Housing for foreign nationals in Czechia: what you need for a lease
A foreign national can rent a flat in Czechia in the same way as a Czech citizen — you need proof of identity, evidence that you will pay the rent, and a signed lease. In the Karlovy Vary Region, where foreign nationals make up 12.6% of the population, this is an everyday situation. This guide sums up what a landlord usually looks at and how it works in Rezidence Pelikán. It is not legal advice — always check the specific conditions of your residence with the Czech Ministry of the Interior.
How many foreign nationals live in the Karlovy Vary Region
According to the Czech Statistical Office (ČSÚ), 36,881 foreign nationals were living in the Karlovy Vary Region as at 31 December 2025, which is 12.6% of the region's population — the third highest share in Czechia after Prague (26.0%) and the Plzeň Region (13.4%). Half of them, 18,458 people, are Ukrainians. Housing for foreign nationals is therefore not a marginal topic here, but a normal part of the market.
What a landlord usually needs
With a long-term rental in Czechia, three things are usually at issue: who you are, whether you will be able to pay the rent, and how long the contract runs for. In practice that means proof of identity (an ID card or a passport), information about your employment or income, and paying a refundable deposit. The specific requirements differ from landlord to landlord.
In Rezidence Pelikán the deposit is CZK 10,000 and it is refundable, the contract is concluded as a long-term lease, usually for 12 months, and the owner reserves the right to choose a reliable tenant. There is no agency commission to pay, because the flats are let directly by the operator of the building.
Permanent residence and your address
In Czechia an address of residence is needed for practically everything — from registering with a doctor to dealing with a bank. In a flat in Rezidence Pelikán, permanent residence registration (trvalý pobyt) is possible. The rules on residence for foreign nationals (types of residence permit, reporting your address) are governed by the Act on the Residence of Foreign Nationals and set out by the Czech Ministry of the Interior — the information on its website is always more authoritative than any article.
When the employer sorts out the housing
A company can rent a flat for its employee. The same terms apply as with an ordinary lease: a long-term rental and, given the size of 22 m², a maximum of two people in the flat. For newcomers from abroad this tends to be the simplest route — the employer arranges the housing and the employee moves into a place that is ready to go.
What it costs and what is included
| Item | 1 person | 2 people |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | CZK 7,900 | CZK 7,900 |
| Advance for utilities and services | CZK 3,600 | CZK 4,400 |
| Total per month | CZK 11,500 | CZK 12,300 |
| Refundable deposit | CZK 10,000 one-off | |
The advance covers electricity, heating, water, waste collection and building management, so you deal with one payment instead of separate contracts with energy suppliers — for someone who is only just getting to know Czech energy prices, that is a substantial help. Internet from StarNet is arranged directly with the provider from CZK 299 a month; the connection to the television antenna is included in the price.
What to watch out for
- Always insist on a written lease and have it explained to you, or translated if need be.
- Check exactly what is in the fees and whether there is an annual settlement.
- Ask about commission — with a rental directly from the operator of the building, none is payable.
- Find out the house rules (in Rezidence Pelikán the building is non-smoking and the tenant receives written house rules).
- Deal with residence matters according to information from the Czech Ministry of the Interior, not on the advice of acquaintances.
The Rezidence Pelikán website is available in full in Czech, English and Russian, including 56 answers to frequently asked questions — before you ring anyone, you can read everything through calmly in your own language.
Sources
- ČSÚ, Karlovy Vary regional office — “Half of the foreign nationals living in the Karlovy Vary Region in 2025 are Ukrainians” (published 13 July 2026, data as at 31 December 2025).
- Czech Ministry of the Interior — residence of foreign nationals on the territory of the Czech Republic (general information).