What Has Changed for Ukrainians After Obtaining ZDP?
Special long-term residence (ZDP) converts temporary protection into an ordinary five-year residence permit under the Act on the Residence of Foreigners. You gain free access to the labour market and the right to apply later for permanent residence, but you lose humanitarian assistance, and health insurance becomes your own responsibility.
International Law Firm "Zahist" advises Ukrainians in the Czech Republic every day, and in our practice the greatest number of questions arises precisely after ZDP is granted: what disappears together with temporary protection, and what, conversely, appears. The most common mistake is to treat ZDP as “just a new stamp” and not to arrange insurance and proof of income in advance.
In this article we explain the conditions under which ZDP is issued in 2026, what changes in employment, benefits and insurance, how the period of residence is counted toward permanent residence, and what should be done before the end of the year.
What ZDP is and who can obtain it in 2026
ZDP is a separate status for economically self-sufficient holders of temporary protection who plan to remain in the Czech Republic for a long time; it does not replace temporary protection itself and is not mandatory.
This year, nearly 57,000 people from more than 33,000 households expressed interest in ZDP. About 13,000 households met all the conditions, that is 21,900 people — 38% of the applications submitted, compared with 19% last year.
| Condition | What is required |
| Period of temporary protection | At least two years continuously |
| Annual household income | From CZK 440,000, plus CZK 110,000 for each additional person |
| Humanitarian assistance | Not to have received it during the specified period |
| Health insurance | Continuous, with no debts |
| Housing and documents | Own housing and a valid foreign passport |
| Children aged 6–14 | School attendance in the Czech Republic |
The conditions are assessed for the family as a whole on the basis of data from state registers, so one person without insurance or with a debt can spoil the application for everyone.
How registration for ZDP works
Those whose application has been approved following the state’s assessment of the conditions must register by 31 December 2026 via the Information Portal for Foreigners (IPC) and book an appointment at a branch of the Ministry of the Interior.
- Log in to ipc.gov.cz using electronic identification and check the result of the conditions assessment
- Register for ZDP and choose a date for the visit to the Ministry of the Interior branch
- Attend with a valid foreign passport and housing documents
- Receive the decision and obtain a biometric residence permit document
Those who have not met the conditions may continue to reside in the Czech Republic under temporary protection — a refusal of ZDP does not cancel protection status.
The right to work and to do business after ZDP
ZDP opens free access to the labour market in the same way as temporary protection, so you may change jobs or start a business without separate permits.
The difference is that you now fall under the general regime for foreigners with long-term residence: a separate adaptation and integration course is not required. For employers this simplifies hiring, and for you it means predictability for five years.
Social benefits and humanitarian assistance
The most noticeable change is that humanitarian assistance is available only to holders of temporary protection and is not granted to ZDP recipients. That is why an income of CZK 440,000 per year is not a formality, but a real threshold below which the transition is economically risky.
Other state benefits, for example for children, are governed by the general rules for residents with a long-term permit and depend on income and family status, so the calculation is best made individually.
Health insurance after ZDP
For many holders of temporary protection, insurance is paid by the state — after ZDP this benefit disappears, and insurance becomes your responsibility.
- Employees under a contract are insured through their employer in the public insurance system
- Self-employed persons (OSVČ) pay contributions themselves
- Students over 18 and unemployed persons arrange insurance at their own expense, usually commercial insurance
Insurance debt is one of the most common reasons why ZDP applications fail, and later it may also affect renewal of the permit.
Permanent residence: how time under ZDP is counted
| Period | How it counts toward the 5 years |
| Previous temporary protection | Only half of the period |
| Residence under ZDP | The full duration |
You may apply for permanent residence after five years of continuous stay in the Czech Republic, and for most people ZDP is the only realistic path to permanent status.
Continuity is critical: lengthy absences or gaps in insurance may “reset” the accumulated period of residence, so documents confirming stay should be kept from day one.
Who ZDP suits, and who should wait
ZDP makes sense for those who already work officially, have a stable income above the threshold, and plan to remain in the Czech Republic for years. For such families, a five-year permit provides predictability and a path to permanent status without annual renewal.
For those whose income fluctuates around the CZK 440,000 threshold, or who depend on humanitarian assistance, it is riskier to rush: the loss of assistance and the need for one’s own insurance can sharply increase costs. In that situation it is better first to stabilise income and consider the transition in the next cycle.
What will change regarding travel and documents
ZDP is a standard permit under the Act on the Residence of Foreigners, so it is issued as an ordinary document, and the rules for travel to the Schengen Area are determined by the document you are issued, not by the former stamp. Before the first trip abroad, this should be checked with the Ministry of the Interior or on the IPC.
Temporary protection or ZDP: a comparison
| Parameter | Temporary protection | ZDP |
| Duration | Until the date on the visa stamp; requires renewal | 5 years |
| Access to work | Free | Free |
| Humanitarian assistance | Available subject to conditions | Not granted |
| Health insurance | Often paid by the state | Own responsibility |
| Path to permanent residence | Only through ZDP or another permit | After 5 years, with the full period counted |
| Income requirements | None | From CZK 440,000 per year |
Official explanations emphasise that ZDP does not replace temporary protection for those who do not meet the conditions, and its absence does not deprive a person of the right to remain in the Czech Republic. As for the fate of protection itself after ZDP is issued, the specific details should be clarified during the visit to the Ministry of the Interior branch.
Typical mistakes and what to do right now
- Failing to check the outcome of the conditions assessment for IPC and missing the 31 December deadline
- Failing to arrange private insurance before giving up state insurance
- Underestimating the loss of humanitarian assistance when calculating the budget
- Relying on verbal advice instead of official clarifications from the Ministry of the Interior
- Failing to retain proof of continuous residence for a future trvalý pobyt
If your income is on the borderline of the condition, consider whether it may be better to remain under temporary protection: the situation after March 2027 depends on EU decisions, and the transition should be a conscious choice, not a rush.
Legal assistance with ZDP in the Czech Republic
Checking whether you meet the conditions and registering in time is a task where a missed deadline closes the path to ZDP for at least a year.
The lawyers of International Law Firm "Zahist" help assess a family’s readiness for ZDP, gather the documents, prepare for a visit to the Ministry of the Interior, and plan the further path to permanent pobyt.
If you want to stay in the Czech Republic for the long term and choose the right moment for the transition, contact International Law Firm "Zahist" — we will review your situation in a consultation.
