EU-partnerships

Czechia

Research | 27 January 2026

7th

CZ is UA’s 16th-largest export market and 7th-largest source of imports

Strong CZ business presence in Ukraine (200+ offices) across defense, transport, agriculture and energy

~567k

UA diaspora is the largest foreign community in CZ: ~567 thousand Ukrainians

UA firms in CZ remain few but are growing in logistics and defense

Centre for Economic Strategy (CES), an independent Ukrainian think tank that analyzes key public policies and promotes support for reforms.

With donor support, CES has launched a series of studies on trade relations between Ukraine and the European Union countries.

Free movements of goods and services

Pre-war, UA exported mainly iron ores and insulated cables to CZ

Top 10

UA remains in CZ’s top 10 partners yet accounts for only ~1% of its extra-EU service imports

Since the full-scale invasion agri-food exports have grown in importance

The CZ trade surplus in services has persisted since 2014, driven by strong exports in transport, telecoms and IT

CZ exports have shifted toward wartime and energy-related goods now account for a rising share of exports to UA

Trade balance UA-CZ 2024

Free movement of persons and capital

Pre war:

194k

Ukrainians in CZ — EU’s third-largest Ukrainian-born community

Post-2022:

+374k

with temporary protection

~567k

legally in CZ (June 2025)

~60% refugees are employed,~70% hold higher education, and ~70% report being able to afford good living conditions

CZ FDI in UA:

200+

firms (defence, transport, agriculture, energy) + CSG/Excalibur, Škoda, Agromino, MND

UA FDI in CZ:

still limited, mostly in logistic & defence + Nova Post, Leleka LR JV

Remittances to UA, 2024

Tighter co-operation potential

Deepen co-production in automotive and defence, positioning UA as a reliable supplier for CZ industry.
Expand joint agro-processing, renewables and IT/innovation partnerships.
Use the large UA diaspora in CZ to support investment, skills transfer and industrial cooperation.
Prioritise high-value supply-chain integration and alignment with EU standards.

Interesting fact

You can also read about Ukraine’s economic ties with Czechia in a publication on Transitions.

The brochure is produced by Centre for Economic Strategy with the support of the Askold and Dir Fund as a part of the the Strong Civil Society of Ukraine — a Driver towards Reforms and Democracy project, implemented by ISAR Ednannia, funded by Norway and Sweden. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of Centre for Economic Strategy and can in no way be taken to reflect the views the Government of Norway, the Government of Sweden and ISAR Ednannia.