Are you thinking about moving to the Czech Republic? Famous for its stunning architecture and beautiful capital city of Prague, Czechia is ranked as one of the safest places to live on Earth.
With over half a million expats in the country, the Czech Republic seems an attractive place to live. But wait – take a look at our comprehensive guide for everything you need to know before going!
1. Don’t call Czechs “Czechoslovakians”
We understand the confusion, but the truth is the Czech Republic, and Slovakia have been amicably “divorced” since 1993. And despite being united as one nation for almost 75 years, they bid a civilized farewell and never looked back.
The Czech people and Slovakians are very different in several ways. Firstly, religion is less important in the lives of the Czechs, while many Slovakians are Catholic. Not to mention, they also speak in different tongues…
So make sure you remember this distinction if you’re thinking of moving to the Czech Republic.
2. No problems communicating in English in most cities
Around a third of Czechs can speak English, albeit to varying degrees. This is significantly less than other European countries and can turn many English speakers away from the idea of moving or even visiting!
Not to worry, though… this statistic is much higher in many major cities. Prague’s booming tourist spot and the capital city will cater to English speakers in most places, such as restaurants and bars! In some areas of the beautiful capital, you will find a lack of people speaking Czech at all…
Despite this, it wouldn’t hurt to try and learn some basic Czech language before you go!
3. Czech culture and traditions
The Czechs typically have a traditional family setup and enjoy taking much-earned trips away with their family members and spending quality time. The people of Czechia also enjoy outdoor activities such as kayaking, fishing, and climbing – making the most of their leisure time!
A common stereotype is that the people of the Czech Republic like drinking alcohol, with many places to go out to drink and socialize.
They also have several traditions that are specific to their nation. Here are a couple of Czech traditions that you might have never heard before:
- Burning of the Witches (April 30th) – this annual event involves the burning of bonfires in the model of the “witch” that controlled Winter in an attempt to “warm the weather.” It also involves lots of familiar folklore songs and traditional food.
- St Martin’s Day (November 11th) – every year on 11/11 at 11 am, almost all eateries and wineries open the initial wines of the year or the “young wines.” This event symbolizes the end of harvest and marks the start of Winter.
4. The cost of living in the Czech Republic
The cost of living in the Czech Republic is much more affordable than in other European countries. Over 30% lower than the United States living prices… impressive, we know. However, monthly living costs will vary depending on how you like to spend your leisure time!
The average liter of milk costs around 82¢, while a loaf of fresh, white bread costs $1.12.
5. Getting a Visa
If you plan on living in the Czech Republic permanently or for an extended period, you need to get a visa. If you are an EU citizen, you are eligible to work and live in the Czech Republic with an EU blue card, as this will count as a long-term residency permit.
If you are a US citizen, you can stay in the Czech Republic for ninety days without a visa, but you need an employee card for long-term residency. Permanent residency requires you to fill out a visa application to secure a Schengen visa.
If you are a non-EU citizen not from the US, the process and visa requirements are virtually the same.
This process requires you to have a valid passport, proof of sufficient funds, and medical insurance.
6. The quality of life in the Czech Republic
According to the OECD Better Life Index, the Czech Republic exceeds the average satisfaction with life! It also is above average in jobs, education (with 94% of 25-64-year-olds having attended upper secondary education), and social connections.
However, the main area in which the country negatively exceeded the average was housing. With over 20% of Czech’s gross disposable income on their homes, rent, and bills!
Overall, the findings were positive, with most Czechs stating they were happy with their lives in Czechia.
7. What’s the weather like?
The Czech Republic has a temperate climate and is commonly described as typical European continental weather.
Though the summers are comfortable, the winters can be cold and harsh, but they barely reach below 11°F.
It is partly cloudy in the Czech Republic year-round!
If you’re from a hot part of the US, the weather may shock you. But if you reside in the UK or such, you’re likely used to the cold winters, so it’s no big deal!
8. Czech Cuisine
Czech cuisine is rich with meat and starches, with the shared philosophy that fat is your friend! The hearty dishes are typically baked meats in natural gravies, thick soups and sauces with stewed vegetables and cream, and dumplings.
And Czechia’s favorite beverage, well… you guessed it – beer! The most popular are Pilsner Urquell and Budweiser Budvar. So if you’re a beer fan, we’re sure you’ll fit right in!
9. They offer high-quality education
If you’re worried about the education for your little ones over there, the Czech republic offers education of unparalleled quality. With a renowned reputation for its excellent education system, the country provides several academic opportunities to expat children!
International schools are the usual choice for children from the US, usually following a curriculum model from the US or the UK. Language barriers won’t be an issue for your children either, as the primary instruction is typically in English!
These schools also offer internationally accepted accreditation and professional qualifications, boasting high standards for learning. With small class sizes, impressive facilities, and many extracurricular activities on offer, you can rest assured your little ones are getting the best.
10. The country has a huge expat community
In 2017, 7% of the total population of the Czech Republic were expats, with most people choosing to move to Prague. An impressive 14% of the people of Prague are made up of foreign-born people.
However, Prague is not the only option, and many other Czech cities are expat-friendly, including Brno, Plzeň, and Ostrava.
As a highly safe place to live and high expat life satisfaction, it is clear why the Czech Republic is so appealing and home to over half a million expats!
11. They have the most castles in Europe
If you like looking at castles, the Czech Republic is home to more than 2000 of these architectural wonders…
With a good starting point being the capital city – Prague Castle is the largest ancient castle globally, at a jaw-dropping 570 meters!
12. The Czechs love beer
We just thought we had to give this one its section. But we’re sure you get the picture…
13. They are crazy about mushrooms
Yes, you heard us right!
“Mushrooming” is a nationwide tradition that takes place once a year (at the least) and involves picking and eating mushrooms.
The Czechs considered mushrooms to be the “meat of the poor” so this vegetable isn’t taxed. What’s not to love?
14. You’ll love the architecture
The Czech Republic’s architecture ranged from Bohemian Gothic to Renaissance, neighboring trends and was influenced by foreign architects from Germany, Italy, and France.
Most historical styles are represented in the architecture there. As a country in the center of Europe, many cultures have been encountered. You can even expect to see a lot of ruins and even contemporary architecture.
15. Make time to check out the Astro clock
At over 600 years old, the Astro Clock in Prague is one of the capital city’s most famous attractions. It is a stunning piece of art and an essential part of history, and it’s functional too!
Displaying details such as the time, date, and zodiacal and astronomical information – this is the oldest astronomical clock that is still in operation today.
Not impressed yet? Wait until you hear about the 12 apostles set in motion every hour between 9 am and 9 pm…
This fantastic attraction cannot be missed.
16. They have the ‘Crying Wall’
This historical and political symbol found in Praha 1, Prague’s most central district, is the ‘Crying Wall,’ also known as the ‘John Lennon Wall.’
Covered in graffiti today, it tells a story of its ever-evolving nature and is exceptionally politically significant.
Essentially, Prague’s only place where graffiti is deemed legal – the ‘Crying Wall’ came to be in the 1980s and originally sported a large mural of John Lennon (hence the name).
John Lennon’s songs advocated peace in a time when Czechs were banned from even listening to Western pop songs – it was a place to pour out frustrations.
Today, the wall is still regarded as an important symbol formed by the Czech government and harsh authority.
17. The most popular sport is ice hockey
Ice hockey (closely followed by football) is the most popular sport in the Czech republic. And living in the Czech Republic would make it impossible for you to ignore this sport, which is neglected in many other parts of the world.
The Bohemia National ice hockey team is its first official team and enjoyed its fair share of wins and losses.
18. One of the least religious countries in the world
It’s true. 39.8% of Czechs consider themselves to be atheists.
Many people believe this to be a result of Communism. However, there is a proven cause for this.
18. High standard of healthcare
The Czech Republic boasts an impressive universal healthcare system that is regarded as one of the best in the world. Based on a compulsory insurance model, this affordable system is afforded by the monthly contributions of residents.
If you’re worried about the healthcare situation while living in the Czech Republic, rest assured that many doctors speak English as there is a large expat population.
19. Work-life balance in the Czech Republic
As previously mentioned, leisure time is essential to the people of the Czech Republic. So, how easy is it to maintain a healthy work-life balance?
The low cost of living in the Czech Republic means that you do not have to worry about working obscene hours to enjoy your life there.
20. The public transport system is excellent
Several Czech cities boast tram networks, allowing citizens to get around quickly. In Prague, trams run 24 hours, seven days a week. However, these hours will vary in different cities.
All cities have some access to trains and buses are a preferred mode of transport in most cities.
Not all cities have a metro. However, Prague’s metro network has more than 60 stations and extends over 40 miles.
21. Hills and medium-high mountains dominate the landscape
Bohemia mainly consists of hills and mountains, making up two-thirds of the country, home to the country’s highest peak. The Eastern third of Czechia is also based in a river basin and consists of hills.
Mountains surround almost the whole country!
FAQs
Is the Czech Republic part of the European Free Trade Association?
No. The EFTA only has four member states, and the Czech Republic is not one of them.
Is the Czech Republic a safe country?
Yes, the Czech Republic is regarded as one of the safest countries in the world.
How many national holidays does the Czech Republic have?
The Czech Republic has 13 national holidays.
Is the Czech Republic considered Eastern Europe?
Yes, the Czech Republic is regarded as this by the UN. However, most people consider it as Central Europe.
Final Thoughts
Overall, living in the Czech Republic seems like an incredible experience. The low living costs and high satisfaction with life for expats make moving to the country seem like a no-brainer! Not to mention the high standard of education, healthcare system, and…the passion for beer.
English 
French 
German 
Italian 
Spanish 
Chinese 
Portuguese 
Japanese 
Polish 
Bulgarian 
Czech 
Danish 
Dutch 
Estonian 
Finnish 
Greek 
Hungarian 
Latvian 
Lithuanian 
Romanian 
Russian 
Slovak 
Slovenian 
Swedish 
Turkish 
Korean 
Indonesian 
Norwegian 
Ukrainian