Family Reunification in Czech Republic: Complete Guide 2026
Family reunification allows your spouse and children to join you in the Czech Republic. Learn how long the person you are joining must have lived here, documents, and application process.
Use this guide with
- EU Citizen: Application for Registration CertificateOfficial form · free guidance
- Long-term Residence Permit Application or ExtensionOfficial form · free guidance
- EU Family Member: Application for Temporary Residence PermitOfficial form · free guidance
Guide Contents
Family members of a non-EU national who holds a residence permit in the Czech Republic can apply for family reunification.
Eligible family members:
- Spouse (must be a genuine marriage, not one of convenience)
- Minor children (under 18)
- Dependent adult children (in specific circumstances)
- Dependent parents (over 65, in specific circumstances)
Sponsor requirements:
- Must have lived in Czech Republic for long enough — and how long depends on their permit (§ 42a(7) of Act 326/1999): 15 months for a long-term or permanent residence permit (and spouses must both be at least 20); 6 months for an Employee Card; no minimum for an EU Blue Card or certain other specified permits
- Must hold a residence permit valid for at least 6 more months
- Must prove sufficient income to support family members
- Must have adequate accommodation (minimum space requirements)
Income requirements:
- Sponsor + 1 family member: the LIVING minimum for two persons (5,000 + 3,750 CZK) plus a housing component whose formula changed on 2026-06-12 and whose amount we cannot confirm — check mpsv.gov.cz.
- Each additional family member adds to the requirement
The sponsor provides:
- Proof of residence (residence card copy)
- Proof of income (employment contract, tax returns, bank statements)
- Proof of accommodation (rental contract showing sufficient space)
- Health insurance proof
The family member provides:
- Application form
- Valid passport
- 2 passport photos
- Marriage certificate (for spouse) or birth certificate (for children) — apostilled and translated
- Criminal record (for adults, apostilled and translated)
- Health insurance for Czech Republic
Submit at: Czech embassy in the family member's country of residence
Processing time: 270 days (9 months) — one of the longest wait times in Czech immigration
Timeline overview:
- Sponsor holds a long-term or permanent residence permit and has resided at least 15 months → family can apply. For spouses reuniting, each must also be at least 20 years old (§ 42a(7)(a) of Act 326/1999).
- Application submitted at embassy → 270-day processing
- Decision → collect visa at embassy
- Arrival in Czech Republic → register at Foreign Police within 3 days
- Apply for residence card at OAMP
Important: Family members receive a residence permit for the same duration as the sponsor's permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
3 common questions answered
The Ministry has 270 days to decide a family reunification long-term residence application (§ 169t(6)(a)(6) of Act 326/1999). When your spouse or minor child can apply depends on your permit (§ 42a(7) of Act 326/1999): after 15 months if you hold long-term or permanent residence (and, if you are spouses, both of you must be at least 20), after 6 months if you hold an Employee Card, and with no waiting period if you hold an EU Blue Card. Other family members are not covered by that rule. Then the application processing takes up to 270 days (9 months).
Yes, family members with a residence permit for family reunification have unrestricted access to the Czech labour market — no work permit needed.
There is no strict legal minimum, but the accommodation must be deemed adequate for the number of family members. As a guideline, expect at least 8-12 sqm per person.
Forms you'll need
The official forms for this process, explained in English.
Related Guides
Get important Czech immigration updates by email.
Occasional updates when official rules change, with sources and who they affect. Confirm your email to subscribe. Unsubscribe anytime.
Want help with your own case?
ProThis guide stays free. Pro is 149 Kč a month and adds the assistant, unlimited exam papers and the A2 and B1 language exams, the document generators and saved case tracking.
See what Pro includes