In recent years, many residents of former post-Soviet countries have come to the Czech Republic to study or work, and a significant number are citizens of Ukraine. Those who dream of moving to Europe should learn more about how Ukrainians live in the Czech Republic.
Ukrainian migrants in the Czech Republic
The history of Ukrainian migration to the Czech Republic goes back more than one century. The desire for freedom and numerous social cataclysms forced Ukrainians to leave the Russian Empire or the USSR and go west.
At present, Ukrainians are the largest national diaspora of the republic with the status of a national minority. It is not easy to calculate how many Ukrainians are in the Czech Republic due to the significant number of illegal immigrants. But at the beginning of 2021, more than 150,000 people officially live in the country.
The main difference between migrants from Ukraine and Russians or immigrants from Asia is that the majority of the former consider the Czech Republic as a place for temporary profitable work, and not a permanent place of residence. Many have permanent residence for 10 or more years, but do not seek to obtain citizenship.
There is a large labor shortage in the Czech Republic: according to the Ministry of Labor, the number of vacancies reaches 260,000. But President Milos Zeman categorically refuses to accept immigrants from Syria and Africa, citing a large number of “refugees from Ukraine”.
In fact, this is an excuse: Ukrainians do not receive refugee status in the Chechen Republic, but as employees they are much more effective than Africans and Arabs. From 2021, the government of the Chechen Republic plans to significantly simplify the rules for the employment of Ukrainian migrants, especially qualified specialists.
To work in the republic, Ukrainians need a work visa, which is issued if there is a contract with an employer. You can get a vacancy if not a single Czech or citizen of an EU country has applied for it for a month.
Accommodation of Ukrainians in the Czech Republic is quite comfortable due to the similarity of languages. Children from Ukraine are admitted to Czech schools without language training and without missing a year - a few weeks are enough for them to adapt to speech.
Entrepreneurs can open their own firms of any type here - from a private enterprise to a joint stock company. Under Czech law, this is not prohibited for foreigners, and the authorized capital can be as little as 1 kroon or 0.04 US dollars.
National organizations
In the republic there are numerous Ukrainian public organizations that help compatriots to solve legislative problems, to preserve national culture and traditions. The government of the republic provides financial assistance to ethnic societies, supports the publication of Ukrainian-language magazines.
In Prague are located:
- "Ukrainian Initiative in the Czech Republic",
- "Unification of Ukrainians and supporters of Ukraine in the Chechen Republic",
- "Forum of Cultures",
- International Public Organization "Ukrainian European Perspective",
- Association of Ukrainians in the Czech Republic,
- "Ukrainian trade unions in the CR",
- International Association "EuroMaidan",
- "Ukrainian People's House in the Czech Republic",
- "Prague Maidan",
- "Ruta"
- Ukrainian business club in the Czech Republic,
- Society of Labor Migration of Ukrainians "Bereginya", under which the children's creative team "Svitoch" works,
- vocal and dance group "Dzherelo",
- cultural and educational center "Krok" (teaching children the language, history, culture, geography of Ukraine),
- International Ukrainian School,
- Saturday school "Erudite".
Public organizations in other cities of the Czech Republic:
- Brno - Society "Ukrainian Initiative of South Moravia" and Ukrainian Cultural and Educational Center.
- Hradec Kralov - "Regional Ukrainian Society of East Bohemia" and Saturday school "Thread Rodovodu".
- Khomutov - Society "Dzvoni Nadii".
- Liberec - "Liberetska Greek Catholic Harita".
In Prague, Brno and Liberec there are Greek Catholic churches, in which one of the languages of worship is Ukrainian.
The Czech government has a permanent Commission on National Minorities, which includes representatives of the Ukrainian diaspora.
Standard of living
The Czech Republic is part of the European Union, the Schengen zone and the NATO bloc. In general, the standard of living in the Czech Republic is still lower than in Germany, France or Great Britain, but higher than in post-Soviet countries.
The minimum wage is 488 € per month, the average gross is 1,150 €. Qualified specialists (engineers, doctors) can receive 1,100-2,500 €, and in the IT sector - 1,600-2,700 €.
The republic is known for its low crime rate, progressive education and health care systems.
Education in public schools and universities in the Czech language is free, including for foreigners. Medical assistance with an insurance policy is also free.
Foreign employees with official employment receive the same salary and social benefits as Czechs. Therefore, the life of Ukrainians in the Czech Republic is usually more stable and comfortable than at home.
Where is the best place to live in the Czech Republic
Migrants can find good jobs in any part of the country. In Prague, salaries are the highest, but in small towns employers attract candidates for current vacancies with additional bonuses.
For example, doctors and nurses who work in Karlovy Vary and other health resorts often receive free accommodation, meals and sports passes.
You can successfully work in tourism or business in different parts of the country, and living costs in the provinces are significantly lower.
Most migrants from Ukraine with permanent residence are representatives of the intelligentsia: teachers, researchers, entrepreneurs. The largest ethnic diasporas formed in Prague, Karlovy Vary, Brno, Ostrava, Decin, Prerov and Chomutov.
How do Czechs relate to Ukrainians
Czechs are neutral towards immigrants from post-Soviet countries. But, according to a study conducted by the CVVM Center for the Study of Public Opinion, since 2021, Czechs' sympathy for representatives of Ukraine has grown by 13%. In 2021, 62% of respondents called their attitude towards Ukrainians positive.
Czech culture is characterized by individualism and pragmatism, love of order, intolerance of rudeness and arrogance - and in this it is close to Ukrainian.
If foreigners know the state language, respect Czech traditions, work conscientiously and are polite with others, then they do not have conflicts with Czechs. Therefore, how Ukrainians live in the Czech Republic and how well they find a common language with local residents depends on their own behavior.
Conclusion
Ukrainians are the largest and most well-organized national diaspora in the Czech Republic. There are many national cultural centers and public organizations in the country. In recent years, the government has been creating preferential conditions for labor migrants from Ukraine, so the decision on how to leave for a Ukrainian to the Czech Republic will be greatly simplified.
Foreigners are attracted by rather high salaries, good business conditions, safety, ease of mastering the Czech language and significant cultural similarities with the local population.
