Life in the Czech Republic as a whole is safe and calm. But at the same time it cannot be called ideal. Both those who live in this country and those who come here have their own difficulties and problems. That is why, before deciding to immigrate to the Czech Republic, it is worth taking a closer look at it, reading the reviews left by our former compatriots, and having gone there several times as a tourist. This is the only way to find out about all the pros and cons of living in this state.
Country Information
The Czech Republic, like Slovakia, arose in 1993 as a result of the collapse of Czechoslovakia. It is located in Central Europe and has borders with Austria, Poland and Germany. After the victory of the USSR over fascism, the territory of the Czech Republic found itself in the zone to which Soviet influence was spread. She managed to turn off the socialist course only in 1989. Today, the Czech Republic is a modern European state, a member of NATO and the EU, as well as a party to the Schengen agreement.
The nature of this country is very beautiful. Over its territory flowing rivers Elba and Vltava. There are also low mountains and large forests. In the Czech Republic, almost always calm weather. Rapid streams of air masses do not allow mountains surrounding the country to enter its territory. Winter is very mild in the Czech Republic. Summer is rainy and cool.
The policy of this state is aimed at preserving the natural resources at its disposal. In addition, the Czech authorities are taking all possible measures to solve various environmental problems, including carrying out work to improve air quality. In the period when the country had a socialist orientation, it actively developed its industry. This caused damage to the environment. Today, the Czech Republic uses ecological fuel, opens factories that process waste, controls emissions of industrial enterprises and stops consuming brown coal as an energy source.
A sufficiently high standard of living of the population of this country is explained by a stable economy. The Republic has its own well-developed fuel and energy, metallurgical, chemical, engineering, light and food industries. A good contribution to the economy of the country is made by the tourism sector. Millions of foreigners annually come to Prague, Pilsen, Brno and other cities where majestic medieval buildings have been preserved to this day. Travelers and Karlovy Vary, the Enemy, Bechine and other resorts visit. In the Czech Republic, you can also slide down a steep ski slope and visit the thermal springs. This country has no access to the sea.
Population
About 11 million people live in the Czech Republic. The ethnic composition of the inhabitants of this country is homogeneous. 95% of its population is represented by ethnic Czechs. The remaining 5% are foreign citizens. A large number of migrants from the former post-Soviet space come to the country. Most of them are Ukrainians. Russians, Poles, Germans, gypsies, migrants from Asian countries live in the country. Over 71% of the population are people whose age ranges from 15 to 65 years.
How many Russians are in the Czech Republic? Judging by the statistics, at the end of 2017 the number of our compatriots in this country amounted to 37 thousand people. Almost 40% of their number are students. A little over 20% came to the country in order to reunite with their family. About 10% moved to the Czech Republic for humanitarian reasons. Every 25th person who asks to grant him asylum in this country is also a native of Russia.
Pros of Migration
What is the attractive Czech Republic for Russians? This country is chosen for migration, because in it:
- you can get a free education;
- well-developed transport system and infrastructure;
- low crime rate;
- loans and mortgages are provided on favorable terms;
- beautiful nature;
- reasonable prices;
- comfortable climate;
- a large number of architectural monuments;
- low level of bureaucracy and corruption;
- various types of recreation are available.
Reviews about living in this country are mixed. Well, those Russians in the Czech Republic who were able to officially find work here and get good wages. Among the advantages of this state, many migrants also highlight the fact that diplomas of Russian universities are quoted on its territory. It is not necessary here for our former compatriots to confirm their driver's license.
Cons of migration
However, it cannot be argued that everything is just wonderful in the Czech Republic. The republic has its own shortcomings. Among them:
- legalization of soft drugs;
- lack of pharmacies working around the clock;
- insufficient selection of quality shoes and clothes;
- high cost of cellular communications;
- low interest rates on deposits;
- low level of service in entertainment facilities.
In addition, grocery stores in the Czech Republic in the evening hours are only open until 8-9 hours. 24-hour supermarkets are located only in Prague. In addition, Russian in the Czech Republic, as, indeed, to all other foreigners, will be quite difficult without knowledge of the Czech language.
Opportunities provided by the country
Should I opt for the Czech Republic for those who decided to move from Russia?
As of 2018, this European country is on the 26th place on our planet in terms of living standards. As for Russia, it occupies the 101st position. For a short period of time in the former Czechoslovakia, the level of economic development has risen significantly, corruption, unemployment and crime have been reduced. Compared to other EU countries, there are relatively inexpensive food, clothing and housing.
Studying in the Czech Republic for Russians, as well as for the indigenous people, is absolutely free. In addition, health care in this country is recognized as one of the best in the world.
There should be no cultural differences for Russians in the Czech Republic. And the point here lies in the mentality of the local population. He is very similar to Russian. It will not be difficult for our former compatriots to learn the Czech language, which belongs to the Slavic group. All this greatly simplifies life in the Czech Republic for Russians and the process of adaptation in this country.
Entry visa
How can Russians come to the Czech Republic? Visiting a country for the first time is recommended for tourist purposes. To enter the territory of this state you will need to apply for a Schengen visa. It can be short-term type “C” or long-term type “D”. The first of them, in turn, can be single (give the right to one trip no more than 90 days) and multiple (provides the opportunity to make several trips, which in the amount of the stay should also not exceed 90 days).
A long-term visa is issued when planning a stay in the country over 90 days. Moreover, during the year under such permits you can stay in the country for no more than 6 months.
You can get a visa by providing the following documents:
- the original passport, the relevance of which must be at least 90 days after the expiration of the visa, as well as a copy of it (spread with photo);
- completed application form;
- color photo 3.5 x 4.0 cm;
- travel insurance issued in the amount of at least thirty thousand euros;
- copies of the internal passport;
- document confirming the purpose of the trip;
- certificates of financial security.
Citizenship
How can a migrant become a holder of a Czech passport? The whole process of obtaining citizenship lasts about ten years. The first step for this will be a residence permit. Provide it on the following grounds:
- reunification with those family members who permanently reside in the country (they must have a Czech passport);
- getting an education;
- investing in a country's economy or opening a business in it;
- Getting a Job.
Having lived in the territory of this European state for five years, you can apply for permanent residence in the Czech Republic.
The right to obtain a residence permit is granted only to those migrants who did not have any problems with the law of the country.
To obtain permanent residence in the Czech Republic, you will need to collect a certain package of documents. It should include:
- application form;
- passport and its copy;
- Photo;
- documents confirming the right to stay in this country or the purpose of arrival;
- certificates of housing availability and financial security;
- insurance;
- police clearance certificate in the Russian Federation and the Czech Republic;
- the result of the Czech language exam.
Migrants who have received permanent residence receive such rights as citizens of the country.
After another five years, it is allowed to apply for a citizenship package to become a full-fledged Czech. It includes:
- birth certificate;
- international passport;
- documents indicating a criminal record, marital status, as well as legality of stay in the country;
- autobiography.
It will also be necessary to indicate your decision on the existing citizenship - will the person refuse it or wish to keep it. Obtaining a long-awaited passport means the end of the immigration process. After that, a person becomes a full-fledged citizen of the Czech Republic.
However, not everyone can collect the necessary documents or simply do not want to participate in such a long process of obtaining a passport. That is why the number of people illegally living on its territory is steadily growing in the country. The country attracts them with a relatively low cost of living and high salaries. The Czech police are constantly struggling with this phenomenon. She carries out regular raids to verify documents, deporting illegal immigrants from the country. However, due to the lack of borders with other European states, such measures do not allow to improve the situation. This causes an annual increase in the number of illegal immigrants in the Czech Republic.
Integration processes
The basic rule that the Czechs adhere to is: "Live well and don’t bother others to do it." That is why the process of integrating our former compatriots into a new society for them is almost painless. Nevertheless, in order to find work in the Czech Republic for Russians, in addition to a dishwasher and a janitor, you will need to know the Czech language. Moreover, for a worthy position he is needed at a good level. After all, only a small percentage of the population knows the Russian language in the Czech Republic. It is this fact that does not allow its use in the professional sphere.
Learning any language is easiest when in the appropriate language environment. In the Czech Republic, it is also easy to do this because the state is moving towards immigrants by opening free courses.
A Russian student in the Czech Republic who has become the owner of a student residence permit can do this directly at the university. All universities in the country provide an opportunity for foreign citizens to learn the national language.
When employing Russians in the Czech Republic, there are several options. So, you can choose one of the language schools or courses. The services of these educational institutions, which make it easier for foreigners to adapt in the country, are widespread. On average, you need to pay from 2 to 3 dollars per hour of class. But it should be borne in mind that you need to immediately purchase a subscription for a year, quarter or month.
However, such studies in the Czech Republic for Russians who recently entered the country are clearly not affordable. What to do in this case? Learn a language yourself? But not everyone can do this. But getting Russian for work in the Czech Republic and in the future citizenship without knowledge of the language becomes impossible. In this case, the immigrant should contact one of the branches of the Integration Center, which already numbers 11 in different cities of the country. Here they can be provided with free services, including:
- consultations on legal and social issues;
- assistance in finding housing;
- assistance in finding a job;
- language courses and cultural adaptation.
Employees of the Integration Center assist even those immigrants who are completely unable to speak Czech. Their duties include escorting clients to various authorities in which their issues are resolved. Most of the employees of such a center funded by the European Fund are foreigners who speak Russian, English, Spanish, Ukrainian and other languages. Any foreigner can use such services in the Czech Republic if he is legally resident in the country.
Language courses at this center are free. But the one who will visit them must make a motivational contribution, the amount of which is approximately $ 70. With good attendance, he returns to the person in the amount of 70%.
How do they treat Russians in the Czech Republic? The local population does not show a particular negative for our compatriots. However, the attitude of the Czechs towards the Russians cannot be called positive. This was influenced by the events of 1968, which still remained in the memory of the older generation. But they do not cause any strong emotions in young people. With the immigrant’s proper behavior and respect for local traditions and language, he won’t have any problems with the Czechs. Of course, among the local population there are also different people. However, in general, the adaptation of Russians in the republic is proceeding quite normally. Much worse is the attitude of Czechs to gypsies and Arabs.
As for the conflict that arose between Ukraine and Russia, it is not very interesting to the indigenous inhabitants of the Czech Republic. On this occasion, people from these states quarrel most of all.
Employment
Getting a job in the Czech Republic for Russians, even for those who have mastered the language of the people of this country, is quite problematic. After all, the authorities of the republic pursue a policy of protectionism of their own citizens. That is why, if there are applicants for a vacant position - Czech and Russian, all other things being equal, preference will be given to the former. In this regard, a foreigner, if he has not yet obtained citizenship and is not a highly qualified and sought-after specialist, will have to get a job that does not attract the indigenous population of the country.
Whom should Russian work in the Czech Republic? Among the simplest vacancies are the following:
- waiter, cook and kitchen worker;
- sales specialist (often such work is possible in combination);
- Technical Specialist;
- truck driver;
- salespeople, consultants and demonstrators;
- Adjusters and equipment operators.
More prestigious is the work of a doctor. The health system of this country is currently experiencing personnel shortages.
The fact is that after the crisis of 2013, highly qualified Czech doctors moved to neighboring countries of the European Union. This caused a shortage of specialists in medicine, which is still felt. To date, the country has developed a special integration program for those who wish to work here as a doctor.
Russian migrants can get a job at the following vacancies:
- construction workers and repairmen (with or without qualifications);
- support staff and cleaners;
- sellers;
- security guards;
- programmers.
Entrepreneurs and successful businessmen are especially welcome in the country.
How do Russians live in the Czech Republic? This is largely determined by their place of work. For example, in Prague, specialists are able to earn from one and a half thousand US dollars. But in a small town, and even located in the northern territories of the country, they get 2-3 times less for similar activities. It should also be borne in mind that of the accrued amount you will need to pay 6.5% for social insurance and 4.5% for medical insurance. For all other income, including interest on bank deposits, a tax of 15% is levied.
Education
Many of our compatriots are well aware of the fact that diplomas received in this country are quoted throughout Europe. And in general, the education system of the republic is significantly different from ours. All of it is divided into four stages. The first of them is represented by a preparatory school. It is visited by children from 2 to 5 years old (by analogy with Russian preschool educational institutions).
The next step is the basic school. It is intended for children from 6 to 15 years. This is the final stage of compulsory secondary education. After that comes high school. It is represented by gymnasiums that prepare students for specialized universities. Russian students who have completed nine grades in their country can also enter such educational institutions.
Next come universities. Moreover, higher education in the Czech Republic is free for Russians . Along with students who are citizens of the country, our compatriots have the opportunity to receive a specialty on a budgetary basis. For this, it is only necessary to choose training that is conducted in the state language. Today, almost 3 thousand Russian students study at Czech universities.
However, those who do not know the language of this country can study at its universities in Russian, English, German or French. To do this, you need to draw up a contract and pay for getting an education.
Having a diploma from a Czech university, it will be easy to get a job. Such specialists are eagerly accepted for available vacancies.