Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees in Czech Republic are worried as the extension of their temporary protection is stalled in parliament.
The current protection expires in March 2025, but there is a risk of delays in processing renewal applications, potentially overwhelming IT systems. To extend the protection, lawmakers must approve annual amendments to the law, but the latest amendment is stuck in parliament due to opposition concerns, including a clause requiring Russians to renounce their citizenship to gain Czech nationality.
There are currently over 386,000 Ukrainian refugees in Czech Republic. Some lawmakers warn that if there is too little time for applications, the system could crash.
The amendment, known as “Lex Ukraine 7,” is stuck in its third reading, with the Ministry of the Interior pushing for its passage. Minister Vít Rakušan urged lawmakers to act quickly, warning that delays could jeopardize the online registration process for all Ukrainian refugees.
The law also includes provisions that require Russian nationals to renounce their citizenship to obtain Czech nationality and introduces new criminal offenses related to foreign state activities. Opposition lawmakers have criticized these clauses, leading to delays in the legislative process. Despite the hold-up, there is hope that the law will be passed in the coming week.
In addition to extending temporary protection, the amendment also introduces a special long-term residence option for economically self-sufficient refugees who wish to stay in Czech Republic for a longer period. After five years, these individuals could apply for permanent residency.
