Welcome among the LFP CU Alumni

You can find practical information on how to successfully complete your studies here.

Dear Graduates,

first of all, let me congratulate you on successfully completing your studies. Graduation is an important milestone, but for many of you it is not the end of your journey in the Czech Republic. Instead, it is the beginning of a new chapter—one in which you will become colleagues, healthcare professionals and valued members of the Czech medical community. We hope that this guide will make the process easier and help you avoid unnecessary complications.

Please remember that although your studies have come to an end, your relationship with the Faculty has not. You will always remain part of our academic community, and we are pleased to continue supporting you as you begin your professional career. On behalf of the Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, I wish you every success in your professional and personal life.

Welcome to the next stage of your journey.

With my very best wishes,
MUDr. Vasileios Tzigkounakis, Ph.D.
Vice-Dean for International Affairs

Subscribe to the newsletter

Stay in touch with your faculty. You won’t miss any events or news.

How to Apply for a Work Permit in the Czech Republic
Guide for Medical and Dental Graduates of an English-Taught Programme

We are truly delighted that you have decided to continue your professional career in the Czech Republic. Your decision is not only a compliment to our Faculty, but also an important contribution to the Czech healthcare system, which benefits greatly from talented and dedicated young physicians and dentists from around the world.

Step 1 – Obtain Your Graduation Documents

After graduation, collect the following documents from your Faculty:

  • Graduation Diploma
  • Diploma Supplement (if issued)
  • Transcript of Records
  • State Examination Certificate (if applicable)

Keep the original documents in a safe place.

Step 2 – Legalise Your Graduation Documents (Apostille)

If your future employer or the relevant authorities require apostilled documents, follow the procedure described in the guide:

“Steps for Legalising Your Graduation Diploma and Accompanying Documents (Apostille).”

This process includes:

  • notarisation of certified copies,
  • legalization by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports,
  • obtaining an Apostille from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Step 3 – Obtain Professional Recognition (if applicable)

Depending on your nationality and the country where you intend to practise, your diploma may need to be recognised by the competent authority.

Graduates intending to work in the Czech Republic should verify with their employer whether any additional recognition procedure is required.

Step 4 – Find an Employer

Before applying for a work permit or residence permit, you must receive a job offer from a Czech healthcare institution, such as:

  • a university hospital,
  • a regional hospital,
  • a private clinic,
  • a dental practice,
  • another licensed healthcare provider.

Once you accept the offer, your employer will prepare the employment contract or a binding job offer.

Step 5 – Apply for the Appropriate Residence and Employment Authorisation

The required procedure depends on your nationality.

Citizens of EU/EEA Member States and Switzerland

You need to pass the Czech language exams that ministry of education organizes for non-Czech citizens approximately every two months. After the succesfull completion of the above exams, your work permit will be issued by the ministry of health. You may start working immediately after signing your employment contract.

If you intend to stay in the Czech Republic for more than 90 days, you may apply for a Certificate of Temporary Residence, although this is generally optional.

Non-EU Citizens

If you are a citizen of a country outside the European Union, you will usually need to apply for an Employee Card (Zaměstnanecká karta).

The Employee Card combines: permission to reside in the Czech Republic and permission to work.

Your employer will usually assist you with the necessary documentation.

Typical documents include:

  • a valid passport,
  • employment contract or future employment contract,
  • proof of accommodation,
  • passport photographs (if required),
  • proof of professional qualification,
  • apostilled graduation documents (if requested),
  • health insurance (depending on your situation).

Step 6 – Submit Your Application

Applications are normally submitted:

  • at the Czech Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence, or
  • at the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic, if you are eligible to apply from within the Czech Republic.

Processing times vary and may take several weeks.

Step 7 – Register After Arrival

If required, complete the following administrative steps after arriving in the Czech Republic:

  • register your place of residence,
  • complete biometric registration (if applicable),
  • collect your Employee Card,
  • register with your health insurance provider,
  • obtain your Czech birth number (rodné číslo), if assigned.

Step 8 – Begin Your Employment

Once your residence and employment authorisation has been granted, you may begin working as a physician or dentist in accordance with Czech legislation.

Your employer will usually assist you with:

  • registration for health insurance,
  • social security registration,
  • tax registration,
  • employment orientation.

Steps for Legalising Your Graduation Diploma and Accompanying Documents (Apostille)

  1. Make photocopies of your graduation diploma and all accompanying documents (e.g. your State Examination Certificate or Transcript of Records).
  2. Visit a notary public with both the original documents and the photocopies. Ask the notary to certify the photocopies as true copies of the originals (only the photocopies should be notarized).
  3. Take the original documents together with the notarized photocopies to the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports in Prague* and request legalization of the notarized copies. Before your appointment, you may need to purchase revenue stamps (“kolky”), one for each document to be legalized. Revenue stamps can be purchased at any post office in the Czech Republic.

    *Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports | Karmelitská 529/5, 118 00 Prague
    Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
  4. Once the documents have been legalized by the Ministry of Education, book an appointment at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Prague* to obtain an Apostille. This procedure may require you to leave the documents at the Ministry and return on a later date to collect them.

    *Ministry of Foreign Affairs | Loretánské náměstí 101/5, 118 00 Prague
    Monday and Wednesday: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
    Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
  5. Once the Apostille has been issued, the documents are ready for official use abroad. The apostilled certified copies have the same legal validity as the original graduation diploma and the accompanying documents for international official purposes.
  6. NEVER submit your original diploma or original accompanying documents to any authority unless explicitly required. Keep the originals in your possession at all times. We strongly recommend making a sufficient number of photocopies from the outset, so that additional certified copies can be prepared whenever needed in the future.

Further study

Earn a PhD in Doctoral Study

Do you have any question?

Contact the Study department.