Number of foreigners in Czech Republic continues to rise, now one in ten residents

At the end of 2024, the number of foreigners living in the Czech Republic reached 1,094,090, meaning one in ten people in the country is now a foreign national. The latest figures, published in a quarterly migration report by the Ministry of the Interior, indicate a steady increase in the foreign population, which grew by 28,350 people—or 2.7 percent—compared to the previous year.

The majority of foreigners in the country continue to be Ukrainian citizens, numbering 589,456. They are followed by 121,472 Slovak nationals and 69,015 Vietnamese citizens. The highest concentration of foreign residents is traditionally found in Prague, which accounts for almost a third of all legally residing foreigners. The Central Bohemian Region follows with a share of 14.2 percent.

By the end of 2024, 332,994 foreigners held temporary residence status in the Czech Republic, while 372,217 were registered as permanent residents. The total number of foreigners in the country surpassed one million for the first time in 2022, largely due to an influx of people seeking temporary protection after fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine. As of December 31, 2024, the number of temporary protection holders stood at 388,879—around 14,000 more than at the end of 2023.

Since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine, the Czech Republic has issued temporary protection to a total of 659,970 people. Relative to its population, the country has hosted the most Ukrainian refugees of any EU member state. By December 2024, there were 36 Ukrainian refugees for every 1,000 inhabitants in the Czech Republic.

Meanwhile, the number of illegal migrants transiting through the country has dropped dramatically. Authorities detained 420 people attempting unauthorized transit in 2024, representing a 90 percent decrease from the previous year. The majority of those detained were from Syria, making up two-thirds of all cases, while others originated from Turkey, Russia, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, and Mongolia. Most entered the country by air—219 people in total—primarily on flights from Greece, often using irregular documents. Others arrived from Slovakia and Austria, with Germany, the Netherlands, and France being the most common destinations for onward travel.

Last year, Czech authorities processed a total of 1,363 asylum applications. The largest group of applicants were Uzbek nationals (224), followed by Ukrainians (205), Vietnamese (186), Turks (99), and Russians (91).

The government also facilitated the return of hundreds of individuals to their home countries. In 2024, a total of 748 people left through the Ministry of the Interior’s assisted voluntary return program, while the refugee facility administration aided in the return of 38 individuals. Additionally, 201 people were forcibly removed by Czech authorities, with Slovakia, Romania, and Ukraine being the primary destinations for these deportations.

The latest data highlights the Czech Republic’s role as a key host country for refugees and foreign workers, while also demonstrating shifting migration patterns and an evolving demographic landscape.

Source: CTK