Job Discussion Forums

[HLJ]

Hi. I need some advice please.

I'm an American with a CELTA and some teaching experience.

My primary goal is to obtain permanent EU residency. I want to live in Europe and not in the US.

I have done some research and understand that I can set up a limited liabilty company, an SRO, in the Czech Republic through which I can set up a business (including freelance English teaching) or buy property. This would give me a purpose of stay to apply for Czech residency.
I understand that this residency permit would be valid for 1 year and is renewable. After 5 years of residency, I can then apply for permanent residency (in the Czech Republic/EU).

Does this sound correct?

I read that if I get a Czech residency permit, I don't actually have to live in the country full-time. Does this sound correct?

Ideally, I would like to set up an SRO, get a Czech residency permit, live and work in the Czech Republic AND other EU countries, and finally get permanent residency after 5 years.

Does this sound feasible?

Is it possible to use my temporary Czech residency permit to work in other EU countries? In other words, what countries allow or have agreements with the Czech Republic that allow Czech residents to work in their country?

I've been to the Czech Republic several times and would love to live there but I also want to live and work in other countries so I am looking for a way to get proper EU residency.

I know I could apply for a teaching job with a school and go through the whole work visa process but I think setting up my own company and possibly starting my own business might be a better idea (though you actually don't have to do anything with an SRO - you can have a company in name only).

Any information, advice, suggestions,...is/are greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Henry

[spiral78]

Hi, Henry. I'll offer what I can here, though I think there are others on the forum with possibly more specific info to your situation.

I am a permanent Czech resident through marraige (hence, I don't know so much about obtaining it through investment/business channels). With permanent residency (and you'd better hurry, because there is consideration of requiring applicants for per. res. to pass a Czech language test!!) you do NOT have a right to work in other EU member countries, only to reside here. Your permanent residency documents are relevant only inside the Czech Rep. They mean nothing whatsoever to the officials of any other country.

After X years of holding permanent residency (during which time you do NOT have to live full time in the country) you can apply for Czech citizenship. For me, this was three years, but I do not know if the laws are different if you apply based on a business in the country as versus family ties.

Czech CITIZENS can work in some EU member countries. Netherlands, the UK, and I think Spain are included. Germany, only on a limited basis. The laws vary by country. They may change over time, to be more open (or less). There IS a language exam for citizenship (and rightfully so, I believe).

The long and short of it is that you would have to serve your time in this country and become a citizen to gain right-to-work in other EU countries, as the law currently stands.

[HLJ]

Hi Spiral.

Thanks for the info. Very helpful.

A couple of questions:

You mentioned that you do NOT have to live full-time in the CR to maintain residency - is there a minimum amount of time you have to be there every year? I know some countries require a minimum of 6 months per year.

To obtain Czech citizenship, do you have to give up your original citizenship or can you have dual citizenship?

Thanks again!

[spiral78]

Now, I definitely can't give you specific legal advice. I can only relate my personal experience.

I don't think there is a minimum - at least, I can say for certain that they've never questioned me on this. However, I have a permanent address here - which I own. I think it could be different if you come for a few months each year and just rent a flat. You might be able to find definitive info in English regarding this on some Czech Embassy website.

As for whether you can have dual citizenships, my understanding is that the answer is yes - but that may not apply in all cases. Your home country (the US, right?) may or may not allow you to hold dual citizenship. I believe that in my case, as my second citizenship is through marraige, that I am eligible for both. Marraige may not be a necessary component. You could likely find some info on this at the US Embassy website (D.C.'s central one, I imagine).

[Fledermaus]

[spiral78]

The office in Tabor tells me that exceptions are sometimes made. No matter, I'll give up the US one, personally - but of the four or five major criteria, local officials have the authority to waive one, if they wish.