Temporary Protection

Temporary protection is an exceptional measure to provide immediate and temporary protection in the event of a mass influx or imminent mass influx of displaced persons from non-EU countries who are unable to return to their country of origin. The Temporary Protection Directive (2001/55/EC of 20 July 2001) provides a tool for the EU to address such situations.

The information below is described according to the official website page of the Ministry of the Interior in the Czech Republic (in Czech Ministerstvo vnitra—MV), as well as the Official Web Portal for Foreigners of the MOI’s Department of Asylum and Migration Policy (in Czech Odbor azylové a migrační politiky—OAMP). These websites provide information in both Ukrainian and Czech.

Temporary protection in Czechia is granted to:

‎‏‏‎‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎‎‎‏‏‎ Ukrainian citizens who resided in Ukraine until 24.02.2022 and subsequently left Ukraine.
‎‏‏‎‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎‎‎‏‏‎ Foreigners from third countries and stateless persons who received any form of international protection in Ukraine before 24.02.2022.
‎‏‏‎‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎‎‎‏‏‎ Family members of the persons mentioned in points 1-2, who were with them in Ukraine until 24.02.2022 and subsequently left Ukraine. Family members include a spouse, registered partner, unmarried minor child, and a dependent relative living in the household.
‎‏‏‎‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎‎‎‏‏‎ Foreigners who were in Ukraine until 24.02.2022 on the basis of a permanent residence permit, if they cannot return to their country of origin or part of that country due to the threat of real danger.

Temporary protection may also be granted in connection with family reunification with a person who has temporary protection, or in exceptional cases.

‎‏‏‎‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎‎‎‏‏‎ Foreigners with valid residence permits (long-term visa, permanent residence permit, or temporary protection) issued by another country are not eligible for temporary protection if their visa or residence permit was cancelled or expired after 24.02.2022.
‎‏‏‎‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎‎‎‏‏‎ Foreigners with a long-term visa in Czechia that was not extended or was cancelled after 24.02.2022 are not eligible for temporary protection either, as they did not reside in Ukraine until 24.02.2022.

If you have arrived after 24 February 2022, you can apply for temporary protection at one of the Regional Assistance Centres for Ukraine (Krajské asistenční centrum pomoci Ukrajině — KACPU). You can also apply if you are a family member, regardless of nationality, and have accompanied a Ukrainian citizen seeking temporary protection in Czechia after 24 February 2022.

You can also apply for temporary protection for family reunification reasons, or exceptionally in other cases. Contact the Ministry of the Interior’s Department for Asylum and Migration Policy (OAMP MV) branch in your area and book an appointment regarding your specific case.

Changes are related to the functioning of the Regional Assistance Centres for Ukraine (KACPU) and the allocation of state humanitarian accommodation to new applicants for temporary protection. If you are a new applicant, you can find relevant information on the government’s Official Web Portal for Foreigners, including the recently introduced changes.

‎‏‏‎‎‎‏‏‎ See an informational graphic on the procedure done by the Ministry of the Interior.

‎‏‏‎‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎‎‎‏‏‎ Form (if possible, fill it out in advance).
‎‏‏‎‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎‎‎‏‏‎ Valid biometric passport (if available).
‎‏‏‎‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎‎‎‏‏‎ Proof that you were in Ukraine until 24.02.2022 and left Ukraine due to the Russian invasion (e.g., passport stamp, confirmation of humanitarian border crossing, or another document issued in your name confirming your stay in Ukraine).
‎‏‏‎‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎‎‎‏‏‎ Document providing accommodation, if you are not staying in a shelter: if accommodation is provided by an individual, use the form for individuals; if accommodation is provided by a legal entity, use the form for legal entities.
‏‏‎‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎‎‎‏‏‎ ‏‏‎‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎‎‎‏‏‎ ‏‏‎‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎‎‎‏‏‎ ‏‏‎‎‏‏‎or ‎‏‏‎‎‎‏‏‎Lease or sublease agreement: If you provide a lease or sublease agreement, an officially certified signature is not required. Your documents will be included in the case, so it is recommended to provide a certified copy of the agreement.
‎‏‏‎‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎‎‎‏‏‎ Passport-sized photograph (45 × 35 mm) (if available).

If you do not provide a valid travel document along with the application, the procedure for obtaining temporary protection may be delayed. The Ministry of the Interior cannot guarantee that the application for temporary protection will be processed on the spot.

‎‏‏‎‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎‎‎‏‏‎ For more information, please see the Official Web Portal for Foreigners (tab “Application/Žádost”).

You apply for temporary protection at one of the Regional Assistance Centres for Ukraine (in Czech, Krajské asistenční centrum pomoci Ukrajině—KACPU), whose activities are coordinated by the Ministry of Interior.

‎‏‏‎‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎‎‎‏‏‎ Mon–Fri 8:00–16:00 (outside these hours, the audio recorded response is provided):

You will receive a visa sticker in your passport that indicates the validity and the type of temporary protection code.

You can see the samples of the documents confirming temporary protection here

At the official MOI page here, you can indicate the number of the application for extension of temporary protection and your date of birth.

What legal guidelines can I refer to if the validity of my residence permit is questioned?

If you came across any errors or questions regarding the validity of your temporary protection, please refer to the Ministry of Interior or our legal partners for legal assistance.

Contacts for UNHCR’s legal partners

‎‏‏‎‎‎‏‏‎ With granted temporary protection in Czechia, you have the right to stay legally in the country during the validity of your temporary protection and abide by the Czech laws and obligations.
‎‏‏‎‎‎‏‏‎ You have free access to the labour market without additional procedures.
‎‏‏‎‎‎‏‏‎ Children aged 6-15 are obliged to attend the Czech schools.
‎‏‏‎‎‎‏‏‎ With mandatory public medical insurance, you have access to health care (which is free for some groups of persons, such as children, seniors above 65 years old, students, caregivers etc.).
‎‏‏‎‎‎‏‏‎ As a temporary protection holder, you can apply for some social protection benefits like humanitarian subsidy under the Labour Office (Urad peace: “humanitární dávka“), and to any other assistance programs, such as legal and social counselling, language and integration activities provided in your location.

‎‏‏‎‎‎‏‏‎ The rights and obligations of persons granted temporary protection, which are not regulated by the Law on Temporary Protection or the Law on Certain Measures in Connection with the Armed Conflict on the Territory of Ukraine, are regulated by the Law on the Stay of Foreigners.

‎‏‏‎‎‎‏‏‎ You are responsible for informing the Ministry of Interior about any changes in your personal data, such as your address, surname, first name, marital status, or travel document. These changes must be reported to the Ministry within 3 working days. You can report the changes in person, and they will be updated immediately. Failure to notify the Ministry in time may result in a fine. Alternatively, you can notify the Ministry by mail or using the “Data Box” (Datová schránka). You can also visit a Ministry branch during business hours without an appointment and be received on a first-come, first-served basis.

Yes, temporary protection (TP) is granted in the form of a visa for a period exceeding 90 days. The issued visa also allows travel within the Schengen area as a tourist for 90 days within any 180-day period. The TP visa does not automatically grant the right to work in other countries. With a valid temporary protection visa and a valid passport, you can travel within the Schengen area as well as Ukraine.

For entry into non-EU countries, you may need a visa in the same manner as any other Ukrainian citizen. Please check the information provided by the embassy of that country.

The online registration deadline was 15 March 2025. If you have not registered online by this date, your temporary protection will expire on 31 March 2025.

Once you had registered online, you received an e-mail confirming the date of your appointment. The e-mail also confirms the preliminary extension of your temporary protection until 30 September 2025 and lists the documents that you should bring to your appointment.

‎‏‏‎‎‎‏‏‎ We recommend that you download the confirmation of the extension of temporary protection from your account upon registration. ‎‏

‎‏‏‎‎‎‏‏Please always carry a copy of this document with you, including when travelling.

You should bring these documents to your appointment:
‎‏‏‎‎‎‏‏‎ Your travel passport; if you do not have it, bring another identity document.
‎‏‏‎‎‎‏‏‎ Proof of accommodation with a notarized signature of the owner (a separate copy for each member of a household). Consult the official website of the Ministry of Interior for more information and to download the needed forms.

Once you have completed the process, you will be issued a visa sticker with your temporary protection extended until 31 March 2026.

‎‏‏‎‎‎‏‏‎ If you are unable to attend your appointment in person due to serious illness or mobility issues, please see the instructions provided on the Web Portal for Foreigners (at the end of the tab “Prodloužení”/”Продовження”).

‎‏‏‎‎‎‏‏‎ If you do not come to this appointment, and you do not reschedule or inform the Ministry of Interior, your temporary protection will expire on 30 September 2025.

For more detailed information, please call the Temporary Protection Info Line at +420 974 801 802

You can see the samples of the documents confirming temporary protection here

If you did not register online by 15 March 2025, your temporary protection has expired. Your eligibility for temporary protection-related benefits, such as humanitarian benefits, housing assistance, free access to the labour market, or access to health insurance, has also been terminated.

You have the option to apply for temporary protection again. Repeated applications for temporary protection shall be submitted at the KACPU under the same conditions as the initial application for temporary protection; it will be assessed whether the person meets the conditions for temporary protection.

‎‏‏‎‎‎‏‏‎ Repeated applications for temporary protection do not provide for the possibility of reapplying for certain benefits that are limited in time. 

For example:

‎‏‏‎‎‎‏‏‎ I already had temporary protection and have already exhausted the legal 90 days of paid health insurance.

‎‏‏‎‎‎‏‏‎ You are not allowed for another 90 days when reapplying for temporary protection; if your temporary protection has expired, or you have previously closed temporary protection and applied for it again, you will not be entitled to free humanitarian housing again.

You have the option to apply for a tolerance visa (for stays over 90 days) at the OAMP MV office. The application can only be submitted in person.

No, according to Czech legislation, an application for temporary protection is not accepted if submitted by a foreigner who has applied for or been granted temporary protection in another EU Member State. Exceptions are made for qualified cases of family reunification. For more information, please contact the Ministry of Interior’s Department for Asylum and Migration Policy (MV OAMP).

Any other long term residence permit or visa granted by a third country may also be a reason not to grant or extend temporary protection in Czechia. For more information, please refer to the Temporary Protection page on the official website of the Ministry of Interior (section “Інше”/”Jiné”).

‎‏‏‎‎‎‏‏‎ If you need legal assistance, refer to our NGO legal partners:

Contacts for UNHCR’s legal partners

If the child comes with a relative, acquaintance or even a stranger, they do not have documents but affirmatively declare that the person cares for the child, then the following document is sufficient for applying for a temporary protection—the affidavit. In case of doubt, the application can be made by the OSPOD as the public guardian.

If the child comes alone, then there is a person who requests custody of the child (interim measure)—e.g., a relative who already lives in Czechia—and this person applies on behalf of the child for the temporary protection, or the child is represented by the OSPOD as a public guardian, or a guardian is appointed for the child by the court.

If the child arrives as part of a group (evacuation of the institution) and is accompanied by persons who are responsible for them (this is proven by a decision of the competent authority or by affidavit), they represent the child in the application procedure.

If there are no such persons, the child is represented by the person who has been granted custody of the child in the Czech Republic or the director of the institution where the child has been placed, or OSPOD as public guardian.

Czechia does not require minors to have official permission to leave or enter its territory. However, other countries through which they transit may ask the child to show such permission.

‎‏‏‎‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎‎‎‏‏‎ Find more detailed information about the countries you are travelling to and from here.