The Czech economy could face a severe disruption if large numbers of Ukrainian refugees were to leave the country after the end of the war.
Ukrainian refugees have been filling labor gaps in sectors that Czechs are often unwilling to work in, contributing significantly to industries such as spas, construction, hospitals, and social services. These workers are crucial, particularly in less skilled positions, and their potential departure could lead to a critical shortage of workers across various sectors.
“If Ukrainians leave in large numbers, the whole Czech Republic would basically stop,” said Tomáš Prouza, President of the Czech Confederation of Commerce and Tourism.
Prouza further explained, “Many of them are in construction and industry, but very often they also work in hospitals or social services. A huge portion of hospitals or nursing homes would no longer have auxiliary staff.”
Currently, over 400,000 refugees from Ukraine are in the Czech Republic, including 113,000 men and 172,000 women aged 18 to 65. These refugees are contributing more to the economy than they are taking out. In the last quarter of the previous year, they contributed 6.6 billion Czech korunas, while withdrawing 4 billion. “They do the jobs that Czechs no longer want to do. They don’t mind doing manual labor, and Ukrainian women are also accustomed to working in positions that we consider typically male, such as crane operators,” Prouza said.
The spa industry alone relies heavily on Ukrainian labor, with refugees making up to 20% of the workforce in auxiliary roles like room cleaning, dishwashing, and kitchen work. Some regions see this figure rise to 50%. “Accommodation, tourism, and the spa industry have recently become dependent on foreign labor, especially in auxiliary professions,” said Eduard Bláha, President of the Association of Therapeutic Spas. “This includes jobs like room cleaning, dishwashing, or auxiliary work in the kitchen, where it doesn’t matter much if the person is not exceptionally proficient in the language.”
Bláha added, “Before the war, the situation was already critical and unsustainable. The conflict brought a lot of people to the Czech Republic, mostly women, who found work in this sector.”
The contribution of Ukrainian refugees has been crucial in filling vacant positions in the Czech economy, particularly in low-skilled jobs. Jan Sotona, spokesperson for the Chamber of Commerce, confirmed, “Ukrainians played a crucial role in filling vacant positions in the Czech economy, especially in less qualified professions.” Sotona further noted that their departure after the war could cause a significant labor shortage. “That’s why it would be appropriate to create conditions for the long-term integration of those who want to stay here,” he added.
Both Prouza and Bláha criticized the current conditions set by the Czech state for granting long-term stays. To qualify for a special long-term stay, refugees must earn a gross annual income of 440,000 CZK, which is 36,600 CZK per month. For a two-person household, the minimum income requirement is 45,800 CZK per month. “Most employees don’t earn such amounts; these figures are astronomical for these professions,” Bláha stated.
While refugees who do not meet these requirements can remain under temporary protection, this status only lasts until March 2026, with uncertainty about what will happen after that. “It’s just thrown out there without an explanation of why it is, what it’s meant to achieve. It really unsettles the people involved. We, on the other hand, need them to know they will be able to stay here, that it’s worth it for them to learn Czech, retrain, and move forward,” said Prouza.
Prouza also highlighted the challenges refugees face with the recognition of their qualifications, which often forces them into lower-skilled jobs than they are qualified for.
