Czech Republic: from temporary protection to the 5-year «zvláštní dlouhodobý pobyt» — who qualifies, conditions and steps in 2026

Special long-term residence (Czech zvláštní dlouhodobý pobyt, ZDP) is a 5-year biometric card to which holders of temporary protection in the Czech Republic can switch instead of the annual renewal of the status. The institution was introduced by the law Lex Ukrajina VII (Act No. 24/2025 Sb.), which entered into force on 11 February 2025. ZDP grants free access to the labour market and counts towards the period required for permanent residence.

Updated 20 June 2026: the window for submitting the declaration of interest of 1–30 April 2026 is already closed, and online registration for the extension of temporary protection ended on 15 March 2026. The declaration of interest is valid for only 1 year, so the round repeats annually — the next window is expected in April 2027. Before applying, verify the exact dates on the Information Portal for Foreigners.

What ZDP provides

• 5 years of validity instead of the annual extension of temporary protection.
• Free access to the labour market without an additional permit.
• Time on ZDP counts towards the 5 years of continuous residence required to apply for permanent residence (trvalý pobyt).
• A more stable status, but outside the humanitarian benefits regime: after switching to ZDP, the social benefits tied to temporary protection are no longer paid.

Who can obtain it (2026 conditions)

• 2 years of continuous temporary protection as of 1 April 2026 (the condition does not apply to persons under 18).
• Income for 2025 — from 440,000 Kč per applicant; +110,000 Kč per additional person in the household (for example, an adult + two children = at least 660,000 Kč).
• No humanitarian benefits in the period from 1 October 2025 to 31 March 2026 (this is a prerequisite for admission, not a consequence of the switch).
• No health insurance debts as of 31 March 2026 and continuous health insurance for 2 years (exception for persons under 18).
• Registered accommodation (not at the address of a state institution) and a valid travel document.
• No criminal record (exception for persons under 15).
• Children aged 6–14 must attend school (compulsory schooling).

Application steps (annual cycle)

1. Declaration of interest (vyjádření zájmu) — annually in April (in 2026 — from 1 to 30 April). It is submitted exclusively online through an account on the Information Portal for Foreigners using electronic identification (for persons aged 18 and over). The declaration is valid for only 1 year, so the round repeats annually; the order of submission does not affect the assessment.
2. Assessment of conditions. The Ministry of the Interior checks whether the applicant and their household meet the requirements (income, residence, absence of benefits and debts).
3. Online registration for biometrics — from October to 31 December 2026. Following a positive assessment, you register for an appointment to capture biometric data at a Ministry of the Interior office.
4. Capture of biometrics and issuance of the card. The administrative fee is 2,500 Kč per card (1,000 Kč for persons under 15).

Important

While the ZDP process is ongoing, be sure to keep extending temporary protection: online registration for the extension was valid until 15 March 2026, the current status — until 31 March 2026, and after an in-person visit to the Ministry of the Interior — until 31 March 2027. If you did not submit the vyjádření zájmu in the April window, you will have to wait for the next annual round.