the European Union to attract skilled workers from abroad and make it easier for them to work in EU member states.
Czech Republic’s version of the EU Blue Card can be issued for up to 3 years and it is renewable. It allows you to work for one employer at one specific position.
Compared to other types of residence permits in the Czech Republic, the Blue Card offers a higher prestige and higher immigration status. It also brings it’s holder some benefits which we describe below.
Benefits of the Blue Card
Compared to the Employee Card (or any other type of residence permit for that matter), the Blue Card offers several important advantages:
- longer validity, easier path to permanent residency – the maximum validity of the Blue Card is 3 years which is more than for most other types of visas or residence permits in the Czech Republic. It means that you do not have to go through the renewal process so often + you potentially only need one extension to qualify for the permanent residence permit.
- bringing family is easier – family members of Blue Card applicants can apply directly for the Family Reunification Residence Permit instead of the standard Family Reunification Visa. That for example means longer validity for family members (potentially 3 years in stead of one year) and also their ability to work basically from day 1.
- moving to other EU countries is easier – every EU country has slightly (or significantly) different immigration rules. The Blue Card is basically the same in all the countries though with additional benefits compared to other residence permit types. It means that moving to other EU countries might be easier for you. Same goes also the opposite direction (moving from other EU countries to Czechia).
- no quotas – if you are from certain countries (all of Africa, most of Asia), applying for a standard employee card might be almost impossible for you due to the (often very low) quotas at Czech Embassies. There are no quotas for Blue Card applicants. That means that regardless of your nationality, you always have a chance to get the Blue Card.
- longer unemployment allowed – we understand that if you moved to the Czech Republic for work, you do not really want to be unemployed for too long. If that happens for some reason though, you can be unemployed for 3 or 6 months (depends on your situation) and still keep the Blue Card. That gives you a bit more flexibility and peace of mind. For comparison, you can only be unemployed for 60 days under the standard employee card.
For many professionals, the Blue Card is not just a residence permit – it is a long-term plan for living in Europe.
Who can apply for a Blue Card in Czech Republic?
Since the Blue Card provide all the above mentioned benefits, it on the other hand limits who can apply for it. Not everyone qualifies. To be eligible for a Blue Card in Czechia, you generally need to meet these three conditions:
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Higher education – applicants generally must have at least a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent higher qualification). In some cases, your diploma might require an official recognition in the Czech Republic (nostrification).
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Salary threshold – the job must pay at least 1.5 times the average gross monthly/annual salary in the Czech Republic (see more below).
- Job offer – you must have an employment contract with a Czech company for a position considered “highly skilled”. This means that even if you have a Bachelor’s degree and the employer offers you 1.5 of Czech average salary for a position of a “cleaning lady”, that will not work for the Blue Card since a “cleaning lady” is not considered highly skilled job. Although this example might be a bit extreme, similar situations happen in real life so you should alway make sure the job is really classified as highly skilled in the Czech Republic.
If you don’t meet these criteria, the standard Employee Card may be a better fit.
Blue Card salary threshold explained
The minimum salary for Blue Card applicants is defined as 1.5 of Czech national average salary for that particular year. It is usually defined for a period from May 1 to April 30 next year. For May 2025 – April 2026 is the Czech average salary defined as 46 165 CZK a month which means the minimum salary required for the Blue Card is 1.5 x 46 165 = 69 248 CZK a month.
This changes in the salary threshold are one of the most common reasons why applications are refused or get unnecessarily complicated. It’s not enough if your salary is “close” – even being 1 CZK under the threshold is grounds for refusal. Your employment contract must clearly show the correct amount and it must stay high enough even after the increase in May.
This is especially crucial for applications submitted in the beginning of a year. If you for example submit your application in February with a salary of 70 000 CZK (which meets the current year’s requirements) but your decision is not made before May, then your application can be denied based on 70 000 CZK not being enough in May anymore.
Czech Blue Card Required documents
Below, you will find a basic set of documents required for the Blue Card application in the Czech Republic. Please mind the exact list might vary depending on couple factors such as your nationality, your specific story or situation (i.e. if you have lived outside of the country of your origin) or your job offer.
We strongly recommend using help of an experienced immigration adviser for your first application. You might be able to do renewals on your own but the first application hides so many potential complications (see below) that it is not advisable to try applying on your own. Get in touch with us for further details.
Generally, these documents are required for a Blue Card in the Czech Republic:
- application form,
- valid passport,
- 2 passport sized photos,
- proof of accommodation in the Czech Republic,
- vacancy number for a Blue Card position,
- local employment contract,
- proof of your education and or experience,
- criminal check/s.
Additional documents such as a health insurance or a medical check might be required.
All required documents must be originals (not scans, no copies, no electronic signatures etc.) and must be in Czech or officially translated into Czech. Non-Czech documents might also require apostille or superlegalization first.
⚠️ The most common mistake is missing translations, apostilles, or incorrect accommodation proof or employment contract. These details can delay your case by weeks or months.
Blue Card – Application Process – Step by Step
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Job search – find a position with a Czech employer that meets the Blue Card requirements.
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Document preparation – collect, legalize and translate all required documents.
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Application submission – submit your application at a Czech embassy abroad, or at the Ministry of Interior if you already legally reside in Czechia.
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Wait for decision – the official processing time is 90 days, but in practice it can take shorter or longer.
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Biometrics appointment – once approved, you give fingerprints and photos at the Ministry of Interior.
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Card collection – you receive your physical Blue Card, usually valid for 3 years and renewable.
Common pitfalls and mistakes
Over the years, we’ve seen many applications fail for avoidable reasons:
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Salary just below the required threshold
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Diploma not properly nostrified in Czechia
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Missing apostille or incorrect translation
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Employer not familiar with Blue Card requirements
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Believing the 90-day processing time is guaranteed (it often takes longer)
Each of these issues can cause serious delays or even rejection.
Blue Card vs Employee Card
Both permits allow you to live and work in Czechia, but they serve different groups of people.
| Feature | Employee Card | Blue Card |
|---|---|---|
| Education required | Not required | University degree |
| Salary requirement | Any legal salary | 1.5 × average wage |
| Job mobility | Strict approval needed | More flexible after 2 years |
| EU mobility | Limited | Easier transfer to other EU states |
| Path to PR | Yes, after 5 years | Yes, after 5 years (often smoother) |
If you qualify, the Blue Card usually brings more benefits. If not, the Employee Card is the standard route.
Path to Permanent Residence
The Blue Card is also a strong foundation for long-term settlement. After 5 years of continuous residence (on Blue Card or other long-term permits), you can apply for Permanent Residence in Czechia. From there, the next step may be Czech citizenship.
Need help with your Blue Card?
Since 2012, we have been helping skilled professionals and their families move to Czechia. We know exactly how the Blue Card process works, what the authorities expect, and how to avoid unnecessary delays.
📩 Contact Move To Prague today to make your Blue Card application stress-free.
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