The Czech Republic has approved stricter rules for Ukrainian refugees: what will change
26 May 12:55
The Czech government has approved an amendment to the law that introduces stricter rules for Ukrainians with temporary protection. If the bill is passed by parliament and signed by the president, the main changes could take effect on January 1, 2027. This is reported by Czechia-online.cz, as noted by "Komersant Ukrainian"
The changes involve tighter controls on the actual presence of Ukrainian refugees in the Czech Republic, rules for receiving humanitarian aid, as well as issues related to vehicles with Ukrainian license plates.
What exactly did the Czech government approve?
The Czech government has supported amendments to the legislation regarding the stay of Ukrainians with temporary protection. The new rules are not yet final law: the document must be reviewed by parliament and then signed by the president.
The main idea behind the amendment is to distinguish between people who actually live in the Czech Republic, work, or need support, and those who formally retain temporary protection but are actually staying outside the country for long periods.
Czech Interior Minister Lubomír Metnar stated that the changes should not affect foreigners who work in the Czech Republic and abide by the law. According to government officials, the amendment is aimed at combating abuse, illegal migration, and violations of Czech law.
Temporary protection may be revoked due to prolonged absence
The most significant change concerns the right to temporary protection. Under the government’s proposal, it may be revoked if a person has spent more than 30 days outside the Schengen Area.
This means that short trips abroad should not automatically result in the loss of protection. However, prolonged actual residence outside the Czech Republic or the Schengen Area may jeopardize one’s status.
Separately, it is reported that temporary protection may also be terminated in the event of a serious crime.
Humanitarian aid: the 16-day rule
Another important set of changes concerns humanitarian aid. Under the new rules, Ukrainian refugees applying for such aid must be present in the Czech Republic for at least 16 days in the month for which the aid is calculated.
The government explains this by stating that social support should not be provided to people who do not actually live in the Czech Republic. At the same time, short trips—for example, to visit family, for business, or to resolve paperwork issues—should not automatically deprive a person of their right to receive the benefit.
For Ukrainians, this may become one of the most practical issues following the law’s adoption. It will be necessary to closely monitor how the days of stay are calculated, what data will be taken into account, and what documents may be required in the event of an audit.
Rules for vehicles with Ukrainian license plates
The amendment also introduces changes regarding vehicles with Ukrainian registration. According to media reports, the Czech Republic plans to tighten controls over such vehicles and their registration.
This issue is important for Ukrainians who have been living in the Czech Republic for a long time and use cars with Ukrainian license plates. The final details regarding deadlines, procedures, and possible penalties should become clear after the bill passes through parliament.
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How many Ukrainians in the Czech Republic have temporary protection
According to Czech authorities, there are over 385,000 Ukrainian refugees in the Czech Republic. Of these, about 90,000 receive humanitarian aid.
The government also reports on detected cases of abuse. According to the data provided, several hundred such cases have been recorded since the beginning of the year, the police have opened over 40 criminal investigations, and the amount of damages exceeds 18 million Czech korunas. It is these figures that the authorities are using as an argument in favor of tightening the rules.
Who may not be affected by the new restrictions
The Czech government emphasizes that the changes are not directed against Ukrainians who actually live in the country, work, study, obey the laws, and comply with residency requirements.
In other words, for most Ukrainian families who live permanently in the Czech Republic, go to work, have children in school, officially rent housing, and do not violate the rules, the new regulations should not create any major problems.
However, Ukrainians should closely monitor their status, the terms of travel outside the Czech Republic and the Schengen Area, as well as the rules for receiving humanitarian aid.
Temporary protection in the EU extended until 2027
It is important to distinguish between two issues: the general extension of temporary protection in the EU and the Czech Republic’s new internal rules. According to the UNHCR, temporary protection for people who have fled Ukraine due to the war has been extended until March 4, 2027.
At the same time, individual EU countries may refine their internal procedures, tighten controls over benefits, residence registration, or a person’s actual presence on their territory.
What Ukrainians in the Czech Republic Should Do
Ukrainians with temporary protection should closely monitor the bill’s progress through parliament. Until the document becomes law, some details may still change.
It is especially important to:
- monitor the duration of stays outside the Czech Republic and the Schengen Area;
- keep documents confirming residence, employment, or study in the Czech Republic;
- check the rules for receiving humanitarian aid;
- follow official announcements from the Czech Ministry of the Interior and relevant agencies;
- do not rely solely on social media posts or chat messages.
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