Resources for employers in Czech Republic
Resources for employers in Czech Republic
We use "refugees" to encompass forcibly displaced people with different legal statuses, such as refugees, subsidiary protection holders, temporary protection holders, asylum seekers, and other people in need of international protection.
In cases where differentiating information relating to each status is essential (i.e. regarding the right to work), this is clearly indicated.
Why hire refugees and stateless people in the Czech Republic?
The role of Czech companies is fundamental in successfully integrating refugees into the labour market, which will ultimately benefit the Czech economy. Refugees currently contribute actively to the national economy and bring more money to the state than they receive as financial support. This trend reflects the growing economic self-reliance of refugees, who are increasingly integrated into the labour market and contribute taxes and insurance on the same basis as Czech citizens.
Read more about the contributions of refugees to the Czech economy here.
How many refugees and stateless people are there in the Czech Republic?
The refugee population in Czechia counts to approximately 400,000 people. The largest community of refugees by far comes from Ukraine, with around 396,000 individuals currently in temporary protection regime, followed by smaller communities of beneficiaries of international protection from the Syrian Arab Republic or Myanmar. 45% of the refugees are women, while 25% are children. As of mid-2025, there were approximately 600 recorded stateless people and people of undetermined nationality in the Czech Republic. The highest concentrations of refugees continue to be recorded in Prague, as well as in the Plzeň and Karlovy Vary regions.
Visit the Refugee Data Finder to learn more
How many of them are working?
Employment among persons granted temporary protection in the Czech Republic reached a historic high. According to data from the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, more than 180,000 of refugees from Ukraine were employed by the end of 2025. However, many refugees in the Czech Republic with professional experience in specialized, technical, or managerial roles from Ukraine are not able to utilize their full potential, especially women. About half of the employed refugees work in low-skilled, manual labour positions, and two-thirds work below their qualifications. Older refugees aged over 60 are among those who struggle the most to secure employment and frequently end up working as daily workers (with short-term contracts) or without a contract. It is unclear how many stateless people and people of undetermined nationality are working.
Read more in the report “Ukrainian refugee integration: two year on”
What are the main challenges?
According to UNHCR research, the main hindrance to securing employment is the lack of local language proficiency. Common challenges among women include issues with enrolment in preschool childcare and the lack of secure positions. Among young people up to 24 years old, the most cited challenges are language, lack of financial support, and the need to take on low-paid informal work to cover basic needs.
With regards to stateless people, the primary challenges affect those who are not allowed to work. This means that frequently they work in informal jobs without a work permit, or they lose their jobs because employers refuse to employ them without the proper ID documents. They work in disadvantaged conditions and are vulnerable to exploitation, including lower or unpaid wages, forced overtime work, physically demanding work.
Read more in the report “Regional Refugee Response for the Ukraine Situation 2024”
Read more in the report “Faces of Statelessness in the Czech Republic”
Under Lex Ukraine VII, the Czech Republic introduced a new option allowing refugees from Ukraine to apply for a special long-term residence permit. This measure marked the first initiative at EU level aimed at addressing the longer-term situation of people displaced from Ukraine. Implemented as a pilot, the scheme granted long-term residence permits to approximately 15,000 Ukrainian holders of temporary protection out of around 80,000 applicants. Eligibility criteria included, among others, a minimum length of stay in the Czech Republic, as well as economic and housing self-sufficiency.
| Status | Who it applies to | Right to work? | Process |
| Refugee or subsidiary protection status | Individuals seeking asylum in the Czech Republic from persecution or war in their countries of origin. | Refugees and subsidiary protection holders have full access to the labour market. They can also register at the Labor Office as unemployed and looking for a job. They do not need to pass a labour market test. | Employers must inform the relevant regional branch of the Labor Office of the Czech Republic in writing about a foreigner's entry into employment on the appropriate form by the day the foreigner starts work. |
| Temporary protection status | Ukrainian nationals and their families, who can apply for protection through an accelerated procedure. | All beneficiaries of temporary protection in the country have full access to the labour market. They can also register at the Labor Office as unemployed and looking for a job. They do not need to pass a labour market test. | Employers must inform the relevant regional branch of the Labor Office of the Czech Republic in writing about a foreigner's entry into employment on the appropriate form no later than the day the foreigner starts work. |
| Stateless person | A stateless person is someone who is not considered as a citizen by any country (whether recognized as such or not). | People with a recognized stateless status have the right to work without the need to obtain a work permit and applicants for statelessness status have the right to work after 6 months following the application (with a work permit). | Employers of stateless applicants should contact the Labor Office of the Czech Republic for more information. |
For more detailed information on the legal and policy framework in the Czech Republic, visit the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs website.
Bear in mind
- If an individual from Ukraine does not have temporary protection status but a tolerance visa (for stays over 90 days), they require an employment permit issued by the Labor Office to work. The same applies to Ukrainians who have received temporary protection in a country other than the Czech Republic.
- To facilitate the recognition of qualifications, individuals can document their education by an affidavit within the first six months after obtaining temporary protection. The affidavit can also be admissible after the initial six months if a reason why the education cannot be properly documented is stated.
- The employer is obliged to keep records of all foreigners they employ, including copies of documents proving the foreigner's legal residence in the Czech Republic for the duration of the employment or performance of work and a period of 3 years from the end of the employment or performance of this foreigner's work.
- In addition, employers have to register employees with temporary protection with the Czech Social Security Administration even in non-insured activities. The notification of starting employment should be submitted regardless of whether the employee participates in health insurance.
Did you know?
UNHCR has supported legislative amendments to enable refugees with teaching qualifications to work in schools in non-teaching positions. As of 2023, some 2,090 refugees from Ukraine were employed in schools in the Czech Republic, with half working as pedagogues. Upon successfully passing a standardized Czech language examination, the refugee teachers are certified, giving them access to opportunities by expediting their inclusion within the formal labour market.
How do I connect with refugee and stateless talent?
UNICEF launched an employability project targeted towards young refugees called the “Cesty Initiative", which incentivizes and supports companies to hire young refugees. The initiative aims to connect 1,500 youth with language classes, training, and professional mentorship opportunities. IKEA is the first company to pledge support within its workforce development program and the introduction of an internship program.
What can I do to support refugee and stateless employees?
Given that the most common challenge faced by refugees in the Czech Republic is language capability, it’s a best practice for employers to offer or subsidize language classes. In addition, offering childcare options such as an on-site nursery or vouchers for daycare services may positively impact women candidates. Finally, offering secure and long-term positions with the possibility to grow professionally would be key to helping refugees thrive in the new environment.
Useful resources
Support Hotline
The government offers a free hotline at +420 800 60 10 20 in five languages, where operators can answer questions about employment, social benefits, social assistance, and other services.
Jobs Boards
Commonly used job boards in the Czech Republic, such as jobs.cz, have a filter called "Suitable for Ukrainian refugees", which employers can use when posting a vacancy.
Recruitment
HR agencies such as Hays have special programs to assist Ukrainians in finding suitable employment with companies in the Czech Republic.
A list of approved recruitment agencies approved by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs.
An anonymized list of job seekers registered with the Labor Office where employers can browse and filter by education, location, and availability.
"We Work Where We Are Needed" is a Government-led campaign highlighting the stories of Ukrainians who have found employment in the Czech Republic.