Czech parliament votes for yearlong extension of temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees

MOSCOW. Dec 4 (Interfax) - The Czech parliament has voted for extending temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees until the end of March 2025: now the bill will be discussed by the Senate and take effect once signed by the president, Ukrainian media said, citing the Czech media outlet Ceske Noviny.

"It looks like Ukrainian refugees will be able to extend temporary protection in Czechia for another year, i.e. until the end of March 2025. The extension procedure will be practically the same as last year," the media said.

According to the bills, Ukrainian citizens seeking to extend temporary protection will need to register online before March 15, 2024.

Temporary protection gives refugees access to public healthcare, education and labor market. Yet certain adjustments will be made. For example, free accommodation will be limited to 150 days, except for the so-called disadvantaged persons. The free accommodation will be cut to 90 days for everyone starting from September 2024.

The amendment also regulates the right to financial support for Ukrainian refugees with temporary protection.

According to Czech Labor and Social Affairs Minister Marian Jurecka, over 60% of Ukrainian refugees aged from 18 to 65 have found a job in Czechia. The number nears 123,000, including 86% who signed labor contracts with contributions, he said.