The key facts
- The coalition agreed on savings of 4 billion crowns on benefits for Ukrainian refugees, Tomio Okamura said
- Temporary protection is proposed to be annulled after staying outside the Schengen area for more than 30 days
- The proposal is planned to be submitted no later than December 2, by the end of the vote on the 2027 budget
Coalition compromise
The Czech authorities intend to cut spending on social benefits for Ukrainian refugees roughly in half and tighten the conditions of their stay in the country. The ruling coalition agreed on savings of 4 billion crowns, said Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of Parliament Tomio Okamura. His party Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) initially insisted on the complete abolition of benefits for Ukrainians, but coalition partners opposed it, and the parties agreed on a reduction in funding. The specific amounts of the new payments have yet to be determined. 'I proposed a complete abolition; for us this is a painful coalition compromise,' Okamura admitted.
Tightening of residence conditions
The amendments provide for strengthened checks on the actual residence of benefit recipients in Czechia and a limitation of the possibilities for people who are not in the country to receive money. The right to humanitarian aid is proposed to be tied to the recipient's actual presence in Czechia for at least 16 days a month. According to the bill presented in parliament, temporary protection may be annulled if a person spends more than 30 days outside the Schengen area; foreigners who have committed serious crimes and are subject to deportation may also lose their status. To verify the legality of residence, information exchange between state agencies is planned to be strengthened.
Rules for cars and review timelines
Owners of cars with Ukrainian license plates are to be required to undergo technical inspection and emissions testing under Czech rules. Additional control measures are provided for violations, including a deposit of 10 to 30 thousand crowns; if the person refuses to pay, the police will be able to detain the car or remove the registration plates. The amendments are still at the legislative review stage. Okamura's party expects to submit the proposal to cut benefits no later than December 2, when parliament is to complete the vote on the 2027 state budget.
Context
According to Life.ru, European states are gradually reducing benefits for Ukrainian refugees: in Poland, from March 2026, the conditions for receiving a number of social benefits were tightened, tying them to family income and employment, while Germany prepared a reform that would move some Ukrainians to a less generous benefits system. In Czechia, free state housing for displaced persons is provided only for the first 90 days after temporary protection is registered.
