Changing employer on a Czech employee card: the 30-day notice, 6-month rule and 90 days without work

Updated: 13 November 2026

Found a better job but hold an employee card (zaměstnanecká karta)? You cannot simply quit and start with a new employer — first you must notify the Ministry of the Interior and wait for its confirmation. Here is the procedure, the deadlines and the usual mistakes.

Who this applies to

The rule applies to holders of a dual employee card — people without free access to the labour market whose card was issued for a specific vacancy. If you have permanent residence, free access (e.g. as a graduate of a Czech university) or an EU Blue Card, the process is different and simpler: there is no 30-day waiting period, but you still have to report the change to the Ministry.

Requirements for the new job

• The position is listed in the central register of vacancies for employee card holders (kept by the Labour Office).
• At least 15 hours a week and pay not below the basic minimum wage.
• The new employer cannot be a temporary work agency (agentura práce).
• Your current card is still valid.

The 6-month rule and exceptions

You can change employer no earlier than 6 months after the decision granting the card became final. The restriction does not apply if:

• the card has been extended at least once;
• only your position changes with the same employer;
• the employer dismissed you for organisational reasons (Section 52 a)–e) of the Labour Code) or during probation;
• you terminated employment with immediate effect under Section 56 (e.g. unpaid wages).

Proof of the reason must be attached to the notice.

How to file the notice

1. Fill in the Ministry’s official “Oznámení” form.
2. Attach: proof that your current job continues or when it ended; the new employment contract or an agreement on a future contract; proof of qualification if required.
3. File it in person at a Ministry office (by appointment), by post, via data box (ID 6bnaawp) or by e-mail with a qualified electronic signature.
4. Wait for the Ministry’s letter confirming the conditions are met — both you and the employer receive it. Only then (at the earliest 30 days after the notice was delivered) can you start working.

Important: all documents must be filed together. If anything is missing, the Ministry will not ask for it — the notice is treated as never filed.

If you have already lost your job

After your employment ends you have 90 days to find a new job and file the notice (it must reach the Ministry by day 90), or to apply for a change of purpose of stay. If you do neither, the card expires.

What the employer does

The new employer reports your start to the Labour Office in advance (since April 2026 via the single monthly report JMHZ) and reports the end of employment within 10 days. Illegal work is fined for both the worker and the company.

Common mistakes

• Starting the new job before the Ministry’s confirmation — this is illegal work.
• The notice arrives more than 90 days after the job ended — the card has already expired.
• Incomplete documents — the notice is treated as never filed.
• The position is not in the employee card vacancy register.

Sources

• Portál veřejné správy — oznámení držitele zaměstnanecké karty o změně zaměstnavatele
• EY — platnost zaměstnanecké karty po ukončení zaměstnání prodloužena na 90 dní (9/2025)
• Právní prostor — novela zákona o pobytu cizinců a hlášení změny zaměstnavatele

This article is for general information only and is not legal or tax advice. Check the current rules before making a decision, or contact us.