Transition from Temporary Protection to Long-Term Residence in 2026

20.3.2026

In 2026, some Ukrainians currently under temporary protection will again be able to express interest in so-called "special long-term residence." However, the main obstacle to obtaining it—specifically the requirement for a relatively high income—remains the same as in 2025. In 2025, over 16,000 people obtained special long-term residence status.

On March 15, 2026, an amendment to the government decree governing the option to apply for special long-term residence in 2026 came into force. A foreign national interested in this type of residence must demonstrate a minimum total annual income of CZK 440,000, plus an additional CZK 110,000 for each additional jointly registered person (see Section 4 of Government Decree No. 86/2025 Coll., on the details of registration for special long-term residence).

The process of obtaining residence status takes place in two stages


To obtain long-term residence status, an interested person must take the following steps:

  • first, express interest in special long-term residence using the electronic form published on the Ministry of the Interior’s website between April 1 and April 30, 2026; once this period has expired, it will no longer be possible to express interest in special long-term residency; 
  • If an applicant expresses interest in this type of stay during the designated period and met all statutory conditions for its granting, they will be permitted to register for the special long-term stay between October 1, 2026, and December 31, 2026.

As part of the registration process, the applicant will receive a registration confirmation specifying the date and address of the Ministry of the Interior office where the applicant—and any persons registering jointly with them—must appear to provide biometric data for the subsequent issuance of a residence permit card.

Restrictions on changing the purpose of the long-term stay

It remains the case that a holder of a special long-term residence permit card is not entitled to apply for a different type of long-term residence authorization under the Act on the Residence of Foreign Nationals in the Czech Republic; however, this restriction does not apply to applications for a long-term residence permit for the purpose of:

  • family reunification within the Czech Republic,
  • study within the Czech Republic,
  • scientific research, or
  • an application for a Blue Card.


Experience from the previous year

Last year, the implementation of the special long-term stay scheme was treated as a pilot project; the relatively high income requirement was intended to prevent overwhelming interest from Ukrainians holding temporary protection status, thereby avoiding—among other things—the overloading of the Ministry of the Interior and its offices. This is reflected in the total number of special long-term residence permits issued, which amounted to just over 16,000 in 2025. It had been expected that subsequent implementation phases would allow a larger number of persons with temporary protection to apply—specifically by relaxing certain requirements, such as the income threshold—yet the current phase essentially mirrors the previous year's.

Future Outlook

One can only hope that the Russian aggression against Ukraine will end as soon as possible. The Czech government will then face the challenge of navigating various, often conflicting pressures regarding the future status of persons with temporary protection. On one hand, the Czech economy has an interest in retaining this workforce, which has become difficult to replace; on the other, there will be significant pressure for the rapid return of these individuals to Ukraine. Such pressure will come not only from Czech anti-immigration political groups, but a swift return may also align with Ukraine’s own interests as it seeks rapid reconstruction with the help of returning citizens.