Amended Rules for Changing Jobs in the Czech Republic: Navigating Your Employee Card

If you are a holder of a Czech Employee Card, finding a new job is often a necessary step in your career journey. However, unlike citizens or those with free access to the labor market, you must follow specific rules and notification procedures to maintain your residence status.

This guide breaks down the essential steps, deadlines, and requirements for reporting a change of employer or work position with an Employee Card.

1. The Critical 90-Day Deadline (The Grace Period)

If your previous employment has ended, you have a limited time to find and report a new job:

• You have a maximum of 90 days from the date your previous employment ended to find new employment and officially report it to the Ministry of the Interior (MoI).

• If you fail to report a change or apply for a different long-term residence permit within this 90-day window, your Employee Card will expire.

⚠️ Important Timing Alert (The 90-Day Rule): The MoI must actually receive your notification form by the 90th day at the absolute latest. Sending it by post on the 90th day is not sufficient if it arrives later.

Recent Legal Change in Effect (October 1, 2025):

The period for reporting a change of employer has been extended from 60 to 90 days, impacting cards whose previous employment ended:

Previous Employment Ended:	Reporting Period:
Before or on August 1, 2025	The period remains 60 days.
On or after August 2, 2025	The new period of 90 days applies.

2. The Golden Rule: Notification of Compliance

If you do not have free access to the labour market, you absolutely must report the change before starting the new employment.

You can start the new employment or work position only after you have received the written Notification of Compliance from the Ministry of the Interior.

Reporting Procedure:

Detail	Requirement
Who Can Report?	Only the Employee Card holder—you must have already collected your first Employee Card in person.
Required Form	You must use the official form: Notification by an employee card holder of a change of employer, work position or employment in another work position with the same or another employer.
How to Report	In person at an MoI office, or by post, Data Box, or e-mail with a recognised electronic signature. An authorised representative may also submit it.
Administrative Fee	There is no administrative fee for reporting a change of employment.
Processing Time	The MoI has 30 days to process your notification.

3. When Can I Start the New Job? (The Waiting Periods)

There are two mandatory waiting periods that affect when you can legally begin new employment:

A. The Initial 6-Month Block

In most cases, you cannot change your employer or start a new work position with a different employer until at least 6 months have passed from the date you collected your first Employee Card.

Exceptions to the 6-Month Rule:

This requirement does not apply if:

• The validity of your Employee Card has already been extended at least once.

• You are only changing a work position with your current/same employer.

• Your employment ended due to specific reasons outlined in the Labour Code (e.g., specific redundancies, health reasons, or during the probationary period).

B. The 30-Day Notification Buffer

Regardless of the 6-month rule, you must wait at least 30 days from the date the MoI receives your notification of change.

You can start the new job:

1. Only after you receive the written Notification of Compliance from the MoI, AND

2. At the earliest on the date stated in your notification form.

To ensure a smooth transition, make sure the MoI receives your notification of change at least 30 days before the planned start date written on your form.

4. Key Restrictions and Potential Issues

Restriction/Issue	Detail
Employment Agencies	You cannot change your employer or start a new work position if the new employer is an employment agency (temp agency). A change of employment is only possible within a single employment agency. You must check the Czech Labour Office database to verify the status of the employer.
Government Programmes	Changes are allowed only if the conditions of your specific government-approved programme permit it.
Ineffective Notification	If you report a change but fail to meet any of the strict requirements listed above (e.g., trying to start work too soon, using an employment agency), the notification will be deemed ineffective—it will be treated as if you never reported the change at all.

Staying strictly compliant with these timelines and procedures is crucial for maintaining your legal status and successfully continuing your career in the Czech Republic. Always ensure all your documentation is correct before submitting it to the Ministry of the Interior.