The Czech cabinet has formally reconfirmed that Ukrainian nationals living in Czechia under EU Temporary Protection may apply once again for a special long-term residence permit—popularly referred to as “Lex Ukraine.” The decision, adopted on 9 March 2026, revives a pathway that gives qualifying refugees a five-year residence card, unrestricted access to the Czech labour market and—crucially—a bridge to permanent residence after the card expires. The 2026 round will mirror last year’s two-stage process but with one calendar tweak: online ‘expression-of-interest’ registrations will open in April, while the second, biometric registration window shifts to October (from September in 2025). The Interior Ministry hopes the later start will smooth application spikes that previously overwhelmed offices and forced employers to juggle staff absences. Because only around 15,000 of the 80,000 applicants were successful in 2025, officials warn that financial self-sufficiency and proof of accommodation will again be scrutinised closely. For companies, the five-year card removes the annual March scramble to renew short stickers and offers a stable HR planning horizon. Multinational manufacturers in automotive clusters around Brno and Plzeň—where Ukrainians make up 15-25 % of shop-floor staff—say the measure will cut compliance costs and reduce turnover. Holders can also travel for up to 90 days in any 180-day period across Schengen, easing intra-EU business trips and training visits. Immigration lawyers note several practical tips. Applicants must register through the Ministry’s Information Portal for Foreigners and should upload tax-return extracts or employer salary confirmations to prove income above subsistence levels (CZK 3,920/month for individuals). Once pre-approved, they will receive appointment slots for biometric capture; failure to appear without valid cause leads to case closure.
![Czech Government Re-opens Five-Year ‘Lex Ukraine’ Residence Track for Temporary-Protection Holders]()
Companies and individuals who would prefer expert assistance with the paperwork can tap VisaHQ’s Czech team, which guides clients through the online expression-of-interest, checks supporting documents for compliance, and books biometric appointments—dramatically reducing the risk of rejection. More details are available at https://www.visahq.com/czech-republic/
Dependants must be registered separately, yet family reunification is processed in tandem to avoid split decisions. The move is politically significant. By transforming emergency protection into a longer-term status, Prague signals that large-scale Ukrainian displacement is no longer a short-term phenomenon. At the same time, capping applications through a competitive, merit-based filter reassures voters that only economically self-reliant refugees will qualify. Observers expect other Visegrád states to watch the Czech rollout closely as they consider their own post-temporary-protection models.
Companies and individuals who would prefer expert assistance with the paperwork can tap VisaHQ’s Czech team, which guides clients through the online expression-of-interest, checks supporting documents for compliance, and books biometric appointments—dramatically reducing the risk of rejection. More details are available at https://www.visahq.com/czech-republic/
Dependants must be registered separately, yet family reunification is processed in tandem to avoid split decisions. The move is politically significant. By transforming emergency protection into a longer-term status, Prague signals that large-scale Ukrainian displacement is no longer a short-term phenomenon. At the same time, capping applications through a competitive, merit-based filter reassures voters that only economically self-reliant refugees will qualify. Observers expect other Visegrád states to watch the Czech rollout closely as they consider their own post-temporary-protection models.
