The sixth amendment to the laws providing the legislative framework for assistance to those displaced from Ukraine in the Czech Republic, referred to collectively as Lex Ukraine VI, entered into force on 1 January 2024. The key changes introduced by this amendment are summarised below.

Changes effective from 1 January 2024:

Extension of temporary protection

Holders of temporary protection valid until 31 March 2024 will be able to extend their temporary protection to 31 March 2025. This process has two steps:

1. Registration of a date for a personal visit to a Ministry of Interior office, to mark the new visa tag. Registration is possible online until 15 March 2024.
2. The appointment of the visa sticker at the Ministry of the Interior.

All persons aged 15 and over must register separately. Persons under the age of 15 must be registered by their authorised representatives (usually parents).

Registration of Ukrainian vehicles

Citizens of Ukraine are now obliged to register the vehicles they use on the territory of the Czech Republic within 7 days of being granted temporary protection or a tolerance visa. 

Change in the flat-rate housing allowance

The lump sum housing compensation granted to vulnerable persons has been increased to CZK 6 000 per person/month if they live in an apartment registered with the Ministry of Labour, and to CZK 4 800 per person/month if they live elsewhere.

Allocation of humanitarian accommodation

Humanitarian accommodation will now be allocated only at the office of the Refugee Facilities Administration of the Ministry of the Interior in Ostrava. Humanitarian accommodation must be applied for in person.

Immediate emergency assistance financial benefit

Holders of temporary protection can apply for new material need benefit entitled "Emergency immediate assistance - other event". The benefit is intended to deal with the loss of housing and to provide coverage for basic needs. The income from this benefit is not considered in calculations for the humanitarian benefit. 

Changes in education

The conditions for admission to secondary and higher schools for people displaced from Ukraine have been revised for the 2024/2025 school year: the Czech language entrance exam may be waived and knowledge of the Czech language verified by interview instead, pupils may take the mathematics entrance exam in Ukrainian, schools may administer the school part of the exam in Ukrainian, and pupils have the right to use a translation dictionary.

Changes effective from 1 September 2024:

Shortened period of humanitarian accommodation

From 1 September 2024 the period of free accommodation provided - by the state - to those displaced from Ukraine in mass accommodation facilities will be shortened to 90 days. This will also apply to vulnerable persons - no one will be able to remain in humanitarian accommodation free of charge after 90 days.

Read more on these changes in the Collection of Laws online.