Right from the first week when your legs touch the ground in Czech Republic, you are permitted to work in the country.
You might have working conditions though, and one of them is fluency in the Czech language. Working while studying is no longer a new thing for international students. It is very common to have a part-time or summer job as an international student in any country, though there are always options for them.
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Not to worry, there are a lot of international companies in the big cities of the country. Many of them employ based on your ability to communicate fluently in English language. However, speaking and understanding Czech language and other languages is a big plus for you.
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Conditions to Work as a Student in Czech Republic
Students who are citizens of EU/EEA countries and Switzerland, or their family members can work in Czech without a working permit. This is because the citizens of these countries have the same legal status as the citizens of Czech Republic. The reason is that Czech Republic is a member of the European Union.
If you are a third-country citizen, you have full permission to work while studying. Third-country citizens are citizens of countries other than the EU/EEA or Switzerland. If you are in the Czech Republic with a student visa, your major purpose is to study. Therefore, you cannot work on a full-time basis.
If you are currently studying in a degree programme that is accredited by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports in the country, you don’t need employment or a work permit. Your potential employer must notify the regional office of the Public Employment Service about the job to be offered to you.
If you’re from a Developing Country?
If as a third-country student, you came for an exchange programme or distance learning form of studies, you may be permitted to work without a work permit. Nevertheless, you must be up to 26 years and your performance of work must not be longer than 7 consecutive calendar days or a total of 30 days in a calendar year.
Furthermore, if you are a citizen of a country other than member countries of the EU/EEA or Switzerland, you may be employed in the country if you have obtained a work permit and a resident permit, or an Employee Card or a Blue Card. Both Employee and Blue Cards make up a work permit and residence permit in one document.
The work permit is issued to last not more than two years. As an international student, you may repeatedly apply for a work permit. It is issued by the local Employment Office.
The work permit can only be valid if the following are specified in it:
- Your employer;
- The type of work you are to do; and
- Your place of work, together with its location.
If you obtained your university education in the Czech Republic and you have finished your education, but you desire to stay in the country working, you need to apply for your Employee Card. With your condition as a graduate of a Czech university, you have free access to the labour market. This means that you are free to search for any job openings in the country.
The Employee Card just serves as a long-term residence permit where the reason for your stay for the employment (not more than 3 months) is stated. You can also search for the portals of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Czech Republic for more information on this.
Jobs Students in Czech Republic Could do
Knowing the Czech language is as good as knowing little details like your phone number. Not that you cannot work without the knowledge of the language, but you might be restricted to certain jobs because you cannot speak the basics of Czech language. Taking a short course on the language might be a great idea.
Find out if you could work in the administrative wing of your institution like the Dean’s office, library, or your department. This is one of the best places to work as a student. So, it could be considered an offer on a platter of gold.
Reading the announcement bulletin of the school, you could find temporary luck. This kind of job does not need work experience, knowledge, or special skills. It could include quick jobs like the distribution of postcards, or packaging of some items.
The tourism sector is another gold mine for students looking for a part-time job. Your job roles could include meeting tourists, working as an assistant seller, working as a receptionist, and so on. You do not need any special skills to do this kind of job.
Career Centres in the Czech Republic
Career centres at universities in the Czech Republic have been experiencing an influx in recent times. As a student, you can try out job interviews to test your working abilities and inabilities,. You can also attend courses that focus on personal and professional development.
In the Czech Republic, some universities organize lectures, exhibits, seminars, or job fairs to help students and recent graduates. This is to help them connect with potential employers. A two-way contract is concluded between the student and the employing firm. Here, the students will be conferred the right to work at a given number of hours before the end of his or her studies. The primary obligation of the student is to demonstrate well and grow career-wise. This is a great way to earn your work experience.
Some schools even run their career portals. This is very fantastic.
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Cost of Living in the Czech Republic
The living costs in the Czech Republic fall under ‘cheap and affordable’. For a student, the average cost of living in the country is in the range between $350 and $every month. This covers feeding, accommodation, transportation, and other events. Note that there may be variabilities in prices. This is dependent upon location, spending habits, lifestyles, and other related issues.
The currency used by Czech nationals is the Czech crown (CZK). In case you want to exchange your money, it can be done in a bank, hotel, or the Bureau de Change. On the other hand, you can pay with your international credit card.
Almost all the higher institutions in the country own their hostels. You might prefer to live in a hostel owned by your institution. Although living in private accommodation is more expensive, though might offer more comfort. If the former is the case, you might have to look up ‘college’ on the website of your proposed institution. But if the latter is the case, you could rent a flat or a single room in a shared flat. Try to look for accommodations closer to your campus for convenience.
The Student Identity Card
The International Student Identity Card (ISIC), is the best card for all students. With the card, you are likely to get discounts on a lot of things like transportation, restaurant, cinema, museum, concerts, and a host of others. It is of great importance for you to obtain your ISIC if you are coming to Czech Republic. You can do so in your home country or university. You could also go to its official website to apply for it.
Medical Care and Insurance
Medical care in the Czech Republic is on a highly sophisticated level. The doctors in the country could be considered top-ranking in the world. Medical care is made available by state-run or privately-owned hospitals or medical outlets.
If you experience any emergency health situation, you could call the ambulance on 112. You could be reached within a short period, irrespective of your location in the country. You could also go to the pharmacies to obtain over-the-counter drugs for the treatment of flu, cold or similar health situations.
The health insurance system in the country-based is the compulsory participation of insured persons. Most medical institutions conclude a contract with an insurance firm for the aim of providing and settling the cost of healthcare and treatment. However, the insured patient is responsible for any excesses or health conditions not covered by the insurance contract.
Students from the EU/EEA Member States with valid health insurance could apply for the European Union Health Insurance Card (EHIC). It is issued for free and gives you access to state-provided healthcare during your stay in any EU country, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.
Students from countries other than the EU Member States and participants of the Erasmus Mundus Programme, Fulbright Scholarship Programme, European Voluntary Service, and some selected countries do not need to pay for medical travel insurance.
Any citizen from countries other than the above is expected to pay for comprehensive health insurance coverage. This is as long as they stay beyond 90 days in the country. This will be required of you once you apply for your visa.
One good thing about studying and working in Czech Republic is that you can secure a job opportunity once you graduate without any hassles.
This will help you to automatically continue with the visa.
Don’t relent in your efforts to secure a job as a student. It is one of the pieces of evidence that you are hardworking. Ensure you put your skills to play. Luckily, you might gain more skills or improve rapidly on the existing ones. Keep pushing, it’s in you.
