Despite coalition infighting, the Czech cabinet on 16 February approved an Interior Ministry decree that creates a new long-term residence category for Ukrainian nationals who have been living in the country under EU temporary-protection rules since Russia’s 2022 invasion. The measure allows applicants who have held protection for at least two years and meet income and security criteria to apply for a five-year residence permit that can later be converted into permanent status.
Officials said the decision responds to labour-market needs—Ukrainians now account for roughly 5 percent of the Czech workforce—and to the refugees’ desire for stability. Successful applicants will keep access to public health insurance and may qualify for family reunification under standard rules. They will also be freed from the annual scramble to renew temporary protection, a process that last year overloaded Interior Ministry booking systems and frustrated employers waiting for confirmation of employees’ legal status.
The decree still has to pass through the legislative council for technical vetting but is expected to take effect in early April. The Interior Ministry promises an online application interface linked to the country’s new “Foreigner Account” portal. Biometric data will be collected during a single in-person visit; all other steps, including fee payment and uploading of labour contracts, will be paper-free.
![Government green-lights special long-term stay option for Ukrainian refugees]()
For those preparing to navigate the new process, VisaHQ’s Czech service desk can be a useful ally. Via its portal (https://www.visahq.com/czech-republic/), the company provides step-by-step guidance, document checks, and appointment booking, helping applicants avoid the paperwork snags that most often cause refusals.
Business groups welcomed the move. The Czech Confederation of Industry said it would "anchor valuable skills" in sectors ranging from IT to elder-care. Relocation providers, however, warn of a possible rush in the first weeks and urge companies to help employees gather proof of income and clean criminal-record extracts. Immigration lawyers note that refusal rates last year were just 3 percent, mostly due to incomplete documentation—suggesting high approval odds for well-prepared cases.
For global mobility managers the key takeaway is that Czechia is shifting from emergency protection to structured integration. Employers should review extension dates for temporary protection, budget for biometric appointments in Q2, and update assignment policies to reflect the new, longer-term horizon for Ukrainian staff and their families.
Officials said the decision responds to labour-market needs—Ukrainians now account for roughly 5 percent of the Czech workforce—and to the refugees’ desire for stability. Successful applicants will keep access to public health insurance and may qualify for family reunification under standard rules. They will also be freed from the annual scramble to renew temporary protection, a process that last year overloaded Interior Ministry booking systems and frustrated employers waiting for confirmation of employees’ legal status.
The decree still has to pass through the legislative council for technical vetting but is expected to take effect in early April. The Interior Ministry promises an online application interface linked to the country’s new “Foreigner Account” portal. Biometric data will be collected during a single in-person visit; all other steps, including fee payment and uploading of labour contracts, will be paper-free.
For those preparing to navigate the new process, VisaHQ’s Czech service desk can be a useful ally. Via its portal (https://www.visahq.com/czech-republic/), the company provides step-by-step guidance, document checks, and appointment booking, helping applicants avoid the paperwork snags that most often cause refusals.
Business groups welcomed the move. The Czech Confederation of Industry said it would "anchor valuable skills" in sectors ranging from IT to elder-care. Relocation providers, however, warn of a possible rush in the first weeks and urge companies to help employees gather proof of income and clean criminal-record extracts. Immigration lawyers note that refusal rates last year were just 3 percent, mostly due to incomplete documentation—suggesting high approval odds for well-prepared cases.
For global mobility managers the key takeaway is that Czechia is shifting from emergency protection to structured integration. Employers should review extension dates for temporary protection, budget for biometric appointments in Q2, and update assignment policies to reflect the new, longer-term horizon for Ukrainian staff and their families.
