Life in the Czech Republic

Your experience of the country will be flavoured by its rich historical and cultural tradition. Prague is admired as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. In addition to the capital, the Czech Republic has eleven other UNESCO World Heritage sites that bear witness to the country's long history. If experiencing the nation's colourful past is not for you, there are plenty of other places to spend your leisure time - from modern sport centers and golf courses to cinemas, theatres and concert halls. Czech cuisine has much more to offer than just beer, and in bigger cities you can find top-quality restaurants serving delicious international food.

Where am I going to live?

Prague and all larger cities in the CR boast a wide range of rented furnished and unfurnished housing for expatriates and their families, ranging from centrally located apartments to spacious villas in leafy suburbs. Many real estate agencies offer relocation services for a fee of one to two months' rent.

The purchase price of a three-room apartment (approx. 70 m²) in Prague varies from USD 2,000 to 3,000 per m2, in Brno from USD 1,500 to 2,000 per m2, and in Ostrava from USD 950 to 1,200 per m2. The average monthly rent for a standard three-room apartment is USD 650 in Prague, USD 400 in Brno and USD 370 in Ostrava. The prices in other cities are lower than those in Prague or Brno.

Is my driving licence valid in the Czech Republic?

Driving licenses issued by other countries can be exchanged for new ones based on the "Road Traffic agreement - Vienna 1968" or "Road Traffic agreement – Geneva 1949", or European Community driving license.

Owners of this type of driving license with permanent residency in the Czech Republic, staying in the CR for more than 185 days a year, or foreigners with a long term or permanent residency permit in Prague are obliged (according to Act 116 number 361/2000 Coll. on road traffic) to apply for a Czech driving license (or to exchange the foreign one) at Prague City Hall, Kongresova 2, Prague 4

EU citizens who are holders of a driving license issued by any EU member country, are not obliged to exchange their driving license for a Czech one, regardless of their type of stay in the Czech Republic or its length. However, if these citizens are not obliged to request the issuing of a Czech driving license in exchange for their foreign driving license, the condition of permitting long-term or permanent stay in Prague must be fulfilled, inclusive of submitting all the above stated pertinences.

Fore more information see the website http://magistrat.praha-mesto.cz/64768_Exchanging-a-foreign-driving-license-for-a-Czech-one

Are there international schools for my children in the Czech Republic?

There is a choice of international schools ranging from elementary schools to MBA programmes. You can find schools teaching in English, German or French in most of the larger cities around the country.

How about eating out?

Other than typical Czech pubs serving the famous brands of Czech beer, larger cities boast a large number of international eateries, ranging from Irish pubs to Indian restaurants. For more information, see the restaurant guides at, e.g., www.restauraceonline.cz or www.grand-restaurant.cz. A little practical hint - tips are not included in the bill and they are usually 5-10% of the meal price.

What can I do at the weekends?

Prague and many cities in the Czech Republic are famous for their architectural heritage - there are 12 UNESCO World Heritage sites around the country (see whc.unesco.org or www.czechtourism.com). An overwhelming selection of cultural events is on offer, embraing all types of music and an outstanding theatrical tradition. A number of foreign cultural centres, ranging from the British Council to the Goethe-Institut, also offer a wide range of events and services.

What about shopping?

The retail sector in Prague and all larger cities has undergone a revolution in the past decade with many big shopping centres now located within and around the cities. Local concepts of shopping and customer service are now comparable to those of Western European countries, and major international retail chains (e.g., Tesco, Billa, Makro, IKEA, OBI, Bauhaus and others) as well as boutique stores (e.g., Zara, C&A, Marks & Spencer, Promod, H&M, Next, Max Mara and others) are present in the Czech market.

Are there sport facilities available?

The Czech Republic offers a wealth of sporting opportunities. The most popular sports are ice hockey, football (soccer), basketball, tennis, volleyball, swimming and table tennis, for which there are many clubs and venues in all regions of the country. Golf is rapidly growing in popularity. There are 116 clubs offering two 36-hole courses, four 27-hole courses, thirty-six 18-hole courses, 41 nine-hole courses, 33 indoor courses throughout the Czech Republic. For more information, see the website of the Czech Golf Federation at www.cgf.cz.

For other information on everyday life in the Czech Republic, you can also visit www.expats.cz.