Who’s staying, who’s leaving: The changing face of foreign residents in Czechia

The number of foreigners living in Czechia has dropped slightly, with just over 1 million residents holding foreign status at the end of 2023. That’s about 9.8 percent of the country’s population—a figure shaped by shifting global and local events.

According to the Czech Statistical Office (CZSO), the foreign population declined by 50,414 compared to 2022. What’s behind the change?

Ukrainians remain the largest group, with 574,447 residents, though their numbers dropped by over 60,000 compared to last year. This decline reflects several factors: some Ukrainians have returned home as the war stabilizes in parts of their country, while others moved further west.

Meanwhile, Slovaks and Vietnamese hold steady as the second and third-largest foreign communities, growing slightly to 119,182 and 67,783 residents, respectively. Together, these three groups make up a whopping 71.4 percent of all foreigners in Czechia.

Citizens of European Union member states made up one fifth of foreign nationals with a permit or registered residence in Czechia, highlighting the significance of intra-EU migration.

Some smaller communities are also experiencing significant growth. Romanians and Mongolians saw the largest increases, collectively adding around 40,000 new residents in 2023. In contrast, the Russian population—Czechia's fourth-largest foreign group—declined by 2,500, dropping to 40,990 by the end of the year. This decrease is largely attributed to visa restrictions and stricter controls on Russian travel.

Not all foreigners in Czechia are putting down permanent roots. Over two-thirds held temporary residence permits in 2023, while around 350,000 opted for permanent residency. Additionally, 2,515 people received international protection, such as asylum, showing that many come to Czechia seeking safety and stability.

The ongoing effects of the war in Ukraine have also changed the gender balance of foreign residents. After the 2022 influx of women and children fleeing the conflict, women made up 51.1 percent of the foreign population. By 2023, the pendulum shifted back to a male majority—though women still represent a significant 49.3 percent, up from 2021 levels.

These patterns are likely to continue evolving. Migration within the EU remains a hot topic, with several countries recently reinstating Schengen border controls to address security and migration concerns. Initiatives to attract skilled foreigners could also have an impact with several government programs in the works to attract and retrain foreign workers from selected countries.