Czech Chamber of Deputies Opens First Reading of Sweeping Amendment to Foreigners Act

In Prague, the Chamber of Deputies spent the afternoon of 20 February debating Government Bill 811, the most extensive rewrite of the Act on the Residence of Foreign Nationals since 2017. The draft aligns Czech law with upcoming EU Entry/Exit System rules and introduces a “three-strike” mechanism that can lead to automatic visa cancellation for repeated minor offences such as late address registration. Interior Minister Vít Rakušan told MPs the bill would "cut red tape for compliant expatriates while giving police faster digital tools against abuse." A new online portal will allow employers to upload foreign workers’ contracts directly, replacing paper confirmations at labour offices. At the same time, biometric re-enrolment will become compulsory every five years for long-term residents. Business groups welcomed the streamlined processes but warned about transitional chaos. The American Chamber of Commerce in the Czech Republic noted that roughly 28 000 intra-company transferees will need to revisit offices between July and December to have fingerprints taken again. Law firms are urging HR directors to schedule appointments early, as only 14 regional migration centres will handle the surge. Opposition MPs criticised heightened penalties: foreigners who ignore two digital reminders about expiring health insurance could see residence permits shortened. The bill now goes to the Security Committee; the Senate is expected to vote before the summer recess so that changes enter into force on 1 January 2027, six months after the EU’s EES becomes fully operational. For global-mobility teams, the headline is clear: data accuracy and timely uploads will soon matter more than paper originals. Companies should audit internal processes and budget for additional legal support during the 2026-27 transition.