The Czech Republic has opened applications for a 5-year residence permit for Ukrainians: how to apply
This has been reported on the Relocate.to platform.
This refers to the Lex Ukraine 2026 programme, which allows Ukrainians to transition from temporary protection to long-term status outside standard immigration procedures.
“The quota is around 15,000 places. At the same time, there are up to 400,000 potential applicants. This means that more than 20 people will be competing for each place,” the report states.
A similar programme was in place in 2025 — around 15,000 permits were issued then as well.
Five-year status offers more opportunities than temporary protection:
- free access to the labour market without being tied to an employer;
- the right to travel within the Schengen area for up to 90 days every 180 days;
- the opportunity to engage in business;
- unrestricted access to education and healthcare;
- crediting of residence time towards permanent residence.
Furthermore, this status is not dependent on the extension of temporary protection beyond 2027.
The programme is not available to everyone. The Czech Republic has established clear selection criteria, and the Czech Ministry of the Interior checks applicants’ eligibility against its own databases, so it is virtually impossible to conceal non-compliance.
Clear criteria are set out:
- at least two years of temporary protection in the Czech Republic;
- an annual income of at least 440,000 koruna (plus 110,000 for each family member);
- no receipt of social assistance;
- no criminal record.
An additional advantage is having children attending school or nursery.
Please note: for pensioners and mothers with children, participation in the programme is only possible if the criterion of financial independence is met. At the same time, for most of them, the required income level is a significant barrier.
The procedure for obtaining a permit consists of two stages with a break of approximately six months
- Registration (1–30 April 2026). Applications must be submitted online via the MVČR Foreigners’ Portal. At this stage, you must upload documents confirming your income for 2024 — a tax return or certificates from your employer. The data is checked against government registers, so any discrepancies are detected automatically.
- Biometrics (October 2026). Candidates who pass the initial selection will receive a personal invitation to provide biometric data. A final decision is expected by the end of 2026. If approved, the applicant will receive a 5-year residence card.
If you do not apply in April, there will be no further intake in 2026.
“In that case, you will have to use standard immigration procedures, which are longer and more complicated,” experts stress.
Please note: missing the first stage means automatically losing the opportunity to participate in the programme.
A 5-year residence permit opens up significantly broader opportunities for Ukrainians compared to temporary protection.
Key benefits of 5-year status
- Unrestricted access to the labour market. You can change employers without notifying the immigration authorities, as well as engage in business or freelance work without additional permits.
- Travel within the Schengen Area. Allows you to stay in Schengen countries for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
- A pathway to permanent residence. The period of stay under the Lex Ukraine programme counts towards the residency period required to obtain permanent residence (stály pobyt), significantly shortening this process.
- Extended rights. Access to education and healthcare on a par with citizens, without the restrictions typical of temporary protection.
- Long-term stability. The status is not dependent on the future extension of the Temporary Protection Directive and remains valid independently after 2027.
Lex Ukraine 2026 remains one of the fastest ways to obtain stable status in the Czech Republic. However, due to the limited quota, the programme is only available to a select number of applicants.
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