A new survey by the **STEM** analytical institute, titled "Trends" and conducted in January 2026, shows that Czech society is deeply divided in its views on foreigners. Despite growing tolerance towards some ethnic groups, the overall level of skepticism remains high.
Interestingly, Czech citizens themselves are aware of hospitality problems: **57%** of respondents admit that the local population is prejudiced against foreigners. At the same time, the issue of political integration remains closed for most: only **38%** of Czechs believe that anyone living in the country should have the right to obtain citizenship regardless of their ethnic origin.
"Neighborhood" Ranking: Who is a Priority?
Attitudes towards migrants strongly depend on their country of origin. Slovaks and people from economically developed Western countries traditionally receive the highest level of trust.
Most Desired Neighbors in 2026:
Slovaks — 92%
Citizens of Western countries (USA, UK, France, Germany) — ~90%
Croats — 74%
Vietnamese — 73% (record growth from 30% in 2005)
Groups with the Lowest Acceptance Rate:
Arabs, Afghans, Syrians — less than 25%
Roma — 24%
Russians — 32% (decrease in popularity due to the war in Ukraine)
Security remains the main factor through which Czechs evaluate migration.
56% of respondents see foreigners as "too great a risk" to the country's security. Although this figure is striking, it is a significant drop compared to 2016 (70%).
Only **41% of Czechs** support the right of ethnic minorities to live according to their traditions and customs. The majority expect newcomers to fully assimilate.
Researchers note that more tolerant views are more common among young people and those with higher education. However, overall, Czech society maintains a conservative approach to migration, preferring culturally similar groups or those who have already proven successful integration (like the Vietnamese community).
