From 2025, Ukrainian refugees in the Czech Republic will have the opportunity to apply for a special permit for long-term residence. This status will open up new perspectives for them and provide greater stability in life abroad.
The process of obtaining a new long-term residence status requires compliance with certain requirements, in particular:
- Long-term stay in the Czech Republic: candidates must reside in the country on the basis of temporary protection for more than two years.
- No criminal record: This requirement does not apply to persons under the age of 15.
- Refugees must have sufficient income to support themselves and their families.
- Applicants must not receive humanitarian aid.
- The absence of medical insurance debts and the presence of a permanent place of residence are mandatory.
- All applicants must have a valid foreign passport.
- Children aged 6 to 14 must attend school in the Czech Republic.
To apply for long-term residence, Ukrainian refugees must register their interest during the extension of temporary protection. This will allow them to enter the closed list of applicants. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Czech Republic will check the fulfillment of all conditions with the help of state registers, which simplifies the process of submitting documents.
Obtaining a special permit for long-term residence provides Ukrainian refugees with a number of advantages:
- Long-term residence status: the permit is valid for 5 years.
- Access to the labor market: you can work in the Czech Republic without restrictions.
However, this status also imposes certain obligations, including:
- Administrative fees: The fee for each ZDP card is 2,500 Czech crowns for adults and 1,000 Czech crowns for children under 15 years of age.
- Health insurance: mandatory health insurance for yourself and minor children.
Holders of a special long-term residence permit can apply for other types of permits, such as:
- Blue card.
- Residence permit for family reunification.
- Residence permit for study.
- Residence permit for research work.
After five years of continuous stay with the ZDP, Ukrainian refugees will be able to apply for permanent residence. At the same time, the entire period of ZDP is taken into account in full, and the period of temporary protection is taken into account in half.
Starting in 2025, the Czech Republic will launch a program that will provide Ukrainian refugees with new opportunities to obtain long-term residence status. This initiative aims to provide stability and support for those seeking safe haven and a new life in this country.
The process of applying for a special permit involves several stages and compliance with clear requirements. First of all, applicants must prove their long-term stay in the Czech Republic on the basis of temporary protection for more than two years. An important condition is the absence of criminal records, but this requirement does not apply to persons under the age of 15.
In order to obtain the status of long-term residence, it is necessary to have sufficient income to support oneself and one’s family independently, and also not to receive humanitarian aid. The key point is the absence of medical insurance debts and having a permanent place of residence. In addition, all applicants must have a valid foreign passport, and children between the ages of 6 and 14 must attend school in the Czech Republic.
To apply for long-term residence, Ukrainian refugees must register their interest during the extension of temporary protection, which will allow them to enter the closed list of applicants. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Czech Republic will check the fulfillment of all conditions with the help of state registers, which greatly simplifies the process of submitting documents.
Obtaining a special permit for long-term residence opens up numerous advantages for Ukrainian refugees. Among them is the opportunity to obtain a long-term residence status that is valid for 5 years, and to work without restrictions in the Czech labor market.
However, this status also implies the fulfillment of certain obligations. In particular, administrative fees must be paid for each ZDP card, which is 2,500 Czech crowns for adults and 1,000 Czech crowns for children under 15 years of age. In addition, health insurance for yourself and minor children is mandatory.
Holders of a special long-term residence permit can apply for other types of permits, such as a Blue Card, a residence permit for family reunification, study or research.
After five years of continuous stay with the ZDP, Ukrainian refugees will be able to apply for permanent residence. At the same time, the entire period of stay with the ZDP is taken into account in full, and the period of temporary protection is partially taken into account. This new program creates favorable conditions for Ukrainian refugees, giving them the opportunity for long-term and stable residence in the Czech Republic.
