Every foreigner as well as any other person residing in the Czech Republic must observe the laws and legal regulations which apply to them (i.e. criminal code, tax laws, etc.) Nevertheless, there are certain (additional) duties, which must be fulfilled by foreigners in particular. This manual provides a basic overview of the rights and duties of foreign nationals when in contact with the police. Nevertheless, the Czech law may occasionally differentiate between the EU citizens including citizens of Iceland, Norway, Lichtenstein, or Switzerland (hereinafter collectively referred to as “EU citizens”) and the non-EU citizens.

Every foreign national must be able to prove his or her identity, if requested by the police.

• EU citizens can prove their identity with a passport or an ID card.
• Non-EU citizens prove their identity with a passport and/or a residence permit.

After arrival - EU citizens

• If the length of the intended stay is longer than 30 days, the EU citizens are obliged to report their presence to the appropriate Foreign Police Department in the location of their stay.
• EU citizens can temporarily stay in the Czech Republic without any special permit, solely on the basis of a travel document or an identity card. However, if they plan to stay longer than 3 months, they can request a certificate of temporary residence or a permanent residence permit.
• EU citizens are also bound to report any changes to surname, marital status, and changes of data contained in the residence card within 15 days to the appropriate authority, which issued the residence card.
• Nečíslovaný seznamEU citizens are required to report a change in the place of residence within 30 working days of this change occurring, if the change is expected to last longer than 180 days (for further information visit http://www.mvcr.cz/mvcren/article/reporting-changes.aspx).

Every foreign national must prevent documents issued under the Czech law against loss, theft, damage or misuse and ensure that the contained data are true.

Every foreign national must report loss, damage, destruction, or theft of a document issued under the Czech law within 3 days.

Every foreign national must immediately report loss or theft of passport or other travel document.

• Everyone has a right to equal treatment and non-discrimination.
• Everyone has a right to be informed about the nature and cause of the charges laid against him or her, and about the legal basis for such charges. All provided information must be comprehensible and complete.
• Everyone has a right to respond to charges laid against him or her.
• Everyone who does not speak the official (Czech) language has a right to interpretation and to an interpreter, who will translate all questions asked and answered.

In the case of a breach of the above mentioned duties a financial penalty (fine) of up to 3 000,- CZK can be imposed.