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 Czech Republic has been one of the main recipients of refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine in recent years and has the highest number of Ukrainian refugees per capita in the world. After a very successful emergency phase, thousands of people arrived in the country; the current governmental strategy for integrating refugees focuses on self-sufficiency and securing employment to achieve good socioeconomic adaptation.
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 (the revenue contributed to state coffers by Ukrainians is more than CZK 35 billion in two years).
Read more about the contributions of refugees to the Czech economy hereLink is external
How many refugees and stateless people are there in the Czech Republic?
In 2023, there were 377,000 refugees and 1,000 asylum-seekers in the Czech Republic. The largest community of refugees by far comes from Ukraine, with 374,000 individuals, followed by smaller communities from the Russian Federation and the Syrian Arab Republic. 47% of the refugees are women, while 27% are children. As of mid-2024, there were approximately 605 recorded stateless people and people of undetermined nationality in the Czech Republic.
Visit the Refugee Data Finder to learn more
How many of them are working?
More than 123,000 refugees, or 62% of those of working age, have found work in the Czech Republic. Ukrainian refugees are motivated to integrate into Czech society, and 70% speak at least some CzechLink is external. 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. 12% are unemployedLink is external, actively looking for a job but unable to find one. Older refugeesLink is external 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: one year on”Link is external
What are the main challenges?
According to UNHCR researchLink is external, 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 peopleLink is external 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 RepublicLink is external”
The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs has indicated that refugees have not displaced Czech citizens from their jobs but are helping solve a long-term labour shortage by filling available positions. The Czech Labor Ministry is seeking Ukrainian refugees who could work in the health sector and social services, two sectors facing long-standing labour shortage issuesLink is external. For example, the Czech Republic's healthcare sector needs around 2,000 nurses, and experts warn that another 10,000 will retire within the next decade. Meanwhile, the country also needs around 400,000 skilled tradespeople, which slows down housing construction and commercial and industrial projects.
Read more in the interview hereLink is external
| 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 AffairsLink is external website.
Bear in mind
- If an individual from Ukraine does not have temporary protection status but a tolerance visa (for stays over 90 days)Link is external, 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 qualificationsLink is external, 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 recordsLink is external 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 activitiesLink is external. 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?
Employers should approach the Labor Office of the Czech Republic for more information, but they can also contact the Refugee Facilities Administration – a state refugee agency running the State Integration ProgramLink is external. This support is available to all refugees in the country who were granted asylum or subsidiary protection and assisted them in finding employment. In addition, several NGOs have extensive connections with the refugee community. They can refer refugee talent to interested employers, including PPILink is external, CaritasLink is external, OPULink is external, CICLink is external, SIMILink is external, InbazeLink is external, and Slovo 21Link is external, among others. Employers of stateless applicants should contact the Labor Office of the Czech Republic for more information.
UNICEF launched an employability project targeted towards young refugees called the “Cesty InitiativeLink is external", which incentivizes and supports companies to hire young refugees. The initiative aims to connect 1,500 youth in 2024 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 hotlineLink is external 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.czLink is external, have a filter called "Suitable for Ukrainian refugees", which employers can use when posting a vacancy.
Recruitment
HR agencies such as HaysLink is external 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.