Czech Republic More Information

Young in the Czech Republic

Your rights

If you are under 18, you have the right to be safe, treated with respect and listened to, whatever your nationality or migration situation.

Depending on your situation, you can get help with healthcare, school, asylum, residence, family reunification, legal advice and interpretation.

If you are travelling without your parents, you can have a guardian who helps protect your rights.

You can ask a social worker, guardian, lawyer, teacher or organisation for help. Some organisations provide help for free and confidentially, including OPU.

When you turn 18, some rules change, but you can still ask for legal and social support.

Staying Safe

Keep your passport and other important documents safe. Do not give them to strangers.

Be careful if someone offers you free transport, a job, accommodation or money. Do not trust people who ask you to pay for illegal border crossings or promises of documents.

If something feels wrong, do not deal with it alone.

Talk to a trusted adult, social worker, guardian, teacher, lawyer or organisation. If you are in immediate danger, call 112 or 158.

Asking for help is OK. You are not in trouble for asking for protection.

Violence, Exploitation & Trafficking

Someone may try to hurt, threaten or control you, force you to work, beg or commit a crime, or sexually exploit you.

They may promise you a job, money, transport or a place to stay and then take control of you. This can be exploitation or trafficking.

It is never your fault. You are not in trouble for asking for help.

Tell someone you trust, such as a social worker, guardian, teacher, doctor or lawyer.

You can also contact La Strada for free and confidential help.

Guardians & Child Protection

If you are under 18 and do not have your parents with you, you can receive special protection.

A guardian helps protect your rights and can help with important decisions, documents and legal procedures. Social workers can also help with housing, school, healthcare and your everyday needs.

A guardian can be appointed by a court or another competent authority, depending on your situation. OSPOD (child protection services) can also help children who need protection.

If you need help, talk to a social worker, police officer, teacher, guardian or another trusted adult.

When you turn 18, child protection ends, but other social and legal support may still be available. OPU provides free social support to some young foreigners aged 16–26.

Asylum, Residence & Family Reunification

If you cannot safely return to your country because of war, persecution or serious danger, you can ask for asylum in the Czech Republic.

If you are alone and under 18, you have special protection and a guardian can help you.

If your family is in another country, family reunification may be possible, depending on your situation.

Before making important decisions about asylum, residence or travelling to another country, talk to your guardian, social worker or lawyer.

OPU provides free and confidential legal advice about asylum, residence and temporary protection.

Education & Healthcare

If you are a child living in the Czech Republic, you can go to school. Children can also receive support with learning Czech and continuing their education.

If you are ill or injured, you can get medical help. If it is an emergency, call 155 or 112.

If you feel stressed, scared or overwhelmed, you can talk to a doctor, psychologist, teacher, social worker or another trusted person.

Your access to healthcare depends on your age, residence status and health insurance. If you are not sure what you can access, ask a social worker or legal adviser.