Pros and cons of living in the Czech Republic
In search of a better life, Russians go abroad and try to build their lives there. The prospect of life in Europe seduces and beckons, and the wonderful stories of migrants from Russia only add fuel to the fire.
Before planning to move to another country, you should carefully study the issue, determine the advantages and disadvantages of your decision, and prepare for the inevitable difficulties. The Czech Republic attracts with its stable economy and high standard of living.
The advantages of living in this country also include:
- Geographical position . Just a couple of hours drive from Prague you can find yourself in Germany. Slovakia, Poland and Austria are also nearby.
- Climate. All four seasons are expressed in the weather. Cool winter, hot summer, warm autumn and spring.
- Ecology . In all cities, residential areas have green parks with lush vegetation, where you can meet representatives of the forest fauna.
- Public transport . Everything happens according to schedule and with small frequency. Trolleybuses run around the clock. Czechs purchase a long-term travel pass, which is valid for all types of transport. In Prague it will cost only 2010 rubles. per month. Also, one cannot fail to note the quality of the roads.
- All amenities have been created for people with disabilities . Many houses have ramps, and bus drivers, if necessary, leave the passenger compartment during a stop and throw over a special bridge.
- Free higher education.
Emigration to the Czech Republic from Russia is beneficial because the country has free higher education. - Medicine is at a good level with state insurance.
Emigration to the Czech Republic from Russia is not as simple as it seems at first glance, and life will be full of obstacles for a foreigner.
Those who have already taken this step note the following disadvantages of living in this country:
- The high cost of utilities, mobile communications and the Internet compared to Russia.
- Expensive gasoline. For comparison, you will have to pay about 87 rubles for a liter of AI-95. per liter
- Those who do not have citizenship of the country, but only have a residence permit, will need to purchase insurance for the child at their own expense. This is not a cheap option and will cost about 600 euros per year.
- Foreigners who do not speak Czech may have difficulty finding work. English is not widely spoken, let alone Russian.
Permanent residence in the Czech Republic: why here?
First, let's look at the advantages of this direction. What exactly is the Czech Republic attractive to Russians?
Firstly, the Czech Republic is one of the safest countries in Europe. A stable socio-political situation has reigned here for many years. And the crime rate is low compared to other countries.
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There are no military and social clashes and conflicts, there is no reason for protests, street fights and robberies. A measured and leisurely existence in the country creates an atmosphere of complete security, a feeling of stability and peace for everyone who lives here.
Secondly, the Czech Republic is one of the former fraternal republics. The Czechs are in many ways similar to us Russians, and it’s not surprising, because we are Slavic brothers. Even the languages have some similarities. Although the mentality of our peoples is different, we certainly have a lot in common.
Therefore, it is in this country that it is easiest for our citizens to adapt to environmental conditions. In addition, the old generation Czechs still speak Russian quite well.
The state monitors security. Photo: pixabay.com
Thirdly, the Czech Republic is an incredibly beautiful country. Its capital is not a modern, noisy metropolis, but a cozy, clean, fabulous city - a piece of good old Europe. There are many interesting sights here, where you can feel the unique local flavor. City squares, town halls, monuments and architectural ensembles are especially beautiful. Everything is literally imbued with the spirit of medieval antiquity.
Average salary in the Czech Republic
Despite the fact that the Czech economy has stabilized over the past 30 years, wages have remained low compared to other European countries. Nevertheless, the standard of living of the population is good. The most in-demand employees will be professionals with experience in the technical field, as well as doctors of various fields.
Below is the salary ranking by profession:
Profession | Average salary (euros) |
Lawyer | 1500 — 1900 |
Programmer | 1500 — 2000 |
Accountant | 1200 — 1750 |
Doctor | 1200 — 1600 |
Engineer | 1000 — 1400 |
Fireman, policeman | 1100 |
Teacher | 1000 |
Plumber, builder | 920 — 1100 |
Welder | 800 — 1000 |
Electrician | 750 — 900 |
Guide, nanny | 700 — 800 |
Housemaid | 640 — 750 |
Salesman | 600 — 700 |
Waiter | 560 — 690 |
Nurse | 500 — 700 |
Seamstress | 500 — 650 |
The salary is determined by the city of work. The highest level of salaries is in Prague, and the lowest in Karlovy Vary. The state has established a minimum wage (minimum wage) before taxes. It is determined by two indicators: per hour and per month with an 8-hour working week.
In the first case, the minimum wage is 2.9 euros, and in the second – 488 euros. Income tax is 15% and does not vary depending on income level. Those whose annual income is less than 16,000 euros are exempt from paying income tax.
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Even more advantages
Unlike, for example, Germany, the Czech Republic is not the most prosperous European country, but it is far from poor.
- Residents of the country are provided with everything they need, earn good money and receive social benefits . The Czech Republic boasts a developed infrastructure, a well-established transport system, roads, well-maintained streets and other benefits of civilized life. The country as a whole has a stable economic situation and a high standard of living.
- The average salary level is close to the European level - translated into our money, about 80,000 rubles. The minimum salary is over 36,000 rubles. And pensioners receive on average 30,000 and above. Medicine is paid, but its level is high. The quality of medical care is much better than ours. The cost of medical insurance for a year is about 17,000 rubles.
- The Czech Republic is a favorite tourist route not only for tourists from Russia and neighboring Slavic republics, but also for other nations. People from literally all over the world come here to relax and enjoy the beauty of Prague.
- The country has free public education . After graduating from university, you can get a job in any of the EU countries, since a Czech diploma corresponds to the European model and is quoted in many leading EU countries.
- Convenient geographical location . There are many European countries in the neighborhood, which are literally a stone's throw away: Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Poland.
- There is amazing nature and a wonderful mild climate . Clean ecology. There are no sharp temperature changes, like ours, and natural phenomena are quite rare. Add to this the delicious national cuisine, the beauty of architectural structures, the friendliness of the locals and you will get a complete picture of the advantages of life in this country.
The Czech Republic is a country with a stable economy. Photo: pixabay.com
Comparison of prices in Russia and the Czech Republic for different areas of life
Emigration to the Czech Republic from Russia can significantly affect the way of life, eating habits, financial costs and other aspects of life. The price categories of the two capitals are at the same level, there are no big differences.
Average prices for goods in different categories are presented in the table below.
Product | Czech Republic, Prague) | Russia Moscow) |
Food | ||
Oranges (1 kg) | 75 – 150 rub. | from 80 rub. |
Bananas (1 kg) | from 80 rub. | from 75 rub. |
Cucumbers (1 kg) | from 90 rub. | 150 rub. |
Tomatoes (1 kg) | From 90 rub. | 140 rub. |
Potatoes (1 kg) | From 40 rub. | 38 rub. |
Milk (1 l) | 54 – 75 rub. | 47 rub. |
Chicken breast (1 kg) | 540 rub. | 380 rub. |
Minced pork (1 kg) | 420 rub. | 280 rub. |
Bread | 60 – 90 rub. | 40 – 60 rub. |
Eggs (10 pcs.) | 90 rub. | 60 rub. |
Water (0.5 l) | 36 rub. | 26 rub. |
Catering establishments | ||
Coffee "Americano | 120 rub. | 90 rub. |
Beer (0.5 l) | 120 rub. | 150 rub. |
Salads | from 300 rub. | from 280 rub. |
Second courses | from 450 rub. | from 320 rub. |
Dessert | from 300 rub. | from 180 rub. |
Transport | ||
One trip (for any public transport) | 72 rub. | 55 rub. |
Gasoline (per liter) | ||
AI-95 | 86,1 | 45.9 |
AI-98 | 94,3 | 50,11 |
Diesel | 88,3 | 46,7 |
Utilities (per month) | ||
Gas (m³) | 34,5 | 6,9 |
Water (m³) | 262,2 | 263,8 |
Internet and television | 1167 | 800 |
Garbage removal (per person) | 188 | 90 |
Is it easy to be a migrant in the Czech Republic, or let’s weigh it again
Being a migrant is not easy in any country. And it’s not about the notorious birch trees, of which there are plenty in the Czech Republic, but about a change in mentality. It is impossible to live in the Czech Republic and not behave like a Czech. You cannot prepare for this in advance, but, fortunately, good-natured locals forgive many mistakes and ignorance while getting used to it.
Immigration to the Czech Republic from Russia follows exactly the same psychological principles as most other things: addiction, denial, hatred, understanding, approval... Any emigrant will first be delighted with the clean streets, calm atmosphere, abundance of quality products, Czech prudence. After some time, clean streets will be annoying, because they are not actually perfectly clean, the abundance of products will come with high prices, and the smart approach and European prudence will seem like ordinary stinginess and greed. And then the migrant gets used to living in Czech realities: he doesn’t see anything wrong with saving, he just dresses, and doesn’t demonstrate his wealth. And then he sincerely falls in love with this country and begins to understand and accept the mentality.
The Czech authorities deliberately do not create enclaves or ghettos, where visitors are grouped along ethnic lines and keep to themselves. They simplify and speed up adaptation, making emigration conditions closer to Czech life. Thus, both migrants and Czechs work at the same enterprises, live in similar conditions, and go to the same stores. Migrants have no choice: there are no special retail outlets, cinemas, or their own doctors - sooner or later they have to join the general Czech life and learn to coexist peacefully.
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Basic documents for moving
So, the decision to move has been made, but it alone is not enough. Czech authorities will need a valid reason to admit a new member of society. The first step to obtaining further citizenship will be obtaining a residence permit (RP). Each situation will have its own package of documents necessary to confirm the validity of emigration.
In addition, there is a basic set of documents for applying for a residence permit:
- Foreign and Russian passports.
- Certificates of good conduct in the Czech Republic and Russia.
- Insurance policy, the amount of which starts from 30,000 euros.
- Certificate from the bank about the status of the account.
- A document confirming the conclusion of a real estate lease agreement for a period of 1 year or more or the purchase of living space.
All documents provided from Russia must be translated into Czech by translators with a valid license and notarized. When choosing an insurance company, preference should be given to those who have the right to operate in the Czech Republic. The bank account must contain an amount no less than the subsistence level.
At the time of 2021, there must be a minimum of 10,230 rubles per person. per month. For two adults, 17,910 rubles are allotted, an adult and a child under 5 years old - 14,640 rubles, 2 adults and a child of the same age - 23,130 rubles.
Obtaining a residence permit
You can apply for a residence permit if you have suitable grounds and if your stay is for more than 30 days. Documents for obtaining a residence permit are submitted in person to the department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the Czech Republic. The residence permit is issued for a period of 1 year, with the possibility of extension.
Package of required documents:
- Statement.
- Photocopy of the international passport.
- A document confirming that you are provided with housing (purchase or rental agreement).
- Bank account statement confirming your financial independence.
- Receipt for payment of state duty.
- Paid health insurance.
- Certificate of no criminal record.
- Certificate of absence of debts in Russia.
Additional documents and the amount of state duty depend on the grounds for obtaining a residence permit. The application is considered for 1-2 months. All Russian-language documents must be translated into Czech and notarized.
A residence permit in the Czech Republic gives the right to:
- Legal stay in the territory of the Czech Republic during the period of validity of the residence permit and the ability to move freely throughout the Schengen zone.
- Relatively easy to obtain a visa to the United States of America, Canada and Australia.
- Find a job in the country.
- Get an education at universities and colleges in the Czech Republic.
- Use the services of European banks.
- After 5 years, apply for permanent residence.
Emigration routes: advantages of methods, features, additional documents, conditions
Emigration to the Czech Republic from Russia can be reproduced in several ways. It all depends on the purpose and motives of the move.
Job. In-demand professions in the Czech Republic in 2021
Having received a Russian education and some work experience, some specialists go to Europe to look for work. The Czech Republic has become one of the most popular destinations for Russians. In 2021, the most in demand professions were from the medical field, namely dentists, surgeons and nurses.
Also in demand are metallurgists, programmers, chemists, blue-collar workers and drivers.
The demand for seasonal work is always high, so working as a guide or hotel employee is also in demand. The process of traveling to the Czech Republic on a work visa has its difficulties. First, you should find an employer who is willing to undertake the obligations of preparing documents for the work of a foreign citizen.
Secondly, the employer will be required to certify to the Ministry of Labor that no one from the country is suitable for the proposed position. Only after these stages will the ministry issue a work permit and will it be possible to obtain a work visa, the maximum period of which will be 2 years. Upon completion, there is the possibility of extension.
Documents required when applying for a work visa:
- Visa application form.
- International passport and a copy of all completed pages.
- Russian passport and copies of all completed pages.
- Photo 3.5*4.5 cm.
- Documents confirming the purpose of stay.
- Bank account statement.
- A document certifying your place of residence.
- Insurance policy.
In addition to the main package of documents, situations arise in which the embassy may request additional certificates, such as an education document or medical certificates.
Education
Moving to the Czech Republic under the guise of studying is quite possible for people aged 16 to 30 years. The education process can take place not only in Czech, but also in English or German, it all depends on the chosen educational institution and specialty.
After a detailed study of all universities and possible options for obtaining an education, you can start preparing to collect documents for a visa.
The main package includes:
- University confirmation of enrollment.
- International passport, expiring no earlier than in 11 months, copies of it.
- Questionnaire.
- 2 photos 3.5x4.5.
- Rental agreement for an apartment or property.
Marriage
Connecting your life with a citizen of the Czech Republic is perhaps one of the simplest ways to obtain citizenship. You can become a full member of society after three years of official marriage. The Czech government thoroughly checks each such couple to avoid entering into fictitious marriages.
A migrant, if a relationship fails, is left with nothing. If the marriage is proven to be fictitious, then the visitor receives arrest and subsequent deportation with a ban on entry into the country.
To register a marriage in the Czech Republic, you will need the following documents:
- A copy of a valid international passport.
- Birth certificate translated into Czech.
- Certificate of no obstacles to marriage from the Russian Consulate.
- Certificate of legal stay in the country, obtained from one of the police stations dealing with foreigners. It must be received no later than 7 days before the expected wedding date.
Family reunification
The law provides for obtaining the right to life in the Czech Republic for persons whose family, for one reason or another, ended up in the republic.
For the purpose of family reunification, it is possible to obtain a residence permit for the following family ties:
- Spouse or child.
- Adopted children.
- Parent or guardian of a minor alien who has been granted asylum.
- An incapacitated pensioner over 65 years of age, if his close relatives live in the Czech Republic.
An application for a visa is submitted to the Czech consulate in the territory of the Russian Federation, through which a foreigner enters the country. After entry, a residence permit is issued.
To the standard package of documents for obtaining a residence permit you must add:
- Document on relationship.
- Certificate of income of the host party. The amount of income should not be less than the minimum subsistence level established per person by the legislation of the country.
- An invitation from a relative living in the Czech Republic.
Investments
Opening your own business in the Czech Republic gives you the right to obtain a residence permit. The company must be operating, regularly generate income, and also provide jobs. The country has created all the favorable conditions for doing business: transparent tax schemes, friendliness of credit institutions.
Before applying for a visa, you must obtain a business license from the Trade Department of the Czech municipality.
Then submit the following documents to the country's consulate:
- International passport.
- Document about the purpose of arrival.
- Document on rent of living space.
- 2 photos.
- Medical insurance and certificate of passing the necessary tests.
After 2 months it is possible to apply for a residence permit.
Refugee
The Czech government carefully considers each candidate; only a few are awarded refugee status. The list of persons entitled to be called refugees is established by the Geneva Convention.
If a foreign citizen is persecuted or faces imprisonment because of his race, nationality, political affiliation, or religion, he may qualify as a refugee. This can be done when crossing the border or at the station for working with foreigners.
There is a rule that you need to submit an application to the country whose border is crossed first.
The Czech Republic is located inside Europe, so the number of refusals is high. During the consideration of the application, the foreigner is located in a refugee camp and is not allowed to leave it. If he refuses, he faces deportation with a further ban on entry into the European Union.
Buying a property
It is possible to purchase real estate in the Czech Republic, but this cannot become a reason for obtaining a residence permit. However, owning your own property will be a great advantage when combined with other reasons. When submitting documents for a residence permit, the question of place of residence will arise and your own living space will play into your hands. Also, real estate will provide the opportunity to obtain a long-term Schengen visa.
Reasons for emigrating to the Czech Republic from Russia
Czech legislation provides several options for the possibility of immigration of foreigners. The most common are:
- Employment.
- Getting an education.
- Marriage or family reunion.
- Investments.
- Own business.
- Buying a property.
Let's look at each basis in more detail.
Employment
You can start looking for work while in Russia or upon arrival in the country. The Internet can help with this, namely sites with job vacancies. The most common ones are: portal.mpsv.cz, 24ru.com, flagma.cz. While in the country, you can contact recruitment agencies, but this requires permission from local authorities. There are also special labor exchanges that select vacant positions quite quickly, but for this, an immigrant must have a residence permit. When a place of work is found, it is necessary to provide a contract with the employer with specified information about the position and salary.
Getting an education
In recent years, receiving education at higher educational institutions in the Czech Republic has become increasingly popular. Students are attracted by availability, prices and the opportunity to obtain a residence permit. Moreover, universities in the country teach not only in Czech, but also in English and German.
The most popular among foreigners are Prague's Charles University and the Czech Technical University. Diplomas from Czech universities meet European standards and are valued throughout Europe. You can obtain a residence permit without studying at a university; it is enough to enroll in language courses.
The following documents will be required for immigration on this basis:
- Original and copy of international passport.
- Application form filled out in Latin.
- Contract with an educational institution.
- 2 photos.
- Document on financial security. This could be a bank statement. The minimum amount for a year for one person is about 3,000 euros. If the student is under 18 years old, the amount is halved.
- Certificate of no criminal record.
- Documentary proof that you have a place of residence.
Documents in Russian must be translated into the official language of the Czech Republic and notarized.
Marriage or family reunion
Getting married is a fairly common way to move to a country and obtain a residence permit. Every year, about 100 Russian residents connect their lives with subjects of the Czech state and find a new homeland in the Czech Republic. Immediately after registering a marriage, an immigrant can receive a temporary residence permit, and after two years, permanent residence status. The country of marriage registration does not matter.
An application for a residence permit on this basis is submitted to the department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, to which a package of necessary documents is attached. A complete list of required documents can be found at the nearest police station. The application is considered on average for about one month and, if a positive decision is made, the applicant is invited to the Ministry of Internal Affairs to obtain a residence permit certificate.
Investing in the economy
Contribution to the country's economy allows investors to move to the country and obtain residence permit status. Many investors are attracted to the Czech Republic by its stable economic growth, which guarantees minimal risks when investing. And prices are more affordable than in other Schengen countries. You can invest in the economy through a business (your own or an existing one). You can also purchase shares. Proof of investment is an open account in a bank in the country with the required amount. A residence permit on this basis is issued for 1 year with the right to extension. The Ministry of Internal Affairs makes a decision on this issue in a short time, about 1-2 months.
Business
Business immigration to the country involves registering your own business or purchasing an existing one. Entitles you to obtain a residence permit. The most attractive thing about this program is that the established authorized capital is only 1 crown (0.039 euros).
However, you should know that the higher the authorized capital, the greater the evidence of the profitability of the business, which means the greater the chances of obtaining a residence permit. Registration of a business will not take much time; usually the application is considered no more than 15 days. A prerequisite is that your enterprise must employ at least 20 citizens of this country.
To register your own business you will need the following documents:
- Business plan.
- Photocopy of the international passport.
- Photocopy of birth certificate.
- Certificate of no criminal record.
- Documents for the company with the specified address where the main office will be located, with telephone numbers and email addresses.
Purchase of real estate
Purchasing real estate is the most profitable way of immigration, as it guarantees not only a residence permit, but also your own home. The value of the property does not matter, and the amount does not appear in the cadastral extract at all. Even if you do not need to reside in the country permanently, and there is no need for a residence permit, purchasing real estate gives you the right to a Schengen multiple visa, which means that you can come to the country an unlimited number of times.
Real estate prices are pleasing with their affordability. So a one-room apartment can be bought for 10,000 euros. When choosing this basis, you must add an extract from the cadastre to the standard package of documents for obtaining a residence permit.
Stages of emigration
Emigration to the Czech Republic from Russia is a labor-intensive and energy-consuming process. The path to your goal can be divided into several stages. First of all, you should make sure that the decision was made correctly and prepare for the move. To do this, you need to visit the country, which can be done with a tourist visa.
During your stay, you should discover the non-tourist Czech Republic: find out about the possible rental of an apartment, determine the amount needed to buy groceries, choose your future area of residence and get to know the mentality of the Czechs better.
Staying in the country for more than 3 months is prohibited on a tourist visa. Also, such a document does not give the right to work. You should not look for illegal ways to earn money or try to stay for a longer period without good reason.
Czech legislation takes the issue of immigration seriously and if violations are detected, it will be impossible to obtain permission to live in the country. Therefore, upon returning home after visiting the country, you should prepare to apply for a residence permit.
Obtaining a residence permit may be based on the following reasons:
- Family reunification.
- Education.
- Job.
- Business.
- Investments.
Each of the directions requires its own package of documents, already described above.
Basic methods
Decide in advance which methods of immigration to the Czech Republic are best for you. The required documents and features of the procedure will depend on the chosen method. Also, the reason for the move determines the financial costs, the chances of obtaining approval and the prospects for further obtaining citizenship. It is important to use only thoughtful and legally clear methods.
Job
If you are planning to move to the Czech Republic for work, consider the following points:
- To work in your specialty, you may need nostrification of your diploma. This is not a difficult, but rather long process.
- If you are a lawyer or doctor, you will need to pass a qualifying exam that will confirm your language minimum and knowledge.
- You also need to understand that the indigenous people of the country receive priority in the distribution of vacancies and have a better chance of good salaries and favorable working conditions.
Emigrating through a work visa is one of the most difficult options. After the crisis, the unemployment rate in the Czech Republic has increased, and the state is determined to provide jobs for its citizens. However, you can find a job. Specialists in the field of tourism have the best chance of achieving this. The chances increase if, in addition to Czech, you are fluent in English or German, or better yet, both languages. If you are interested in an employer and he hires you, you must receive an invitation indicating your future position. An organization that hires a foreign citizen must obtain permission from the Ministry of Labor. Then the future Czech citizen will be able to apply for a work visa.
Despite this, it is quite possible to successfully find a job in the Czech Republic. In addition, being a member of the EU provides excellent opportunities to immigrate to neighboring countries that are considered wealthier.
There is another option for labor emigration - obtaining a “blue card”. It is issued to valuable highly paid specialists. This document was submitted at the initiative of the European Union. It is aimed at helping personnel with in-demand professions. This applies, for example, to highly qualified physicists, chemists and IT specialists. However, you can only get a card if there is no suitable candidate from the EU. This type of emigration involves some restrictions regarding wages. If you apply for a “blue card”, you must earn at least 1.5 times more than the average salary in the country, which in the Czech Republic is 1.5 thousand euros. Only in this case is the candidate considered particularly valuable, but it is not a fact that he will choose the Czech Republic.
One of the advantages of the “blue card” is the ability to apply for permanent residence within 2.5 years after entering the country. It also makes it possible to bring your family with you and guarantees employment with good pay. However, there are also disadvantages - you need to have a rare, in-demand and highly paid profession. This program is mainly aimed at citizens of China and India, so Russians consider it the last thing.
For any immigrant, regardless of what program he is moving under, the issue of employment is relevant. The most in-demand professions in the Czech Republic are doctors of all categories, as well as nurses, drivers and blue-collar workers.
- Working professions, such as a kitchen worker, a general worker in production, a cashier, a cleaner, a washer, are not paid very highly in the Czech Republic, but you can get a job without a diploma and knowledge of the language. The average salary for these specialties is 12-15 thousand crowns.
- For workers in science and medicine, high salaries are provided, amounting to about 50 thousand crowns or more, as well as decent social guarantees.
- IT specialists are in high demand. They receive from 50-60 thousand crowns, a contract on favorable terms and stability. You can find a suitable vacancy through the labor exchange, intermediaries, or on your own.
However, in fact, not everything is as perfect as the advertising brochures promise us. If you don’t have any qualifications, but urgently need to find income, pay attention to construction, manufacturing or factory occupations. The pay will not be high, but you will receive official employment and a standardized schedule.
A promising, but very difficult option is emigration to work as a doctor. But keep in mind that your category will be canceled here. You will need to confirm your qualifications and knowledge of the Czech language. This is, in principle, quite possible, although it will take a long time. If you pass all the tests successfully, you can count on a very good salary.
Suitable vacancies for those who are not highly qualified, but have a high level of qualifications, are a taxi driver, a tour guide, a realtor. However, income in such areas is not very large and it is difficult to fully predict it.
Education
Studying at a university in the Czech Republic involves staying in the country for a long period and obtaining a residence permit in an accelerated manner. There are a number of features. Thus, free education is provided in the Czech language. You will have to pay to study in Russian. However, this does not affect the immigration process.
There are no age restrictions - even a pensioner can enroll in a higher education institution. But the specialties obtained before should not be similar to the one you plan to get in the Czech Republic. The university must be accredited. During your studies, you must obtain a visa from the embassy, which can be extended in the future.
Marriage
Immigration to the Czech Republic and Russia is possible through marriage to a citizen of the country. In this case, the foreign spouse receives a national visa from the embassy, which makes it possible to stay in the republic for a long time.
However, there are restrictions: you cannot move around the territory of the European Union without a spouse (except for transit), in addition, the marriage will be checked for fictitiousness, so the spouses must live together. You will also need to pass a language proficiency exam, and after three years you will be able to apply for permanent residence.
Family reunification
To emigrate to the country under the family reunification program, you need to have a good income, a permanent residence permit, and a living space of sufficient size where your loved ones will be invited. Moreover, family members do not necessarily have to work if the person initiating the reunification can provide for them. If you do not plan to obtain permanent residence, you do not need to pass the language minimum.
Investments
Business people who are ready to invest their money in the country's economy are always welcome in the Czech Republic. But to emigrate on preferential terms, you need to be a very wealthy person. Doing business involves either working for yourself (the status of a private entrepreneur or founding your own company) or the status of a founder or participant in a Czech legal entity. These aspects of business immigration to the Czech Republic will determine taxes and visa type.
To move to the Czech Republic as an investor, you need to invest at least 75 million crowns in the country’s economy, which is approximately 2.9 million euros. You can resort to collective investment when up to 5 people take part in one project. This will reduce the required amount to 575 thousand euros. The applicant is required to support at least 20 jobs.
Business immigrants need to register a legal entity in the country and contribute an authorized capital of 200 thousand crowns. A company can be registered by several founders. Each of them will receive a visa for a year with the opportunity to extend it for another two. With regular extension of a business visa, the applicant can obtain permanent residence after five years, and after 10 years - apply for citizenship.
The purchase of real estate is not the basis for obtaining any residence permit. However, having property can be an advantage. Thus, its holders can receive a Schengen multiple visa in a simplified manner, which gives them the opportunity to stay in the Czech Republic and other Schengen countries for no more than 90 days in 6 months.
Refugees
There are immigration programs to the Czech Republic aimed at refugees. Persons forced to emigrate due to political, economic or personal security issues can receive support from the Czech government and apply for asylum. There are several programs, they differ depending on the goals and motives of migration. But it is worth noting that the country’s government, as well as its residents, are not very friendly towards refugees, since they negatively affect the economy and increase the crime rate.
Although there are quite a few programs for emigrating to the Czech Republic from Russia, not every person who comes to the country can stay there. To increase your chances, it is important to comply with all formalities. What is needed to immigrate to the Czech Republic? First you need to obtain a residence permit. It is mandatory for those who plan to stay in the country for a long time. When all the requirements for obtaining it are met, you need to visit the police department within three days of arrival in the country, where biometric data will be collected. You will receive a residence permit after a few months. At first it is issued for a year. It must be extended no less than 15 days before the end of this period. The next residence permit is issued for two years. To obtain a residence permit, you need the following documents to submit:
- completed application;
- passport;
- 3 photos 3.5 by 4.5;
- a bank statement confirming that the applicant has an amount equal to fifteen subsistence minimums in the Czech Republic;
- confirmation of residence in the country;
- insurance;
- document confirming no criminal record;
- confirmation of the purposes of the visit to the country.
Persons who have lived in the Czech Republic with a residence permit for five years can obtain permanent residence. Moreover, during the year they should not leave the country for more than 2 months. An important requirement is compliance with the laws of the Czech Republic, the EU and your home country. Permanent residence is available exclusively to law-abiding citizens. You will also need to pass an exam on knowledge of the national language. In case of refusal, you can appeal the decision to the Prague Court.
After five years of living with permanent residence, you can apply to become a full-fledged citizen of this country. To do this, the following set of documents is submitted to the Ministry of Internal Affairs:
- international passport;
- birth certificate;
- documentary evidence of legal residence in the country for more than five years;
- A completed application form;
- biography;
- paper confirming marital status;
- document confirming no criminal record;
- explanations about original citizenship: you can either keep it or renounce it.
After submitting the application, the applicant's background is carefully checked and a decision is made whether to issue a Czech passport or refuse it.
Possible difficulties
When changing your country of residence, you need to be prepared to face a lot of difficulties in different areas of life. Firstly, moving involves large material costs. Collecting documents, issuing an insurance policy, state duties, renting an apartment and other expenses will be inevitable. Secondly, finding an apartment is not so easy for a Russian-speaking migrant.
According to the stories of those who have passed this stage, Czechs are more likely to rent an apartment to their compatriots than to a newcomer, so you will have to look for a landlord.
Thirdly, the language barrier plays a big role in the process of integration into society. Among the older generation there are people who have studied Russian; the younger generation does not speak it. It is possible to communicate in English, but not everyone speaks it either.
Learning Czech is a must. Finally, you should be mentally prepared for the rejection by some Czechs of a person of a different nationality. It is impossible to unite everyone, but such representatives occur quite often.
Start of moving to the Czech Republic
The Czech Republic belongs to the countries of the Schengen zone, that is, entry into it is limited by a visa regime.
To visit even as a tourist you will need a visa. Until you move to another state for permanent residence, it is advisable to visit it as a tourist. This will allow you to decide on the final option.
Additionally, the first visit allows you to accurately determine the presence of the following factors:
- availability of the required level of language proficiency;
- is the climate suitable?
- assessment of the transport system and its costs;
- checking the availability of housing space and the possibility of renting, as well as prices;
- assessment of state assistance to residents and the work of various social organizations.
Important! The future place for housing, in the form of a city or region, is selected during the first visit. This will allow you to more accurately determine the future.
During the first long visit, you get to know the culture and local people. This moment will allow you to understand whether the republic is suitable for moving or not.
Reasons for refusing an emigrant
When applying for a long-term visa, you need to be confident in your solvency and carefully prepare the entire package of documents.
The reasons for refusal to obtain a residence permit may be the following:
- Insufficient or inaccurate documents submitted by the applicant.
- Insufficient solvency of a foreigner and lack of independence.
- Violation of the laws of your home country or the Czech Republic.
If the answer to the residence permit is negative, you should, if possible, correct it and re-apply with the entire package of documents.
Where to apply for a residence permit
The collected documents are submitted to the Czech Embassy in the Russian Federation, located at: Moscow, st. Julius Fucik, 12/14 and open on weekdays from 8:30 to 17:00. For those who are already in the Czech Republic, there is the opportunity to submit documents to the local Ministry of Internal Affairs. In addition to the state fee, the applicant will have to spend money on document translations, insurance or intermediary fees.
Depending on the type of residence permit, the following application will be considered during the period:
Reason for moving | Duration (maximum) |
Study or work | 2 months |
Family reunion with residents of the Czech Republic | 9 months |
Other | 4 months |
Employee card | + 2 months |
Stages of immigration to the Czech Republic
Immigration to the Czech Republic requires compliance with many formalities and the passage of a number of procedures related to obtaining a visa, residence permit, permanent residence and citizenship.
Visa
Depending on his own plans and purposes of traveling to the Czech Republic, a foreigner has the opportunity to apply for a C visa for a short-term visit, or a D visa for a long period of validity. If a migrant plans to stay in the Czech Republic for a long time, most likely he will need a long-term D visa. You need to apply for this permit at the Czech consular office: for Russians, this is the consular department of the Czech mission in Moscow. From the list of available types of category D visas, the applicant must choose the most suitable one for himself and clarify what documents he will need to obtain this permit. You can submit a request after making a preliminary appointment at the embassy: you should register by email, the address of which is posted on the website of the mission.
When submitting a request to register for an appointment at the Consulate, the applicant must indicate personal data, the type of visa requested, email, phone number. Children under 15 years of age can be included in an adult applicant's application; all other applicants must register for admission separately. Within three days, the applicant will be notified of the date of admission: by this time all required documentation must be prepared.
The Czech Embassy in Moscow is located at: st. Julius Fucik, 12/14
Unlike visa C, (an application for which can be submitted to one of the visa centers of the Czech Republic), visa D can only be issued at a diplomatic mission (consular offices in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Yekaterinburg). The decision on the possibility of granting a long-term visa to a particular foreigner is made by the country's Ministry of Internal Affairs. After a preliminary check of the complete set of documents submitted, a special stamp is affixed to the applicant’s international passport, which indicates that the request has been accepted for consideration (and nothing more).
To clarify the circumstances of the applicant, the latter may be invited to the Consulate for an interview. In addition, the applicant may be required to provide additional documents. If there are no questions for the foreigner, a visa valid for a maximum of 1 year is affixed to the foreign passport. The applicant must travel to the Czech Republic within the next 180 days: otherwise the visa will no longer be valid. If a refusal is received, the foreigner has the right to appeal such a decision by contacting the Czech Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Residence permit and permanent residence
If a foreigner has grounds for obtaining a residence permit or permanent residence in the Czech Republic, he can submit a corresponding request to the Consulate, from where the application is sent to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the country, where a decision is made to grant permission for a long or permanent stay in the Czech Republic. In most cases, a residence permit is first issued, and after five years (if there are no grounds for reducing the residency requirement) of legal residence in the country - permanent residence. According to the information on the Consulate website, you can immediately apply for permanent residence on the basis of Czech origin or in case of family reunification .
According to the letter “For family reunification,” in this case living ancestors are needed. And, if possible, the weak who need sons, grandchildren or brotherly help. Now, if you were a Slovak or Hungarian by origin, then you can take advantage of the status of “Foreign Slovak” or “Foreign Hungarian” (at one time such laws were adopted to spite the neighbors, on the basis of reciprocity, so that the Slovaks would annoy the Hungarians and vice versa) with the possibility of to obtain permanent residence and even citizenship in an accelerated manner. However, for the Czech Republic, as far as I know, only general EU rules apply: the presence of living relatives in a direct line living in this country. try looking for them in phone books, matrices, commercial and real estate registers of the Czech Republic.
ded_vasilij
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After receiving permission to enter the country, the foreigner must travel to the Czech Republic within a maximum of 60 days. After arriving at your place of residence, you must arrive at the police office within three days to provide your biometric data. The residence permit itself, which is a plastic card with information about its owner, can be obtained in 2 months - that’s how long it takes to produce it. The residence permit must be renewed annually; to do this, 15 days (or earlier) before the expiration of its validity, you must submit a corresponding request to the police.
To qualify for permanent residence after 5 years of residence as a temporary resident, you will need to confirm that during this time you did not leave the country for more than 2 months a year, or 10 months for the entire period.
A residence permit is a plastic card containing information about its owner
Citizenship
In general, Czech citizenship becomes available to those foreigners who have lived in the country for 5 years as permanent residents (EU representatives - 3 years). Among the requirements for an applicant for citizenship:
- confirmation of a good criminal record in the Czech Republic and other countries in which the applicant lived for more than six months;
- knowledge of the Czech language at level B1. The corresponding certificate can be obtained from one of the accredited language schools. To get tested, you must pay a fee of CZK 3,300 and present a referral from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Applicants under 15 and over 65 years of age, as well as persons who received education in the Czech language, are exempt from language testing;
- successfully passing an exam on knowledge of the history, culture and fundamentals of social science of the country. The cost of taking the exam is CZK 1,600.
In addition, an applicant for Czech citizenship must:
- over the years lived in the Czech Republic, demonstrate their own integrity and law-abidingness. The foreigner must confirm that he did not violate the laws of the state, paid taxes on time, and regularly complied with the rules for a foreigner’s stay in the Czech Republic;
- have a stable income in the Czech Republic and document this;
- be able to support yourself and your family in the Czech Republic without applying for government assistance in the form of benefits (if benefits are not assigned for health reasons or are paid on the basis of refugee status).
If the foreigner meets the requirements for citizenship, he must prepare the necessary documentation and submit it to the municipality or regional government. These authorities review the application within a month, after which they forward it to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The applicant will be able to find out the final answer after 180 days. If the applicant is rejected, he will receive a notice explaining the reasons for this decision. If the reason for the refusal can be eliminated, the foreigner must correct the shortcomings and submit a second request. If the documents were returned without explanation, you can apply for citizenship next time only after 2 years.
Dual citizenship in the Czech Republic is permitted by law.
Video: moving to the Czech Republic from different angles
The procedure for extending a residence permit
The first residence permit is assigned for one year, and all subsequent ones for two years. It will not be difficult to renew it; the same documents will be required as upon initial receipt, but the insurance must be concluded for a period of at least two years.
An application for renewal of a residence permit must be submitted no later than one month before its expiration at the immigration police station. The cost of the state fee will vary from 500 to 1500 CZK.
Standard of living of ordinary people
How ordinary people live can be judged by the average life expectancy - 78 years. The state supports citizens with several types of social benefits: one-time at the birth of a child, child care, housing and others. Incomes of the population are steadily growing, and the government provides active support to local entrepreneurs.
Salaries and taxes
How much do you need to earn to have enough to live in the Czech Republic? The average salary, which is about 1,110 euros per month, is enough to pay for rent, utilities, food and everyday expenses.
The highest incomes are in the financial sector and the media sector - from 2000 euros. Good earnings for IT specialists and medical workers. Programmers from Russia can get a job even without knowing Czech.
Contributions to insurance and pension funds are made by employers and employees. From the salary established under the employment contract, 15% of personal income tax and 11% for insurance and social security are transferred to the state.
According to tax credits, the lower the salary, the less deductions will be required. The discount depends on the salary, the presence of children, and disability. It is also provided to working pensioners.
Products
A family of two can spend about 150 euros per month on food. A good lunch in a restaurant will cost 8 euros.
How much does 1 kg of some products cost:
- chicken 370 rubles;
- beef tenderloin 875 rubles;
- pork - 555 rubles;
- potatoes - 65 rubles;
- Edam cheese - 606 rubles;
- salmon fillet 1515 rubles.
In the center of Prague, you have to pay about a thousand rubles for a meat dish and two glasses of beer in a cafe.
Housing
The range of real estate prices is large and depends on location. The most expensive square meters in Prague: in the center - 4,000 euros, in the outskirts - 2,500 euros.
For renting an apartment you need to pay 800-1200 euros, for a one-room apartment - 380 euros. In other cities prices are a quarter lower.
Housing and communal services
For gas, water, electricity you must pay up to 25% of your total income. The cost of electricity and gas varies among private companies, and homeowners can choose their suppliers. In one apartment, utilities will cost 6,700 rubles. per month, in another 1000 more. Before renting a home, you need to find out how much utilities will cost.
Internet and communications
According to reviews from emigrants from Russia, the Internet is expensive and slow. On average, communication and mobile Internet costs 17 euros. This money is enough for work calls, instant messengers and navigation. There is also an unlimited tariff. Most cafes and restaurants offer free Wi-Fi.
Transport
Public transport in Prague is represented by three metro lines, a network of trams and buses. Public transport operates according to an electronic schedule. The cost of a budget ticket is 0.91 euros. For this amount you can use any type of transport for 30 minutes. If the limit is exceeded, there is a risk of paying a fine of 37.65 euros. A taxi ride from a residential area to the center costs 7 euros, which is not so expensive compared to Moscow.
Most Czechs use personal cars for out-of-town trips. They get to work by public transport. During rush hour, traffic in the central districts is dense, but there are no major traffic jams. A used mid-range car can be purchased for €2,250. A liter of gasoline costs 1.13 €.
Medicine
The high quality of Czech medical care is steadily improving due to the emergence of paid medical institutions. Persons who have a labor residence permit or permanent residence have access to state insurance. On average, insurance in a Czech private company will cost 140 euros per year.
The insurance company will pay for an ambulance call to your home only if the patient's life was truly in danger. If it turns out that a person could get to the hospital on his own, calling an ambulance will be expensive - 188.22 euros.
Education
The Czech educational system includes the stages of preschool, school and higher education. Compulsory basic education is completed from 6 to 14 years of age.
In public universities, higher education is free even for foreigners who speak Czech, this is a big plus. Immigrants sometimes use obtaining a second higher education and knowledge of the Czech language as a way to gain a foothold in the country.
You can also read about how to get an education in the Czech Republic in our other article.
Entertainment
Prague often hosts tours of world-famous musical groups. Artists from Russia come regularly. The city often organizes concerts in squares and festivals where you can try unusual food. The nightclub districts are never empty. British and German students come here. It’s no less cool here, but vacations aren’t as expensive.
Obtaining permanent residence
A migrant who has lived in the country for five years with a residence permit can apply for permanent residence status in the Czech Republic. Moreover, he can leave the country for up to 10 months for the entire period. Continuous absence should not exceed six months.
When applying for permanent residence, you must collect a package of documents:
- A completed application form.
- Foreign passport and its copy.
- 4 photos.
- Evidence of legal presence in the Czech Republic.
- Documents for your own real estate or rent.
- Insurance certificate.
- Successfully passed the exam in the state language and the basics of life.
With permanent residence status, a migrant has the same rights as a Czech citizen, with the exception of the opportunity to take part in elections. After 5 years of permanent residence, it is possible to sell documents for citizenship and become a full member of society.
Immigration methods
For migrants, obtaining the opportunity for long-term residence on the territory of the state is possible only in a few cases. For such a moment, a visa is no longer suitable, since it is necessary to apply for a long-term residence permit visa, which is the first step for moving. To gain the opportunity to stay in the territory for a long time, there are several ways that have their own characteristics and conditions.
Job
Working in the Czech Republic followed by full immigration is considered a difficult option, but it is also popular.
Due to the unstable economic situation in the EU, the number of jobs is limited. This leads to stricter requirements for migrants. Requirements include knowledge of languages. Czech is required, English and German are desirable. The process of obtaining a job is standard, that is, a resume is sent to the employer, who, upon agreeing to hire the employee, applies for permission from the Ministry of Labor. After receiving permission, the person applies for a work visa.
For migrants with low qualifications or no profession, finding work in this way is almost impossible, which makes it difficult to obtain a work visa.
Important! For a number of specialists, before obtaining a work visa, you will be required to pass a specialized exam in Czech.
In-demand professions in the Czech Republic in 2021
In 2021, the number of jobs for migrants continues to decline, but this process does not affect highly qualified specialists.
There is a particular shortage of personnel in medicine. Surgeons, dentists and other specialized medical workers are required. Other popular professions for relocation on a work visa include:
- engineers;
- tourism workers with higher education;
- lawyers with a diploma and work experience;
- construction workers with at least secondary specialized education;
- specialists from the mining and processing industries.
In fact, any specialist with knowledge of the Czech language can find a job. It is also worth considering that you can always find a job in the service sector, but a work visa for this type of immigration will not be issued.
Education
Studying is one of the options for obtaining a residence permit.
The duration of study must exceed 3 months. The first step is to find a place to study. Next, documents for enrollment are collected. Only after the consent of the educational institution is issued a letter of enrollment, according to which they receive a residence permit. It will need to be renewed annually. A student visa prohibits work activity. Read also: Immigration to Italy from Russia
Another factor will be the presence of documentary evidence that the financial condition allows you to rent housing and pay for education.
A language proficiency exam is not considered mandatory for training.
Family reunification
Family reunification is considered a special program. You can take advantage of it and move only if you have a good income and close relatives who are citizens of this state.
All points must be confirmed in writing. The first application goes to the consulate. Next, you need to collect certificates that will allow you to move and obtain a residence permit in the form of permanent residence.
Marriage
After the official registration of marriage with a citizen of the state, the embassy issues a national visa allowing long-term residence in the country. But there are features in the form of the impossibility of free movement within the EU without a spouse. The residence must be joint, since the marriage is checked for fictitiousness.
Company registration
Registration of a company on the territory of the republic means the presence of tax deductions to the treasury of this country. Taxes for organizations here are low, which allows you to register a company and immediately begin operations.
There are special points, including the need for real activity, since all business is under state control. For entrepreneurs with a company registered in the Czech Republic, there are preferential conditions for obtaining a long-term and permanent residence permit.
Business
Businessmen who operate on the territory of the state have the right to long-term residence.
This applies not only to those who have their own business here, but also to those engaged in partnership activities with a Czech company. To obtain a permit, proof of activity is required. In case of partnership, they will also require a document from the company with which they are doing business. Business visas can vary in nature.
Buying a property
Any real estate located on the territory of the state may allow you to obtain a residence permit. The very fact of owning real estate is the basis for a long stay in the country.
Investors
Investing in any area in the Czech Republic is attractive due to low tax rates and conditions. This approach allows wealthy individuals to obtain a residence permit and invest their own funds in various projects.
But there is also a nuance here, in the form of the fact that financial solvency must be very good. The fact of owning large capital will be checked.
Refugees
If you are forced to immigrate to the Czech Republic for any reasons, including political or economic, you can obtain a residence permit, but it is worth considering that there are several programs for refugees. The entire support structure is subject to EU legislation, that is, migrants should not have a criminal record or other reasons for not being allowed into the EU.
Cost of processing all documents
Emigration to the Czech Republic from Russia is accompanied by a lengthy collection of all documents. It is easier to prepare them by using a company that provides services in this area. It is quite difficult to do this on your own, and if errors are identified, you will have to go through the entire process all over again.
Companies specializing in such things offer several options for their services, varying in price.
The most economical tariff will cost about 14 thousand rubles. and includes a minimum set of services: an extract from the commercial court, translation of documents into Czech, filling out an application for the consulate in the language of the country. The following package is supplemented by the provision of documents on providing housing and sending all documents by mail. Such a tariff will cost about 30 thousand rubles.
Full support for applying for a residence permit includes, in addition to the above points, opening a personal account in a Czech bank, consultation before an interview at the consulate and registration with the immigration service. The price of such assistance is 49 thousand rubles.
Documentation
The content of the package of documents that an applicant will need for immigration to the Czech Republic is determined by the purpose of the trip, but any applicant must prepare a certain basic set of papers. This kit usually includes:
- application form;
- international passport;
- passport;
- 2 photographs 35x45 mm;
- receipt for payment of the fee;
- confirmation of the purpose of the visit.
If a foreigner goes to the Czech Republic as a labor migrant, supporting documentation can serve as:
- contract with a Czech employer;
- confirmation of housing availability in the Czech Republic;
- medical examination;
- certificate of good conduct;
- educational document (if necessary, confirmed in the Czech Republic).
To study in the Czech Republic you additionally need to prepare:
- certificate of enrollment in one of the educational institutions of the country;
- evidence of the ability to support oneself in the Czech Republic while studying;
- confirmation of the availability of housing in the country;
- document on good conduct;
- for minors - parental consent for such a trip.
When reuniting a family, you will additionally need:
- confirmation of relationship with the receiving party;
- evidence of financial ability to live in the Czech Republic and indication of the source of livelihood;
- information about existing housing conditions in the country;
- document on good conduct;
- information about a Czech relative;
- for minors - parental consent to travel.
Documents must be translated into Czech and certified by a notary. The fee for a D visa is 2.5 thousand CZK, for a residence permit - 500 CZK, for a labor and blue card - 1000 CZK.
Video: about the nuances of acquiring Czech citizenship
Advice for emigrants from people who have already moved
Those who have overcome the process of moving to the Czech Republic are happy to share their experience with future emigrants.
Discussions take place on thematic forums, excerpts from them are presented below:
- “You shouldn’t despair when you encounter the first difficulties on the way to moving. Without a doubt, they will arise, but you should take them as a lesson and a way to understand the country.” — Anna, has been living in Prague for 5 years.
- “Learning Czech is very important. Don’t be shy about making mistakes; without starting to communicate, you won’t achieve results. Moreover, local residents will begin to be more favorable.” — Sergey, has lived in Prague for 10 years.
- “If you are confident in your desire to stay in the Czech Republic for a long time, you should think about a mortgage and purchasing your own home. The interest is low and the loan is provided even without a residence permit or permanent residence permit.” — Leonid, has lived in Karlovy Vary for 6 years.
- “Frequent communication with people, searching for communities of interests, visiting public places will help you quickly integrate into the social life of the country.” — Maria, has lived in Prague for 2 years.
Having decided to emigrate to the distant Czech Republic from such a native Russia, it is worth weighing the pros and cons. In any case, you should not burn all bridges, but leave yourself the opportunity to return.
Article design: Oleg Lozinsky
Medicine + honey insurance
The topic is very relevant and I would like to reveal it in comparison.
On the Internet, in the media and third-party sources, everyone is highly praising European medicine. Yes, But! I would like to note that in the Czech Republic there is a shortage of specialists, which in turn affects the quality of services provided and the timing of registration. In order to do (not on an emergency basis), for example, an ultrasound, you need to make an appointment and wait 1-3 months in line. Also, recently there was a case among friends who needed to make an appointment with a pediatric orthopedist - they offered to stand in line and wait 1.5 months, although the problem had to be resolved promptly. Exit? Paid clinic... This has never happened to me in Ukraine, appointment within a week, never had any problems with the staff. Regarding equipment, it all depends on the city and hospital. In Prague the situation is good, the equipment used was modern, there were no problems with this. As for insurance. In the Czech Republic there is public insurance (for foreigners it can only be purchased if you have a work card) and commercial insurance. When you are a student, you will have commercial insurance, which in my opinion is just a formality for the visa. Served only in large hospitals, covers mainly colds + emergencies. For extra neurology tests, a friend paid for everything herself (about 30,000 rubles), the insurance company paid nothing. The public is another topic. You can get examined, go to appointments, consultations. Covers 99% of visits to the doctor + gives discounts on medications that are prescribed to you.
State institutions sample or commercial - where to go? It's very simple here. Need to check with someone. institution, if they have concluded an agreement with one or another insurance company (concluding an agreement is not a mandatory condition for hospitals). If not, payment is made exclusively in cash. An example: on Christmas Eve, a friend developed a fever that could not be relieved. The reception was carried out only by a private clinic. They took tests and prescribed medications (95% of medications are available only by prescription). Result: -50,000 rubles. That's all the arithmetic for you.