#HRNOTES 42

Temporary protection expired on 30 September 2026 for those who failed to complete the extension process in time and employers should definitely verify whether temporary protection of their eployees is still valid.

This year, the extension of temporary protection involved two steps. First, holders of temporary protection were required to register electronically, which extended their temporary protection until 30 September 2026. They were then required to attend an appointment in person at an office of the Ministry of the Interior to obtain a new visa sticker, extending their temporary protection until 31 March 2027.

If an employee failed to complete the second step, their temporary protection expired on 30 September 2026. As a result, they also lost their unrestricted access to the Czech labour market. Unless they hold another valid authorisation to work, their continued employment may constitute illegal employment.

We therefore recommend checking whether your employees holding temporary protection really have valid visa stickers or other documents confirming their right to reside and work in the Czech Republic. As of 1 October 2026, confirmation of electronic registration alone is no longer sufficient. If an employee fails to provide evidence of valid authorisation, their status must be verified, and no work should be assigned to them until the situation has been clarified.

Employers should therefore not rely solely on checking documents when an employee starts work but should also regularly verify the continued validity of their employees' right to work. Employers who allow illegal work to be performed may face fines of up to CZK 10 million, even if the employee held all the necessary documents when their employment commenced.