The Czech Republic expects fewer Ukrainian men to arrive in the country after new European Union rules on military registration for temporary protection take effect, the Czech Ministry of Interior said.
On August 4, the EU Council published a new decision on temporary protection that took effect the following day. The decision extends temporary protection for people fleeing Russia's war against Ukraine until March 2028, while also setting new conditions for who can receive the status.
Under the decision, temporary protection will no longer be granted, for applications filed from August 5 onward, to people who cannot confirm they have fulfilled their military duties in Ukraine.
Czech Interior Minister Lubomír Metnar said his government had long called for stricter conditions on temporary protection, and that he valued reaching agreement among EU member states on the matter. He said the decision would limit the number of new arrivals by tens of percent, which would also ease the burden on Czech resources and on the country's healthcare and social welfare systems.
Proof required through Reserve+ app
Under the new rules, people applying for temporary protection must confirm they have fulfilled their military duties using the Ukrainian government's Reserve+ app. The requirement applies to first-time applications, renewals, and temporary protection granted for family reunification.
The Ministry of Interior noted the requirement does not apply to people who already held temporary protection as of August 4 and have continuously kept that status in the Czech Republic.
Renewal process stays the same
The ministry said the procedure for extending temporary protection will work as it has in previous years: applicants must complete an online registration and then visit a ministry office to receive a new visa sticker. Once both steps are completed, temporary protection will be extended until March 31, 2028.
Coalition includes anti-Ukrainian forces
The Czech Republic's ruling coalition partly consists of anti-Ukrainian political forces and is led by populist Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, who is often described as pro-Russian. The Czech Republic, along with Slovakia and Hungary, did not join a 90 billion euro preferential loan for Ukraine, though Prague continues its initiative to purchase artillery ammunition for Ukraine.
