Child benefits for a child born in the Czech Republic: what Ukrainian families are entitled to
If a child is born in the Czech Republic to parents with temporary protection status, the family may be eligible for several types of support at once — from the one-time porodné to the monthly přídavek na dítě and rodičovský příspěvek benefits.
International Law Firm "Zahist" has for more than ten years assisted Ukrainians with legalization and social benefits abroad and has its own office in the Czech Republic, and therefore knows the procedures of the matriční úřad and the Úřad práce not from hearsay but from daily practice.
Our experience shows that child benefits in the Czech Republic almost always depend on the family’s income and the parents’ residence status, so situations that appear identical at first glance may end with different outcomes simply because of nuances in the documents.
How a child’s birth is registered in the Czech Republic
A child’s birth is registered by the matriční úřad at the place of birth — parents do not need to apply separately to another authority; the maternity hospital itself transmits the birth data.
After the entry is made in the birth register, the authority assigns the child a rodné číslo (the equivalent of a personal identification number) and issues a rodný list — a birth certificate, which will be required for all subsequent benefits.
The rule applies to children of any parents born in the territory of the Czech Republic, regardless of the mother’s and father’s citizenship.
Who is responsible for child benefits in the Czech Republic
The main family benefits — porodné, přídavek na dítě and rodičovský příspěvek — are awarded and paid by the Úřad práce ČR (Labour Office), not by the local municipality and not by the matriční úřad.
For its part, the matriční úřad is responsible only for the fact of birth registration and the issuance of the rodný list — without this document it is not possible to apply for any of the benefits.
The division of powers between these authorities often confuses families who are arranging documents for a child in the Czech Republic for the first time, so it is worth understanding in advance where to apply on a specific matter.
Porodné: one-time birth grant
Porodné is a one-off state payment, the amount of which in 2026 is CZK 13,000 for the first live-born child, CZK 10,000 for the second child, and CZK 23,000 upon the birth of twins or more children at the same time.
This benefit is means-tested — it is awarded only to families with income below the established threshold, which is calculated on the basis of the family’s aggregate income for the previous quarter.
An application for porodné is submitted through the Úřad práce ČR (Labour Office), usually within six months after the child’s birth.
Přídavek na dítě: monthly child allowance
Přídavek na dítě is a monthly means-tested payment for a child up to the age of 26 if the child is still studying, the amount of which depends on the child’s age and the family’s aggregate income.
Foreigners with temporary protection status may receive this benefit if they meet the general income conditions set by the Act on State Social Support.
The application is likewise submitted through the Úřad práce ČR, and the family will need to confirm income annually to extend the payment.
Rodičovský příspěvek: parental allowance
Rodičovský příspěvek is a benefit for a parent who cares for a young child instead of working; the overall maximum amount of the payment is capped for the entire care period.
A foreigner registered for residence in the Czech Republic for more than 365 days, or who has obtained subsidiary protection, is entitled to the benefit. Specific conditions for holders of temporary protection should be clarified on an individual basis, as the regulation has changed several times.
Our experience shows that verifying entitlement to rodičovský příspěvek raises the most questions, because temporary protection is governed by a separate special law rather than by the general rules for foreigners.
Comparison of the main child benefits
| Benefit | Amount | Eligibility condition |
| Porodné (1st child) | CZK 13,000 | Family income below the established threshold |
| Porodné (2nd child) | CZK 10,000 | Family income below the established threshold |
| Přídavek na dítě | Monthly, depends on age | Family income below the threshold, child under 26 |
| Rodičovský příspěvek | Capped total amount for the entire period | 365 days of residence or subsidiary protection |
Medical care for mother and child
Pregnancy in the Czech Republic is managed by a gynaecologist working with the compulsory health insurance system, and after birth the child is assigned a district paediatrician (praktický lékař pro děti a dorost).
For Ukrainians with temporary protection status, health insurance applies under the conditions set by a special law, so it is advisable to clarify in advance which insurance company serves the family.
If the child was born before moving to the Czech Republic
If the child was born outside the Czech Republic and then moved together with the parents, obtaining benefits will require submission of a translated and legalized birth certificate from the country of origin.
The translation must be performed by a court-appointed translator designated under Act No. 354/2019 Sb., unless the document is accompanied by a multilingual standard form.
After the document is recognized, the family will be able to apply for přídavek na dítě and other benefits on the general terms applicable to children registered in the country of residence.
Which documents need to be prepared
The standard package includes the child’s rodný list, a document confirming the parents’ temporary protection status, a certificate of the family’s income, and confirmation of a bank account for the transfer of payments.
- Wait for birth registration through the matriční úřad and obtaining the rodné číslo
- Collect certificates of the family’s income for the required period
- Submit the application for porodné within six months after birth
- Separately submit applications for přídavek na dítě and, if entitled, for rodičovský příspěvek
How family income is calculated for benefits
For porodné and přídavek na dítě, the aggregate income of all family members for the previous calendar quarter is taken into account, including wages, income from business activity, and certain social benefits.
The income threshold is linked to the family’s subsistence minimum and is reviewed by the state, so the current amount should be checked immediately before filing the application rather than relying on figures from previous years.
Our experience shows that families often calculate income incorrectly, forgetting to include certain types of social support that also form part of the overall calculation.
Specifics for Ukrainian families with temporary protection
Foreigners with temporary protection status under Act No. 221/2003 Sb. may receive child benefits if they have no income from employment or business activity, or if their income does not exceed the established threshold.
International Law Firm "Zahist" regularly advises Ukrainian families on these nuances — which benefits are available specifically with temporary protection status and how to correctly evidence the family’s income.
It should also be borne in mind that the rules for holders of temporary protection have changed over time, so a decision that was current a year ago is not always applicable to today’s situation without re-checking.
Where and how to submit applications
Applications for family benefits can be submitted online through the Jenda portal (klientská zóna ÚP ČR) if the family has a suitable means of electronic identification.
If electronic submission is not available, documents may be filed in person at the nearest contact office of the Úřad práce ČR — addresses and opening hours are stated on the authority’s official website.
Our experience shows that in-person filing is often more convenient for families arranging benefits for the first time, as a staff member can immediately check whether the document package is complete on the spot.
What to do if a benefit is refused
A refusal by the Úřad práce ČR may be appealed within the prescribed time limit, usually 15 days from receipt of the decision — the exact deadline is always stated in the refusal document itself.
Our experience shows that a significant share of refusals relates to incomplete evidence of the family’s income rather than to a genuine lack of entitlement to the payment.
Before filing a formal appeal, it is worth carefully re-reading the reason for refusal and, where possible, submitting the missing documents — this is often faster than a full challenge of the decision.
Typical mistakes when arranging benefits
The first mistake is failing to apply for porodné on time, assuming that the six-month deadline can be extended retroactively.
The second is failing to recalculate the family’s income when circumstances change, as a result of which přídavek na dítě is awarded in the wrong amount or extension is refused.
The third is confusing the conditions for rodičovský příspěvek for foreigners with the general rules for Czech citizens, although separate rules apply to temporary protection.
How we help arrange child benefits
We support Ukrainian families at every stage — from birth registration at the matriční úřad through to filing applications with the Úřad práce ČR — so that child benefits in the Czech Republic are awarded without delays and unnecessary refusals on formal grounds.
Our experience shows that a preliminary review of the full set of documents and a correct calculation of the family’s income significantly shorten the time taken to consider the application.
If your child was born in the Czech Republic and you are unsure which child benefits in the Czech Republic you are entitled to, it is better to clarify the current conditions in advance rather than find out only after a refusal by the Úřad práce.
