EU Blue Card in Czechia 2026: Salary Threshold, Documents, Fees and Processing Time
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To get an EU Blue Card in Czechia, you need a job offer for at least six months paying at least CZK 73,823 gross a month, and a university degree of at least three years. That salary threshold applies from 1 May 2026 to 30 April 2027. The Ministry of the Interior decides within 90 days; the card is valid for the length of your contract plus three months, up to three years.
Around Prague checked these conditions against the Ministry of the Interior's foreigners portal and the Ministry of Labour's 2026 wage notice on 21 October 2026.
Requirements at a glance
| Condition | What applies in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary | At least 1.5 times the average wage: CZK 73,823 gross a month (1 May 2026 – 30 April 2027) |
| Contract | Employment or pre-employment contract for at least 6 months, for a highly qualified job |
| Qualification | Completed university or higher vocational education lasting at least 3 years |
| Job | The position must be listed in the Labour Office's central vacancy register as suitable for a Blue Card; you quote its number |
| Decision | 90 days (30 days, or 60 in complex cases, if you already hold another EU country's Blue Card) |
| Fee | CZK 2,500 when applying in Czechia, CZK 5,000 at an embassy |
| Validity | Contract length plus 3 months, maximum 3 years; extensions cost CZK 2,500 |
How to apply, step by step
- Get the job offer. Your employer registers the vacancy with the Labour Office (Úřad práce) and gives you its number.
- Collect documents: passport, contract, diploma (foreign degrees may need recognition, nostrifikace), proof of accommodation, photo and, if asked, a criminal record certificate from countries where you lived for six months or more in the last three years.
- Apply. From abroad, in person at a Czech embassy in your country of citizenship or legal residence. Inside Czechia, at a Ministry of the Interior office, if your current visa or permit allows it.
- Give biometrics and wait for the decision. Abroad you then pick up a visa to enter and collect the card in Czechia.
After you get the card
- Changing jobs. Report the end of your job and any new employer or position to the Ministry within 3 working days. Not reporting it is a reason to cancel the card.
- Family. Your spouse and children can apply for long-term residence for family reunification; see our family reunification guide.
- Permanent residence. You can apply after 5 years of residence with a Blue Card in any EU country.
- Extensions. Apply from 120 days before the card expires until its last day.
If your salary is below the threshold or the job doesn't need a degree, the usual route is the employee card.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Blue Card salary in Czechia in 2026?
CZK 73,823 gross a month from 1 May 2026 to 30 April 2027: 1.5 times the 2025 average wage of CZK 49,215.
Can I apply from inside Czechia?
Yes, at a Ministry of the Interior office, if you already hold a visa or residence permit that allows it, or another EU country's Blue Card (apply within one month of arriving).
How long does it take?
The legal deadline is 90 days; add time for document collection and the entry visa if you apply from abroad.
Blue Card or employee card?
The Blue Card needs a degree and a higher salary, but gives easier job changes, family reunification and a route to permanent residence. The employee card has no salary threshold beyond the minimum wage.
Around Prague, based on Ministry of the Interior (ipc.gov.cz), sdělení MPSV č. 44/2026 Sb., Úřad práce ČR
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