Foreign-born population – 2025 | 10.3% of the population | Main countries of birth: Ukraine (49%), the Slovak Republic (21%), Russia (4%) |
Size: 1.1 million, 51% women | Evolution since 2015: +163% |
International Migration Outlook 2026
50th Edition
In 2025, Czechia received 43 000 new immigrants on a long-term or permanent basis (including changes of status and free mobility), 7.4% more than in 2024. This figure comprises 30% immigrants benefitting from free mobility, 43% labour migrants, 26% family members (including accompanying family) and 0.5% humanitarian migrants. Around 4 500 permits were issued to tertiary-level international students and 1 400 to temporary and seasonal labour migrants (excluding intra-EU migration). In addition, 108 000 intra-EU postings were recorded in 2024, a 37% increase compared to 2023. These posted workers are generally on short-term contracts.
Ukraine, the Slovak Republic and the Philippines were the top three nationalities of newcomers in 2024. Among the top 15 countries of origin, the Philippines registered the strongest increase (1 000) and Ukraine the largest decrease (‑21 000) in flows to Czechia compared to the previous year.
In 2025, the number of first asylum applicants decreased by ‑9.7%, to reach around 900. The majority of applicants came from Viet Nam (200), Ukraine (100) and Uzbekistan (90). The largest increase since 2024 concerned nationals of Viet Nam (30) and the largest decrease nationals of Uzbekistan (‑85). Of the 570 decisions taken in 2025, 20% were positive.
Emigration of Czech citizens to OECD countries decreased by ‑8% in 2024, to 13 000. Approximately 30% of this group migrated to Germany, 11% to Austria and 9% to the Netherlands.
In February 2025, the Digital Nomad Programme was expanded to include nationals of Brazil, Israel, Mexico and Singapore. At the same time, eligibility was extended beyond IT specialists to include marketing, reflecting a widening of occupational coverage. These changes remained applicable throughout the reference period.
From March 2025, the relaxed work authorisation rules introduced for nationals of Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States were extended to include nationals of Chinese Taipei.
On 16 April 2025, the parliament supported the amendment relating to tightening of asylum and migration rules. The aim has been to enhance the security of population and improve the knowledge about movement and stay of asylum seekers and irregular migrants in the territory.
The Czech Government approved a draft new Act on the Entry and Residence of Foreign Nationals in March 2026. It aims to modernise and digitalise immigration procedures and is planned to be effective as of January 2029. A new online system called ICAS will manage immigration and residence processes. Foreign nationals, employers and other institutions will use ICAS to upload documents and communicate with authorities. Registration will become mandatory for EU citizens staying more than 90 days, to improve planning for healthcare, education and infrastructure.
The employment of foreign nationals in Czechia has been undergoing a gradual digitalisation process since July 2024, when all registrations, deregistrations and employment-related changes became subject to mandatory online submission, replacing paper-based and in-person procedures. A major milestone was reached on 1 April 2026 with the launch of the Unified Monthly Employer Reporting System (JMHZ), which consolidates several employer reporting obligations into a single electronic submission. In the area of foreign employment, JMHZ replaced previous notification procedures with a unified registration process requiring employers to report foreign workers before they start work. By enabling timely registration and more effective data sharing across public institutions, the system helps detect undeclared work, strengthens labour inspections and contributes to preventing illegal employment and the exploitation of foreign workers.
On 25 May 2026, the Prime Minister announced the government had approved a draft bill under which recipients of temporary protection who would apply for social support would have to be employed self-employed or registered with employment services. They would also have to reside in Czechia for at least 16 days per month for which the aid is paid. These conditions would not apply to children, students or the older people. Temporary protection is also expected to end for those individuals staying outside the Schengen Area for more than 30 days.
Since 1 June 2026, applicants under the Key and Scientific Personnel Programme and the Highly Skilled Employee Programme are generally no longer required to submit criminal record certificates from countries where they resided for more than six months during the previous three years. Instead, they may demonstrate their good conduct through a statutory declaration, simplifying and accelerating residence permit procedures.
For further information: www.mvcr.cz | www.mpsv.cz | www.cizinci.cz
