April 2026 is an important time for everyone living in the Czech Republic under temporary protection or thinking about settling here long-term. Temporary protection, which has served as a reliable "buffer" for hundreds of thousands of people since 2022, continues to be valid, but it has an end date. The European Union has already made it clear: this mechanism will likely stop working after 2027. The Czech Republic, unlike many other EU countries, has created a special tool in advance for transitioning to a long-term status – and right now, in April, a key window is opening to obtain it.
This article is not legal advice, but a structured guide to legally existing options. Let's look at each one honestly: what it offers, who it suits, what conditions must be met, and where the pitfalls might be.
Temporary Protection in the Czech Republic Now
Temporary protection (in Czech documents – dočasná ochrana) is a special status introduced by an EU directive after February 24, 2022, specifically for citizens of Ukraine and certain other individuals forced to leave their country. It is neither asylum in the traditional sense nor a standard residence permit – it is a temporary collective mechanism that allows for the rapid provision of protection to a large number of people without individual case review.
Who is eligible for temporary protection in the Czech Republic:
citizens of Ukraine who resided there before February 24, 2022;
foreign citizens (not Ukrainians) who legally resided in Ukraine before February 24, 2022, and cannot safely return to their home country;
family members of the above-mentioned persons (spouses, minor children, close relatives).
What the temporary protection status offers:
the right to live and work in the Czech Republic without a separate work permit;
access to public health insurance (for employed individuals and children);
access to education (it is mandatory for children aged 5 to 15);
access to humanitarian aid and, to a limited extent, social benefits;
the ability to open bank accounts and legally rent housing.
In January 2026, the Ministry of the Interior (MVS) of the Czech Republic opened online registration for the extension of temporary protection – it took place until March 15, 2026. After online registration, it is necessary to appear in person at an MVS office to have a new visa sticker affixed – this must be done no later than September 30, 2026. As a result of both stages, temporary protection is extended for one year – until March 31, 2027.
If you have completed this procedure, you have another year. If not, the situation is more complicated: those who missed the registration will have to apply for temporary protection anew and without a number of benefits. In any case, it is important to understand: as early as the summer of 2025, the European Commission presented a recommendation for the gradual termination of temporary protection after 2027, and in the autumn, EU countries unanimously supported it. This means that temporary protection is not a final destination, but a period to build a more stable status.
Special Long-Term Residence Permit
In 2025, the Czech government, as part of the so-called Lex Ukraine, created a fundamentally new tool – a special long-term residence permit (Czech: zvláštní povolení k dlouhodobému pobytu, abbreviated ZDP). Essentially, this is a specially designed residence permit for a period of five years for economically active Ukrainians who have become self-sufficient during their years of residence in the country.
From April 1 to April 30, 2026, an opportunity opens in the Czech Republic to submit an "expression of interest" within the Lex Ukraine program – this is a mechanism for transitioning from temporary protection to a long-term residence permit for up to five years. The application must be submitted independently through the Ministry of the Interior's portal – automatic processing is not provided. This means you should not expect things to happen on their own: if you meet the conditions and want to switch to ZDP, you need to act independently during this month.
Conditions for Obtaining ZDP
Ukrainians with temporary protection who have been continuously residing in the country for more than two years and meet the financial self-sufficiency requirements or fall under humanitarian exceptions are eligible.
The full list of conditions is as follows:
Temporary protection status – you must have a valid temporary protection visa at the time of application.
Two years of continuous residence in the Czech Republic with a temporary protection visa (this requirement does not apply to individuals under 18 years of age).
Financial self-sufficiency. The minimum taxable income base for 2025 must be at least 440,000 Czech crowns for the main applicant in the household, plus an additional 110,000 crowns for each subsequent family member. This is approximately 36,700 crowns per month for one person – slightly above the average salary in the country.
Independence from humanitarian aid since October of the previous year.
No criminal record – absence of convictions in the Czech Republic and country of citizenship.
School attendance for children aged 6 to 14 – proof of regular attendance at a Czech school must be provided.
For those who do not meet the income threshold, humanitarian exceptions are provided – these apply to people in vulnerable situations (serious illnesses, single parents with young children, etc.). Specific criteria are detailed on the Ministry of the Interior's portal.
In the first wave of 2025, over 80,000 refugees from Ukraine applied for the special permit, but only about 16,000 people met all the conditions and received the right to ZDP. This is approximately one in five – a figure that clearly illustrates how serious the financial requirements are. The main reason for refusal is income below the established threshold.
The practical conclusion is this: if you work officially, pay taxes, and your income for 2025 reaches the required level – April 2026 is your time. If not, you should consult in advance about humanitarian exceptions or start preparing for the next window.
What ZDP Offers
With ZDP, access to public health insurance for working adults and minor children is maintained; you can change your residence status to a residence permit for family reunification; and, importantly, you can apply for a permanent residence permit after five years of continuous stay in the Czech Republic.
At the same time, an important crediting rule applies: the period of stay under the special ZDP permit is fully counted towards the permanent residence period, while the period of residence with a temporary protection visa is counted only by half. For example, if a person has lived in the Czech Republic for two years under temporary protection, only one year will count towards the permanent residence period – and they will need to live for another four years under ZDP.
Standard Grounds for Residence Permit
In addition to the special path through ZDP, there are also standard grounds for obtaining a residence permit – the same ones used by all foreigners in the Czech Republic, regardless of nationality or reason for arrival. It is important to make one significant reservation here immediately.
Unlike in many other EU countries, a direct transition for Ukrainians from temporary protection to standard residence permits in the Czech Republic is not foreseen. To be eligible to apply for a standard residence permit, one must renounce temporary protection, leave the country, and obtain a national visa through a Czech consulate. Nevertheless, standard residence permits are relevant: for those who are not citizens of Ukraine; for those who are willing to renounce temporary protection and build their status on another basis; and as a guideline for long-term planning.
Employment
This is the most common path for economically active migrants. The Employee Card (Zaměstnanecká karta) grants the right to reside and work in the Czech Republic, allowing one to hold a specific position – representatives of professions listed in the central register of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs can obtain it.
To obtain an Employee Card, you must have a specific employment contract with a Czech employer – not just an invitation, but an official contract for at least three months. A residence permit can be approved if the foreigner's work week exceeds 15 hours and the salary is not lower than the minimum monthly remuneration in the country. The card is issued for up to two years and can be extended as long as employment relations are maintained.
For highly qualified specialists with a university degree, there is the EU Blue Card – it offers more flexibility: simplified employer changes, the right to bring family members, and a faster path to permanent residence. Under the current Lex Ukraine rules, Blue Card holders no longer need to obtain prior approval from the Ministry of the Interior when changing employers or positions – a notification within three days is sufficient.
Entrepreneurship and Business
Long-term residence is permitted for foreigners wishing to conduct entrepreneurial activities in the Czech Republic – for this purpose, one can register a new company or buy an existing one.
To obtain a residence permit for business purposes, you must confirm that the total monthly income for the applicant and their family members is not lower than the subsistence minimum and housing costs; provide documents on company registration in the commercial register; and proof of payment of all taxes and contributions. It is important to understand that Czech authorities carefully verify the reality of the business. A formally registered company without real activity and income is not grounds for extending a residence permit.
Family Reunification
Family members of foreign residents and EU citizens can obtain a residence permit in the Czech Republic: spouses and their children, minor and disabled adult children, as well as parents aged 65 and over who require care due to health reasons.
When planning family reunification, two options are considered: a long-term visa for family reunification or a long-term residence permit for the same purpose. The processing time for a visa application is 90 to 120 days, and for a permit – up to 270 days. This must be taken into account when planning: almost a year of waiting is a reality for many.
Holders of a long-term residence permit for family cohabitation can freely engage in employment in the Czech Republic without an additional work permit. This is a significant advantage compared to a long-term visa, which does not grant access to the labor market.
Ukrainians under temporary protection can use family reunification as one of the few ways to transition to another status – alongside ZDP and refugee status under the Geneva Convention.
Study
A student residence permit is a path for those enrolling in an accredited Czech university or other educational institution. Temporary residency is available to students admitted to accredited educational institutions who intend to live and study in the country for longer than three months; the residence permit is issued for one year and renewed annually until the completion of studies.
A student residence permit counts towards the permanent residence period only by half, similar to temporary protection. However, it opens up the possibility to legally live and work in the country, and after obtaining a diploma, to transition to a residence permit for job seeking or entrepreneurship.
Permanent Residence (PMP)
Permanent residence (trvalý pobyt) is a completely different status compared to all types of temporary residence permits. The permanent residence card is issued for 10 years and gives rights that are very similar to the rights of ordinary citizens of the Czech Republic. Its holder is not tied to a specific purpose of stay — work, study, or business — and can freely change jobs, move, and use the full range of social rights.
When You Can Apply
A permanent residence permit is issued to foreigners after five years of continuous residence in the country. "Continuous" is the key word: trips abroad are allowed, but a long absence breaks the period of residence.
The system for counting the periods of residence is as follows:
time spent under ZDP (special permit for Ukrainians) counts fully;
time spent under temporary protection counts half;
time spent on a student residence permit counts half;
time spent on a work or business residence permit counts fully.
This means that a person who has lived in the Czech Republic for two years under temporary protection and three years under ZDP will have exactly four years of residence when applying for permanent residence (1 + 3) — and will have to wait another year. It is better to plan with this calculation in mind in advance.
What is Needed for Permanent Residence
In addition to the five-year period of residence, the applicant must provide:
proof of Czech language proficiency — passing an exam at a level not lower than A2 (for most categories);
proof of financial means — having enough money to live without state support;
a certificate of no criminal record;
documents proving you have housing in the Czech Republic.
Permanent residence is canceled if the holder is outside the Czech Republic for more than six years or outside the EU for more than one year. This is important for those planning long trips.
Czech Citizenship
Czech citizenship is a completely different matter, intended for those who seriously connect their lives with the country. Foreigners who have lived in the Czech Republic for 10 years on the basis of a temporary residence permit and permanent residence, are able to support themselves and their family without assistance, and have no tax debts can obtain citizenship through naturalization.
In addition to the general period of residence, you will need to pass a Czech language exam and a test on Czech culture and history. Dual citizenship is not allowed in most cases — upon obtaining a Czech passport, you will usually have to give up your previous one (although there are exceptions, which are best clarified individually).
If the applicant's children, brothers, sisters, grandfathers, or grandmothers on the maternal or paternal side are citizens of the Czech Republic, citizenship can be obtained through naturalization based on family reunification, by confirming Czech ancestry with official documents. This is a faster path for those with Czech roots.
Immigration law is complex, and no article can replace consultation with a qualified lawyer or official information from the Ministry of the Interior's portal. Nevertheless, a few practical conclusions can be drawn now.
If you are a Ukrainian with temporary protection:
April 2026 is the deadline to switch to ZDP, and it is not advisable to miss it. Check if you meet the conditions right now;
if your income does not reach the threshold — look into humanitarian exceptions;
if you have already received ZDP in 2025 — continue to work and pay taxes, record your continuous residence: the path to permanent residence is open.
If you are a migrant from another country:
standard paths (employment, business, study, family reunification) work — the main thing is not to delay collecting documents, as processing times can be long;
start counting the five years for permanent residence as early as possible.
The main principle that works for everyone: do not wait for your current status to expire, but prepare the next step in advance. In the Czech immigration system, document processing time is measured in months, not weeks, and having a buffer is always better than a deadline.
