One-year Visa-free Stay for Holders of a Long-term Residence Permit for the Purpose of Studies Issued by Another EU Member State

Holders of a valid long-term residence permit or a long-term visa for the purpose of studies issued by another EU Member State can, subject to conditions, stay in the Czech Republic without a visa for as long as 1 year from their first entrance into the country.

Who is this type of visa-free stay intended for?

This type of visa-free stay is intended for you if you meet the following conditions:

You hold a valid long-term visa or a long-term residence permit for the purpose of studies issued by another EU Member State. It does not apply to residence permits issued by Ireland and Denmark.
The permit was issued under an exchange programme including mobility programmes (e.g. ERASMUS) or under agreements between universities. There must be a note about the exchange programme in your residence permit document or visa.
In the Czech Republic, you will be studying at a university, so the purpose of your residence will be studies.

What are your obligations?

You must get registered with the Foreign Police within 3 days from the day you arrived in the Czech Republic.
During the whole stay, you must have a valid residence permit or a long-term visa issued by another EU Member State. If this residence permit or visa expires, your entitlement to stay in the Czech Republic on a visa-free basis expires too.
The university that accepted you for studies must notify the Ministry of the Interior about the start, suspension or termination of your studies.

What are your options?

During the whole stay, you have free access to the labour market, meaning that you can work without limitations.
Whenever during your legal stay, you can file an application for a long-term residence permit for the purpose of studies in the Czech Republic at a Ministry of the Interior office.