There have been quite a few changes in employing foreigners in the Czech Republic than became effective on July 1, 2024. We have described one of them in this article: Foreigners from nine countries will not need work permits in the Czech Republic” – MISLEADING and INCORRECT. Today we tell you more about the other significant one – shortening of the “test of the Czech Labor Market” from 30 days to 0 days. What does it exactly mean for you or your employer? Read below!
What is a test of Czech Labour Market?
If a Czech company wants to employ someone from outside of the EU using an employee card or a blue card, they first have to advertise the position to the Czech Labour Office. Before July 1, 2024, the position had to be at the Labour Office for 10 (highly qualified positions) or 30 (lower qualified positions) days to pass so called “test of the Labour Market”.
That mean that Czech an EU citizens had those 10 or 30 days to apply for the position first and only if no Czech/EU citizen got the position, the employee card or a blue card process could begin.
How the test of Czech Labour Market changed in July 2024
What has changed from July 1, 2024 is that the position still must be advertised to the Labour Office but it does not need to wait neither 30, nor 10 days there. That means, the employee card or a blue card process can start right away.
This is not really a bit change for employee card or blue card applicants who are not in CZE yet and who will be applying for it through a Czech Embassy. Since the application requires plenty of other documents (i.e. proof of accommodation, criminal check from the country of origin, educational documents apostilled/superlegalized and translated into Czech), it usually takes longer than 30 days to get these ready anyway.
It might mean a significant change for people who are just changing employers though.
Is the change of the test of Czech Labour Market permanent?
The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs says that the test of the Labour Market can be re-introduced again if/when the unemployment rate increases. They do not mention how much it must increase though.
So, the best thing to do is to follow all the news and updates regularly. The best place to do it is this website or a website focused solely on employing foreigners in CZE – zamestnavanicizincu.cz (in Czech only). Contact us if you have any questions or need any assisance!
