Czech Republic's Senate backs 90-day registration for EU nomads, president next

From voluntary to mandatory registration

EU citizens who stay in the Czech Republic for more than 90 days would have to register with the authorities under a new foreigners act the Senate approved Oct. 21. Registration is voluntary today. The bill now goes to the president for signature, the Czech News Agency (ČTK) reported, so it isn't law yet.

The registration duty would start a year after the digitization of residence procedures, which is set for 2029. That puts the EU requirement in 2030. It would cover at least 200,000 people and breaking the rule could bring a fine of up to 10,000 crowns, about €410 ($459), per ČTK.

Online accounts for residence applications from 2029

The Interior Ministry would open online accounts for foreigners from January 2029. Applicants would use these accounts to deal with the immigration office and file residence applications and the office would send official documents electronically. Interior Minister Lubomír Metnar said the new law doesn't loosen the rules for getting a residence permit.

The bill also expands the grounds for cancelling the residence of people who commit crimes or threaten public order. It changes the government quota system for non-EU nationals and makes "guarantors" who invite foreigners to the country, such as employers and schools, more responsible for them. Asylum seekers and people under temporary protection aren't covered by the law.

Which nomads the 2029 and 2030 dates catch

• EU nomads staying longer than 90 days: They would have to register from 2030 instead of choosing whether to. That means long-stay EU remote workers who skip registration today would need to sign up once the rule starts.
• Non-EU nomads on long-term visas or residence permits: From January 2029 they would file residence applications and get decisions through an online account rather than on paper. The ministry has given no detail yet on how this applies to particular visas, including the Digital Nomad Program.
• Short-stay visitors: The new registration duty covers EU citizens staying more than 90 days, so shorter trips fall outside it.

Nothing changes for current residents before 2029. Our Czech Republic guide covers today's visa and residence routes.

What is still unclear

The president hasn't signed the bill yet and ČTK's report gives no exact start date for EU registration beyond 2030. It also doesn't say whether the duty covers citizens of Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland or how online accounts will work for people applying from abroad.