Wealthy Ukrainians in the Czech Republic will be able to obtain a long-term residence permit
After the outbreak of full-scale war, the Czech Republic became one of the countries that opened its borders to Ukrainian refugees, providing them with temporary protection, housing and access to the labor market. However, over time, the conditions of stay for many Ukrainians in the Czech Republic began to change not for the better. Reductions in social benefits, changes in the rules of residence and employment have become a serious challenge for those who have not yet adapted to local realities. However, the situation does not look difficult for everyone. It turns out that the Czech Republic is ready to continue providing opportunities for Ukrainians, but under certain conditions. Now only the most financially capable refugees can get a long-term residence permit and even a chance to stay in the country permanently.
The Czech Republic opens its doors to wealthy Ukrainians
In 2025, Ukrainians who want to extend their stay in the Czech Republic will be able to change their temporary protection to a special long-term residence permit. However, this opportunity is available only to those with stable and high incomes. It is reported Schengen News.
According to the updated rules, to obtain such a permit, a foreigner must:
- Have an annual income of at least 440,000 kroner gross (approximately €18,480) or at least €1,500 per month.
- Live in the Czech Republic for at least two years.
- Not to receive any financial assistance from the state for at least six months.
This requirement means that only those Ukrainians who have managed to find a well-paid job or have their own business in the Czech Republic will be able to stay for a long time.
Who will be affected by these changes?
Ukrainians with high incomes are specialists in the field of IT, medicine, engineering, entrepreneurs or employees of international companies who earn enough to obtain a permit.
Businessmen are those who have opened their own business in the Czech Republic and have a stable income that meets the requirements.
Professionals who were able to find employment in high-paying sectors – for example, lawyers, financiers, managers of large companies.
Those who did not receive social benefits – the Czech Republic particularly emphasizes that in order to obtain a new status it was necessary to do without state support for at least six months.
What to do with those who do not meet the requirements
Many Ukrainians who came to the Czech Republic at the beginning of the war did not have time to adapt to the new economic reality. Many of them work in the field of unskilled labor, where the average salary is much lower than the required level. For example, in the agricultural sector, construction or the service sector, the income often does not reach 1,500 euros per month.
Ukrainians who cannot meet the high financial criteria have several options:
- Continue the temporary protection unless it is revoked in the near future.
- Look for ways to increase income – for example, moving to higher paying positions or starting your own business.
- Consider other European countries for possible relocation, if maintaining status in the Czech Republic becomes impossible.
Why the Czech Republic is changing its approach to refugees
Over the course of two years, the Czech Republic spent significant funds on helping Ukrainians, providing them with housing, social benefits and access to medicine. However, the economic situation forces the government to reduce support and change priorities.
The country wants to leave only those Ukrainians who can provide for themselves independently, have integrated into society and work for its economic development. Thus, the Czech Republic is moving towards a selective migration policy that allows only those who benefit the state’s economy to stay.
So, although the Czech Republic continues to be one of the most loyal countries towards Ukrainians, its policy is gradually changing. The country’s authorities want to keep only those who can be economically independent, and are gradually reducing support for others.
These new requirements create challenges for many Ukrainians, but at the same time they provide an opportunity for those who have achieved financial stability to establish themselves in the Czech Republic on a permanent basis. The only question is how many refugees will be able to meet these strict criteria and what will happen to those who will remain on board the new policy.
