Czechia has one of Europe’s lowest salary requirements for work visas

A new comprehensive study by digital financial services company Remitly has revealed the EU and European Economic Area countries with the lowest salary requirements for securing a work visa, with Czechia featuring in the ranking.

For almost all the countries assessed, the study analyzes the provisions needed to qualify for an EU Blue Card—a special residence and work permit for highly skilled non-EU nationals who want to live and work in an EU country. 

Czechia requires the eighth-lowest annual salary to qualify for an EU Blue Card in the entire EU, at about CZK 69,248 (as of April 2025), which is 1.5 times the average gross monthly salary in the country. 

To apply for an EU Blue Card in Czechia, non-EU nationals must secure a job offer in a position that requires high qualifications, such as a university degree or equivalent professional experience. The employment contract must be for at least one year. 

The Blue Card is issued for the duration of an employment contract plus an additional three months, with a maximum validity of up to three years, as per Remitly. This maximum validity also applies to renewals, meaning you can extend your Blue Card for up to three years at a time. ​

Applicants must submit a completed application form, a valid passport, proof of accommodation in Czechia, the employment contract, and evidence of the required qualifications.

The Remitly study found that Portugal required the lowest minimum salary to apply for a EU Blue Card, at EUR 15,491 (CZK 386,914) gross per year (CZK 32,242 monthly). 

There are several other visas or work permits that non-EU citizens can apply for to work in Czechia. The Employee Card (Zaměstnanecká karta) is a long-term residence permit for non-EU nationals with confirmed job offers in Czechia. This is the most common option for those looking to work in a specific role within the country. 

The Special Work Visa is aimed at workers from specific countries like Ukraine, Serbia, or the Philippines. These visas are granted under government programs targeting labor shortages in industries such as construction, agriculture, or manufacturing.

If you're looking for short-term work, the Seasonal Work Visa is perfect. It typically allows you to work for up to six months in seasonal fields like agriculture, tourism, and hospitality.

For entrepreneurs and freelancers, the Business Visa lets you run your own business or work as a self-employed individual in Czechia. To obtain this, you first need a trade license (Živnostenský list), followed by a long-term residence permit for business activities.