As a foreigner in Prague, you do have some rights and obligations you need to be aware of while you are in the Czech Republic. Three of the most important deal with working, driving, and voting. Here is a brief explanation to your rights, as they pertain to these subjects.

Working
As a foreigner working in a new country, you are protected by many of the same labor laws that protect naturalized workers.  This is certainly true when it comes to the Czech Republic.  Assuming you are a legal worker (meaning you possess a valid work visa, for example) here are some rights you have in Prague:

• According to the labor code, you are considered an employee in Prague when you sign an employment contract.  Of course, this contract is a legally binding document, but you can still make changes to it, according to the labor code.  However, if changes need to be made, both you and your employer have to agree to them.  This protects you from your employer changing your work arrangement without you knowing after you’ve started working.
• You are obliged to do a different job or work on a different site only if you are re-assigned or if you asked for a re-assignment, or if you were transferred.
• You are also protected from being fired without cause while you are working in Prague.  In fact, you can only be terminated by agreement, by notice, by immediate cancellation, by cancellation within the probationary period, by the job being completed, by your death, or if you are deported.
• If you feel you are fired without cause, you do have the right to seek compensation in the Czech legal system from your employer.
• As a foreign employee, you are still entitled to four weeks of paid vacation per year.  If you do not take all four weeks, your employer must reimburse you for the time you did not use.
• If you are working more than six hours per day, your employer must provide you with a lunch and a work break.

This is just a partial list of many of the rights you are entitled to as a legal foreign worker in the Czech Republic.  If you feel you are being treated unfairly, you have the same laws on your side as any other worker in Prague.  Do not let any employer take advantage of you because of your status.  Of course, if you are working in Prague, you do have to pay taxes.  Here is some information regarding that topic:

• If you live in Prague for at least 183 days in a calendar year, you must pay taxes in the Czech Republic.  This is a fairly straightforward obligation.
• However, if you are based in Prague, but the company you work for is based outside of the Czech Republic, you may not have to pay taxes in Prague.
• In all cases, it is best to consult a tax adviser prior to paying any sort of tax.  Remember though, you are most likely obligated to pay some type of tax while you are in Prague.

Driving
Although automobiles have been around for more than 100 years, there is still not a universal approach to driving.  Just because you can drive in one country it does not mean you know how to drive in another.  That is why you need to make sure your driver’s license is accepted in the country you are visiting; it is your obligation to check before you even sit behind the wheel, and please be aware that insurance companies may not honor claims for accidents that occur when a driver does not have a valid license under Czech law.  Here is some information regarding driving in the Czech Republic you may find useful.

• If you plan on staying in Prague for less than 90 days, it is acceptable to use your foreign driver’s license (as long as it is valid in your home country).
• As of 2001, if you are staying in the Czech Republic for more than 90 days, you must obtain a Czech driver’s license.
• However, if your license conforms to the standards of the Geneva Convention and you have an International Driving Permit to accompany your license, you do not need to obtain a Czech driver’s license.

If you have any questions regarding whether you need a Czech license or not, it is best to check with the local Czech authority just to be safe.

Voting
If you are staying in Prague for an extended time, you may want to vote in local or even national elections. After all, decisions made by lawmakers affect you as well, and you should have the right to participate in the decision making process. In 2001, the Czech Republic decided to extend voting rights to “any natural person who has reached the age of 18, is a citizen of a foreign country and has permanent residence registered in the municipality, if an international treaty by which the Czech Republic is bound and which has been promulgated so stipulates.” Yes, that is filled with legal jargon, but what it most basically means is if you are a member of the European Union you may vote in Czech elections, if you are not, you will not be allowed to vote.
Just because you are a foreigner does not mean you do not have rights and obligations. These are just some of the few protections afforded to you when you visit the Czech Republic. Make sure you are aware of all of them before you go, they will help you protect yourself while you are there. Have fun!