After weeks of speculation, the Czech coalition government has sketched out how it intends to adjust the legal framework for the nearly 390,000 Ukrainians living in the country under temporary protection. According to documents seen by Deník N, the cabinet will not cancel the scheme but plans targeted tightening in three areas: welfare eligibility, labour-market access and residency checks. (denikn.cz)
First, officials want to introduce income-tested housing supplements so that only refugees who cannot afford market rents receive state help. Second, employers in selected regions with high unemployment may have to prove they could not find local candidates before hiring newly-arrived Ukrainians. Finally, the police foreigner service will gain real-time access to border-exit data to flag protection holders who spend extended periods back in Ukraine—a response to nationalist parties’ claims of “welfare tourism”.
For Ukrainians and Czech-based employers trying to keep pace with these evolving rules, VisaHQ offers a convenient way to monitor policy changes and manage the necessary paperwork. Its dedicated Czech Republic page (https://www.visahq.com/czech-republic/) provides real-time updates, application checklists and appointment scheduling tools for work permits, residence cards and short-term visas, helping applicants stay compliant as the new measures move toward adoption.
![Government outlines tougher—but limited—changes to rules for Ukrainian refugees]()
The proposals stop well short of the sweeping restrictions demanded by the far-right SPD, which had called for mass withdrawals of protection from anyone returning to Ukraine, and for limiting job opportunities to hard-to-fill positions. Interior-Ministry sources say the cabinet sought a compromise that would reassure voters worried about costs without breaching EU law or undermining Czechia’s reputation as a leading supporter of Kyiv.
For businesses the planned changes bring mixed news. Most companies will still be able to recruit Ukrainians on standard employment contracts, but HR departments in regions with high job-seeker ratios should prepare for possible labour-market-test paperwork similar to that required for non-EU hires. Housing allowances, often used by large employers to stabilise migrant workforces, may shrink or disappear, raising retention costs.
The draft amendments are expected to reach parliament in March and, if passed, could take effect on 1 July 2026. Employers, relocation providers and affected employees should monitor the legislative process and, where necessary, submit comments during the public-consultation phase.
First, officials want to introduce income-tested housing supplements so that only refugees who cannot afford market rents receive state help. Second, employers in selected regions with high unemployment may have to prove they could not find local candidates before hiring newly-arrived Ukrainians. Finally, the police foreigner service will gain real-time access to border-exit data to flag protection holders who spend extended periods back in Ukraine—a response to nationalist parties’ claims of “welfare tourism”.
For Ukrainians and Czech-based employers trying to keep pace with these evolving rules, VisaHQ offers a convenient way to monitor policy changes and manage the necessary paperwork. Its dedicated Czech Republic page (https://www.visahq.com/czech-republic/) provides real-time updates, application checklists and appointment scheduling tools for work permits, residence cards and short-term visas, helping applicants stay compliant as the new measures move toward adoption.
The proposals stop well short of the sweeping restrictions demanded by the far-right SPD, which had called for mass withdrawals of protection from anyone returning to Ukraine, and for limiting job opportunities to hard-to-fill positions. Interior-Ministry sources say the cabinet sought a compromise that would reassure voters worried about costs without breaching EU law or undermining Czechia’s reputation as a leading supporter of Kyiv.
For businesses the planned changes bring mixed news. Most companies will still be able to recruit Ukrainians on standard employment contracts, but HR departments in regions with high job-seeker ratios should prepare for possible labour-market-test paperwork similar to that required for non-EU hires. Housing allowances, often used by large employers to stabilise migrant workforces, may shrink or disappear, raising retention costs.
The draft amendments are expected to reach parliament in March and, if passed, could take effect on 1 July 2026. Employers, relocation providers and affected employees should monitor the legislative process and, where necessary, submit comments during the public-consultation phase.
