The Czech government has decided to introduce a special long-term residence permit for Ukrainians who are in the country with temporary protection status. According to Czech Radio, this initiative provides for a more stable status for those who have lived in the Czech Republic for at least two years, have a stable income and have not received humanitarian aid since July 2024.
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To qualify for this status, Ukrainians must meet several criteria: official employment or entrepreneurial activity, regular payment of taxes, no criminal record and no health insurance arrears, and a minimum annual income of CZK 440,000 (about EUR 17,500). This amount increases by 110,000 CZK for each additional dependent. The applicant’s children must attend school in the Czech Republic.
At the same time, the new rules have drawn criticism from human rights activists and NGOs, who consider the conditions too harsh. According to the Czech Ministry of the Interior, only about 20,000 of the more than 659,970 Ukrainians who have been granted temporary protection will be able to fulfil all the requirements.
Human rights activists are calling on the government to expand the possibilities of obtaining different types of residence permits, but the authorities say that this requires legislative changes. Currently, those who do not meet the requirements still have the option of extending their temporary protection status.
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