Labor Codes in the Czech Republic

The Czech Republic is one of the safest countries in the world to live, having been chosen as the seventh most secure place on the planet. The Czech Republic also has the lowest unemployment rate in the European Union. This attracts people from all over the world to work there, hence the census accounting for 535,000 expats residing in the country. In 2021, the employment rate in Czechia jumped from 73.70% in the second quarter to 75% in the third.

The labor codes to be aware of, if you wish to relocate to this central European country to work are as follows.

Authority Responsible for Employee Benefits

Social security is responsible for mandating employee benefits within the Czech Republic. Social Security manages sick leave, pension, retirement, and unemployment allowances.

Getting Employed In the Czech Republic

While any skilled person can work in Czechia, they will need a work permit or visa to do so unless they are a European Union national. Individuals from Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland are also welcome to reside in the Czech Republic without a work permit or visa.

All other visitors pursuing work need an official document to legalize their stay and employment within the country. These official documents for those abroad are typically a work permit, green card, or blue card depending on circumstance.

Getting Hired In the Czech Republic

Usually, an employer will issue a vacancy within their company. If a local Czech citizen does not fulfill their requirements for the position, then the company may look abroad. If a foreign employee is selected for the job, then the employer will have to apply for their hire’s work permit. This application will need to include an equivalency certificate declaring their expats degree or diploma is equivalent to Czechian standard.

Furthermore, the person moving to the European Country must submit a clearance certificate, showing that their country of origin has no issues over their move.

All foreign nationals must have a valid visa, work permit, green card, or blue card in able to begin their job. Typically, a work visa will remain valid for two years and must be renewed prior to its expiration date.

Employee Benefits

All employees working in Czechia are entitled to employee benefits, which include

A minimum wage of CZK 12,200 per month.
Overtime is paid 25% above the standard pay rate on weekdays and on weekends or nights; the pay rate is set above 10% of the normal salary percentage.
An employee is entitled to a 30 min break after working for six hours continuously on any given day. They also get a minimum of 11 hours off between two working days.
Working hours cannot go over 44 hours a week.
Employees that have been asked to work on public holidays must be given a compensatory holiday or 100% premium for their work.
Overtime hours cannot exceed 8 hours a week or 150 hours in a year.

Labor Code 2006 is the governing bill for all employment-related rules and standards, and it applies to all employees in the Czech Republic regardless of their country of origin.