Czech Republic tightens rules for Ukrainian refugees: what will change
Фото: Unsplash
The Czech government has approved changes to legislation that tighten the rules for Ukrainian refugees to stay and receive humanitarian aid. The authorities explain this by the need to combat abuses and reduce tension in society over the attitude towards benefits for displaced people.
This was stated by the Minister of Internal Affairs Lubomir Metnar, DW reports.
According to him, as of March 2026, about 385,000 Ukrainian refugees live in the Czech Republic. This is one of the highest figures in the European Union per capita.
“We want to tighten the rules for providing humanitarian aid and residence permits to exclude those who do not actually live in the Czech Republic permanently,” explained Metnar.
One of the innovations will be the abolition of the privilege for Ukrainian cars, which were previously exempted from mandatory technical inspection. The Czech government believes that this norm has already lost its relevance.
The Reuters article notes that the decision comes against the backdrop of a difficult political situation within the country. The government coalition, which includes political forces with anti-Ukrainian rhetoric, is trying to simultaneously take into account voter sentiment, support for Ukraine, and the needs of Czech business, which actively attracts Ukrainians to work in the services sector, construction, and industry.
The European Union is also already discussing the possible extension of temporary protection for Ukrainians after March 2027. Among the possible changes, the idea of limiting the right to such status for men of draft age is being considered.
“Such proposals are related to Ukraine’s needs for military and manpower for the future reconstruction of the country,” Metnar noted.
As a reminder, the Czech Republic has begun discussing possible changes regarding the stay of Ukrainians who have received temporary protection. In particular, this concerns men of draft age.
As reported, European countries are gradually changing their approach to the stay of Ukrainians who left due to the war. The State Migration Service of Ukraine says that EU countries are increasingly trying not to increase the number of Ukrainian citizens on their territory and are reviewing the rules of temporary protection.
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