The Ministry of the Interior in the Czech Republic presented a proposal for a seventh amendment to the legislation on residency of refugees from Ukraine, known as Lex Ukraine. The amendment would allow Ukrainian refugees who do not need state assistance and are economically independent to end their the temporary protection status and obtain regular residence status under the Alien Act, in the form of a long-term residence permit. 

The new provision applies primarily to those refugees from Ukraine who wish to settle in the Czech Republic on a long-term basis. The possibility to switch from temporary protection to long-term residence will only apply to those Ukrainian refugees who meet pre-defined conditions, including a minimum length of stay in the Czech Republic for temporary protection of two years, economic independence, and a clean criminal record. 

The Ministry of the Interior expects that this will enable Ukrainian refugees to better plan their future and increase their motivation to integrate into Czech society. It also expects that employers of refugees will be able to make better use of their potential, which will have a positive impact on the state budget and on pension and healthcare systems.

Refugees from Ukraine who do not take the opportunity to obtain long-term residence or do not meet the conditions will be able to continue enjoying temporary protection. According to current data from the Ministry of the Interior, there are almost 340 000 holders of temporary protection in the Czech Republic.