Applying for Asylum in Czechia
Here you can find useful information on how to apply for asylum in Czechia and receive help:
On this page:
A person can apply for asylum when they have left their country because of fear of persecution, serious human rights violations, violence, or armed conflict, and cannot return there. In this case, the person can apply for asylum to receive protection in another country (also called ‘International Protection’).
You have the right to apply for asylum if you are fleeing conflict or persecution. As an asylum seeker, you cannot be expelled or returned to a country where your life or freedom would be in danger.
Applying for asylum in Czechia
Depending on where you are in Czechia, if you need international protection and you fear returning to your home country, you can make an asylum application at a land border or at an international airport, or from within Czechia if you have already entered the country.
If you are NOT in Czechia, please check the UNHCR HELP Site page of the country where you are for information on how to apply for asylum there.
Depending on where you are in Czechia, you can apply for asylum in one of the following ways:
At a land border crossing point (if you are at a border with Czechia) At Václav Havel Airport Prague in Czechia Inside Czechia (if you have already entered the country)
Since Czechia is located inside the European Union, there are usually no border controls at the land border crossing points (border with Czechia). If you are controlled and you want to apply for asylum, you should immediately inform the Police Officer at the checkpoint.
The border Police Officer should provide you with the necessary information on the asylum procedure. You can request an interpreter if you need one. You can also ask for free legal assistance, which can be provided by UNHCR’s partner organization.
After you ask to apply for asylum at the border, you should be taken to the Reception Centre in Zastávka u Brna for registration of your asylum application.
If you have arrived at Václav Havel Airport Prague and want to apply for asylum, you should inform the Police Officer at the passport control immediately.
The airport Police Officer should provide you with the necessary information on the asylum procedure.
A “UNHCR information leaflet for asylum seekers in Czechia” will be handed to you by the Police Officer with more information on the procedure. You can request an interpreter if you need one. You can also ask for free legal assistance, which can be provided by UNHCR’s partner organization.
After you ask to apply for asylum and complete the first checks, you will be transferred to the reception centre located in the airport transit area. Your asylum application will be completed there.
Applying for asylum does not always mean you can enter Czechia immediately. In some cases, your application will be examined in the reception centre at the airport. This is a closed centre. You have the right to legal counselling.
If you are already in Czechia, you can make an asylum application at the Foreign Police office located at the back entrance of the Reception Centre in Zastávka u Brna (just around the corner from the main entrance into the administrative building).
You can also apply for asylum at one of the regional Foreign Police offices. In this case, you will be taken to the Reception Centre in Zastávka u Brna to complete the first steps of the asylum procedure, including identification and medical examination.
In case you arrived without a valid visa or passport, or you are apprehended by the border police and placed in a detention facility for foreigners, you can apply for asylum within 7 days after you were apprehended.
Applying for asylum does not mean you will be automatically released from detention. The authorities will first look into your reasons for seeking asylum. You have the right to challenge the detention decision in court.
There are 3 detention facilities for foreigners:
Bělá – JezováThe authorities will first make some verifications, including but not limited to fingerprinting and picture taking.
The police will first verify your identity, for instance will take your fingerprints and your picture.
You will go to the reception centre to complete the first steps of the asylum procedure. You will complete the application form and undergo identification and medical examination. The authorities will make a copy of your passport, if you hold one.
You will receive an identification card for asylum seekers.
Later, you will be invited to an asylum interview. You can bring documents that support your case. You will have an interpreter during these steps.
The Ministry of the Interior usually decides on your application within 6 months. Sometimes the process takes longer. If this happens, the authorities should inform you. On the contrary, in some cases, the decision can come faster, for example if you are detained or reside at the airport reception centre, you should receive a decision within 12 weeks.
If the authorities find that your fear to return to your home country is justified, you will be granted asylum or subsidiary protection.
If you are granted asylum (recognized as a refugee), you will get a residence permit in Czechia for 3 years. Asylum status can be extended.
If you are granted subsidiary protection, you will get a residence permit in Czechia for at least one year. Subsidiary protection can also be extended.
In both cases, you can benefit from integration support. This includes accommodation in Integration Centres for 12 months, support to learn the Czech language, finding employment, and receiving support from a social worker. Your close family members have the right to apply for family reunification to join you in Czechia.
If your asylum application is rejected, you have the right to appeal the decision in court within 10 or 15 days (depending on the case). A lawyer can help you prepare the appeal.
If you do not wish to appeal the negative decision you will be given an exit visa to leave the country.
Support and assistance for Asylum Seekers
You have the right to receive free legal counselling at any point of the asylum procedure. Lawyers regularly visit reception and accommodation centres.
You can find contacts of our partner organizations and other useful contacts below or in the centre. Lawyers can explain the asylum procedure, your rights, and answer your questions. They can help you prepare for the interview. They can assist you in writing an appeal if your application is rejected. In some cases, they can also accompany you for your asylum interview or represent you at court.
UNHCR’s partner “Organization for Aid to Refugees” (OPU) can provide you with free legal aid if you wish to apply for asylum and/or to receive assistance from expert lawyers during the asylum procedure. If you are in Czechia and wish to receive such information and assistance from a lawyer, you can contact OPU directly:
Legal Consultation & Information: Provide information and legal counselling on the asylum procedures and your rights, answer your questions. Legal aid at the appeal stage: Assist you at the appeal stage of the asylum procedure (in case of a negative decision). Lawyer’s accompaniment: Accompany you for your asylum interview appointment (in some cases). Legal representation: Represent you in appeal procedure at courts (in some cases).
A lawyer from OPU can also provide legal counselling and assistance to asylum seekers in the asylum facilities, however OPU needs to be requested since they do not visit the centers regularly. You can contact OPU to schedule an appointment.
Once you have been interviewed, you can decide whether you need to be provided with accommodation or live elsewhere at your own expense. If you need accommodation, you will be assigned to one of three Accommodation (Residential) Centres for asylum seekers across Czechia.
If you decide to live elsewhere, you will need to provide your address to the authorities for them to be able to contact you for the follow-up of your asylum procedure.
In some cases, you will be obliged to reside in an assigned centre by the Ministry of the Interior. You will receive the information on your rights and obligations.
During the time your asylum application is examined, you can access the public healthcare system if you have medical needs. You can also start working 6 months after your asylum application has been registered.
If you have children with you, you will be assisted to enroll them in primary school (school attendance is mandatory for children of age 6 to 15).
If you are staying in the Residential Center for Asylum Seekers, you will receive some financial support to cover your essential needs.
This will vary depending on the number of persons in the family. The exact amount is available on the information billboards at the facility. This money is provided to cover your needs, including food.
However, if your or your family’s income is higher than the minimum subsistence level, you must contribute to the costs of food and accommodation.
The standard procedure includes two interviews: The first interview is short and its goal is to fill in your asylum application. It is related to some details of your journey to Czechia and the reasons you left your country. The other interview is longer and can take up to 2-3 hours, or in some cases longer. Its goal is to describe your story and understand the reasons why you left your country.
It is important to give as many details as possible regarding the reasons and fears you have for leaving your country of origin, provide any proof and documentation you have to back up your claim, if any, and give a detailed account of your journey.
You have the right to have an interpreter during the interview. If you have difficulty understanding your interpreter, please say this immediately. In some cases, your interview may be planned for later and you will get a different interpreter.
Your interview will be recorded by the officer and you can record it as well. You can ask for a break at any time during the interview.
At the end of the interview, you will be asked if you would like to review the interview transcript (written record). We recommend you do so, as it will allow you to review and possibly clarify your answers. You also have the right to take a photo of the interview transcript – this may be helpful to you and the lawyer working on your case.
A lawyer can help you prepare for your interview and, in some cases, accompany you to your interview. Please find more information in the leaflet here.
Additional support
How can UNHCR help me?
UNHCR works to ensure that refugees are informed and able to apply for asylum and receive free legal assistance if needed.
In Czechia, UNHCR works with partner organisations that help asylum seekers make their asylum applications and offer free legal aid within the asylum procedure.
Find more information above on how to ask for free legal aid.
You can also contact UNHCR at any time during the asylum procedure. In some cases, UNHCR can be present during an asylum interview and look into the case file to see where the procedure stands (with your consent).