Lost Your Job in the Czech Republic: What Foreigners with an Employee Card, Blue Card or Permanent Residence Should Do

Updated: 14 November 2026

For a foreigner, losing a job is not only about finding new work — it also affects your residence. Your status decides how much time you have, who pays your health insurance and whether you get benefits. Step by step:

If you have an employee card

• Since 1 October 2025 the card stays valid for up to 90 days after your employment ends. This does not apply to people with free access to the labour market.
• In that time you can find a new employer and file a change of employer, or apply to change the purpose of stay.
• If you do nothing within 90 days, the card expires and you will have to arrange residence again.
• Since 1 January 2026, employee card holders (except those posted by a foreign employer) register with the Labour Office after losing their job and stay in public health insurance paid by the state for up to 90 days.

If you have a Blue Card

Under EU rules a Blue Card holder may be unemployed for a limited time (usually up to 3 months, longer after 2 years with a Blue Card). Agree a new job or employer change in advance where possible.

If you have permanent residence or are an EU citizen

• You can register with the Labour Office (Úřad práce) as a job seeker (uchazeč o zaměstnání).
• Apply within 3 working days after the job ends — your registration then starts the day after your employment ended.
• While you are registered, the state pays your health insurance.
• To get benefit you need at least 12 months of pension insurance in the last 2 years.

How much you get in 2026

• Months 1–2 — 80 % of average net earnings;
• months 3–4 — 50 %;
• after that — 45 %;
• maximum — CZK 38,537 a month.
• Duration: under 52 — 5 months, 52–57 — up to 8 months, over 57 — up to 11 months.
• Since 2026 the benefit is no longer reduced if you resigned yourself.

2027: the government proposed cutting the first months to 65 % and the cap to 60 % of the average wage (about CZK 28,900). The bill passed its first reading in the Chamber of Deputies on 20 October 2026 and may still change. Under the draft, people who apply in 2026 are paid under the current rules.

Checklist when your job ends

1. Get a zápočtový list (employment record) from your employer and check your final pay and holiday pay.
2. Note the date your job ended — the 90 days and 3 working days run from it.
3. Register with the Labour Office (in person or online).
4. Check your health insurance: what you have now and who pays it.
5. Look for work legally — working without a permit means fines and residence problems.

Common mistakes

• Waiting until day 80 to start looking — an employer change takes time.
• Not registering with the Labour Office and ending up without health insurance.
• Starting a new job before the Ministry approves the change of employer.
• Missing the 3 working days for registration and losing part of the benefit.

Sources

• EY — platnost zaměstnanecké karty po skončení zaměstnání prodloužena na 90 dní
• Práce a mzda — zdravotní pojištění pro nezaměstnané držitele zaměstnaneckých karet (2026)
• Úřad práce ČR — co dělat při ztrátě zaměstnání
• E15 — evidence na úřadu práce a podpora v roce 2026
• FakturaOnline — návrh snížení podpory od roku 2027

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.