On 15 June 2022, the Senate and then the President of the Republic approved an amendment to the Lex Ukraine Act, which sets stricter conditions for providing support to Ukrainian refugees. The new legislation took effect on 30 June 2022.

The amendment regulates the conditions for granting and terminating temporary protection, deadlines for issuing decisions, humanitarian benefits, applications of Russian and Belarusian citizens for Czech residence permits, and new rules on health insurance coverage.

Lex Ukraine – a brief overview of the changes

• It will only be possible to apply for temporary protection in one country; granting and applying for temporary protection in another EU country will terminate temporary protection in the Czech Republic.
• A change of residence in the Czech Republic must be reported to the Ministry of the Interior within 3 working days. 
• The time limit for issuing a decision on temporary protection will be extended to 60 days from the date of application in complex cases, otherwise the decision will be issued without undue delay.
• Temporary protection holders aged 18-65 are now considered self-payers 150 days after the granting of temporary protection (previously it was 360 days).
• The state will continue to pay for health insurance for children under the age of 18 and seniors over the age of 65, including students between the ages of 18 and 26 studying at secondary schools or universities. 
• Refugees will receive CZK 5,000 in support for the purchase of basic necessities to start their lives in the Czech Republic during the month, in which they receive their protection visa. They can continue to receive this benefit for 5 months, if they can prove they need it. 
• Those, who have been provided with accommodation, a full day’s food and basic personal hygiene items, will not be eligible for the humanitarian benefit. 
• The amount of the contribution for solidarity households providing accommodation will vary according to the type of accommodation, i.e. if it is a shared accommodation (CZK 3,000/person) or a separate apartment (CZK 5,000/person).

The amendment also allows the government to restrict the migration of third-country nationals. Citizens of Russia and Belarus will now not be able to apply for Czech residence permits and previously submitted applications will be rejected. However, the new measure still provides for exceptions, e.g. for persons, whose stay will be in the interest of the Czech Republic, family members of Czech and EU citizens or foreigners already residing in the Czech Republic.

Author: Roman Burnus, Marek Toráč