The Czech Republic plans to significantly tighten the rules governing assistance to Ukrainian refugees

The Czech Ministry of the Interior has drafted amendments to the law that will significantly restrict the conditions for providing financial assistance to war refugees. 

This was reported by the publication České Noviny. 

The amendments proposed by the Ministry of the Interior stipulate that, in order to receive humanitarian aid, refugees must be officially employed, engaged in business activities, or registered with an employment center.

The new requirements will require individuals to be physically present in the country for at least 16 days per month to qualify for benefits, which is intended to prevent abuse. Additionally, temporary protection will be revoked if a person leaves the Schengen Area for more than 30 days. These restrictions will not apply to minors, students, and the elderly.

The package of reforms also requires the mandatory registration of certain vehicles with Ukrainian license plates in a special Czech registry. To obtain a long-term residence permit, refugees will have to prove they have no outstanding tax debts to the state. Prime Minister Andrej Babiš stated that the government could review the proposed amendments as early as next week.

The Czech opposition party “Freedom and Direct Democracy” (SPD) is finalizing a new version of the law on foreigners, which significantly tightens the conditions for the stay of foreign nationals in the country. 

As a reminder, Slovakia has automatically extended the term of temporary protection for Ukrainians who fled Ukraine due to the full-scale war launched by Russia until March 4, 2027.

In addition, Ukrainians who have received temporary protection in Ireland can breathe a sigh of relief, as the country’s authorities have automatically extended their immigration permits until March 4, 2027.

Although the EU has extended temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees until 2027 and guaranteed them access to housing, the labor market, education, and healthcare, the situation is already changing in many ways. 

Ukrainian refugees will lose their temporary protection in the EU: are they ready to return?