Skip to main content
Logo of EURAXESS
English
Czech Republic
Leaving EuropeDeparture conditions/formalitiesCzech Republic

What to do before you leave

Description
  • If you are employed, inform your employer about your departure (unless you are leaving at the end of your contract with them). Usually you must give them a full two months notice (starting on 1st of month following the date when you inform them). Alternatively, arrange to have unpaid leave while you'll be abroad.
  • If you are self-employed, terminate your self-employment licence (or suspend it temporarily for the period when you'll be away).
  • If you have been studying in the Czech Republic, inform your institution of your wish to suspend or terminate your study. If you have children who have been at school in the Czech Republic, take copies of their latest reports and information about the curriculum they have studied with you to give to their new school.
  • Ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months (if you are travelling outside the EU) and that you have a valid national ID card. Obtain copies of your ID documents in case you lose them.
  • Apply for any visas you require for your intended destination.
  • Inform your health insurance provider and the social security office of the date when you will be leaving, and which country you are going to. If you will be out of the Czech Republic for more than 6 months you must declare this using the special form Prohlášení o dlouhodobém pobytu v cizině, and return your health insurance card to your health insurance provider. If you are employed, your employer will usually inform the social security office for you, but it is anyway a good idea to check this document, which the social security office has issued to give you guidance on what you need to do when leaving the country.
  • Check what the rules and conditions are for health insurance in the country where you are going. It is always a good idea to obtain travel insurance, accident insurance and liability insurance before you go. Take copies of your insurance policies with you.
  • Check what the obligatory and recommended vaccinations are for the country where you are going, and make sure you take a sufficient supply of any medications you are currently using with you, as well as a first aid kit. Ensure any regular medicines you take will be available in the country where you are going, or that you will be able to have them sent to you.
  • Inform your general practitioner (doctor), dentist, and any specialists you are registered with that you will be leaving the country and ask them to keep you on their records while you are away.
  • You may (depending how long you intend to be away) wish to terminate your rental contract (if living in rented accommodation), your bank account(s), and any contracts with service providers (e.g. electricity, internet, telephone, insurances), club memberships and so on.
  • If keeping your Czech bank accounts, make sure your bank cards are valid and usable in the country where you'll be living (and check what the charges are for using them), ensure that you can manage your accounts safely from abroad (e.g. via internet banking), set up standing orders and automatic payments for anything you'll need to pay regularly while away, and take key contacts for your bank with you.
  • Check whether you will still be tax resident in the Czech Republic (for the year you leave and/or further years abroad). For more information about tax residency and the tax procedures in the country where you are going, contact the financial authorities there (and/or here).
  • If you will no longer have access to the address where you have your permanent residence, you must change your permanent address and inform all the relevant offices, banks, insurance companies, schools, friends... ; you may wish to have your mail re-directed to another Czech address, and give formal authorization to someone at that address to receive mail sent to you.
  • If you subscribe to any regular magazines or periodicals, unsubscribe or change the adress, or if possible arrange to have them sent to you electronically.
  • Check whether your driving licence is valid (if you intend to drive abroad) and if necessary obtain an International Drivers' License. Keep a copy in case you lose it.
  • If you intend to take your car, check the rules and regulations for importing and re-registering the car in that country and any customs declarations and payments needed.
  • Obtain verified copies & official translations of key documents (such as your educational qualifications, your birth certificate, marriage certificate, etc.) and some ID-size photographs just in case.
  • If you are taking your pet(s) ensure they have vaccination cards and pet passports.
  • Consider registering your stay abroad with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, by filling in the form at this page: https://drozd.mzv.cz/. This enables the Embassy of the Czech Republic in the country where you will be staying to keep you informed of events and offer you prompt assistance in case anything untoward happens during your stay.
  • If you are employed, inform your employer about your departure (unless you are leaving at the end of your contract with them). Usually you must give them a full two months notice (starting on 1st of month following the date when you inform them). Alternatively, arrange to have unpaid leave while you'll be abroad.
  • If you are self-employed, terminate your self-employment licence (or suspend it temporarily for the period when you'll be away).
  • If you have been studying in the Czech Republic, inform your institution of your wish to suspend or terminate your study. If you have children who have been at school in the Czech Republic, take copies of their latest reports and information about the curriculum they have studied with you to give to their new school.
  • If you have a temporary residence card and you are sure you will be away from the Czech Republic for more than 180 days, you must inform the ministry at least three days before you leave the country, and must return your temporary residence card (the EURAXESS centre can do this for you if you give them written authorization to do so).
  • If you have permanent residence in the Czech Republic you can retain this permanent residence beyond your departure, if you still have your address (place of "usual residence") in the Czech Republic, and as long as you won't be outside the EU for more than 12 months. Otherwise you should also inform the Ministry of your permanent departure for another country and return your residence card (or authorize the EURAXESS centre in writing to do so in your stead).
  • Inform your health insurance provider and the social security office of the date when you will be leaving. If you are employed, your employer will usually inform the social security office for you. If you will not be returning to the Czech Republic (or not for six months at least) you will need to complete a departure form for the health insurance and return your health insurance card.
  • Check whether you will still be tax resident in the Czech Republic (for the year you leave and/or in future). For more information about tax residency and the tax procedures in the country where you are going, contact the financial authorities there (and/or here).
  • You may wish to terminate your rental contract (if living in rented accommodation), your bank account(s), and any contracts with service providers (e.g. electricity, internet, telephone, insurances), club memberships and so on.
  • Ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months (if you are travelling outside the EU). Obtain copies of your ID documents in case you lose them.
  • Apply for any visas you require for your intended destination.
  • Inform your doctor(s) and dentist of your departure. You may wish to request a copy of your records from them for your new doctors.
  • Sell your car or inform Czech registration authority that you are removing your car from the Czech Republic and cancel any parking permits you no longer require.
  • Inform anyone who might need to contact you about your new address and consider re-directing your mail. If mail will still be sent to a Czech address for you, make sure you give formal authorization to someone at that address to receive mail on your behalf.
  • If you subscribe to any regular magazines or periodicals, unsubscribe or change the adress, or if possible arrange to have them sent to you electronically.
  • If you are employed, inform your employer about your departure (unless you are leaving at the end of your contract with them). Usually you must give them a full two months notice (starting on 1st of month following the date when you inform them). Alternatively, arrange to have unpaid leave while you'll be abroad.
  • If you are self-employed, terminate your self-employment licence (or suspend it temporarily for the period when you'll be away).
  • If you have been studying in the Czech Republic, inform your institution of your wish to suspend or terminate your study. If you have children who have been at school in the Czech Republic, take copies of their latest reports and information about the curriculum they have studied with you to give to their new school.
  • If you have a scientific permit or other long term residence permit, work permit, etc. you must return your residence card to the ministry at least three days before you leave the country. You can also give the card to your nearest EURAXESS centre (with a power of attorney), and we will return it for you on the date of your departure.
  • If you have permanent residence in the Czech Republic you can retain this permanent residence beyond your departure, if you still have your address (place of "usual residence") in the Czech Republic, and as long as you won't be outside the EU for more than 12 months. Otherwise you should also inform the Ministry of your permanent departure for another country and return your residence card (or authorize the EURAXESS centre in writing to do so in your stead).
  • Inform your health insurance provider and the social security office of the date when you will be leaving. If you are employed, your employer will usually inform the social security office for you. If you will not be returning to the Czech Republic (or not for six months at least) you will need to complete a departure form for the health insurance and return your health insurance card.
  • Check whether you will still be tax resident in the Czech Republic (for the year you leave and/or in future). For more information about tax residency and the tax procedures in the country where you are going, contact the financial authorities there (and/or here).
  • You may wish to terminate your rental contract (if living in rented accommodation), your bank account(s), and any contracts with service providers (e.g. electricity, internet, telephone, insurances), club memberships and so on.
  • Ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months (if you are travelling outside the EU). Obtain copies of your ID documents in case you lose them.
  • Apply for any visas you require for your intended destination.
  • Inform your doctor(s) and dentist of your departure. You may wish to request a copy of your records from them for your new doctors.
  • Sell your car or inform Czech registration authority that you are removing your car from the Czech Republic and cancel any parking permits you no longer require.
  • Inform anyone who might need to contact you about your new address and consider re-directing your mail. If mail will still be sent to a Czech address for you, make sure you give formal authorization to someone at that address to receive mail on your behalf.
  • If you subscribe to any regular magazines or periodicals, unsubscribe or change the adress, or if possible arrange to have them sent to you electronically.