Most Common Questions Americans Have About Moving to the Czech Republic

At the end of 2024, 10,475 Americans were living in the Czech Republic. This number has been steadily growing, showing that the country remains a popular destination for U.S. citizens. In this article, we’ll answer the most common questions Americans ask about moving to or living in the Czech Republic. If you have additional questions or need help with your move, reach out—we’re here to assist.

How long can a US citizen stay in the Czech Republic?

If you plan on just visiting, the standard Schengen travel rules apply. That means you can stay in the Czech Republic (visa-free) for up to 90 days within each 180 days period.

If you plan on moving to the Czech Republic, you can chose from variety of long-term visas and long-term residence permits for U.S. citizens. If your applications are handled professionally, you can get to obtaining a Permanent Residence Permit (generally after 5 years) and eventually even Czech citizenship (generally after 10 years).

Is the Czech Republic friendly to American citizens?

We want to divide answer to this question into two parts – immigration and everyday life.

Strictly from the immigration perspective speaking, Czech Republic is very friendly towards U.S. citizens. Among non-EU nationals, U.S. citizens have some of the easiest access to Czech visas. It, in no way, means that 100% applications are approved and that the immigration processes are simple and straightforward. It just means that comparing US nationals to others, US nationals always have higher chance of a visa approval.

From daily life perspective, Americans are generally perceived as welcomed neighbors by most Czech citizens. There are still cultural differences you should keep in mind though. Watch this video of founders of Move To Prague discussing this topic in details.

Can an American get Czech citizenship?

Simple answer is yes. Czech Republic also allows dual-citizenships so you can have both U.S. and Czech passports. There are generally two main ways of obtaining a Czech citizenship as an American.

First is through ancestry – if you parents or grandparents were Czech(oslovak) citizens, you can potentially get Czech citizenship by ancestry.

Second way of obtaining Czech citizenship as an American is through living in the Czech Republic long enough. Generally speaking, one can apply for Czech citizenship after 10 years of legally living on the Czech Republic, or after 5 years of holding Czech Permanent Residence Permit. Realistically speaking, the soonest you could apply is after 7 years if you have a Czech spouse and/or child.

Can an American buy a house in the Czech Republic?

Yes, generally no problem at all. If you want to buy in cash, you can do it freely, even as a tourist, holding no Czech visa or residence permit.

If you need to get a mortgage for the house, you might be required to have a (certain type of) residence permit in the Czech Republic. This depends on a few things though – how high would be your downpayment, how high is your provable income, internal rules of each particular bank etc. Get in touch if you plan on buying a house in the Czech Republic. Our mortgage advisers will be happy to answer all your questions.

Do American citizens need a visa for the Czech Republic?

It depends on how long American citizens want to stay in the Czech Republic. Americans are generally allowed to stay in the Schengen Area (including the Czech Republic) for up to 90 days in any given period of 180 days with no visa required.

If you plan on staying longer than 90 days though, you have to get some type of a long-term visa or a long-term residence permit.

Can a US citizen move to the Czech Republic?

Of course they can! What is important though is that they have an official reason to move here and to live here. Czech Republic does not officially offer any type of Retirement Visa or Investment Visa (in the way that you say buy a property and get a visa based on that). Digital Nomad Visa exists in the Czech Republic but it is very limited (generally only IT and Marketing professionals with one employer or one big client qualify).

This means that if you want to move to the Czech Republic, you generally need to get a job offer from here, enroll into a University, start a business in the Czech Republic (freelance English teaching counts!), follow your family member (who got a job, enrolled into a University or started a business here) or marry a local (that makes everything a lot easier :)). Contact us and we’ll be happy to help you find the best immigration path for you.

Why do Americans go to Prague?

Different people have different motivations so it is not possible to list all the subjective reasons here. Let’s talk about some objective reasons though.

1. Free (and great) Health Care

Once you get into the public health care system (mainly via being locally employed, self-employed, or via holding a permanent residence permit), you pay some monthly contributions to the system but then can use the whole system with almost no co-payments. That means an ambulance comes for you – no cost for you, you get hit by a tram and have to undergo multiple surgeries – no cost for you., you do not feel well and go see your GP – no cost for you. Of course, there are some procedures you will still have to pay (such as almost everything under dental care) but those are anyway small amounts compared to what you would pay in the US for the same treatment.

2. Czech Republic is a very safe country

Low violent crime rates, general safety even when walking alone at night.

3. Amazing history/architecture

There are around 3 000 castles and chateaus and around 4 000 churches in the Czech Republic, many of them build in 11th, 12th, 13th or 14th centuries. Cities like Prague, Cesky Krumlov, Kutna Hora or Hluboka nad Vltavou are just a few example of fairytale-like cities. Also war history and communist history is pretty rich in the Czech Republic.

4. Generally easy life

Czech Republic has the highest density of train roads in the whole EU and one of the highest in the world. Most cities and towns also use efficient public transportation including buses, trams, metro and even funiculars or ferry boats. Schools are generally very accessible, police is very reasonable, people use common sense. Also, being located in the middle of Europe, traveling to other European countries is very is and affordable.

Do Americans need a work permit for Czech?

Do American citizens need a work permit?