Foreign police in Prague: what they handle and who handles the rest

You land, you find the flat, and an old forum post says to register with the foreign police. That is half right. The foreign police do take one report from you, quickly and early, but they do not give out residence permits and they do not handle your later change of address.

Mixing the two up is the commonest reason people queue at the wrong counter. Here is who does what, in the order you will need them.

Two offices, two jobs

The foreign police (cizinecká policie) handle border matters, short-stay visa extensions, checks and the initial report of your place of stay. The Ministry of the Interior's Department of Asylum and Migration Policy (OAMP) decides on residence permits, extensions, employee cards, Blue Cards and permanent residence, and takes later address changes. Never go to the police to ask for a permit.

Step one: the arrival report

• Third-country nationals report their place of stay within 3 working days of arrival.
• EU citizens staying more than 30 days report within 30 days.

In a hotel, hostel or other registered accommodation the provider does it for you. In a rented flat or with a friend it is yours to make, and the owner usually has to confirm the address. Your first 24 hours shows where it fits on day one.

Check the Police and Ministry websites for the current form, address and opening hours, since many offices work by appointment or ticket.

Step two: the permit, if you need one

Staying beyond 90 days from outside the EU means a long-term visa or residence permit, which is the Ministry's job. First applications usually start at the Czech embassy abroad, while extensions and some other cases are filed with OAMP in Czechia. Working in Prague as a foreigner and the Schengen 90/180 rule explain the main routes. Extensions can be filed no earlier than 120 days before expiry and no later than the day the permit expires (as of 2026; check the Ministry of the Interior), and appointments fill up, so book early.

Step three: moving flat

When a permit holder moves, the change goes to OAMP, not to the police. The deadline is generally within 30 working days, but confirm it with the Ministry (as of 2026; check the Ministry of the Interior). Keep the lease and your landlord's confirmation. First month in a Prague rental covers the housing side. EU citizens who intend to stay can also ask OAMP for a registration certificate (potvrzení o přechodném pobytu).

Booking, and the usual mistakes

Many offices use online booking, and the Ministry's pages link to the tool for each service. Pick the right service type, and if no slot shows, look again at different times of day, since cancellations appear. Bring a Czech speaker if you can.

The same errors repeat: a lease the landlord has not signed, a copy where the office wants an original, counting calendar days instead of working days, and leaving without a confirmation. Photograph every form and stamp before you leave the counter. A landlord who refuses to sign is also a warning sign; read rental scams in Prague before you pay anything.

The newcomer circuit has a social side as well, and meeting expats in Prague covers where it happens.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to register with the foreign police?

You report your place of stay: within 3 working days as a third-country national, within 30 days as an EU citizen staying longer. Hotels do it for guests.

Do the foreign police issue residence permits?

No. The Ministry of the Interior (OAMP) decides on residence permits and changes of address of permit holders.

What if my landlord will not sign?

You cannot complete the report without a valid address document. Talk to the landlord or find another place.

Look up your deadline on the Police and Ministry of the Interior websites and put it in your calendar.

This is a general explainer, not legal advice.