Cost of Living in the Czech Republic in 2026: How Much Do You Need Per Month?

Moving to the Czech Republic starts with choosing a city, but it’s often the search for an apartment that forces you to reconsider that choice. You want to live closer to work, have a school nearby, and have money left over for more than just the essential bills. On top of rent, utility bills, groceries, public transportation, and health insurance gradually add up—and your budget starts to take shape. Let’s break down how much daily life in the Czech Republic will cost for a single person, a couple, and a family with a child, as well as how much money to set aside before moving.

In a previous article, we discussed the world’s best cities to live in, according to Generation Z.

Planning to move abroad and calculating your budget? Also consider the requirements for legal residency: grounds for obtaining a residence permit, proof of income, and necessary documents. Visit World’s immigration lawyers will help you understand the available relocation options and the requirements for your specific situation so you can plan the application process and related expenses in advance.

How much does it cost to live in the Czech Republic per month?

For a single person renting a separate apartment, a monthly budget in the Czech Republic should be planned within the range of 30,000–45,000 Kč, or approximately €1,230–1,850. The lower end of this range assumes more affordable housing and moderate daily expenses. In Prague, the budget will be closer to the upper limit.

For preliminary planning, we suggest the following budgets, including rent:

1. One person – 30,000–45,000 Kč (€1,230–1,850). A small apartment, mostly home-cooked meals, public transportation, and moderate leisure activities.

2. A couple – 45,000–65,000 Kč (€1,850–2,670). Shared housing, groceries for two, utilities, communication, and personal expenses.

3. Two adults and a child – 60,000–85,000 Kč (€2,460–3,490). A larger apartment, public school tuition, food, transportation, and the child’s daily needs.

These are estimated ranges for the scenarios described. They assume living without a car, private kindergarten, or international school. Health insurance, which you must pay for yourself, is also added separately.

How does renting affect your budget?

The cost of living in the Czech Republic depends significantly on whether you rent a place on your own or share the costs. For example, an apartment costing 20,000 Kč takes up half of a single person’s 40,000 Kč budget. For a couple with a combined budget of 60,000 Kč, the rent alone accounts for one-third of their expenses.

All euro equivalents in this article are calculated using a rounded exchange rate of €1 ≈ 24.4 Kč. The Czech National Bank’s exchange rate as of October 13, 2026, was 24.375 Kč per euro.

In our previous article, we discussed how to start a business in the Czech Republic in 2026: taxes, expenses, and a step-by-step guide.

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in the Czech Republic?

In the second quarter of 2026, average monthly rent in the Czech Republic was 343 Kč per m² in the cities and regions covered by the Deloitte Rent Index.

In Prague, the rate reached 462 Kč/m²; in Brno, 390 Kč/m²; in Plzeň, 301 Kč/m²; and in Ostrava, 254 Kč/m².

How much should you budget for an apartment?

For a 50 m² apartment, calculations based on these rates provide the following estimates, excluding utility bills:

- Prague – 23,100 Kč (€947) per month

- Brno – 19,500 Kč (€799)

- Plzeň – 15,050 Kč (€617)

- Ostrava – 12,700 Kč (€520)

The actual price depends on the neighborhood, size, and condition of the apartment. In Prague, the average rate for prefab buildings was 427 Kč/m², and for new residential projects, 498 Kč/m². For the same 50 m², the difference amounts to 3,550 Kč (€145) per month.

What additional payments are included with the rent?

In listings, the rental price for an apartment in the Czech Republic is often broken down into several components:

- Nájemné – rent

- Poplatky za služby – fees for building services, water, and other specified services

- Energie – electricity or gas, if billed separately

For example, in a listing for a 51 m² apartment in Plzeň, 2,500 Kč for utilities is added to the 18,000 Kč rent. That comes to 20,500 Kč (€840) before factoring in other payments specified in the offer.

Before signing the lease, ask for a full monthly breakdown based on the number of residents in your household. Be sure to include the security deposit and the broker’s commission in your initial moving budget.

Learn more about the new rules for foreigners residing in the Czech Republic by following the link.

Utilities and Recurring Payments in the Czech Republic

Utilities in the Czech Republic for an 85 m² apartment cost an average of about 6,770 Kč (€277) per month. This amount covers electricity, heating, water, cooling, and trash collection. According to Numbeo data for June 2026, the range was 4,675–11,475 Kč (€192–470).

In addition to these regular expenses:

- Home internet – about 450 Kč (€18) per month for a connection of 60 Mbit/s with unlimited data.

- Cell phone service—about 590 Kč (€24) per person, for a plan that includes calls and at least 10 GB of data.

For an apartment of the specified size, utilities, home internet, and two cell phone plans will total approximately 8,400 Kč (€344) per month.

How do advance payments for utilities work?

Payments for electricity and gas in the Czech Republic are often made in advance—known as zálohy. At the end of the billing period, the provider compares the amount paid with actual consumption. This may result in a refund for overpayment or a bill for the difference.

For example, monthly payments of 2,000 Kč total 24,000 Kč per year. If the actual cost of energy consumed is 30,000 Kč, you’ll have to pay an additional 6,000 Kč (€246). Therefore, to estimate the costs for a specific apartment, you’ll need the latest final bill—vyúčtování—which specifies consumption and the cost of services.

Previously, we discussed life in the Czech Republic, living expenses, opportunities for foreigners, and conditions for legal residence.

Food Prices in the Czech Republic

For groceries in the Czech Republic, you can budget 5,000–7,000 Kč (€205–287) per month for one adult, assuming you cook at home most of the time. This is a rough estimate that does not include alcohol, meal delivery, or household goods.

How much do basic groceries cost?

Approximate prices for everyday purchases:

- Milk, 1 L – 25 Kč (€1.02)

- Bread, 500 g – 36 Kč (€1.48)

- Rice, 1 kg – 56 Kč (€2.30)

- Eggs, 12 pieces – 75 Kč (€3.07)

- Chicken breast, 1 kg – 199 Kč (€8.16)

- Beef, 1 kg – 300 Kč (€12.30)

- Cheese, 1 kg – 276 Kč (€11.31)

- Apples, 1 kg – 37 Kč (€1.52)

- Tomatoes, 1 kg – 73 Kč (€2.99)

- Potatoes, 1 kg – 28 Kč (€1.15)

How much does eating out cost?

Eating at cafes and restaurants in the Czech Republic requires a separate budget line item. Lunch at an inexpensive establishment costs about 200 Kč (€8.20). A fast-food combo costs about the same. A three-course dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant will cost 1,000 Kč (€41) without drinks; a cappuccino costs 68 Kč (€2.79).

Lunch and coffee over 20 workdays will cost 5,360 Kč (€220) per month. These are expenses solely for meals during the workday—breakfasts, dinners, and weekend shopping are not included.

In our previous article, we discussed the EU Blue Card in the Czech Republic: requirements, salary, and application process.

How much does transportation cost in the Czech Republic?

Public transportation in the Czech Republic is cheaper than regular car trips. In Prague and Brno, a standard personalized monthly pass costs 550 Kč (€23). For permanent residents, it’s more cost-effective to buy an annual pass.

Monthly and Annual Passes

Cost for an adult passenger without discounts:

- Prague – 550 Kč per month or 3,650 Kč (€150) per year. An annual pass reduces the cost to approximately 304 Kč (€12.50) per month.

- Brno, zones 100 and 101 – 550 Kč per month or 4,750 Kč (€195) per year. This works out to approximately 396 Kč (€16) per month.

In Prague, an annual pass saves 2,950 Kč (€121) compared to twelve monthly passes. Trips from the suburbs may require additional fare zones. For example, in Brno, a monthly pass covering the city zones and one additional zone costs 880 Kč (€36).

Car Expenses

To calculate fuel costs in the Czech Republic, we’ll use a gasoline price of 39.66 Kč per liter. With a monthly mileage of 1,000 km and fuel consumption of 6 L/100 km, refueling will cost approximately 2,380 Kč (€98).

An annual vignette for a standard gasoline or diesel passenger car costs 2,570 Kč (€105) in 2026. It is required to use toll sections of highways.

Fuel and the annual vignette for this mileage will total about 2,594 Kč (€106) per month. Insurance, parking, maintenance, and repairs are added to this amount.

Learn more about the most in-demand jobs on the Czech labor market by following the link.

Health Insurance and Medical Care in the Czech Republic

Health insurance in the Czech Republic depends on your residency and employment status. Foreigners with permanent residency and employees of Czech employers are typically covered by the public health insurance system. For salaried employees, the employer pays the premiums, deducting the employee’s share from their salary.

When calculating your budget, keep the following in mind:

- If you receive a salary after taxes and contributions have been deducted, do not count the insurance premiums already withheld as an additional expense

- If you fall into the OBZP category—participants in the public system without taxable income who are not covered by the state—the contribution in 2026 is 3,024 Kč (€124) per month

- If you are not covered by the public system, many types of long-term stays require comprehensive commercial insurance. Its cost is calculated based on age, duration, and coverage

The amount of 3,024 Kč is not a universal rate for all unemployed foreigners: you must first determine your eligibility to participate in the public system.

You can purchase travel insurance for a trip to the Czech Republic through Visit World. Choose a policy based on the purpose and duration of your stay. For long-term residence, verify that the coverage meets the requirements for your residence permit.

How much does it cost to raise a child in the Czech Republic?

The cost of raising a child in the Czech Republic depends significantly on the child’s age and the type of educational institution. For preschoolers, the main expenses are daycare and meals. For schoolchildren, additional costs include after-school programs, extracurricular activities, school supplies, and field trips.

Daycare Centers

In municipal kindergartens, the maximum fee for attendance in the 2026/2027 school year is 1,792 Kč (€73) per month. The specific amount is set by the facility’s operator; meals are paid for separately. Compulsory preschool education is free starting from the beginning of the school year following the child’s fifth birthday.

For example, at the Vesteč kindergarten, meals for children aged 3–6 cost 64 Kč per day: lunch and two snacks. For 20 days, this amounts to 1,280 Kč (€52).

A private full-day kindergarten in the Czech Republic costs an average of about 10,600 Kč (€434) per month.

School and Extended Day

Education at a public elementary school is free, including for foreign children. Parents pay for meals and additional services.

The school budget includes:

- After-school care at a municipal facility—up to 896 Kč (€37) per month in the 2026/2027 school year

- Lunches—at the school cafeteria rate, depending on age group

- Clubs, field trips, and school supplies—billed separately

For an international elementary school, the estimated cost is approximately 260,000 Kč (€10,650) per year. This amounts to roughly 21,700 Kč (€890) per month when the annual fee is divided by 12 months.

Learn more about the details and requirements for obtaining a digital nomad visa in the Czech Republic by following the link.

Where Is It Cheaper to Live in the Czech Republic: A Comparison of Cities

For comparison, let’s consider a family with a monthly budget of 60,000 Kč (€2,460) that rents a 70 m² apartment. Let’s see how much will be left after paying for housing to cover utilities, groceries, transportation, and the child’s needs.

We’ll calculate rent based on Deloitte’s city rates for the second quarter of 2026.

Prague

Rent for such an apartment will be approximately 32,340 Kč (€1,325) per month. That leaves 27,660 Kč (€1,134) from the family budget for all other expenses.

Housing is the biggest drain on the budget in Prague: in this example, it accounts for 54% of expenses. The remainder must cover utilities, food for three people, transportation, clothing, and leisure activities. A private daycare or car ownership would significantly reduce the amount the family could save.

Brno

An apartment of the same size costs about 27,300 Kč (€1,119). After paying rent, 32,700 Kč (€1,340) will remain.

Compared to Prague, the family will have an additional 5,040 Kč (€207) each month. This is a noticeable difference, but rent will still take up nearly half of the budget. Brno shouldn’t be considered a cheap option for relocation just because it isn’t the capital.

Pilsen

Estimated rent: 21,070 Kč (€864). This leaves 38,930 Kč (€1,595) for other expenses.

Housing accounts for about 35% of the family budget. Compared to Prague, this frees up 11,270 Kč (€462) each month. These funds can be allocated to children’s activities, medical expenses, or a financial reserve.

Ostrava

Rent for a 70 m² apartment will be approximately 17,780 Kč (€729). After paying rent, 42,220 Kč (€1,730) will remain.

Among the four cities, living in Ostrava offers the most opportunities to save part of the budget: rent accounts for about 30%. With the same income and apartment size, a family will have 14,560 Kč (€597) more each month than in Prague.

We previously reported that the Czech Republic is raising financial requirements for visas and residence permits: new rules and amounts.

How much money do you need to move to the Czech Republic?

The initial budget for moving to the Czech Republic includes living expenses, a security deposit for an apartment, a potential real estate agent’s commission, and document processing fees. The largest one-time payments usually occur when signing the lease agreement.

The security deposit (kauce), together with any penalties stipulated in the contract, cannot exceed three months’ rent excluding utilities. For a rent of 20,000 Kč, the maximum amount is 60,000 Kč. The real estate agent’s commission is negotiated separately; it is often equal to one month’s rent.

Let’s consider a couple planning to spend 50,000 Kč per month, including 20,000 Kč in rent. With a security deposit equal to two months’ rent, the calculation would be as follows:

- Three months’ rent – 150,000 Kč (€6,148)

- Security deposit for the apartment – 40,000 Kč (€1,639)

- Total without an agent – 190,000 Kč

(€7,787)

- If the agreed-upon full agency commission is 20,000 Kč – total 210,000 Kč (€8,607)

The rent for the first three months is already included in the living expenses. The security deposit is added separately: this money will remain with the landlord until the end of the lease and all payments under the contract have been settled.

The costs of moving to the Czech Republic also include travel expenses, moving costs, temporary housing, administrative fees, and document translations. If you need commercial health insurance, factor in the amount you’ll have to pay for the policy before submitting your documents.

If you’ve already chosen a country to move to, the next step is to prepare your documents and agree on submission deadlines. Contact the immigration lawyers at Visit World to review your document package, clarify the process for obtaining residency status for yourself and your family, and minimize the risk of delays due to errors in your application.

We remind you! Where in the European Union will it be cheapest to live in 2026? Read more about which EU countries have the lowest cost of living, and compare prices for groceries, transportation, utilities, housing, and daily expenses before moving.

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