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Living in Prague: The Complete Expat Guide (2024)
Are you considering living in Prague?
If so, this is guide is for you!
Prague is one of the most popular weekend trips in Europe, and its easy o see why with its cobbled streets, delicious delicacies and fun things to do.
But is it a good place to live? That’s a more challenging question to answer. I have lived in over 12 countries, so I know exactly what to look for when putting down new roots.
So what is Prague like? Let’s take a look at life in Prague and if it is for you!
🛫Planning to move to Prague? SkyScanner has the best flight deals for any budget!
About Prague
Before we jump into what Prague is like for expats, here is a quick overview of this European city:
- It is the Capital City of the Czech Republic.
- The Czech Republic is known to some as Czechia. The government shortened the country’s name in 2016.
- There are plenty of sightseeing and cultural opportunities. Sites like Charles Bridge and Prague Castle attract tourists all year round.
- It is one of the best places to live in Europe with its vibrant international and expat community.
- It’s at the center of Europe, making it easy to connect to other European countries and beyond.
Public Transport in Prague
You’ll be pleased to know that Prague has an excellent public transportation system!
With a network of metro, trams and buses, finding your way around Prague couldn’t be easier.
You can buy paper tickets that cover all public transport from 30 minutes to 72 hours. Just make sure you validate your ticket or you could be fined.
Even though taxis are convenient, they do not have the best reputation in Prague. They are known for overcharging Czech expats and visitors so if you need a taxi, use Uber instead.
🚗 Want to get around Prague with ease? I recommend DiscoverCars, my #1 car rental car provider!
Finding accommodation in Prague
Finding accommodation in Prague can be quite tricky if you don’t know where to start!
The best place to begin your search is actually on Facebook. You can check out different groups and post your ad about what you’re looking for in an ideal housemate or house.
This is the most common way people find accommodation because it avoids estate agent fees
One way to increase your chances of finding the perfect home is to email landlords directly. To better your chances, always email in Czech.
Before you move, it’s a good idea to look for short-term accommodation. The demand for housing is very high in Prague, so it can take a couple of months to find permanent accommodation.
🏨 Are you looking for places to stay in Prague? I highly recommend this website for its wide selection of hotels, apartments, and more!
Cost of Living in Prague
Before you move, it’s important to get an idea of the living in Prague cost.
On average, people pay around $1479 (32.972,16 CZK) a month for all expenses, which is higher than other areas of the Czech Republic.
However, compared to other European countries, like London and Paris, it’s one of the cheapest cities to live in Europe.
And there are plenty of ways to keep costs down when you’re living in the city.
For example, if you’re eating out, avoid touristy streets with inflated prices, like Old Town Square.
And if you’re living in Prague as a student, don’t forget that your student ID card can get you discounts.
Healthcare System in the Czech Republic
Moving to the Czech Republic is an exciting adventure, but it’s important to know about the healthcare system.
Everyone living in the Czech Republic must have public or private health insurance, but not everyone is eligible to receive public coverage.
All citizens and those with EHIC cards are provided free medical treatment.
However, if you have a long term visa or a residency permit, then you must get a private health insurance policy. This also includes students and anyone living in the country who is self-employed.
⛑️Keep yourself safe from unwanted accidents in Prague. Safety Wing is my #1 insurance provider, they have the best comprehensive plans for digital nomads!
Working in Prague
Prague’s job market can be competitive, so it’s a good idea to secure employment before moving.
This is not only to obtain a stable income but is essential for non-EU citizens to get an employee card.
The main language in workplaces is Czech. But there are opportunities to work for companies that speak English, too.
The working culture in Prague is similar to most European cities, with a good balance between professional and personal life.
Family is important to all, so it’s rare to work over weekends and public holidays – a welcome change for those used to working in America or other countries with very few paid holidays.
Moving to Prague & Getting Your Visa
You are probably wondering how to move to Prague to begin your new adventure abroad. There are a few things you need to have in place before arrival to prepare for your new expat life.
The most important of these is your visa application!
The most popular visas available are short and long term visas. For anyone planning to stay in Prague for over 90 days, you will need a long term visa.
When working in Prague you will then need to replace the long term visa with an employee card. This acts as a work permit as well as a residence permit.
EU citizens can get a blue card that does the exact same thing.
But you need to successfully apply for a work permit before you can be granted an employee card. Your new employer should be able to help you with this.
After everything is sorted, on arrival you still need to register at your local Foreign Police Department within 30 days. And be sure to bring all necessary paperwork with you.
A word of warning: The Czech government departments are famously known for excessive bureaucracy. So be prepared to supply the same documents multiple times.
Finding Expat communities In Prague
Once you’ve decided to move to Prague, finding an expat community will help you with the struggles of living abroad.
The Expat Centre Prague is an excellent place to start. It offers a variety of events, workshops, and activities to help new foreigners settle into Prague life.
These events are a great way to meet people and find out about all the best things Prague has to offer.
Facebook is also an excellent resource for meeting foreigners in Prague. Moving abroad changes your life so it’s helpful to find people who are in the same situation.
From living in Prague as an American groups to women-only groups, you can find the perfect community for you!
🫂Wanna create meaningful connections with like-minded people in Prague? I recommend this website!
Quality of Life in Prague
If you want to live somewhere that offers a great quality of life, Prague is a great option.
The locals are reserved at first, but after a bit of time are friendly, welcoming and great friends.
You will also find Wi-Fi everywhere in Prague. This means you can stay connected and work remotely.
The tap water in Prague is also safe to drink, so you don’t have to worry about buying bottled water all the time. And the food available is incredibly fresh!
Combine this with the fantastic transport, healthcare, and living costs, you will find Prague offers an amazing quality of life.
Safety in Prague
Prague is one of the safest cities in Europe, making it a great place for expats to live. But there are some things you should be aware of when it comes to safety.
While there is little violent crime, you may come across tourist scams, especially in the old town area. Here are some common scams to be aware of:
- Money exchange fraud – Always use currency exchange offices or banks, never on the street.
- Fake Police – This scam involves someone approaching you in plain clothes claiming to be a police officer. Just head to the nearest police station and ask them to verify their identity.
- Pickpocketing – This is common near the main train station, known by the locals as “Sherwood”. Stay away from this area late at night.
Overall it is a safe place, just make sure you keep these safety tips for living in Prague in mind.
⛑️Keep yourself safe from unwanted accidents in Prague. Safety Wing is my #1 insurance provider, they have the best comprehensive plans for digital nomads!
Languages spoken in Prague
Czech is the official language spoken in Czechia.
Many people in the city can communicate in English, but learning Czech will help make for a smoother transition and is helpful for understanding any letters or government documents you receive!
If you’re interested in learning Czech, there are plenty of great resources available.
You can take classes throughout the city, but there are also online courses and language-learning apps so you can learn at your own pace.
🗣️Wanna learn Czech as you move to Prague? My #1 recommendation is this website!
Schools and Education in Prague
Moving to a new country can be daunting, especially when you have children.
But if you are an EU national or a legal resident, public schooling is free!
It’s wise to get your kids learning Czech early as they will be taught in Czech unless they go to an international school.
If you are interested in enrolling your kids in an international school, this is possible in Prague but they can be expensive and may not always suit everyone’s budget.
For expats looking for higher education opportunities, the Czech Republic is an awesome option. Believe it or not, you can study for free at any of its universities as long as you enrol in a degree program taught in the Czech.
And this includes all nationalities, not just EU citizens!
If you want your degree taught in English or another language, you will find that it costs between anything from $0-$1970 per course.
FAQs About Living in Prague
How many expats live in Prague?
Prague has 190,000 plus expats living throughout the city. Foreigners to the city generally come from the UK, the US and Western Europe. Even though the city well-connected, the most popular area for them to live in is Vinohrady in Praha 2.
Can you use euros in Prague?
The Czech crown (CZK) is the currency used throughout the Czech Republic. Euros are not accepted as a payment option. Make sure you have plenty of Crowns for your trip.
What is average salary in Prague?
The average salary in Prague is $32,000 (703,499CZK) per year. This does depend on what sector you work in and your qualifications. If you work remotely for yourself of a foreign company, your wages may be higher than the city average.
Can foreigners buy property in Prague?
Yes, foreigners can buy property in Prague, but it does not automatically give you a residency permit. You will still need to apply for one. Expats cz is a fantastic community to help you navigate the housing market in the Czech Republic.
Are people friendly in Prague?
Czech people can come across cold and unfriendly but once you get to know them, they are kind and welcoming over time. It may be hard to adjust to at first if you are moving from a generally warm culture like Canada or the US.
Is it hard to get a job in Prague?
It can be hard to first get a job in Prague, but having a Czech company to sponsor you and having all your paperwork ready will make the process smoother. Use resources like Linkedin, FlexJobs, and Jobs.cz to make your job search easier.
Wrap Up:Living in Prague
Deciding to move abroad can be scary, but it is totally worth it if you find the right destination!
And even though living in Prague has its pros and cons just like any other city, any negatives are offset by the overwhelming amount of positives.
Prague provides a fantastic lifestyle to anyone wanting to live in an area with great healthcare, transport and quality of life.
So If you are looking for your new life abroad to be filled with adventure and amazing sites, Prague is for you!
🛫Planning to move to Prague? SkyScanner has the best flight deals fit for any budget!
Read More About Living in Europe:
- 14 Pros and Cons of Living in France
- What It’s Like Living in Ireland: An Expat’s Perspective
- 36 Pros and Cons of Living in Germany as a Foreigner
- 44 Pros and Cons of Living in Italy as an Expat
- 33 Pros and Cons of Living in Berlin as an Expat
- 29 Best Places to Live in Europe for Expats
- 35 Pros and Cons of Living in the Czech Republic for Expats
- 29 Pros and Cons of Living in Amsterdam
- 37 Pros and Cons of Living in Turkey as a Foreign Woman
- 21 Pros and Cons of Living in Austria
- 27 Pros and Cons of Living in Sweden in
- 19 Pros and Cons of Living in Switzerland
- 23 Pros and Cons of Living in Denmark
- 15 Living in Serbia Pros and Cons
- 15 Pros and Cons of Living in Madrid
- 33 Living in Portugal Pros and Cons
- Best Things To Do In Sicily: The Ultimate Tour Guide
Living Abroad Travel Planning Guide
🚑 Should I buy expat travel insurance?
100% YES! — With basic coverage averaging just $5-10 USD per day, enjoy peace of mind with a plan from Safety Wing!
🌎 What is the best country to live in as an expat?
It depends – the best country to live in as an expat will depend on your unique needs. I developed this free quiz to help you figure out where is right for you!
📍 How do I pick a country to live abroad?
It depends – picking a country to live in is hard. That’s why I developed this $7 course to share all of the steps I’ve taken when deciding to move to 20+ different countries, and how I handle homesickness when I get there.
Ultimately, making the choice of where to move is going to be hard. But the hardest thing is deciding to move abroad at all!
💼 How do I get a job as an expat?
You can find work abroad via local job boards or temp agencies. My favourite way to work is remotely, so I always look for jobs on FlexJobs.com when I live abroad. They hire for 100% remote roles only.
If you’re looking to teach English abroad, Premier TEFL has the best online course to get you great work!
💰 How do I open a bank account abroad?
Wise.com offers free global accounts, and the cheapest money transfers. Since it can be a headache to open bank accounts in different countries (it took me 2 months in the UK!), Wise.com is a great solution.
I actually use it as my primary bank now worldwide due to the multi-currency debit card. (Read more)
👯♀️ How do you make friends abroad?
Meetup.com – Meet likeminded people who share a similar hobby with Meetup! It’s free to join, but some activities may cost money, like if you go to a cafe and get a coffee.
🙀 I don’t speak the language. Can I still live abroad?
Learn languages in no time with iTalki! Moving abroad is an opportunity to learn the language. You don’t need to know it before you leave home.
💻 Do I need a VPN?
Yes! – VPNs allow you to access more of the internet. From US Netflix in the UK to social media sites banned in Asia. It’s a really helpful and cheap thing to ensure your online activities aren’t restricted.
🧳 What’s the best luggage for living abroad?
This is my favourite luggage set for long term travel. You can read more about my review of types of suitcases for travel here.
🏡 How do I tell my friends and family I want to live abroad?
Take this $7 course and learn the exact script I used to tell my family I was moving abroad … and then when I did it again. I even include tips for prepping your family, and for how to handle family who aren’t supportive.
✈️ What’s the best site to buy cheap flights?
To find cheap flights, I recommend Skyscanner. (Read more)
🏨 What’s the best site to find cheap hotels?
To find cheap hotels, I recommend Booking.com. (Read more)
Or stay for free with Trusted Housesitters!
🚗 What’s the best site to rent cars abroad?
To find cheap rental cars, I recommend Discover Cars.
🚗 What’s the best site to find tours?
To find epic tours, I recommend Viator.
