The European Commission on 26 June 2026 unveiled a draft decision to prolong the bloc’s Temporary Protection Directive for people fleeing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine by another year, until 4 March 2028. Crucially, the text proposes that EU member states stop granting the status to newly arriving Ukrainian men who are subject to Kyiv’s wartime draft. Czechia – which hosts the highest number of Ukrainians per capita in the EU – immediately welcomed the initiative. Interior-ministry spokesperson Hana Malá told ČTK that Prague had lobbied for months, alongside like-minded states, to curb the outflow of military-age males from Ukraine. A legal act transposing the Brussels decision will now be finalised so that, once adopted by the EU Council, Czech authorities can refuse temporary-protection applications from men liable for service without amending domestic laws. For employers and global-mobility managers this marks the first time since March 2022 that eligibility for the immensely popular protection regime will narrow. Ukrainian staff already in Czechia will keep their rights to work, health insurance and education, but future male hires may need alternative immigration routes such as work permits or the Highly Qualified Worker Programme.
![EU proposes one-year extension of Temporary Protection; Czechia prepares to exclude draft-age Ukrainian men]()
For companies and individuals now weighing alternative permits, VisaHQ’s Czech Republic portal (https://www.visahq.com/czech-republic/) offers step-by-step guidance on work visas, residence permits and document legalisation, and can coordinate filings for both employers and Ukrainian nationals seeking to stay compliant amid the new draft exclusions.
Companies are advised to audit their talent pipelines and communicate proactively with male Ukrainian candidates still abroad. The Commission’s proposal also signals a gradual shift from emergency measures to longer-term integration and return strategies. Brussels announced a pilot voluntary-return scheme supporting housing, jobs and schooling for refugees who choose to go home. Multinationals should therefore prepare for a phased reduction in the Ukrainian labour pool and intensify retention efforts for key workers. Finally, HR teams must watch the legislative timetable in the Council. Adoption is expected in early autumn, leaving only a short grace period before the new rules kick in. Contingency planning and legal briefings for employees will be essential in the fourth quarter of 2026.
For companies and individuals now weighing alternative permits, VisaHQ’s Czech Republic portal (https://www.visahq.com/czech-republic/) offers step-by-step guidance on work visas, residence permits and document legalisation, and can coordinate filings for both employers and Ukrainian nationals seeking to stay compliant amid the new draft exclusions.
Companies are advised to audit their talent pipelines and communicate proactively with male Ukrainian candidates still abroad. The Commission’s proposal also signals a gradual shift from emergency measures to longer-term integration and return strategies. Brussels announced a pilot voluntary-return scheme supporting housing, jobs and schooling for refugees who choose to go home. Multinationals should therefore prepare for a phased reduction in the Ukrainian labour pool and intensify retention efforts for key workers. Finally, HR teams must watch the legislative timetable in the Council. Adoption is expected in early autumn, leaving only a short grace period before the new rules kick in. Contingency planning and legal briefings for employees will be essential in the fourth quarter of 2026.
