Ukrainian refugees in Czechia contribute twice as much as they receive

Ukrainian refugees living in Czechia paid CZK 8.2 billion in taxes and social contributions in the third quarter of this year — more than double the amount the state spent on supporting them, according to newly released data from the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.

Spending related to people with temporary protection reached CZK 3.9 billion, leaving the budget with a surplus of CZK 4.3 billion. The ministry said the trend of rising revenues from refugees and falling welfare costs continues. Refugees who fled Ukraine after Russia’s invasion in February 2022 have contributed more to the Czech budget than they received in support since the third quarter of 2023, and the gap has been widening ever since.