The Czech government is moving forward with plans to eliminate the work permit requirements for Taiwanese nationals, allowing them to access employment more easily starting in 2024. This proposal, advocated by the Czech Labour Ministry, follows the government’s decision in mid-2024 to lift work permit requirements for citizens of nine other countries, including Japan, the United States, Australia, and South Korea, according to Schengen.News.
Previously, Czechia had refrained from allowing Taiwanese nationals to work without permits due to the country’s lack of official recognition of Taiwan as an independent state. However, changes to the Employment Act have now been approved by lawmakers to formally recognize Taiwan’s status as an independent jurisdiction, enabling the new measure.
The bill to remove work permits for Taiwanese nationals is currently under review, though the Ministry is optimistic about its passage. If approved, Taiwan will join a list of countries, including Canada, New Zealand, Singapore, Israel, and the UK, whose citizens can work in Czechia without needing permits.
In 2023, over 800,000 foreign workers were employed in Czechia, a number that has grown significantly over the past decade. Ukrainians make up the largest group of foreign workers, comprising more than a third of the workforce. With high unemployment rates in Czechia, the government is considering further increasing foreign worker quotas, especially if unemployment remains a concern in 2025.
