Czech Republic

Long-Term Residence Permit for the Purpose of Investment

The Czech Republic's Long-Term Residence Permit for the Purpose of Investment allows third-country nationals to reside in the country for the purpose of making a significant investment. Introduced in 2017 through amendments to the Foreign Nationals Residence Act, the program is administered jointly by the Ministry of the Interior and CzechInvest, the national investment agency. It targets foreign investors and senior corporate executives who commit to investing at least CZK 75 million (approximately EUR 2,850,000) while creating a minimum of 20 new full-time jobs for EU/EEA citizens.

• Minimum investment of CZK 75 million in funds, with at least 20 new full-time jobs for EU/EEA citizens or their family members maintained for at least 2 years
• Up to 60% of the investment amount may be substituted with tangible or intangible assets (machinery, real property, land, technological know-how) subject to expert valuation
• Up to 5 applicants may participate in a joint investment, with each investing a minimum of CZK 15 million
• Applicants must be either natural person entrepreneurs or significant representatives of a commercial corporation (shareholders with at least 30% ownership, members of statutory bodies, or authorized representatives)
• Proof of ability to access and move funds in the Czech Republic, no older than 30 days at time of application
• Financial statements from the two preceding fiscal years
• No outstanding tax or social insurance debts
• Criminal record extracts from all countries of residence (6+ months) during the preceding 3 years
• CzechInvest must assess the investment as beneficial to the state, region, or municipality

• Completed application form
• Valid travel document (issued within past 10 years, at least 2 blank pages)
• Two passport-sized photographs
• Business plan and investment description
• Financial statements for the 2 preceding fiscal years
• Proof of funds deposited in an EU/EEA bank account (no older than 30 days)
• Certificate of no outstanding debts (tax and social insurance)
• Criminal record extracts from countries of residence
• Proof of accommodation in the Czech Republic
• Comprehensive health insurance (minimum EUR 400,000 coverage per insured event)
• Expert valuation report for non-cash assets (if applicable)
• All documents must be in Czech or accompanied by an official translation

The permit is issued for a maximum of 2 years and is renewable for further 2-year periods. Extension applications are processed within 60 days. The holder must continue to fulfill the investment purpose throughout the permit's validity, maintaining both the investment and the required job positions.

Spouses, registered same-sex partners, minor children under 18, stepchildren, and financially dependent adult children incapable of self-care may apply for family reunification. Unlike other business-purpose permits that require 15+ months of prior residence, this investment permit grants immediate eligibility for family reunification. Family members' permits are processed within 90 days and issued for up to 2 years. The application fee is CZK 2,500 for adults and CZK 1,000 for children under 15. The investor must demonstrate sufficient financial means and adequate housing for all family members.

Holding a long-term residence permit alone does not trigger Czech tax residency. Tax residency is determined by having a permanent address in the Czech Republic or spending 183 or more days per calendar year in the country. Tax residents are subject to worldwide income taxation under the Czech Income Tax Act. The Czech Republic has double taxation treaties with numerous countries that may provide relief.

Applications are submitted in person at Ministry of the Interior offices (if already in the Czech Republic on a valid permit) or at Czech diplomatic missions abroad. CzechInvest first assesses whether the proposed investment qualifies as a "significant investment" based on the financial threshold, job creation requirements, and overall benefit. The Ministry of the Interior then decides within 30 days, or up to 60 days for complex cases. This is significantly faster than the 120-day processing time for standard business permits.

If approved from abroad, the applicant receives a long-term D-type visa valid for 6 months with a 60-day permitted stay, during which they must enter the Czech Republic and collect the biometric residence card from the Ministry of the Interior. The applicant must register their accommodation address with the Foreign Police within 3 working days of arrival. The application fee is CZK 2,500 when applying within the Czech Republic or CZK 5,000 when applying from abroad.

After 5 years of continuous residence on a long-term permit, the holder may apply for permanent residence. Czech citizenship may be sought after an additional 5 years of permanent residence (10 years total), subject to Czech language proficiency at approximately B1 level and a civic knowledge test.

Permit holders may travel freely within the Schengen area for up to 90 days within any 180-day period without an additional visa. Prolonged absence from the Czech Republic may be grounds for non-renewal, as the holder must demonstrate continued fulfillment of the investment purpose.

Links

• https://ipc.gov.cz/en/visa-and-residence-permit-types/third-country-nationals/long-term-residence-permits/long-term-residence-permit-for-the-purpose-of-investment/
• https://czechinvest.gov.cz/en/For-Investors/Visa-Support/Long-Term-Residence-for-the-Purpose-of-Investing
• https://mzv.gov.cz/lvov/cz/viza_a_konzularni_informace/vizove_informace/dlouhodoby_pobyt/dlouhodoby_pobyt_za_ucelem_investovani.html

Other Digital Nomad Visas in Europe