Ukrainians to face tougher conditions for long-term residence in Czech Republic

Interior Minister Lubomir Metnar said this at a government briefing, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"We want the number of people working here to increase and grow. That is why today the Cabinet approved a government decree introducing the so-called special long-term residence program, which is a tool to support working and self-sufficient people who have lived in the Czech Republic for a long time, work, pay taxes, and follow the rules," Metnar said.

He clarified that the program is intended for those who meet clear and strict conditions and are fully integrated. This means that:

• they must pass a security check;
• neither they nor their family members may receive any benefits;
• they must have no insurance arrears;
• their children must be enrolled in school;
• and the entire family must reach a gross annual income of 440,000 Czech crowns.

"These are the conditions, and we have set them this way. We will focus on those who are truly economically self-sufficient here, have committed no offenses, and want to work and fully integrate," the minister said.

A further requirement for obtaining the special long-term residence permit is that refugees must have lived in the Czech Republic under temporary protection for at least two years.

Metnar said that as of the beginning of the year, more than 390,300 foreigners with temporary protection were residing in the Czech Republic. Over 180,000 of them are working and integrated into the labor market. According to him, last year 80,000 Ukrainians applied for long-term residence status, but only 17,000 met the conditions, and just 16,000 completed the registration process.

"For us, long-term residence must be fair to workers, fair to employers, and help stabilize our labor market, where there has been a long-standing shortage of workers. Our government's goal is a clear transition from humanitarian assistance to labor integration," Metnar said.

Before the government meeting, the Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) party, led by Tomio Okamura and part of the ruling coalition, stated that it opposed the draft decree allowing refugees from Ukraine to apply for a special long-term residence permit this year. Okamura argued that no foreigner should have simplified conditions for obtaining special long-term residence permits in the Czech Republic compared to others. SPD advocates tightening residence conditions for all foreigners in the country.

The relevant law is expected to be prepared no later than May.

As of late 2025, as many as 393,056 people, or about 3.6 percent of the population, had temporary protection status in the Czech Republic, allowing Ukrainian asylum seekers access to public health insurance, education, and the labor market.