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EU citizens will have to register if they stay longer than 90 days, approved by the government

by AI | 30.Aug 2024 | Europe in brief AI

The law should come into effect from January 2026, mandatory registration of EU citizens should be launched a year later.

Prague, view across the Vltava river to Prague Castle. Photo: ČTK Connect/Olga Patáková

Prague – European Union citizens who will stay in the Czech Republic for more than 90 days will likely have to register with the Ministry of the Interior. This is stipulated by the new law on the entry and residence of foreigners, which was approved by the government today. According to the Minister of the Interior Vít Rakušan (STAN), the other goals of the proposal include the digitization of the residence agenda or the definition of the institute of so-called guarantor. This is an entity that ensures the purpose of the stay for a foreigner from a third country, i.e., a country outside the EU. According to the quarterly report on migration from the Ministry of the Interior, there were 1,056,626 foreigners in the Czech Republic by the end of June, and the Ministry of the Interior estimates that there are up to 200,000 EU citizens in the Czech Republic who are not registered.

The law is expected to take effect from January 2026, and the mandatory registration of EU citizens should be launched a year later. EU foreigners already living in the Czech Republic will be required to register within two years.

Rakušan pointed out that the changes introduced by the law do not affect foreigners applying for asylum or temporary protection, nor does it implement the migration pact. However, it will affect foreigners who legally reside in the Czech Republic. According to the minister, the obligation to register for EU citizens is quite common in other EU countries as well. Currently, EU citizens do not have to report their stay. According to the Ministry of the Interior, this brings problems; for example, a municipality does not receive money from the state for unregistered foreigners. Differences between the actual and recorded number of people can also affect the planning of school or healthcare capacities, according to the Ministry of the Interior. Thanks to the registration, municipalities will have data on foreigners available, and services tied to identity verification will also be more accessible to foreigners according to the proposal.

The consortium of non-governmental organizations working with migrants stated in the comment procedure on the norm that the law disadvantages family members of Czech citizens who have not previously resided together in another EU member state. According to the consortium, they will be in a worse position than family members of foreigners living in the Czech Republic. The latter will be able to use the benefits of the status of “family member of an EU citizen” and the related rights, unlike the relatives of Czech citizens. On Monday, the consortium called on the government not to approve the law. (August 28)