How to Quit Your Job in the Czech Republic: Notice Period and Steps

Quick answers

How long is the notice period in the Czech Republic?

At least two months, for the employee and the employer alike, regardless of how long you have worked there. It runs from the day your notice is delivered to the same-numbered day two months later. Without notice you can leave by agreement, during probation or when your wages go unpaid.

Do I have to give a reason for resigning?

No. An employee may resign for any reason or without stating one. Only the employer has to give a reason, and only one listed in the law, when it dismisses you.

My employer will not sign my resignation letter. What now?

Its consent is not needed — only the date of delivery matters. Send the letter by registered post or to the employer's data box (datová schránka) and keep the delivery confirmation.

What you can do now

1. 1

   Choose how to leave

   Notice (výpověď) needs no consent from the employer, but you work out the notice period. A termination agreement (dohoda o rozvázání pracovního poměru) ends the job on any date you agree. During probation you can leave without a reason and without notice. Immediate termination is only for unpaid wages or work that seriously endangers your health.

2. 2

   In writing, with proof of delivery

   Spoken notice, a text or a chat message does not count. Sign a letter, hand it over in person and ask for a dated signature on your copy. If the employer refuses to take it, send it by registered post or to its data box (datová schránka) and keep the confirmation.

3. 3

   Work out your last day

   Since 1 June 2025 the notice period starts on the day of delivery and ends on the same-numbered day two months later: delivered on 10 March, you work until 10 May inclusive. A longer period applies only if it was agreed in writing and is the same for you and the employer.

4. 4

   Want to leave sooner? Propose an agreement

   A termination agreement is made in writing and each side gets a copy; the job ends on the agreed day. If the employer is cutting your position or reorganising, ask for that reason to be written into the agreement: then you are owed severance pay.

5. 5

   Wages not paid? You can leave at once

   If your wage has not been paid within 15 days after it fell due (the last day of the following month), you can end the employment immediately in writing. The employer then owes you compensation equal to two months of your average earnings.

6. 6

   Collect your money and documents

   If you ask, the final wage is paid on your last working day; otherwise on the next regular payday. Unused holiday is paid out in money. The employer must give you an employment certificate (potvrzení o zaměstnání, known as zápočtový list), which your next employer and the labour office will ask for.

Deadlines and money

Notice is at least two months from the day of delivery, and you can withdraw it only with the employer's written consent. Quitting on your own gives you no severance: it is owed only when the position is cut or the employer reorganises, at one, two or three average monthly earnings depending on how long you worked there. A claim that an ending of employment is invalid must be filed in court within two months of the day the job was to end. If you are not an EU citizen and your residence depends on an employee card, a work permit or an EU Blue Card, check what quitting means for your residence first: under the Labour Code a foreigner's employment also ends when that card or permit expires.

Can you handle it yourself, or do you need a lawyer?

Most people quit on their own without help. Talk to a lawyer if the employer will not let you go, demands more than two months without a written agreement, threatens a penalty, withholds wages or holiday pay, or if your residence permit depends on the job. Through LawBridge you describe your situation once and get a list of verified employment lawyers in Prague; a lawyer's work is always paid, and you agree the fee directly with the lawyer.

Bring your employment contract, a copy of the notice or agreement with the delivery date, recent payslips and your messages with the employer.

Where to get help in Prague

• Residence and visas

  The Ministry of the Interior's OAMP office — book an appointment through the Information Portal for Foreigners or on +420 974 801 801.

  Ministerstvo vnitra — Odbor azylové a migrační politiky (OAMP)

• Free advice for foreigners

  The regional integration centre gives free advice in several languages and helps with offices.

  Integrační centrum Praha

• Wages and working conditions

  The regional labour inspectorate takes complaints against employers free of charge.

  Oblastní inspektorát práce pro hlavní město Prahu

• Court

  The district court for civil disputes such as deposits, wages or divorce.

  Obvodní soud podle městské části, kde bydlíte

Documents to Prepare

• •Employment contract and any amendments
• •Copy of your notice or termination agreement with the delivery date
• •Payslips from the last few months
• •Messages with the employer or agency
• •Employee card, Blue Card or other residence document if it is tied to the job

Frequently Asked Questions

Legal background

Employment in the Czech Republic is governed by the Czech Labour Code, which usually applies to work done in Czechia even for a foreign employer. An employee may give notice for any reason or none. The notice period is at least two months and, since 1 June 2025, starts on the day of delivery. A termination agreement, termination during probation and immediate termination must all be in writing. When employment ends, the employer pays for unused holiday and issues an employment certificate.

Verified Sources

• Labour Code (Act No. 262/2006 Coll.), Sections 48–51, 56, 66, 67, 72, 141, 222, 313 — Zákony pro lidi
• Labour Code amendment in force from 1 June 2025 — Advokátní deník

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