Information Booklet for Foreign Nationals Czech Republic Prague 2009 © Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic, 2009 ISBN 978-80-254-5998-0 TABLE OF CONTENTS: 1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................... 5 2. GENERAL INTRODUCTION ABOUT THE CZECH REPUBLIC ................................................. 7 Links to similar sources of information .............................................................................................. 9 3. THE STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONING OF THE LEGISLATIVE, EXECUTIVE AND JUDICIAL POWERS; PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION ........................................................................ 10 3. 1. Parliament of the Czech Republic............................................................................................. 10 3. 2. Executive Power....................................................................................................................... 10 3. 3. Courts, Public Prosecution ........................................................................................................ 11 3. 4. Public Administration................................................................................................................ 11 3. 5. e-Government in the Czech Republic ...................................................................................... 13 3. 6. Official Language..................................................................................................................... 15 Links to similar sources of information ............................................................................................ 15 4. FOREIGNER’S STAY IN THE TERRITORY OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC/SCHENGEN AND CITIZENSHIP ....................................................................................................................................... 17 4. 1. Basic Information on Foreigner’s Stay .................................................................................... 17 4. 2. Temporary Stay in the territory of the Czech Republic / Schengen......................................... 17 4. 3. Permanent Residence in the Czech Republic........................................................................... 22 4. 4. Other Practical Information...................................................................................................... 26 4. 5. Birth Certificate Number.......................................................................................................... 27 4. 6. Citizenship of the Czech Republic ............................................................................................ 27 Links to similar sources of information ............................................................................................ 28 5. WHERE TO SEEK HELP............................................................................................................... 30 5. 1. Attorneys .................................................................................................................................. 30 5. 2. Ombudsman.............................................................................................................................. 30 5. 3. Consumer Protection, the Czech Trade Inspection Authority.................................................. 30 5. 4. Corruption ................................................................................................................................ 31 5. 5. Managing Emergency Situations.............................................................................................. 31 5. 6. Managing Other Emergency Situations .................................................................................... 32 6. SCHOOL SYSTEM AND RECOGNITION OF EDUCATION .................................................... 35 6. 1. Pre-School Education............................................................................................................... 37 6. 2. Compulsory and Elementary Education................................................................................... 37 6. 3. Secondary Education................................................................................................................ 38 6. 4. Higher Technical Education..................................................................................................... 39 6. 5. Recognition of Education Received Abroad by Elementary, Secondary and Higher Technical Schools .............................................................................................................................................. 40 6. 6. Universities............................................................................................................................... 41 6. 7. Recognition of Foreign University Education and Qualifications ........................................... 41 Links to similar sources of information ........................................................................................... 42 7. HEALTHCARE SYSTEM AND HEALTH INSURANCE ............................................................ 44 7. 1. Public Health Insurance............................................................................................................ 44 7. 2. Travel Health Insurance ........................................................................................................... 46 7. 3. Mandatory vaccination............................................................................................................. 48 7. 4. Organization of Health Care System in the Czech Republic ................................................... 48 7. 5. Protection and Promotion of Public Health.............................................................................. 49 Links to similar sources of information ............................................................................................ 49 8. EMPLOYMENT............................................................................................................................... 51 8. 1. Employment of Foreign Nationals - Procedures ...................................................................... 51 8. 2. Labour Relations ...................................................................................................................... 53 8. 3. Employee’s Rights and Obligations......................................................................................... 54 8. 4. Employment Procurement and Other Employment Services................................................... 55 8. 5. Trade Unions ............................................................................................................................ 56 Links to similar sources of information ............................................................................................ 57 3 9. DOING BUSINESS IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC ......................................................................... 58 9. 1. Commercial Activities on Trading Certificate ......................................................................... 58 9. 2. Trading Companies .................................................................................................................. 59 Links to similar sources of information ............................................................................................ 60 10. SOCIAL SECURITY ...................................................................................................................... 61 10. 1. Organization and Administration of the Social Security System............................................ 61 10. 2. Social Insurance ..................................................................................................................... 61 10. 3. Subsistence minimum ............................................................................................................ 68 10. 4. State Social Support ............................................................................................................... 69 10. 5. - Social Assistance................................................................................................................... 71 Links to similar sources of information ............................................................................................ 75 11. HOUSING ....................................................................................................................................... 76 11. 1. Living in One’s Own Flat or House ........................................................................................ 76 11. 2. Living in a leased flat/house.................................................................................................... 76 11. 3. Living in Co-op Flats .............................................................................................................. 77 11. 4. Registering Utilities and Other Services into Your Own Name ............................................. 77 11. 5. Loss of Housing....................................................................................................................... 77 11. 6. Other Useful Information ........................................................................................................ 77 Links to similar sources of information ............................................................................................ 78 12. TRANSPORTATION.....................................................................................................................