In a recent interview, it was highlighted that the Czech Republic’s educational system is facing a challenge in producing enough STEM graduates to meet the growing demand. To address this issue, it is suggested that working with foreign talent, particularly digital nomads, could be a valuable addition to the traditional employee-employer scheme.
To qualify for the digital nomad visa in the Czech Republic, applicants must have at least three years of experience in IT or possess high academic qualifications in a STEM field, which encompasses technology and engineering.
The Czech Republic has joined the ranks of Montenegro and Spain as the latest European countries to introduce digital nomad visas in the past year.
While the visa is currently only available to citizens of Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, there is a possibility that it may be expanded to include nationals of other countries in the future.
According to Mejtský, an official from the Ministry of the Interior, the initial focus was on countries classified as no/low risk, but the program may be extended to other countries based on the experience gained from its implementation.
To be eligible for the visa, applicants must earn at least 1.5 times the average salary in the Czech Republic, which was approximately $1,850 in the first quarter of 2023 according to government data. However, there is no official information available on the specific salary requirements for STEM and tech careers.
The introduction of the digital nomad visa in the Czech Republic is expected to bring several benefits. Mejtský believes that it will contribute to the transfer of digital knowledge, which is crucial for the country’s industrial sectors and overall employment growth. Additionally, the program is anticipated to generate higher tax revenue.
Tertiary effect is the indirect tax collected as the digital nomads are above-average earning individuals and a significant part of their earnings will result in their spending for services while in the country
