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Leaving the Czech Republic for good

Updated: 12 minutes ago

Decided to leave the country, unable to decide where to start? Here is a checklist of the most important things to do and deadlines to remember.



WORK/STUDIES RELATED

If employee, hand in your notice

  • When: 60 days prior departure.

  • Such is done by delivering a letter of resignation to your manager. Most employment contracts have 60 days notice period, unless both parties agree on a shorter one.


If student, inform your university

  • When: as soon as possible

  • The university will surely like to know that you will no longer be showing up for the classes, nor exams.


If freelancer

  • When: as soon as you finish with your business activities

  • Terminate or pause the trade licence.

  • Inform the tax office, social security and health insurance company.

  • Submit your last tax declaration.

  • Pay all pending amounts to avoid penalties and high interest rates.


APARTMENT RELATED

Terminate your:

  • lease agreement:

    • When: according to the notice period

    • Lease agreements have 1-3 months notice period, which allows the landlord to find a new tenant.

    • It is possible that during the notice period, people interested in the apartment will be coming for a viewing.

  • internet connection in the apartment

    • When: 30 days prior departure

    • Most contract have 30 days notice period

    • Router must be returned to the internet provider, if rented.

  • electricity/gas

    • When: few days prior to your move

    • Terminate your contract, take a photo of the current consumption on the meters.

    • Give power of attorney to the landlord/new tenant to change the ownership of the electricity and gas contract.

  • arrange international moving company

    • Moving furniture, or many belongings that don't fit a suitcase? Consider hiring a company to have your things shipped/moved abroad.

  • subscriptions

    • Some services such as Netflix/Spotify/Oneplay/O2 TV/Disney+/Rohlik premium/Alza plus/Košík premium may be only available in the Czech Republic and not in the country you are moving to.


IMMIGRATION-RELATED

  • If holder of a long-term residence permit (biometrical card) or EU residence permit, you are obliged to terminate your stay and return these to the Ministry of Interior as it is a property of the Czech Republic.

    • Such can be done 3 days prior departure in person (for non-EU, exit visa is granted assuring smooth departure), or via post or Czech embassy in your home country once you arrive back home.

    • Not returning the permit may result in later complications when trying to obtain visa in the future (not fulfilling lawful obligations may lead to rejection to your future applications) or penalties.

  • Permanent residencies do not have to be terminated, if you plan to move back at some point. Note that the Ministry may terminate it in case you are away from the Czech Republic/Europe for way too long (different rules apply to different permanent residencies. Check with your immigration advisor 😊)

  • If in the middle of an application (for an extension or new residency), withdraw the application.




OTHERS

BANK ACCOUNT

  • You can keep your bank account, if you plan to still use it.

  • If not, it is better to close it, to avoid monthly fees for running the account, if applicable.

  • If not using the account and no money is being received, the bank may start charging fees.

  • Bank accounts are closed in person, and can be closed for the future date as well.


HEALTH INSURANCE

  • If you are a self-payer, inform the health insurance company about the departure so they can close the account.

  • If you hold a private health insurance, inform the insurance company, in some cases, refund for the unused period may be provided.

  • Make sure you pay any pending fees in your account so you can avoid penalties.


PHONE MONTHLY PLAN

  • In case you use monthly plan, terminate your contract.

  • If contracts with definite validity, early termination may result in extra fees.

  • Unlimited contracts may have 30 days notice period.


TAX OFFICE

  • Tax office in your home country (or the country you are moving to) may ask you for a document confirming your tax residency. Do a research on this, and obtain it prior your move to avoid having to deal with this later from abroad.


DOG FEES

  • If you have registered pet in the Czech Republic and you pay yearly fees, announce your departure to the relevant office as well.


GP

  • If you are registered with a GP in the Czech Republic, you may want to inform them about your permanent departure as well as ask for your medical records


PARKING PERMIT

  • If you have purchased a yearly parking permit for your car, inform the authorities to cancel it.

  • You can also apply for a refund for the months that will not be used. Such has to be applied for, it is not done automatically.


INSURANCE

  • Concluded liability, car or other insurance applicable only for the Czech Republic? Don't forget to terminate such as well.


INTERNATIONAL DRIVING LICENCE

  • Have you obtained Czech driver's licence? Arrange yourself an international one, so you can drive in your new country until you receive local driver's licence again.


APOSTILLE DOCUMENTS

  • Finished university in the Czech Republic or was your child born in the Czech Republic? Make sure you arrange an Apostille on documents issued in the Czech Republic so they can be used abroad.

  • Pro tip: arrange translation of these documents to English from the Czech Republic already as the prices of the local translator may be much lower than those abroad.


Feeling overwhelmed? Contact me or a relocation advisor for support.




 
 
 

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