The Czech Republic's Digital Nomad Program (Program Digitalni Nomad) is a government-approved economic migration scheme that enables highly qualified IT and marketing professionals from selected countries to reside in the Czech Republic while working remotely for foreign employers or as self-employed freelancers with a Czech trade licence. Established by Government Resolution No. 475 of 28 June 2023, the program launched on 1 July 2023. It is administered jointly by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, which assesses program admission, and the Ministry of the Interior, which processes visa and residence permit applications. CzechInvest, the state investment promotion agency, provides additional support. Initially limited to IT professionals from 8 countries, the program expanded on 1 January 2025 to include marketing professionals and citizens of Brazil, Israel, Mexico, and Singapore, and further expanded on 1 July 2025 to include India.
The application proceeds in three stages:
Processing time: Maximum 45 days from visa application submission (accelerated procedure), compared to the standard 90 to 120 days for regular long-term visa applications.
Fee: CZK 2,500 for the long-term visa application (CZK 1,000 for applicants under 15). Freelancers additionally pay CZK 1,000 for trade licence registration.
The initial long-term visa is valid for up to 1 year. Before it expires, applicants may re-apply for continued program participation and, upon approval, apply for a long-term residence permit valid for up to 2 additional years. Completion of the adaptation-integration course (approximately 4 hours) is mandatory for extensions. The full set of documentation must be resubmitted.
Employees must maintain their employment relationship with a foreign entity and work remotely -- they may not enter into employment with a Czech employer. Freelancers operate under a Czech trade licence as self-employed persons and may not work as employees in the Czech Republic.
Individuals spending 183 or more days per calendar year in the Czech Republic become Czech tax residents, subject to personal income tax at 15% on income up to CZK 1,600,000 per year and 23% on income above that threshold. Freelancers may use the 60/40 lump-sum cost deduction method and must register for social security contributions and health insurance. Double taxation treaties may apply depending on the applicant's country of origin.
Spouses, registered partners, minor children, and dependent students under 26 may apply simultaneously with the principal applicant for family reunification visas. Family members may be citizens of any country and benefit from the same expedited 45-day processing. Spouses must provide marriage certificates with apostille and certified Czech translation. Children must provide birth certificates with apostille and certified Czech translation. Family member permits are tied to the main applicant's program participation.
Upon entry, holders must register at a Ministry of the Interior office within 30 calendar days. Third-country nationals must also report their place of residence to the Foreign Police within 3 working days. Freelancers must visit the trade licensing office to complete their registration and subsequently register with the tax office, social security administration, and health insurance fund. Address changes must be reported within 30 working days. The long-term visa allows free travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.