Czechia Eyes 10-Year Penalties for Illegal Hiring of Foreigners

Czechia is considering much tougher penalties for illegal employment of foreign workers. Czech media reported on 31 October 2026 that the governing ANO movement has put forward amendments that could send employers and labour intermediaries to prison for up to 10 years. These are proposals in an unfinished legislative process, not adopted law.

What is being proposed

The amendments target two practices: unauthorised employment of foreigners, and disguised labour supply, where workers are hired out between companies outside the legal framework for agency employment. Employers and intermediaries involved in such schemes could face up to 10 years in prison. The penalties concern illegal practices. They do not target lawful employment of foreign nationals or properly authorised agency work. The proposals are sponsored by Interior Minister Lubomír Metnar (submitting as an MP), Labour Minister Aleš Juchelka and Finance Minister Alena Schillerová. A STAN MP, Jakub Krainer, tried to send the legislation back to the parliamentary security committee, but did not succeed.

Why lawmakers are pushing it

The sponsors argue that illegal hiring generates profit for organised crime and gives intermediaries leverage over foreign workers who depend on them for work and documents. They point to the scale of the market: according to their figures, about 250,000 people worked through roughly 2,000 licensed agencies in 2024, including about 100,000 non-EU nationals. Many unlicensed agencies reportedly operate as well. The sponsors estimate that illegal employment costs public finances CZK 50 billion; note that this is their own estimate, not a finding contained in the bill.

Other measures in the same debate

The same package of discussions also covers temporary protection. A separate bill, which has advanced to the final approval stage but is not yet law, would require most temporary-protection holders who apply for humanitarian benefits to be employed, self-employed or registered with the Labour Office. Applicants would generally need to spend at least 16 days in Czechia in the month covered by the payment, with exemptions for children, students and older people. Temporary protection would end for people who spend more than 30 days outside the Schengen area or who are expelled. Other ideas, such as shortening enhanced refugee support from 150 to 90 days, are only proposals so far.

What this means for candidates

Czechia remains an option for legal work, but the direction is clear: more control over who employs foreigners and through whom. Before accepting an offer, check four things:

• Who is the real employer? The company named in your contract should be the one you actually work for.
• Is there a written contract? Never start work on a verbal promise.
• Does the permit match the job? Your permit and the position must correspond.
• Is the agency licensed? Be wary of anyone who offers “unofficial” work or an unclear chain of companies.

What this means for employers

Companies that hire foreign workers should use only licensed agencies, keep permit and registration records complete, and avoid arrangements where workers are passed between companies without a proper legal basis. Compliant employers are not the target of these proposals, but documentation will matter more than before.

Our approach

At MN Ideal Company, we work on one principle: legal employment, officially and transparently. If you are considering work in Europe, or you are an employer looking for foreign staff through a documented route, contact us through mnidealcompany.com. This article is for information only. It is based on media reports of proposed legislation as of 31 October 2026. Check official Czech sources for the current legal text. Source: Bytes Europe, 31 October 2026