Changing from Family Reunification Residence to an Employee Card in the CR: What You Need to Know in 2025
Are you in the Czech Republic based on a long-term residence permit for family reunification? Are you wondering whether you can change its purpose to employment? Has your family situation changed? Or is your employer requesting it?
There have been important changes in how the Ministry of Interior now handles these applications.
A new condition: a minimum of 3 years
Although the law has not been amended, the Ministry of Interior (OAMP) has recently changed its interpretation of the lawbook. Now, the rule goes that:
Foreign nationals who hold a long-term residence permit for the purpose of family reunification (biometric id card not visa sticker in the passport) and entered the territory of the Czech Republic for this purpose are no longer allowed to switch to an employee card or blue card if they have not resided in the Czech Republic for at least three years.
Previously, it was possible to request such a change even within the first few years of stay. Today, however, such applications are routinely denied if the applicant has not yet met the 3-year threshold.
Why This Matters
Many people apply for a residence permit through family reunification but later wish (or need) to switch to an employee card. Whether due to a spouse losing a job, a change in marital status, or an employment opportunity, changing the purpose of stay is often essential. Unfortunately, this new approach significantly limits that flexibility.
Is it always necessary to change the purpose of stay?
No.
A long-term residence permit for the purpose of family reunification gives you free access to the labour market. This means you can:
- legally work,
- change jobs,
- or have multiple jobs at the same time without needing to apply for a separate work permit or get approval from the Ministry of the Interior (OAMP).
Even if you lose your job, there is no legal deadline by which you must find a new one — unlike the rules for employee card holders.
In many cases, this type of residence can actually be more advantageous than an employee card due to its flexibility and independence from a specific employer.
Where can I get more information?
Head over to the Official Information Portal of the Ministry of the Interior.
