Move To The Czech Republic With The New Digital Nomad Visa

Imagine waking up to the chime of a medieval clock, then settling down to work with a thousand-year-old castle as your backdrop.

Welcome to the Czech Republic—a popular place for expats where past and present harmoniously intertwine. Now, with the unveiling of its digital nomad visa, this enchanting country is inviting global adventurers to live there.

It’s an idea that’s been catching on globally. From Barbados to Estonia, countries across the globe have been recognizing the allure of skilled nomads and creating visas that attract these digitally savvy workers who can do their work from anywhere. Canada also developed a new digital nomad program that has created a lot of buzz among remote workers in the tech sector.

The Czech Republic has already been running various visa programs aimed at foreigners, but the new digital nomad visa makes it even easier for expats to live in this country that is often named one of the world’s top best places to live. Last year, Kayak named one of the top 10 places to live in its Work from Wherever Index, while InterNations ranked it number 21 on the Expat Insider 2023, a ranking of the best places to live.

Czech Republic created the new digital nomad visa in a bid to address the shortage of qualified IT professionals and bolster the economy. It’s designed for skilled professionals from eight countries: Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan, the U.K. and the United States. “This new kind of residence opportunity promises to bring great benefits to the country,” Verona Grajcevci of VisaGuide.World told me in an interview. “Digital nomads, in simple terms, bring money without imposing any burden on local resources.”

To qualify for the digital nomad visa, applicants need to hold a university degree or higher in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) or possess at least three years of work experience in the IT industry. Remote workers employed by foreign companies need to meet the minimum income requirement of CZK 60,530 per month (or approximately $2,710). Freelancers must apply for a Czech business license that permits them to provide services to Czech companies on a contract basis.

After the initial one-year period, visa holders must apply for a residence permit, which extends their stay in the Czech Republic for an additional two years. “With the digital nomad visa also being a pathway for permanent residency, it can be an opportunity to test a lifestyle many did not have the chance to try before,” Patricia Casaburi, CEO of Global Citizen Solutions, told me in an interview.

According to Murat Coskun, managing partner of Get Golden Visa, the company has been getting a significant number of inquiries for the Czech Republic digital nomad visa. “The demand comes from all over the world, really. However, the leading market for demand has been the U.S.,” Coskun told me in an interview. “The most common reason behind the search was the low cost of living, while still being located in Europe.”

With its most recent move, Grajcevci predicts that the Czech Republic will soon become the new hotspot for digital nomads. “The Czech Republic ranks 30th among the 132 economies featured in the Global Innovation Index 2022,” says Grajcevci. “It has a generally good internet connection, it falls on the cheaper side of EU countries and the majority of its young population can speak English.”

According to International Living, the cost of living in the Czech Republic is much less than the United States. In Prague, the capital, an apartment can start at well below $1,000 a month, while in locations like Ostrava and Brno, the price is a bit less. Outside of those cities, costs are even lower. Food is also very affordable, with a meal at a traditional Czech restaurant (including a half-liter of beer) running less than $8 a person.

Another perk of getting a digital nomad visa, according to Irene Lidia Wang, cofounder of Freaking Nomads? “You can enjoy the benefits of being a legal resident in the Czech Republic, such as access to public services, social security, health care and education,” Wang told me in an interview.

Healthcare is excellent and inexpensive in the Czech Republic, according to International Living: Expats with a visa can usually buy into the state health plan with rates starting at about $95 a month, which generally covers all the services you need.

The Czech Republic has plenty to offer, from nature to history. “For those seeking vibrant experiences, Prague hosts different festivals and events every week, providing an outstanding living experience. If you’re an animal lover, Prague stands out as one of the most pet-friendly cities in Europe,” says Grajcevci. “Additionally, the Czech Republic’s capital city is recognized as one of the safest places to live in Europe.

Plus, the Czech Republic’s strategic location in the heart of Europe can’t be beat. “You can also visit other nearby countries, such as Germany, Austria, Poland and Slovakia,” says Wang.

But there are things to think about. “You may have to adjust to the language barrier and cultural differences in the Czech Republic, as not everyone speaks English or understands the lifestyle of digital nomads. You may also encounter some bureaucracy and red tape when dealing with official matters,” says Wang.

Taxes are also an issue. “You may have to deal with some tax complications, as you will have to pay taxes in both your home country and the Czech Republic, depending on the tax treaty between them,” says Wang. “You may also have to file tax returns in both countries and keep track of your income and expenses.”

A big consideration when working remotely overseas: “Fully committing to working as a digital nomad is more complex than setting up shop in a cafe for a few months,” FlexJobs spokesperson Kathy Gardner told me in an interview. To help job seekers better assess remote job opportunities while embracing a work-from-anywhere lifestyle, FlexJobs recently published a helpful digital nomad guide.

Something else to consider: Living in the Czech Republic permanently is not easy. In addition to paying into the healthcare/SS system, foreigners who want to live in the country permanently need to show proficiency in the Czech language. Jeff Opdyke, International Living’s expert on digital nomad visas, lived in Prague until recently.

“There is a reason only 10 million people in the world speak Czech. It’s one of the hardest in the world for native English speakers. Even the Czechs struggle to learn their own language,” Opdyke told me in an interview. “In fact, the language requirement is why I moved to Portugal. As someone who is fluent in very bad Spanish, I at least have a marginally better shot at learning Portuguese to a level that I can pass the test and get citizenship and an EU passport. That said, Prague is a fabulous city. I loved living there. Great place to be a digital nomad.”

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