Registration Certificate (Former Temporary Residence Certificate) for EU Citizens in the Czech Republic – Complete 2025 Guide

Are you an EU citizen planning to live in the Czech Republic for more than just a few months?Then you should know about the Registration Certificate for EU citizens — a simple document that can save you a lot of hassle later on.

This guide explains what it is, who needs it, how to apply, and why it’s useful even though EU citizens don’t need a residence permit to reside in the Czech Republic.

⚠️ Quick summary

The Registration Certificate replaced the older “Temporary Residence Certificate” in 2021. It is basically exactly the same thing, just with different name.
It’s not a visa or a residence permit (since EU citizens do not need those to live in CZE), but an official confirmation that you legally reside in Czechia as an EU citizen.
It’s optional so far but often essential for practical matters like registering a car, getting a mortgage, or applying for family reunification.
It’s valid for up to 10 years and can be switched to permanent residence permit.

What is the Registration Certificate?

The Registration Certificate (in Czech Osvědčení o registraci občana EU) is a document issued by the Ministry of the Interior that officially confirms your residence in the Czech Republic as an EU citizen.

Registration Certificate - EU citizens - front

You don’t officially need it to live here as of 11/2025 (it might be introduced as mandatory in 2026 though), but in practice, it’s very useful for:

proving your residence for tax purposes,
registering a car in the Czech Republic,
enrolling children in Czech schools,
dealing with banks, utilities, or insurance companies,
family reunification with a non-EU partner,
obtaining Rodne Cislo,
later applying for Permanent Residence.

Once issued, the certificate is usually valid for 10 years. It can not be extended but you can either switch to a stronger residence status called “Permanent Residence Permit” (that can lead to obtaining Czech citizenship), or you can simply apply for a new Registration Certificate when the old one expires.

Who should apply for Registration Certificate and when?

You can live in the Czech Republic freely as an EU citizen, the only mandatory obligation for you is to get registered with the Foreign Police within 30 days after arrival. But if you plan to stay longer than 3 months, it’s highly recommended — and in many situations practically necessary — to apply for a Registration Certificate.

Typical cases include:

You plan to live with your non-EU partner or spouse – if you have a non-EU spouse, long-term partner or children, and you plan on bringing them here, you will need the Registration Certificate so they can apply for their Temporary Residence Permits (close family members) or the “Partnership Visa” (partners).
You’re buying property or registering a car here – registering a car in Czech Republic requires the Registration Certificate. Buying a property in cash does not. Buying a property using a mortgage might (depends on internal rules of the bank).
You want to prove your legal residence to Czech (or foreign) authorities – this is actually one of the most common reasons among our clients. A lot of them are freelancers who move to the Czech Republic due to lower taxes for self-employed individuals than in other EU countries. In most cases, they first get their trade license and then apply for the Registration Certificate. Then they use both to prove that they officially reside in CZE and will be paying taxes here.

If you’ve lived in Czechia for 5 continuous years, having the Registration Certificate also helps when applying for Permanent Residence Permit later. You could potentially apply for the permanent residence permit even without previously holding the Registration Certificate but it is way harder to prove that you have really been living here continuously for 5 years.

How to apply for Registration Certificate in Czech Republic – step by step

1. Prepare all required documents

You’ll usually need:

Completed application form (available at the Ministry of the Interior or online).
Valid passport or national ID card.
Passport photo.
Proof of accommodation in the Czech Republic (rental contract, confirmation from the landlord, or property deed).
Proof of employment or self-employment, if that applies in your case.
Health insurance (if you’re not employed or self-employed).
Administrative fee of 200 CZK (can be paid at the MOI or via bank transfer).

If your documents are not in Czech, they may need to be translated officially. Also, all the submitted documents must be originals or notarized copies, you can not use electronic documents, scans or simple copies.

2. Submit the application

Registration Certificate applications can be filed in person at the relevant Ministry of the Interior office (Department for Asylum and Migration Policy) based on your place of residence, or mailed to them. When we work cases of our clients, we prefer mailing the documents in since it is more convenient for all sides.

If you want to apply on your own, we recommend doing it in person and bringing a Czech speaker with you. If you do not speak Czech and/or are not familiar with Czech laws and procedures, you might make some small mistakes (see the most common ones below) that could then lead to denial of your application. If you go in person with a Czech speaker, the MOI officer could explain what is wrong with the documents on the spot and you get a chance to correct the mistakes.

For in-person submission, always book an appointment in advance, unless you are willing to wait in the line for couple of hours 🙂

3. Processing time and collection

If you submit your application in person and the officer dealing with you is a senior officer, they could potentially issue the Registration Certificate on the spot. That happens only in about 10% of cases though.

In most cases, the certificate is ready within 30 days after submission of complete documents. Same timeline applies when documents are mailed to the MOI.

Collection of the Registration Certificate happens at the same MOI branch where you submitted your application.

Common mistakes when applying for Registration Certificate in Czech Republic

Although getting your application denied will not get you deported (as it might for non-EU citizens), it can still cost you a lot of time, energy and potentially money. Especially if you are trying to get the Registration Certificate for some specific reason such as proving your tax residency or getting a mortgage for a flat you like, having it approved swiftly and first time matters.

Take a look at some of the most common problems with applications below.

Incorrect accommodation proof – this is by far the most problematic part of Registration Certificate applications for people who apply without our assistance. As simple as renting an apartment seems, there are many potential problems you can miss as a foreigner:
- sometime the flat you rented is not actually a flat – due to the situation on the rental market, landlords often turn attic spaces or cellars into apartments. Although these might look like actual apartments, they are not listed as apartments in the official land register which means you can not officially live there or use such lease for any official purposes. There are other reasons why flats might not be actual flats, including in newly built projects. Simply put, never rent an “Atelier” or any variations of “Nebytový prostor”.
- sometimes the lease or accommodation proof of not signed by the actual owner of the flat – this is often the case when dealing with management companies or when the flat is owned by “Družstvo” (housing cooperative). There might be many reason why the owner does not sign the lease themselves. Regardless of the reason, if the lease is not signed by the owner directly, you will need additional paperwork proving the connection between the person who signs the lease and the owner. This is often a notarized copy (simple copy will not work, they will probably not give you the original either) of a Power of Attorney or their own lease agreement.
- subleases can also be problematic – other than having to prove the connection between your lessor and the actual owner of the apartment (see above), you are also left with way fewer rights. Tenants are really protected in the Czech Republic, subtenants not really.
Incorrect other documentation – these mistakes are way less common than problems with the proof of accommodation but they still occur more than they should.
- using simple copies of documents – all documents you submit must be originals or notarized copies, not simple copies, not print outs, not scans, no electronic signatures etc.
- submitting documents in English – the official language of Czech Republic is Czech so everything you submit to the MOI must be in Czech – including the application form, our lease agreement, employment contract etc.
- submitting old documents – none of the documents you submit should be older than 180 days (other than your ID or passport).
Going to the wrong office and/or going without an appointment – the Registration Certificate application must be submitted to (regardless of if in person or via mail) the MOI office responsible for the place where you live (i.e. Prague 4, 5 and 10 fall under the Chodov branch etc.). If you go to a different branch, your application might not be accepted. Also, people sometimes confuse the Ministry of the Interior and the Foreign Police – if you go to the Foreign Police, instead of the MOI your application will not be accepted. Most MOI branches require you to book an appointment in advance. If you do not do so, you might still be allowed to submit your application but you’ll have to wait in the line which can sometimes take a very long time.

📩 To avoid delays and complications, Move To Prague can prepare your full application package, book the right appointment, and accompany you to the office for submission (or we’ll submit the application on your behalf) and collection of your Registration Certificate. Contact us for more details.

Need help?

Since 2012, Move To Prague has been helping EU and non-EU clients register, relocate, and settle smoothly in the Czech Republic.
Whether you need to register your stay, arrange family reunification, get a trade license, health insurance, find a flat or apply for permanent residence, we’ll make the process simple and stress-free.

📩 Contact Move To Prague today to book a consultation and get your Registration Certificate without headaches.

Registration Certificate – FAQ

Do EU citizens need a visa to live in the Czech Republic?
No. EU citizens can live and work freely in Czechia. However, if you plan to stay longer than 3 months, applying for a Registration Certificate is recommended.

Is the Registration Certificate mandatory?
Not at this point (11/2025) — but it’s often required by banks, offices, and schools as proof of legal residence. Making the Registration Certificate mandatory was also gonna be a part of the new immigration law update that should have been released in 2025. That has been postponed due to the 2025 elections in the Czech Republic but it is likely it will still be approved in 2026.

How long is the Registration Certificate valid?
Usually 10 years, during which you can apply for a permanent residence permit.

Can I apply for Permanent Residence without having a Registration Certificate first?
In theory yes, but in practice it’s much easier if you already have it — it serves as proof of your continuous residence. Without having the Registration Certificate, you will need to prove to the MOI that you have been continuously residing in Czech Republic for the last five years. That might be more complicated than it seems since the MOI often does not accept gaps in between your lease agreements and/or your employment contracts etc.

How long does it take to get the Registration Certificate?
Officially 30 days after submitting a complete application. Real life timeline can vary from having it approved on the spot to waiting for months if you submit incorrect or incomplete documentation, the MOI can not reach you with their requests etc.

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