Moving to Prague from the UK: what Brexit changed and what to arrange

Before 2021 a Briton could decide on a Friday, book a one-way flight to Prague and be registered by the following week. Today the same Briton needs a plan. The Czech welcome is the same, and the rules are not. Which rules apply depends mostly on a single date: 31 December 2020.

Who you are under the rules

Since 1 January 2021 UK nationals are third-country nationals in Czechia, like Americans or Australians. The Ministry of the Interior (OAMP) decides on residence permits. The foreign police handle the first report of place of stay after arrival, border matters and checks, but they do not decide permits (as of 2026; check the Ministry of the Interior).

If you were already here

Britons who were resident in Czechia by 31 December 2020 and applied under the Withdrawal Agreement hold biometric cards marked "Article 50 TEU". The deadline to exchange the older document for that card was 31 August 2022. If you are in that group, your rights continue, but you still need to keep documents valid and to inform the Ministry of the Interior of changes. Contact OAMP if your card is lost, expired or about to be.

If you are arriving now

Short stays. UK citizens can stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180 without a visa. Our Schengen 90/180 guide shows how to count. You cannot work on a short stay.

Long stays. For more than 90 days you need a long-term visa (up to one year) or a long-term residence permit (over one year). The usual routes are:

• Employee card. A dual residence and work permit tied to a vacancy in the central register. The pay must at least meet the minimum wage and the agreed weekly hours. There is no guaranteed-wage condition for private employers since 2025.
• EU Blue Card. For higher-qualified work with a contract of at least six months, with a salary threshold set by regulation.
• Trade licence. For freelancers and the self-employed, with a visa or permit alongside. See freelancing in Prague.
• Digital Nomad programme. For remote workers from listed countries. The UK is on the list reported in 2026 (as of 2026; check CzechInvest and the Ministry of the Interior). Read digital nomads in Czechia.

Applications from abroad are generally made at a Czech embassy; check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the nearest and for booking rules. Many permits ask for a criminal record check and a translation by a court-appointed translator, so allow time.

Health, tax and pensions

Health cover. The UK's GHIC covers temporary stays, not residence. Employees in Czechia are covered through the public system. Non-EU foreigners outside it must hold commercial insurance that meets the Foreigners Act (as of 2026; check the Ministry of the Interior). See Czech health insurance for newcomers.

Tax. You become a Czech tax resident with a permanent home here or a habitual stay of at least 183 days in a calendar year (as of 2026; check Finanční správa). The UK and Czechia have a double taxation convention dating from 1990, which affects how income is taxed. See tax residency explained and take professional advice on pensions, savings and property you leave behind.

Driving. Rules on UK licences for residents vary, so check with the relevant Czech authority before you rely on one (as of 2026; check the Ministry of Transport).

Money, home and the first month

Open a Czech bank account in the first fortnight; see best banks for foreigners. Sort the flat by reading renting from abroad and the one-week search plan. Plug adapters are required, since UK three-pin plugs do not fit; see our plugs guide. The first 30 days plan sets the order.

If you plan to buy later, Hypoteky.com has a guide to mortgages for foreigners in Czechia, which explains how lenders treat non-EU borrowers. It is a place to start reading, not advice.

Pets, parcels and everyday leftovers

Brexit changed the small things too. UK pets travelling to the EU need an animal health certificate, not an EU pet passport. The rules change, so check the State Veterinary Administration (SVS) before you book. Household goods you ship now cross a customs border, so ask the Czech Customs Administration how personal belongings are treated and keep an inventory. Parcels ordered from UK shops after you arrive can attract import charges that did not exist before 2021.

Close or redirect the rest from a list: UK direct debits, the address on your UK bank accounts and your UK mobile plan, swapped for a Czech SIM (our SIM guide covers the choice). Tell your UK bank about the move early, or a card may be blocked when you most need it.

Frequently asked questions

Do UK citizens need a visa for Czechia?

Not for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180. For longer stays and work you need a long-term visa or residence permit.

What is the Article 50 TEU card?

A biometric residence card for Britons who were resident in Czechia by 31 December 2020 and are covered by the Withdrawal Agreement.

Does the UK's GHIC cover me if I live in Czechia?

No. It covers temporary stays. Residents are insured through the Czech public system or, where required, commercial insurance.

Can I use the Digital Nomad programme?

The UK is on the reported list. Check the fields, income and procedure with CzechInvest and the Ministry of the Interior.

Today: work out whether you belong to the pre-2021 group or the new-arrival group. Everything else follows from that.

This is a general explainer, not legal or tax advice.