The Czech Ministry of the Interior has quietly moved into the second—and decisive—phase of its new migration pathway designed for people who arrived from Ukraine under the EU Temporary Protection scheme. From 1 October 2026 until 31 December 2026 those beneficiaries who are economically self-sufficient can lodge an on-line application for a so-called “special long-term residence” (SLTR). The programme converts the emergency visa—currently extended until at least March 2027—into a full five-year residence permit that grants free access to the labour market, the right to entrepreneurial activity and access to public health insurance on the same footing as other long-term residents. The Interior Ministry has already screened the 56 503 “expressions of interest” filed in April and confirmed that 21 900 principal applicants, representing almost 13 000 households, meet the statutory conditions (no criminal record, proof of accommodation and stable income above the living-cost minimum). These households have now received log-in details to book an appointment at one of the ministry’s migration offices, where biometric data will be taken and supporting documents verified. Officials stress that on-line registration alone does not guarantee success; the residence card will be issued only after all requirements are met in person. SLTR is the government’s answer to growing pressure—from employers as well as refugees themselves—for a bridge between temporary protection and classic work-migration channels. In last year’s pilot round only 13 738 people (3.4 % of all war-displaced Ukrainians in Czechia) completed the process, in part because many families hesitated to commit while the war’s outcome remained uncertain. Uptake is already one-third lower this year, a drop analysts attribute to stricter eligibility rules and a smaller pool of applicants who have been in the country long enough to satisfy the income requirement. For business, the new status is significant: SLTR holders are no longer tied to specific employers or quotas and can be seconded abroad without jeopardising their Czech residence. Companies therefore gain a more mobile, legally secure talent pool at a time when unemployment is below 3 % and skills shortages threaten large infrastructure and defence projects. Deloitte warns HR teams to start internal audits now: workers who miss the 31 December deadline will have to wait until next year, when the ministry has hinted that evidence of Czech-language proficiency may be added. Importantly, refugees who do not—or cannot—apply keep their temporary-protection visas; failure to qualify for SLTR does not trigger loss of legal stay. Nevertheless, mobility managers should prepare for a bifurcated Ukrainian workforce from January 2027 onward, with SLTR holders enjoying Schengen-wide travel rights while those on temporary protection still face restrictions on business trips longer than 30 days.
Source: Deloitte dReport
