In the Czech Republic, registration for a 5-year long-term residence permit is open to Ukrainians: why you should hurry

The emergence of the new Lex Ukraine 2026 program has become a significant step in the Czech Republic’s migration policy, as it provides Ukrainians under temporary protection with the opportunity to obtain long-term residence status without going through standard procedures that usually take months and require additional documents. The program opens up new horizons for those Ukrainians who plan to stay in the country after the expiration of the temporary protection period and provides legal stability in difficult circumstances of high competition among applicants.

Launch of the Lex Ukraine 2026 program and its key dates

On March 9, 2026, the Czech government announced the launch of the Lex Ukraine 2026 program, and registration for a five-year long-term residence permit (zvěstní dlouhodobý pobyt) for Ukrainian citizens under temporary protection begins on April 1.

For those who have lived in the Czech Republic for more than four years and want to stay after March 2027, this permit is the fastest and most reliable way to legal long-term status. At the same time, the registration period is limited to thirty days, and the quota is about 15 thousand places, which is significantly less than the number of potential participants, which reaches approximately 400 thousand people.

Lex Ukraine 2026 is a special program developed outside the standard migration procedure and allows Ukrainians who have temporary protection to move to a more stable status without having to wait for their turn at the migration service. A five-year residence permit opens up much broader opportunities than temporary protection: the holder of the status can change employers without additional permits, engage in entrepreneurial activity, travel within the Schengen area for up to 90 days within 180, and also begin the path to permanent residence and potential citizenship.

Under a similar program, about 15 thousand permits were issued in 2025, and the same quota is expected in 2026. Competition among applicants in 2026 is significantly higher due to the huge number of potential participants, which emphasizes the importance of careful preparation of documents and compliance with all program requirements.

Selection criteria and requirements for candidates

The program has clear selection criteria, which are controlled by the Czech Ministry of the Interior through state databases. There is practically no scheme to hide non-compliance. The main requirements are:

• continuous temporary protection in the Czech Republic for at least two years;

• minimum annual income of 440,000 CZK for a single person and an additional 110,000 CZK for each family member, confirmed by tax returns or salary statements;

• no criminal record, verification is carried out through the registers of the Ministry of Internal Affairs;

• economic independence, no receipt of social benefits (dávky);

• the presence of children attending school or kindergarten is an additional plus when considering the application.

Income thresholds can be a serious barrier for pensioners, mothers with children, and those dependent on social assistance, but for those who meet the criteria, the program is the optimal path to legalization for five years.

Processing stages

The application procedure is divided into two main stages, between which there is a six-month waiting period. Skipping the first step means complete withdrawal from the program.

1. Expression of Interest (April 1–30, 2026) — online registration on the MVČR Foreigners’ Portal with uploading proof of income for 2024. Data is automatically checked through state databases.

2. Biometrics (October 2026) — personal invitation to submit biometric data. After this, a decision is expected by the end of 2026, and successful applicants receive a five-year resident card.

Missing the April registration in 2026 means that it is impossible to participate in the program until the end of the current cycle, and the only alternative path remains standard migration procedures, which are much longer and more complicated.

Advantages of the five-year status

The five-year status gives Ukrainians the freedom to change employers, start their own business and work freelance without additional permits. It allows you to travel to Schengen countries for up to 90 days every 180 days and is counted towards the experience for further obtaining permanent residence (stály pobyt). Status holders receive rights on an equal footing with Czech citizens in the areas of education, healthcare and other social services. The status also provides stability after the end of the temporary protection period in 2027, as it exists regardless of the extension of the temporary protection directive.

Among the limitations, it should be noted that the status does not provide access to social benefits, the list of benefits is smaller than in the case of a family residence permit, and additional border checks are possible when traveling abroad.

Preparing for registration

There are only a few weeks left until the registration opens. Ukrainians who plan to participate in the program must:

• confirm temporary protection by March 15, 2026;

• calculate all official income for 2024 and prepare relevant documents;

• register on the frs.gov.cz portal and upload the necessary documents;

• apply as a family, taking into account the income and status of each family member.

Following these steps maximizes your chances of obtaining long-term status and ensures legal residence in the Czech Republic for the next five years.