Government approves extension of special long-term residence for Ukrainian refugees
The government on Monday extended the validity of a regulation allowing Ukrainian refugees to apply for special long-term residence status. Thousands of people are expected to apply.
According to Interior Ministry statistics, more than 393,000 Ukrainian refugees are currently living in the Czech Republic. The vast majority hold temporary protection status, which is extended annually under a European Union framework. However, self-supporting refugees have been able to apply for a special long-term residence permit, offering greater stability. Those granted the status are assured five years of residence in the Czech Republic and may subsequently apply for permanent residency.
The permit was introduced under the former administration, with approximately 16,000 people obtaining it last year and will enable thousands more to take a big step towards a more secure future in this country. Interior Minister Lubomír Metnar (ANO) said after Monday’s cabinet meeting that the government views the program as a tool to support people who have been living and working in the country for at least two years. He stressed that they must be self-sufficient and law-abiding individuals who must moreover meet strict eligibility criteria.
“Applicants must have a clean criminal record, secured housing and they must be economically self-sufficient. They need to have uninterrupted health insurance, may not receive humanitarian benefits and the family must have an annual income exceeding CZK 440,000. Applicants’ children must attend school in the Czech Republic –in short this only concerns people who clearly want to live and work in Czechia and become fully integrated.”
Last year 80, 000 Ukrainian refugees applied for long-term residence and only 17,000 of them met the set criteria. In the end only 16,000 completed the process and were granted the status.
Some organisations criticised the criteria as too strict, arguing that only a narrow group of refugees qualifies. The Interior Ministry has previously said the conditions were designed in line with standard residence requirements for foreign nationals.
While some consider the criteria too strict, Tomio Okamura, leader of the SPD, one of the smaller parties in the ruling coalition, fought against the regulation’s extension on the grounds that it afforded Ukrainians preferential treatment over other foreign nationals.
“No foreign nationals should have simplified conditions for obtaining long-term residence permits in the Czech Republic compared to others,” Okamura said. “Everyone must meet the standard requirements. There should be no exceptions.”
Labour and Social Affairs Minister Aleš Juchelka (ANO), countered that the Czech labour market would struggle without Ukrainian refugees, particularly in construction, elderly care and healthcare.
Interior Minister Metnar said addressing this problem went hand-in-hand with transitioning from humanitarian aid to labour integration.
“This long-term residence status is fair and advantageous both for employers and employees and it will help stabilize our labour market which has long suffered from a shortage of workers.”
Of the 393,000 Ukrainian refugees currently living in the Czech Republic, 180,000 have stable jobs.
