Bringing Your Family to Czechia: A Guide to the Long-Term Residence Permit for Family Reunification
- Vijay Bakshi
- Nov 7
- 4 min read
Moving to a new country is a major life event, and for many, being able to bring your family is the most important part of the journey. In Czechia, this process is governed by the Long-Term Residence Permit for Family Reunification (Povolení k dlouhodobému pobytu za účelem společného soužití rodiny), detailed in § 42a and § 42b of Act No. 326/1999 Coll.
The law is specific, but it can be navigated. This guide breaks down the essential points to help you understand the process.
Who is Eligible to Apply for Reunification?
The law defines a "sponsor" (the person already legally residing in Czechia) and the family members who can join them. You can apply to join a sponsor if you are their:
Spouse
Minor child (this also includes minor children of your spouse, adopted children, or minors in your foster care/guardianship)
Dependent adult relative, specifically:
An osamělý (lone) parent or child over 65 years old.
A parent or child (regardless of age) who is unable to care for themselves due to health reasons.
Specific relatives of an Asylee (the rules for asylees are more extensive and humanitarian-focused, covering spouses, children, parents of minors, and dependent parents).
Where and When to Apply: The Critical Timing
1. Where to Apply:
The standard rule is that you must apply at a Czech Embassy or Consulate in your home country or country of legal residence (§ 42a (5)).
Exception - Applying from Inside Czechia: You can only apply from within Czechia if you are already here on a long-stay visa (over 90 days) or another long-term residence permit (e.g., for study or work).
You CANNOT apply from inside Czechia if you are on a short-term Schengen visa, a seasonal employment visa, or a visa for "tolerated stay" (unless you've held the tolerated stay status for more than 6 months) (except children applying for Permanent residence permit).
2. When to Apply (The Waiting Period):
This is one of the most important and often misunderstood parts of the law (§ 42a (7)).
For Standard Permit Holders: If your sponsor has a standard long-term or permanent residence permit, they must have been legally residing in Czechia for at least 15 months before your family reunification permit can be approved.
For Spouses: In addition to the 15-month rule, both spouses must be at least 20 years old.
THE FAST TRACK (No 15-Month Wait): This 15-month waiting period does NOT apply if your sponsor is a holder of:
A Permanent Residence Card
A Blue Card (pro-tip for highly-skilled workers)
An Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Card
A Scientific Research Permit
A Special Investor Permit (in this case, the sponsor only needs 6 months of residence).
Practical Tip: If you are a highly-skilled professional eligible for a Blue Card, it provides a significant advantage for bringing your family quickly.
Key Documents and Requirements (§ 42b)
While the full list can vary, the law highlights several non-negotiable requirements:
Standard Application Documents:
* Valid Passport
* Proof of Accommodation (a rental agreement, dormitory confirmation, etc.)
* Passport-sized Photos
* Criminal Record Extract (from your home country and any country you've
lived in for 6+ months in the last 3 years).
Proof of Relationship:
* You must provide an official document like a Marriage Certificate (for
spouses) or Birth Certificate (for children).
* Practical Tip: These documents must be legalized (with an Apostille or
Superlegalization, depending on your country) and officially translated into
Czech by a court-certified translator.
Proof of Sufficient Income:
* This is a common reason for rejection. You must prove that the total
combined monthly income of the family after reunification will be
sufficient.
* The law requires your income to be higher than the sum of:
1) The living minimum amounts for all family members (sponsor + all
applicants).
2) The highest normative housing costs or your family's actual, proven
housing costs (whichever is higher).
Practical Tip: This isn't just a bank statement. It's a calculation. You must show a stable, regular income (salary, business income). Unemployment benefits or one-time payments do not count.
Parental Consent (for Minors):
* If a minor child is applying to join only one parent, you will need the
notarized consent of the other parent (if they are not applying or already in
Czechia).
Special Cases to Note
Family of EU Blue Card Holders from Another EU State: If you are a family member of someone who held a Blue Card in another EU country and is now moving to Czechia, you have a special right to apply after arriving in Czechia (within 30 days of entry) (§ 42a (2)).
Polygamy: Czech law strictly forbids polygamy. A sponsor who already has one spouse residing in Czechia cannot bring another spouse (§ 42a (8)).
Health Insurance: Before the embassy stamps the long-stay visa in your passport (for you to travel and collect your permit), you must present proof of comprehensive travel health insurance.
Conclusion
The family reunification process is detailed and requires careful preparation, especially regarding document legalization and proving sufficient income. Understanding the waiting periods (or the exceptions for Blue Card holders) is essential for planning your family's future.
Navigating the legal requirements for family reunification can be complex. For any kind of assistance, you may write to info@goczech.in or send a WhatsApp message to +420608373232.