Czech Republic without temporary protection for Ukrainians? Parliament Speaker makes tough proposal

The Speaker of the lower house of the Czech Parliament, Tomio Okamura, has advocated the complete abolition of the temporary protection regime and social benefits for Ukrainian refugees. He proposes that employed Ukrainians switch to regular residence permits, and that those who are unemployed return to Ukraine after the war is over.

Okamura, who also heads the Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) party, said this on CNN Prima NEWS.

Temporary protection is proposed to be abolished completely

Okamura said that he advocates for the “immediate complete abolition of temporary protection and benefits for all Ukrainians.”

In his opinion, Ukrainian citizens who have jobs in the Czech Republic should continue to stay in the country on general grounds — to apply for residence permits in the same way as other foreigners.

For those who are unemployed, the politician proposes another scenario — to return to Ukraine after the war is over.

At the same time, this is currently Okamura’s position, and not the adopted decision to terminate the temporary protection of Ukrainians in the Czech Republic.

The rules for some Ukrainians have already been tightened

Okamura also drew attention to the previously introduced tightening of the rules for new applicants from Ukraine. These are men of draft age, who can no longer automatically count on receiving temporary protection.

According to the politician, he considers these changes to be one of the results of the work of his SPD party.

The new requirements are already being applied in practice. Since August 5, dozens of Ukrainians in the Czech Republic have been unable to receive temporary protection due to the lack of documentary confirmation of military service.

On August 16, the Czech side further clarified the list of documents required for obtaining status. The requirements depend on the age of the applicant.

Who the new requirements do not apply to

At the same time, the changes do not mean the automatic loss of status by Ukrainians who are already in the Czech Republic under temporary protection.

The requirement to confirm military service applies to new applicants. Ukrainians who had valid temporary protection at the time of the introduction of the rules and have maintained it continuously do not have to provide such confirmation.

For them, the protection regime remains in force until 2028.

Okamura wants to go further

However, the speaker of the lower house of parliament considers the already introduced restrictions insufficient.

His proposal envisages a much more radical scenario – the Czech Republic’s complete refusal from the temporary protection regime for Ukrainians and the termination of social payments to its recipients.

In fact, this would mean a transition from a special regime introduced due to a full-scale war to general migration rules for those Ukrainians who plan to remain in the country.

At the same time, the number of Ukrainian citizens enjoying temporary protection in the European Union continues to grow. Therefore, the discussion about the future of this mechanism and the conditions for long-term stay of Ukrainians in EU countries is becoming increasingly relevant.