Employment

You have free access to the labor market, you do not need a work permit.

Where to look for job?

Before you start looking for a job, it is important to prepare a professional CV and, based on the specific job position, a motivation letter.

You can find offers from the Labour Office for foreigners that do not require a work permit HERE. You can find offers from the Labour Office for foreigners that require an employee card HERE.

If you have lost your job, in some situations you have the opportunity to register as a job seeker at the nearest Labour Office. In addition, it is advisable to actively search for offers on online job portals, contact acquaintances, friends or former employers. Another option is to work through an agency.

If you need help finding or keeping a job, want to improve your qualifications, want to start working as a self-employed person or if you feel that your rights have been curtailed, you can contact the SIMI social department.

Employment Agreements

Working Agreement (DPČ)

In practice, it is used both for short-term employment of temporary workers and for more stable – longer-term employment relationships, including those negotiated for an indefinite period. A working agreement (DPČ) is a suitable solution especially when the scope of the required work exceeds 300 hours per year and does not require full-time work. You can conclude a working agreement with your employer for a maximum of half of the average weekly working time (usually 20 hours per week). Health and social insurance are not paid from the remuneration under the contract up to CZK 2,499 per month. When negotiating remuneration, the employer must adhere to at least the minimum wage rates and adhere to the principle of fair remuneration of the employee.

• More information can be found HERE.
• You can find a sample of DPČ HERE.

Work Performance Agreement (DPP)

A work performance agreement, unlike an employment agreement or employment relationship, is a one-off contract; it usually involves the completion of a unique, one-off task. You can work up to 300 hours per year with one employer under this agreement. If your monthly salary exceeds CZK 10,000 per month, you will pay health and social insurance premiums. More information and changes in taxation since 2014 can be found HERE, for example.

• Any agreement must be concluded in writing. A sample DPP can be found HERE.

Employer obligations and contributions

The employer is obliged to pay social insurance for its employees, which includes health insurance premiums, pension insurance premiums and contributions to the state employment policy. The employee’s social insurance rate is 6.5%, the employer’s 25%, a total of 31.5% of the gross wage. The insurance is paid monthly.

The employer is obliged to pay health insurance for its employees. The employer’s health insurance rate is 9%, the employee pays 4.5%, a total of 13.5% of the gross wage. The insurance is paid monthly.

The employer is obliged to calculate the advance payment for personal income tax from dependent activity and pay this tax for the employee. The income tax is 15%. You can learn more about employment relations HERE.

You can calculate your net salary HERE or HERE.

Upon termination of employment and also upon termination of the employment agreement, the employer is obliged to issue the employee a Credit Sheet and a Registration Sheet without any conditions. It must contain:

• employment data, whether it was an employment relationship or an employment agreement and its duration,
• type of work performed,
• achieved qualifications,
• information whether the employment relationship was terminated by the employer due to a particularly serious breach of duty
• time worked and other facts
• information whether deductions are made from the employee’s salary, in whose favor, how high the claim is
• data on the creditable period of employment

In case of irregularities or breach of the employer’s obligations, you can contact the relevant tax office, district social security administration, health insurance company or labor inspectorate.

Labor law minimum for employees

The employment contract must meet the following requirements:

• Written contract made in 2 copies
• Type of work, place of work, starting date
• Trial period – max. 3 months

The employer must inform the employee in writing about other terms and conditions of employment (if not included in the contract) within 1 month of starting work. These include in particular:

• detailed description of the employer
• type of work and place of work
• vacation information
• salary
• working hours
• notice period
• further information on concluded collective agreements.

Employment under an employment contract guarantees:

• entitlement to sick leave and pension (if other requirements are met – required insurance period, etc.)
• 4 weeks of vacation (after working 60 days)

An employment relationship can be concluded for a fixed or indefinite period.

The minimum wage for 2025 is CZK 20,800 per month. The hourly minimum wage for 2025 is set at CZK 124.40.

Length of working hours set by law

• Must not exceed 40 hours per week
• Even distribution – up to 9 hours
• Uneven distribution – up to 12 hours
• Flexible working hours – by agreement of both parties
• Mandatory break of at least 30 minutes after a maximum of 6 hours of work
• At least 12 hours of rest between shifts
• Night work max. 8 hours within 24 hours
• The scope of overtime and its remuneration must be included in the contract, there is no entitlement

Termination

• Termination – in writing, can be given by both the employer and the employee, the employer only if it meets the conditions of the Labor Code
• By agreement – must be concluded in writing, each party a copy, on the agreed date, with justification
• By immediate termination – by delivery of a notice of termination of employment
• By termination during the probationary period
• By expiration of the period
• Immediate termination of the relationship – only for a particularly serious violation of regulations, or unconditional conviction for a crime

What to watch out for?

Additional effort by the employer to supplement the employment contract with a probationary period and then apply it subsequently. Concluding a fixed-term employment relationship, when the entire period of the employment relationship is a probationary period. Upon termination of the employment relationship, the employer must issue the employee with a confirmation of employment – a credit sheet, without conditions. Familiarize yourself with the collective agreement or internal regulations so that the employee is not unnecessarily reduced in any entitlement. Have your manager confirm your written request for leave in good time. If the employer does not want to give notice, but wants to terminate the relationship by agreement, it is appropriate to demand financial compensation.

What to avoid?

Do not sign any agreement on termination of employment if the real reason for termination of employment is that the employee is entitled to severance pay. Do not take leave only after verbal agreement with the manager. Do not start work without a signed written employment contract. If you are on sick leave, do not work and stay at the address provided. Do not work with a trade license as an employee – švarcsystém!