Changes to the Employment Act will go into effect on July 1.

Key Points:

  • As BAL previously reported, the Czech government previously announced changes to the Employment Act.
  • Officials have now outlined details on the upcoming changes, including:
  • A labor market test will no longer be required for employers of non-EU nationals from Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States. Employers will not be required to publish a vacancy position for roles filled by foreign nationals from these respective countries and will not have to wait 30 days for an approval in the case of a change of employer. This new policy does not apply to Blue Card holders/applicants.
  • Labor office registration, deregistration and all other changes will need to be submitted online as opposed to by mail or in person. This new policy will apply to labor-related changes such as change of employer or employee transfer.
  • Finally, posted worker notifications will now be required to be submitted on the labor inspectorate online portal as opposed to in person at local labor offices.

Additional Information: Eligible foreign nationals are still required to register their employment status with their relevant regional branch of the State Labor Inspection Office even if the labor market test is no longer required. In addition, foreign nationals are still required to obtain and maintain a valid residence permit or visa. Employers of non-EU nationals from the nine countries listed above do not need announce the vacancy at the labor office and a job vacancy number does not need to be generated for an application.

BAL Analysis: The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs is relaxing the rules for labor market testing to increase competitiveness in attracting additional skills and talent in the workforce as well as reduce the cost for employers seeking to hire foreign talent. BAL will provide further updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2024 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Czech government announced changes to the Employment Act, effective July 1.

‌Key Points:

  • The process changes relate to job vacancy reporting and labor market testing.
  • Effective July 1, jobs filled by highly qualified Blue Card holders will no longer require a labor market test as part of the employee card application process.
  • Job vacancies still need to be published on the government online platform.

BAL Analysis: The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs is relaxing the rules for the labor market testing to increase competitiveness in attracting additional skills and talent in the workforce.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2024 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT — MEDIUM

The Czech Republic recently launched a digital nomad visa and residence permit program for citizens of seven countries.

Key Points:

  • The digital nomad program is available to foreign national employees of foreign companies, who must perform all work via remote means and are not permitted to work for a Czech company, or self-employed foreign nationals who hold a Czech business license.
  • Applicants must first apply for a visa at a Czech consulate. The visa is valid for up to one year, and after that year individuals can apply for a residence permit valid for up to two years.
  • This program is currently available only to nationals of Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Additional Information: More information about applying for the Czech digital nomad program is available here and here.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2023 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT — MEDIUM

The government of the Czech Republic has simplified the visa application process for Ukrainian nationals.

Key Points:

  • As of March 31, Ukrainian nationals can submit certain visa applications at the Czech Embassy in Ukraine. Applications that can now be submitted include:
    • Permanent residence.
    • Blue card applications if the applicant has been granted or applied for temporary protection in another EU country.
    • Long-term visas for family purposes and long-term stays for family reunification.
    • Long-term stays for scientific research.
    • Long-term student visas.
  • Ukrainian nationals applying for the aforementioned visas must register by emailing visa_kiev@mzv.cz or consulate_lvov@mzv.cz before submitting their applications.
  • Czech authorities will only accept applications in person at its embassy in Ukraine; applications cannot be mailed to the embassy or submitted by an authorized representative.

BAL Analysis: The government of the Czech Republic is now accepting the aforementioned visa applications at its embassy to ease the burden placed on Ukrainian nationals as the war in Ukraine continues. Employers and employees are reminded that actions taken as a result of the invasion of Ukraine may change with little or no notice.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2023 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT — MEDIUM

The government of the Czech Republic will limit the acceptance of visa and residence permit applications from the Schengen area in May.

Key Points:

  • Beginning April 30, Czech consulates in the Schengen area will no longer accept visa and residence permit applications.
  • Applicants from countries in the Schengen area will have to submit visa and residence permit applications at the Consulate General in Dresden, Germany.
  • Individuals can apply for an appointment at the Consulate General in Dresden after March 15, 2023.

BAL Analysis: Czech authorities will limit the acceptance of visa and residence permit applications across the Schengen area to standardize the processing procedures of such applications.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2023 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Czech government has announced that it will further restrict Russian nationals’ entry into the country.

Key Points:

  • Beginning Oct. 25, Russian nationals who hold a valid Schengen visa issued by any EU country will not be allowed to enter the Czech Republic.
  • Russian nationals who are leaving their country to avoid mobilization do not qualify for humanitarian visas and will not be allowed to enter the Czech Republic.
  • Russian nationals who currently hold residence permits will not be effected by the entry restrictions and will be able to renew permits as normal. More information regarding the entry restrictions is available here.

BAL Analysis: Russian nationals should expect continued difficulty in obtaining visas when traveling to the Czech Republic and other countries in the Schengen Area. Employers should plan travel well in advance to avoid complications and delays.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Czech government has increased its minimum financial requirement for long-term residence and announced an increase for the EU Blue Card Salary requirement.

Key Points:

  • As of April 1, Czech authorities increased the minimum living wage to 2,740 Czech Koruna.
  • Foreign nationals must prove they have available funds of 15 times the amount of the minimum living wage to be eligible for long-term residence. Individuals can prove their financial means through:
    • A bank account statement.
    • Another document on financial security.
    • A valid internationally recognized payment card.
  • Foreign nationals who are studying in the Czech Republic can submit proof of funds by providing a pledge from their school. This type of document can be used for long term visa application for purpose of study. Please see more information. More information is available here.
  • Beginning May 1, the EU Blue Card monthly salary requirement will increase to 56,759 CZK from 53,417 CZK.

BAL Analysis: Employers are now required to meet the new minimum living wage and will be required to meet the new EU Blue Card threshold on May 1. BAL will continue to monitor salary requirements and will provide updates as more information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Czech government has lifted all COVID-related entry requirements for those traveling to the Czech Republic.

Key Points:

  • As of April 9, individuals who are traveling to the Czech Republic no longer face COVID-related entry requirements.
  • Travelers are no longer required to show COVID-19 vaccination certificates when crossing the border, test for COVID-19 before or after arrival or undergo a mandatory quarantine.
  • Authorities have lifted the entry ban on foreign nationals from all third-countries.

Additional Information: In case of a new virus variant, an “emergency brake” can be applied to the lifting of entry requirements. More information regarding the Czech Republic’s decision to lift entry requirements is available here.

BAL Analysis: COVID-19 entry requirements no longer apply to those traveling to the Czech Republic. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Czech government has announced that it will increase the minimum wage by just under 6.2% in 2022.

Key Points:

  • The Czech Republic’s national monthly minimum wage will increase by 1000 Czech koruna from 15,200 CZK to 16,200 CZK.
  • The new minimum wage will take effect Jan. 1, 2022.
  • The 2022 national minimum wage has no effect on EU Blue Card salary requirements.

BAL Analysis: Businesses may see a slight increase in labor costs because of the new minimum wage. Employers should take the new minimum into account when planning their 2022 budgets.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Polish government has announced that it will increase the minimum wage by 7.5% in 2022.

Key Points:

  • Poland’s national minimum wage will increase by 210 Polish Zloty from 2,800 PLN to 3,010 PLN.
  • The equivalent hourly minimum wage will increase by 1.40 PLN from 18.30 PLN to 19.70 PLN.
  • The new minimum wage will take effect Jan. 1, 2022.

BAL Analysis: Businesses may see a slight increase in labor costs because of the new minimum wage. Employers should take the new minimum into account when planning their 2022 budgets.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com