Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Czech Republic has become one of the key countries that have provided shelter to Ukrainians forced to leave their homes. As of today, about 380,000 citizens of Ukraine have received temporary protection in this country. This is not only an opportunity to find a safe place, but also a chance for stability: access to work, medicine, education and other services.
The Czech Republic, like many other EU countries, faces challenges related to the integration of a large number of refugees. However, this state does not stop in its support. The adoption of the Lex Ukraina VII law, which extends the temporary protection of Ukrainians for another year, was an important step confirming the solidarity of the Czech Republic with Ukraine.
Details of the law Lex Ukraine VII
As reported by Radio Prague, the Czech Parliament approved a new law that extends temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees until March 31, 2025. The current temporary protection expires on the last day of March 2024, and thanks to this law it has been extended for one year. According to this initiative, Ukrainians who remain in the Czech Republic must complete electronic registration by mid-March 2025. This will allow the Czech authorities to better assess the number of persons in need of protection and support.
The Minister of Internal Affairs of the Czech Republic, Vit Rakušan, emphasized that electronic registration is necessary to ensure the transparency and efficiency of the system. It will allow providing assistance only to those who actually live in the country and are entitled to support.
Opportunities for Ukrainians
Ukrainians who already have a stable job in the Czech Republic and do not receive state aid will be able to apply for a special permit for long-term residence. In the future, this opens up the possibility of obtaining a permanent residence permit after five years.
This is an important step for the integration of Ukrainian citizens who want to stay in the Czech Republic even after the end of the war. At the same time, the law provides that temporary protection will be canceled immediately after the end of hostilities in Ukraine.
Ukrainian refugees in the EU: the scope of the problem
The Czech Republic is only one of the European Union countries that have provided temporary protection to Ukrainians. According to Eurostat, as of October 31, 2024, more than 4.19 million citizens of Ukraine had temporary protection in EU countries. In October, the number of refugees in the EU increased by 1.1 thousand people, which indicates a long-term need for support.
The Czech Republic plays an important role in providing stability for those forced to flee the war. Continuation of temporary protection is evidence that the country is ready for long-term support of Ukrainian citizens.
Challenges for the Czech Republic and prospects
The massive influx of refugees created significant challenges for the Czech Republic: provision of housing, work, access to education and medicine. However, the country demonstrates a systematic approach, implementing reforms and adapting legislation to effectively manage the situation.
Lex Ukraina VII is an example of how a country can support refugees in the long term while maintaining its own security and stability.
The Czech Republic continues to be a reliable partner of Ukraine in this difficult time. The continuation of temporary protection for Ukrainians demonstrates the country’s readiness not only to respond to the crisis, but also to build a long-term support strategy.
This decision is an important signal not only for Ukrainians who found refuge in the Czech Republic, but also for the whole of Europe, which is united in the face of war. After all, helping those who find themselves in the most difficult situation is not only about solidarity, but also about the common future that Europe is building together with Ukraine.
