Registered Partnership instead of Visa in Czech Republic
Any 3rd-Country National that wants to stay legally in Czech Republic has to deal with the fact that he or she needs a Visa or a Residence Permit, and therefore must have a valid purpose of stay.
Most common Purposes of Stay:
- Visa for employment purposes + Work Permit,
- Business Visa, using a trade license or SRO company,
- Temporary Residence Permit on the basis of marriage / family.
The hassle with the Employment Visa is always that if the job ends, the Visa ends.
If you do not have a new job and Work Permit then your chances of being able to stay are very small.
Problems of a different kind, but equally annoying, time- and money consuming are the constant renewal of the Business Visa, which implies that every year you need to get statements from the tax office and social office that your business doesn't have debts and of course, for trade licenses, the annual re-registration at commercial court.
The lucky ones are those who married an EU-Citizen. Getting married entitles you to get a special residence permit on the basis of marriage and all the above problems are a thing of the past.
BUT there is hope for people who are not able to marry in Czech Republic because of their sexual orientation and that is the registered partnership.
Registered Partnership
Since a number of years there is a thing called 'registered partnership' which is recognized by the EU.It is not quite a marriage, although you need to produce much of the same papers in order to get it.
The benefit is that this 'registered partnership' has almost the same status as a marriage, so a 3rd-Country National can get a temporary EU Residence Permit with it. It is a solution for people who are of the same sex. The other important condition is that at least one of the partners is Czech.
Conditions for the Registered Partnership in Czech Republic
- both partners are of the same sex
- both partners must be older than 18 years
- at least one of the partners is Czech
- none of the partners was married before
- none of the patrtners is currently married or has a registered partnership
The Problems with the Registered Partnership
The problem with the registered partnership is that workers in townhalls in Czech Republic, especially outside Prague, most of the time have never heard of it.Registering a Registered Partnership
A registered partnership is not done in 5 minutes, and many papers such as birth certificate, proof of being single etc must be presented in legalized translated forms to townhall / Foreign Police. Also, be prepared that both partners will be seperated and subjected to an interview in order to establish the true motivation.De-Registering a Registered Partnership
De-registering a registered partnership is necessary if the two partners split up, because as long as the registered partnership is active, it is not possible to register with someone else or get married. This de-registration is handled in the same way as a divorce, through court. If one of the partners decides to pack his suitcase and disappear, then this may become a complicated matter, since both will need to sign (!)Registered Partnership between Man and Woman
In Czech Republic it is not possible to register as man and woman -although the situation is different in other EU countries, where it is possible to register as 'being together without being married'- and you are probably advised to 'just get married'.One option might be the Durable Relationship. This is basically a 'registered partnership' for 'mixed-sex' couples. If you can prove you are in a durable relationship with a shared household, you could be considered family member of an EU citizen. See More information on the Ministry website
Benefits and Negative Sides of Visa, Registered Partnership, Marriage
| D Visa | Registered Partnership |
Marriage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa Renewal necessary | yes | no, apply once for a Temporary Residence Permit | no, apply once for a Temporary Residence Permit |
| Work Permit necessary | yes | no | no |
| Proof of Financial means at renewal of Busineee Visa | yes | no | no |
| Trade license registration and renewal at Commercial Court | yes | no | no |
| Travelling in Europe without Visa | no, C-Visa every time | yes | yes |
| Hassle with Papers | every year | once | once |
| Un-do able | no problem | divorce through court | divorce through court |
| Costs | for every renewal | one-time | one-time |
| Must speak Czech (or use translator) at registration | no | no | yes |
| Recognized outside EU | - | well... don't count on it | yes |
| Non Czech partnership / marriage recognized here | - | only same-sex, partner is CZ | yes, but only Residence Permit if one is EU Citizen |