Czechia digital nomad visa
Czechia's nomad route is narrower than most: a fast-tracked programme for IT professionals and freelancers from a shortlist of countries, layered on the classic long-stay framework Prague's expats have used for years. If you qualify, you get one of Europe's best cities at half the Western European burn rate.
Digital Nomad Programme at a glance ✓ Verified 2026
- Income requirement: ~$3000/month
- Visa cost: ~$120
- Length of stay: up to 12 months
- Processing time: 1–3 months
- Official source: government site
Requirements
- Citizenship of an eligible country (includes the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan)
- Work in IT or a comparable in-demand field, as an employee of a foreign company or a freelancer
- Income/funds around 1.5 times the Czech average gross salary — verify the current figure
- University degree or relevant professional experience
- Accommodation in Czechia, health insurance, and clean criminal record
How to apply
- Check eligibility (nationality + profession) against the official programme criteria
- Apply to the programme for inclusion; freelancers may also need the trade license (živnostenské oprávnění)
- Submit the long-stay visa application at the Czech embassy with the programme confirmation
- Enter Czechia, register with the foreign police, and renew via a long-term residence permit if staying on
Moving abroad means more than the visa — sort your travel insurance (many visa applications require proof of coverage), set up borderless banking, and land with data working.
Frequently asked questions
The classic route still exists: the Czech freelance long-stay visa via a trade license (the 'živno'), open to more professions and nationalities but slower and more bureaucratic. Many Prague nomads have used it for years.
Czech freelancers benefit from generous lump-sum expense deductions that can keep effective tax rates low. Once you're tax resident, get a local accountant — the setup is genuinely favorable but paperwork-sensitive.
Yes — unlike pure visa programmes, time on Czech long-term residence permits counts toward permanent residency at five years.
More visas in Europe
Visa rules, income thresholds, and fees change — always confirm the current requirements on the official government source (linked here) before applying. This page is informational, not immigration advice.