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20 Mar. 2025

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The Czech Republic has approved the conditions for obtaining a special residence permit for Ukrainian refugees: who can apply?

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The Czech Republic has approved the conditions for obtaining a special residence permit for Ukrainian refugees: who can apply?

The Czech Republic has defined the conditions for obtaining a special residence permit for Ukrainian refugees. Find out who can apply for a residence permit and what requirements the government has set

Legal assistance on migration issues for Ukrainians in Ukraine and abroad
Legal assistance on migration issues for Ukrainians in Ukraine and abroad
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Ukrainians residing in the Czech Republic with temporary protection status have been granted the opportunity to switch to a special long-term residence permit. According to Czech Radio, the government of the Czech Republic made the decision on March 18, 2025. However, this option is only available to those who meet strict criteria.


If you are interested in emigrating to the Czech Republic, read our previous article on how Ukrainians can move there in 2025.


Conditions for obtaining a special residence permit in the Czech Republic


To qualify for the new status, refugees must meet several key requirements:


● Reside in the Czech Republic in the status of temporary protection for at least two years.

● Not receive humanitarian aid from the state since July 2024.

● Have a confirmed annual income of at least 440,000 CZK (approximately 17,500 EUR). If there are dependents in the family, the income should increase by 110,000 CZK for each member.

● Be employed or run a business in the Czech Republic, pay taxes and social security contributions.

● Have no criminal record or health insurance arrears.

● The applicant's children must be attending school.


The new type of residence permit is not a substitute for temporary protection, but an additional option for those who want to stay in the Czech Republic for a longer period of time and integrate into society.




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Criticism of the new conditions


Despite the stated goal of facilitating the integration of self-sufficient Ukrainian refugees, experts criticize the harshness of the requirements. In particular, the Consortium of Non-Governmental Organizations Working with Migrants and the Office of the Public Defender believe that the new rules exclude a significant number of refugees.


The Czech Ministry of the Interior estimates that only about 20,000 people will be able to apply for a special long-term residence permit. At the same time, human rights activists insist on expanding opportunities for Ukrainians to switch to other types of residence permits.


It should be noted that since the beginning of the full-scale war, the Czech Republic has provided temporary protection to 659,970 Ukrainian refugees. As of the end of 2024, about 400,000 people had temporary protection status. In December, the Czech Republic led the EU in terms of the number of refugees accepted per capita - 36 people per 1,000 inhabitants.


Since the new conditions are quite complicated, it is important to get high-quality legal advice on the possibility of switching to a special residence permit or other types of residence permits in the Czech Republic. Visit Ukraine lawyers provide professional support in all matters related to immigration, paperwork and legalization in the EU. Contact us for help so that you do not miss important details and prepare your documents correctly.




We remind you! Recently, a law came into force in the Czech Republic that shortens the period of free health insurance for refugees from Ukraine. Read more about who is affected by these changes, who will pay insurance premiums after this period expires, and what coverage options remain available.


Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.




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Frequantly
asked questions
Who can obtain a special residence permit in the Czech Republic?
A special long-term residence permit can be obtained by Ukrainians who: have been residing in the Czech Republic with a temporary protection status for more than 2 years; have an annual income of more than 440,000 CZK; are officially employed or conduct business in the Czech Republic; do not receive humanitarian aid from July 2024; have no criminal record and no insurance arrears.
Can I stay in the Czech Republic if I do not meet the requirements for a special residence permit?
Do I need to know Czech to obtain a residence permit?

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