Starting January 1, 2026, an important amendment to the Czech Act on the Residence of Foreign Nationals (No. 326/1999 Coll.) will come into effect.
This change is accompanied by updates to the Asylum Act (No. 325/1999 Coll.) and aims to strengthen control over the residence of foreigners, streamline asylum procedures, and improve enforcement of return policies for individuals without valid residence rights.
Current reasons for residence cancellation
Under current law, the Czech Ministry of the Interior can revoke a residence permit for several reasons, such as:
Failure to fulfill the declared purpose of stay
Providing false or misleading information, or submitting falsified documents
Conviction for an intentional criminal offense
Reasonable suspicion that the person could seriously disturb public order or threaten state security
New rule: Three offenses within 12 months
From 2026, authorities will have the power to initiate residence cancellation if a foreigner commits three administrative offenses within 12 consecutive months, as recorded in the Central Register of Offenses under Act No. 250/2016 Coll.
This measure targets recurring minor offenses that disrupt public order, property rights, or civil coexistence.
Only final and serious offenses are entered into the register (such as those against public order or property) while traffic violations (kept in the separate driver registry) will not be considered for this purpose.
In practice, this new rule gives immigration authorities an additional tool to act against repeated misconduct, complementing existing measures like criminal offenses or national security risks.
How this may affect foreigners
The change highlights the Czech government’s intent to enforce stricter compliance among foreign residents.
Frequent minor offenses (even if not criminal) may now jeopardize residence stability and future immigration applications.
For expats living long-term in Czechia, this underscores the importance of understanding and respecting local laws, including administrative and civil obligations that may seem minor but are officially recorded.
Key takeaway
This amendment represents a significant shift toward tighter migration management and public order enforcement.
However, its real-world impact will depend on how proportionally authorities apply it considering each individual’s circumstances, such as length of stay, family situation, and nature of the offenses.
If you’re a foreign resident in Czechia, staying informed and compliant with local regulations will be more important than ever.