Governmental Programs in Czechia: A Key Advantage for Business Relocation
In today’s competitive labour market, finding and retaining the right talent is one of the biggest challenges for HR leaders and employers. This is even more complex when hiring non-EU professionals, where immigration processes often slow down onboarding and complicate workforce planning.
To address this, the Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade has introduced Governmental Programs—special frameworks designed to help selected companies bring in international talent faster and with less bureaucracy. These programs are a real game-changer for HR departments, investors, startups, and well-established businesses that rely on global recruitment.
What Are Governmental Programs?
Governmental Programs are special projects granted by the Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade to qualified companies. Their aim is simple: to shorten (and often simplify) immigration procedures so that companies can integrate new non-EU employees into their teams quickly and efficiently.
They are particularly attractive for HR teams looking to reduce administrative stress and speed up the arrival of skilled professionals.
Types of Programs
- Highly Skilled Employee – designed for workers in ISCO 1–3 categories (senior professionals, managers, specialists) from anywhere in the world.
- Key and Scientific Personnel – focused on ISCO 1–3 positions, supporting innovation-driven and research-oriented roles.
- Qualified Employee – tailored for ISCO 4–8 positions from selected countries: Ukraine, Armenia, Mongolia, Serbia, Philippines, India, Moldova, Montenegro, and Kazakhstan.
Who Can Apply?
To qualify, a company must meet several conditions:
- No outstanding debts in taxes, health insurance, or social security.
- No previous fines higher than CZK 100,000 for illegal employment (in the last two years), nor repeated fines exceeding CZK 100,000 during inspections carried out by the Labour Office, the State Labour Inspection Office, Regional Labour Inspectorates, or health insurance/social security authorities.
- Meet specific requirements for company size and years of operation (varies per program).
Benefits for Employers and HR Professionals
Participation in these programs brings significant advantages:
- Registration validity for one year: with no limit on the number of eligible employees and renewable for continued access.
- Fast approval times: permits such as Employee Cards or Blue Cards can be granted in 30–60 days instead of the usual 60–90 (which often exceed this period).
- Simplified paperwork: documents like employment contracts or proof of accommodation may be waived for certain programs.
- Priority processing at embassies: ensuring applications are accepted even during capacity shortages. In some embassies it is possible to apply only through the program.
- Exemption from adaptation courses: saving time for new employees and reducing onboarding friction.
Why This Matters for HR Strategy
For HR professionals, these programs are more than just an administrative shortcut; they are a strategic tool to strengthen workforce planning, shorten time-to-hire, and make Czech employers more attractive to international candidates.
By reducing waiting times and simplifying requirements, Governmental Programs not only help businesses grow but also create a smoother experience for incoming employees, something that is increasingly important in global recruitment.
With Eres Relocation, the process can be shortened by more than half, making it possible to bring your employees on board within just 3–4 months.
