A 5-year residence permit in the Czech Republic: how Ukrainians can apply

The Czech Republic is offering Ukrainian refugees the opportunity to settle in Europe and transition from temporary protection to long-term residency status. Applications for a special residence permit under the Lex Ukraine program are being accepted through April 30. Find out what strict income requirements must be met and how to properly submit your application online

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From April 1 to 30, 2026, an important window of opportunity will open for Ukrainian citizens. As part of the government’s Lex Ukraine program, the acceptance of electronic applications for a special five-year long-term residence permit has begun. This step marks the official transition of refugees from temporary protection (dočasná ochrana) to a full-fledged residence permit.

Who is eligible for a 5-year residence permit in the Czech Republic

Not everyone who wishes to apply will be eligible for the new status, as the state imposes a number of strict requirements on applicants. First and foremost, the applicant must have resided continuously in the Czech Republic under temporary protection status for at least two years. A mandatory requirement is having an officially registered place of residence (residence registration). Additionally, the applicant must be fully financially independent and must not have received state humanitarian aid during the period specified by law.

What official income is required for a residence permit in the Czech Republic

The financial criterion is key during the selection phase. The applicant’s estimated minimum income must be approximately 440,000 Czech korunas per year. If the application is submitted for the entire family, approximately 110,000 crowns must be added to this amount for each dependent. Last year’s experience showed that immigration authorities scrutinize income documents extremely closely: in 2025, out of 80,000 applications submitted, only about 15,000 people were approved.

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How to apply for a residence permit in the Czech Republic online

The document submission process has been simplified as much as possible and digitized. The entire process begins with mandatory registration on the Information Portal for Foreigners of the Czech Ministry of the Interior (ipc.gov.cz). In your personal account, you must fill out an electronic form and upload documents confirming your stable income. If your application passes the initial review, you will be officially invited to submit your biometric data in the fall of 2026.

What does a residence permit in the Czech Republic offer?

A final decision on approved applications will be made by the end of 2026. The residence card you receive grants you the right to legally reside and work freely in the Czech Republic for the next five years without the need for annual status renewal. An additional benefit is the ability to travel freely throughout all Schengen Zone countries for up to 90 days per six-month period. Most importantly, this document opens a direct path to obtaining permanent residence status (PRS) in the future.

The application period is strictly limited and will end on April 30.

Under these conditions, it is important to understand the rules in advance and prepare documents correctly. For example, Ukrainians planning to move or already residing in the Czech Republic can contact Visit Ukraine’s immigration lawyers — they help select the optimal type of permit, prepare documents, and avoid the risks of refusal or revocation of status.

Reminder! The Czech Republic is preparing new rules for the stay of foreigners, which provide for the digitization of procedures and tighter controls. Find out what changes are planned, when they will take effect, and what this means for Ukrainians.

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