Work and Study

Finding work for foreigners without special skills is difficult despite the fact that the unemployment rate in Prague is low. The best choice is to look for work as an English tutor (generally a degree is required but not always). Without proper qualifications and knowledge of the Czech language you can find seasonal work during the summer at some hostels, hotels or restaurants (best to look for a foreign-owned business like Irish pubs etc.). There are quite a lot of overseas companies which do business in Prague but they usually send their trained employees from their home headquarters so it is very unlikely that you will be lucky if you contact them while you are in Prague. The Prague also attracts workers (often working without proper visa) from Central & East European states, plus former Soviet countries like the Ukraine.


Statistic:
290 000 foreigners were working in the Czech Republic as at 1 December 2008.

New legislation which comes into effect this year allows certain nationalities (12 nationalities including USA, Australia, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand) to obtain a Green Card (which combines a visa with a work permit) and thus make it more easy for certain foreigners to work in the Czech Republic. This is no concern for EU nationals as they can live and work in any EU country without any limitations. Foreigners can only apply for a vacant position which was advertised unsuccessfully (meaning that no suitable Czech or EU national could be found for the specified position) for a period of up to 30 days. Cards will be issued either for 2 or 3 years (but at the moment only for 1 year). Applicants must contact a Czech embassy or consulate and apply there.

Recommended websites if you are looking for job in Prague are:

www.jobs.cz
www.expats.cz
www.prague.tv
www.praguepost.cz

Work and Jobs in Prague

If you are an EU citizen you don't need a work permit to work in Prague. The most common jobs for foreigners are teaching English, German or other languages. You might also find employment with some foreign-owned businesses. Some bars and restaurants are also looking for English-speaking staff, especially at tourist locations.