In 2022, Czechia received 46 000 new immigrants on a long-term or permanent basis (including changes of status and free mobility), ‑29% compared to 2021. This figure comprises 26% immigrants benefitting from free mobility, 49% labour migrants, 23% family members (including accompanying family) and 1% humanitarian migrants. Around 7 400 permits were issued to tertiary-level international students and 1 500 to temporary and seasonal labour migrants (excluding intra-EU migration). In addition, 73 000 intra-EU postings were recorded in 2022, a 35% increase compared to 2021. These posted workers are generally on short-term contracts.
Ukraine, the Slovak Republic and Russia were the top three nationalities of newcomers in 2022. Among the top 15 countries of origin, Ukraine registered the strongest increase and the Slovak Republic the largest decrease in flows to Czechia compared to the previous year.
In 2023, the number of first asylum applicants decreased by ‑15%, to reach around 1 100. The majority of applicants came from Türkiye (200), Uzbekistan (100) and Ukraine (100). The largest increase since 2022 concerned nationals of Uzbekistan (35) and the largest decrease nationals of Ukraine (‑100). Of the 1 050 decisions taken in 2023, 32% were positive.
Emigration of Czech citizens to OECD countries increased by 4% in 2022, to 14 000. Approximately 33% of this group migrated to Germany, 12% to Austria and 9% to Switzerland.
The mass arrival of Ukrainians – the number of Ukrainians increased by 440 000 in 2022 – has led to repeated legislative instruments starting with the 2022 “Lex Ukraine”. On 13 September 2023, the latest amendment was approved by the government, to allow Ukrainian refugees to extend the period of their temporary protection in Czechia until the end of March 2025. Vulnerable persons with temporary protection may remain in free mass accommodation facilities beyond the usual 150 days subject to certain conditions. From September 2024, all displaced Ukrainians will be able to stay a maximum of 90 days in mass accommodation facilities.
Czechia governs labour migration through quotas for issuance of long-term visas at different consulates, in categories defined in the programmes for economic migration. In December 2023, the government increased quotas, from 50 000 in 2023 to 70 000 for 2024. Employee Card application quotas rose for some countries (Mongolia from 1 000 to 3 170 per year, and for the Philippines from 2 300 in 2022 to 5 300, with a later increase to 10 300 in May 2024). North Macedonia, Armenia and Georgia are now also included in all programmes. 2024 also saw a resumption of economic migration from Ukraine and an expansion of eligibility. Ukrainian citizens can be included in the Key and Scientific Personnel Program and the Highly Qualified Employee Program (1 000 for 2024) not only if they are resident in Ukraine and authorised to travel according to Ukrainian regulations but also if they hold temporary or international protection in another EU Member State or reside in another country on a long-term or permanent basis. Ukrainian citizens are also eligible for the Qualified Employee Programme (12 100 for 2024) if they reside outside of Ukraine for less than two years.
The specific criteria for migrant founders of start-ups were modified to allow simpler documentation: a “pitch deck” or other documents may substitute a business plan, and the list of incubators and technology investors was expanded.
Proposed amendments to the Employment Act are under discussion to provide highly qualified migrants with better conditions, as well as a registered employer scheme. A previous proposal for a points-based system to offer longer duration permits and family reunification has been scaled back and replaced by priority processing.
The Czech Digital Nomad Visa was implemented in July 2023. It is available for citizens of certain countries (Australia, Japan, Canada, Korea, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States) as well as from Chinese Taipei. It is limited to IT and STEM professionals earning at least 1.5 times the average gross annual salary. It is either for those employed by firms with at least 50 employees or freelancers with three years work experience and a trade license (which allows them to work for Czech clients). The permit issued is valid for up to one year, although the recipient can bring accompanying family and apply for other permits.
For more information: www.mvcr.cz | www.mpsv.cz | www.cizinci.cz
