Migration Policies of the Czech and Slovak Republics Since 1989 – Restrictive, Liberal, Integrative or Circular?

Věra Stojarová

doi:10.24193/tras.56e.6

Abstract

The author compares the migration policies of the Czech Republic and Slovakia since 1993, including both immigration as well as integration. The text focuses mainly on the autochthonous policies of both countries in regards to labor migration as the main type of migration. Significant immigration is a recent phenomenon in both the Czech Republic as well as Slovakia and neither immigration, nor integration policy belong among the priorities of either state. The Czech Republic seems to be more mature in adopting regulations for better access of foreigners to the labor market. However, when comparing the Czech Republic with the rest of Europe, it belongs to the most restrictive countries in terms of integration as well as in terms of immigration. Given the extremely low ratio of non-EU born adults becoming Czech citizens, the Czech Republic will remain an exclusionary democracy unless it changes either the voting rights or increases the naturalization rates by reducing the conditions for foreigners. Quite interestingly, even though Slovakia lags behind the Czech Republic in terms of integration policies and naturalization rates, it is more inclusive in terms of political rights.

Highlights

Czech and Slovak migration policies have gone through almost thirty years of development
Significant immigration is a recent phenomenon both in the Czech Republic as well as Slovakia, and neither immigration, nor integration policy are among the priorities of the two states
Both countries lacked coherent immigration and integration policies, and these policies developed slowly (2009 in the Czech Republic and 2011 in Slovakia) with the rise of immigration and were accompanied by the need to adapt to EU regulations

Summary

Introduction

Czech and Slovak migration policies have gone through almost thirty years of development. In 2017, both countries amended their Alien Acts, which have significantly changed the up-to-date practices of migrants Even though both countries went through common historical and cultural trajectories, they have not followed the same pattern since 1993 regarding the migration policies of their states, and they have shaped their migration policies differently. Migration policy is understood as a set of tools regulating entry to, exit from and residence in the country. It has two components: immigration policy and integration policy. The article focuses mainly on the autochthonous policies targeting labor migration from third countries adopted freely by the Czech Republic and Slovakia rather than those which were adopted because of EU accession or any other international regulations[1]

Migration flows in the Czech and Slovak republics

Migration policy of the Czech Republic and Slovakia since 1989

Findings

Conclusions