Illegal hiring of foreign workers could bring 10-year sentences in Czechia

Employers and labor intermediaries involved in illegally employing foreign workers could face prison sentences of up to 10 years under amendments proposed by the governing ANO movement.

The measures would target unauthorized employment and disguised labor supply arrangements, in which workers are effectively hired out between companies outside the legal framework for agency employment.

The proposals are being considered alongside a broader bill tightening conditions for Ukrainians with temporary protection. MPs advanced that bill to its final approval stage last week, but the amendments have not yet become law.

Interior Minister Lubomír Metnar submitted the employment amendments in his capacity as an MP, alongside Labor Minister Aleš Juchelka and Finance Minister Alena Schillerová.

The sponsors argue that illegal hiring and disguised employment brokerage generate profits for organized crime and give intermediaries leverage over foreign workers. They specifically cited Ukrainian and Russian-speaking criminal networks.

According to their figures, approximately 250,000 people worked through around 2,000 licensed employment agencies in 2024, including roughly 100,000 nationals of countries outside the EU.

They say substantial numbers of unlicensed agencies also operate and estimate that illegal employment practices cost public finances CZK 50 billion. That is the sponsors’ estimate, rather than a new finding established by the bill.

The proposed penalties concern illegal practices, not the lawful employment of foreign nationals or properly authorized agency work.

STAN MP Jakub Krainer unsuccessfully sought to return the legislation to the parliamentary security committee for more detailed consideration of the changes.

The underlying bill would require most temporary-protection holders applying for humanitarian benefits to be employed, self-employed or registered with the Labor Office.

Applicants would also generally need to spend at least 16 days in Czechia during the month covered by the payment. Children, students and older people would be exempt from these conditions.

Separate provisions would end temporary protection for people spending more than 30 days outside the Schengen area, or following criminal or administrative expulsion.

The legislation would also tighten eligibility for the special long-term residence route available to qualifying temporary-protection holders, adding a requirement to have no outstanding tax arrears.

Drivers of vehicles with Ukrainian plates would face a further change from July 2027: registration in the Czech vehicle register rather than only the existing notification system.

Other amendments remain under consideration. SPD lawmakers proposed shortening the period of enhanced refugee support from 150 to 90 days. STAN proposed requiring Russian diplomats based elsewhere in the EU, their colleagues and family members to obtain prior permission before entering Czechia.

These are proposals within an unfinished legislative process. Ukrainian residents can consult the Interior Ministry’s Information Portal for Foreigners for existing temporary-protection and residence procedures.