Moving Forward: The Benefits of Permanent Residency in Brno

Reaching the five-year mark of living in the Czech Republic can be a huge step forward! With this milestone, you can apply for permanent residency (trvalý pobyt).

For non-EU citizens, this is a great step to truly feeling at home and enjoying more stability in your life here in Brno.

Authors: Lenka Kiknadze, Jarda Soukup. Picture: courtesy of the City of Brno.

What do you gain?

The greatest advantage is the freedom it gives you. You no longer have to worry about your permit being tied to one specific purpose. This means:

1] Work where you want

You gain free access to the labour market. This means you don’t need a specific work permit and your residency is no longer linked to one employer or a spouse through family reunification.

2] Health and safety

You will be part of the public health insurance system and gain access to the same social support and unemployment benefits as your Czech neighbours.

3] Easier financing

Banks are generally much more open to providing mortgages and loans to permanent residents. You also gain the right to apply for municipal housing.

4] Family and Mobility

You can apply for permanent residency for your minor children through family reunification without them needing to complete five years of prior residence. Additionally, you will enjoy easier mobility within the Schengen Area.

5] Path to Citizenship

Holding permanent residency is a necessary first step if you wish to apply for Czech citizenship in the future.

A few things to keep in mind

To keep your status active and in good standing, there are just a few responsibilities to remember:

• Stay connected: You must keep a registered address in the Czech Republic.
• Waste fees: Don’t forget to pay the Brno municipal waste fee. This applies even if you are away from the city for a while.
• Health insurance: It is important to ensure your public insurance payments are always up to date.
• Travel carefully: You are free to travel, but be mindful of long absences. Staying outside the EU for more than 12 months in a row could put your status at risk. More information here.

Advantages for driving & having a car

Our driving and car expert Jarda adds that with permanent residency, you’re also eligible for some advantages at the transport authority.

For example, you will no longer have to wait for a physical driving licence card to be issued. After completing driving school, submitting your application and being entered in the Register of Drivers, you will be allowed to drive immediately. For up to 30 days from the moment your driving entitlement is granted, you will be able to drive without carrying a physical licence. You will be informed once the entry is made in the register, and if you apply electronically, you will receive a notification by email or SMS.

You will also be able to use Portál dopravy (Transport Portal). You could do your admin electronically:  apply for a replacement driving licence, for your first driving entitlement or for an extension to additional vehicle categories. You will be able to submit your application online if you have a digitally issued medical certificate and have passed the driving exam after 1 January 2026. Replacement of a foreign driving license must be still done physically at the Driving License Registry though.

If you are 17 and applying for a category B licence, you will be able to use the portal as well – you can register up to four mentors who can teach you how to drive more safely and effectively, contact them electronically for their consent, arrange the approval of your legal guardian and submit the request online. You will also be able to cancel a mentor’s registration electronically at any time.

As a permanent resident of the Czech Republic, you will also benefit from the expanded use of digital powers of attorney through Portál dopravy (Transport Portal). You will be able to grant someone digital authorisation to handle matters related to specific vehicles, either for an unlimited period or for a defined time. These digital powers of attorney can be used both online and in person at an office, where officials will verify their validity in the registry of representation. You will be able to modify them, terminate them or transfer them to another person, making vehicle-related administration significantly easier for you.

We are here for you

We know that residency applications can feel a bit overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. If you have any questions or need further guidance on your specific situation, don’t hesitate to contact our consultants. We are always happy to help you navigate your life in Brno!