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Why Czechia's new Foreigners Act could discriminate against non-EU families

NGOs warn the draft bill would leave non-EU spouses and relatives of Czech citizens worse off than equivalent families of other EU nationals.

Elizabeth Zahradnicek-Haas

Written by Elizabeth Zahradnicek-Haas Published on 13.04.2026 16:39:00 (updated on 13.04.2026) Reading time: 4 minutes

Expat Life
Shutterstock by Craig Russell, Tomas Nevesely
Shutterstock by Craig Russell, Tomas Nevesely

A coalition of NGOs working with migrants in the Czech Republic has raised the alarm over a provision in the government's newly approved Foreigners Act, passed in draft form in March.

The Consortium of NGOs Working with Migrants issued its response to the Act on the Entry and Residence of Foreigners on March 17, the day after the government approved the draft bill.

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The Consortium said that, in their reading, the draft leaves non-EU family members of Czech citizens with fewer rights than the non-EU family members of other EU nationals living here.

The legislation, which puts forth a sweeping package of reforms for foreigners living in Czechia, is not scheduled to take effect until Jan. 1, 2029, but the Consortium is calling the proposed change discriminatory for creating "a group of Czech citizens who will not be allowed to have a family life in their homeland."

#2026 legislation #expat life #immigration #Living in Czechia #non-EU citizens
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