Moving to the Czech Republic requires an understanding not only of the formal rules, but also of the real conditions of life, from everyday life to work, medicine, and education. The country attracts with its stability, security, and clear rules, but it has its own peculiarities that you should prepare for in advance. Learn more about life in the Czech Republic, costs, opportunities for foreigners, and conditions for legal residence

The Czech Republic is consistently among the countries most often chosen by Ukrainians for long-term stays or permanent residence. A safe environment, developed infrastructure, affordable cost of living compared to other EU countries, and a large Ukrainian diaspora make this country a convenient starting point for a new stage in life. This article describes what everyday life in the Czech Republic is really like: the labor market and salaries, the cost of rent and food, the healthcare and education systems, the peculiarities of the mentality, the rules of legalization, and the conditions for Ukrainians with temporary protection.

Are you planning to legalize your status in the Czech Republic and want to understand the documents without making unnecessary mistakes?

The Visit World immigration guide contains step-by-step instructions, a complete list of documents, and current requirements for obtaining a residence permit, permanent residence, or citizenship. Order the guide and receive all the necessary information in PDF format by email in a few minutes!

Pros and cons of living in the Czech Republic

The Central European location of the Czech Republic is one of the real advantages for those who want to travel or maintain business ties in the region. The country borders Germany, Austria, Poland, and Slovakia, so most major cities in Central Europe can be reached in a few hours. The climate here is temperate — winters are relatively mild, summers are warm without excessive heat, and spring and autumn are long with moderate rainfall. These conditions are well suited for people from Ukraine to adapt to.

The Czech Republic has one of the highest levels of safety in Europe: violent crimes are rare, public transport is safe even in the evening, and the law enforcement system works predictably. The country's own currency, the Czech koruna, keeps the cost of goods and services lower than in neighboring Eurozone countries. An additional plus for families with children is that higher education is free for foreigners who study in Czech. The country also has well-developed medical sectors, particularly cardiology, oncology, and ophthalmology.

At the same time, there are aspects that you should be prepared for in advance. Bureaucratic procedures in the Czech Republic require patience: paperwork can be delayed, queues at immigration offices are long, and it is difficult to predict exact deadlines. Without knowledge of the Czech language, full integration is significantly more difficult — most government agencies, doctors, and potential employers expect communication in Czech. Shops in most cities close relatively early, retail chains (except for grocery stores) do not work on Sundays, and there are only a limited number of 24-hour outlets in large cities. The rental market in Prague and Brno is oversaturated with demand — it can be difficult to find an option, especially without Czech-speaking assistance.

The labor market in the Czech Republic: where to look for work and how much to earn

The labor market in the Czech Republic shows consistently low unemployment and GDP growth, which creates real demand for skilled labor. The highest demand is for specialists in IT, engineering, medicine, and manufacturing. The regional distribution of demand is as follows: in Prague, IT specialists and business consultants are most in demand; in Brno, chemists and engineers; and in Plzeň, construction workers and industrial workers.

Three main deductions are made from salaries: social insurance — 6.5%, health insurance — 4.5%, and income tax — 15%. Thus, the net amount is approximately 75% of the gross amount.

How much does it cost to live in the Czech Republic: real figures

The approximate monthly expenses for a family of two in Prague are as follows: food — $464–522, rent for a one-room apartment with utilities — $1,044–1,508, additional expenses (mobile phone, travel card, hygiene products) — about $232. The total minimum amount is from $1,740 to $2,320 and above.

Compulsory health insurance is paid separately. For people without official taxable income, this amount is about $116–139 per month, and for the self-employed, it is $151 and above. For a family of three on a minimal budget, renting a two-room apartment, including utilities, groceries, and insurance, will cost approximately $1,998 per month. A comfortable level without significant restrictions starts at $3,240 per month. If you have your own car, eat out, and spend money on leisure activities, the total amount can be twice as much as the minimum.

With both adults working and a minimal budget, the balance after all expenses is about $627 per month. Over the course of a year, this allows you to save $7,000–8,000. Buying your own home is realistic in 7–10 years after increasing your income and saving up for a down payment.

Housing in the Czech Republic: rent, search, and market competition

Renting an apartment is the main form of accommodation for foreigners who have recently moved to the Czech Republic. The real estate market in large cities, especially in Prague and Brno, is characterized by a significant excess of demand over supply.

The search for a suitable option can take from several weeks to several months, and property owners usually choose from several applicants at once.

Without knowledge of the Czech language or with temporary legal status, it is significantly more difficult to find an apartment. Prices vary significantly depending on the city and specific area: in the capital, they are significantly higher than in smaller cities or their suburbs. At the same time, searching in advance, having your documents ready, and being prepared to make quick decisions will allow you to find an acceptable option within your budget.

Residence permits, permanent residence, and Czech citizenship: the main ways to legalize your status

Legal residence in the Czech Republic is possible in three main formats. A temporary residence permit (TRP) is issued for 1 year with the possibility of extension and is available to employees with an offer from an employer, students, entrepreneurs, and persons moving for family reasons. To apply for it, you must submit an application to the Czech consulate or migration service within the country, provide a passport, proof of financial capacity, insurance, a lease agreement, and relevant documents from your employer or educational institution.

Permanent residence (PR) becomes available after five years of legal residence on a residence permit. It grants most of the rights of citizens — the right to employment without additional permits, access to social and medical services, the ability to conduct business and own property — with the exception of voting rights. For family members of EU citizens, this period may be shortened.

Czech citizenship is granted after at least five years of residence with PR, with proven knowledge of the Czech language, no criminal record, and a stable income. The application is submitted to the relevant authority with a package of documents; if the decision is positive, the applicant takes an oath and receives a passport. The processing time is usually 6-12 months.

Healthcare in the Czech Republic: how does the system work for foreigners?

The healthcare system in the Czech Republic is based on compulsory health insurance. After officially finding employment or obtaining a long-term residence permit, foreigners are required to have an insurance policy that provides access to public hospitals and clinics. The overall level of medical services in the country is high, but there are some practical details that are worth knowing.

First, appointments with specialists in public clinics may require waiting. Second, most medicines, including antibiotics, are only available with a doctor's prescription. Third, ambulances are only called in truly urgent situations — for routine appointments, you must go to the clinic in person. At the initial stage, people who are not fluent in Czech often choose private clinics or doctors who speak English — this is more expensive, but more convenient for communication.

Education in the Czech Republic: from kindergarten to university

The Czech education system is considered one of the most stable in Central Europe. Children of foreigners who have a residence permit or permanent residence permit attend state kindergartens and schools on the same terms as citizens. Free higher education at state universities is available on the condition that you study in Czech, so most foreign students first take language preparatory courses — usually one year, reaching level B2.

There are also English-language programs at universities, but most of them are paid. Czech diplomas are recognized in EU countries, and studying at a university often becomes a convenient way to legalize your status and further build a career in the country. For families with children, free higher education is one of the significant long-term bonuses of moving.

Czech mentality and climate: what should you be prepared for?

The Czech Republic has a temperate continental climate without extreme temperature fluctuations. Winters are mild with little snow; summers are warm but not hot; spring and autumn are long with moderate rainfall. This climate is similar to that of Ukraine and does not require significant adaptation.

Czechs are generally reserved in communication, value personal space, and adhere to rules. Getting to know each other and becoming closer happens gradually — at first, it may seem that the locals are closed off or distant. At the same time, this reserve is combined with reliability, punctuality, and predictability, which has a positive effect on work and everyday interactions. Gradually learning the language and respecting local norms of behavior significantly accelerate the process of integration and establishing contact.

Visit World's Guide to Immigration to the Czech Republic: A Step-by-Step Guide to Legalization

Applying for a residence permit, permanent residence, or citizenship in the Czech Republic is a process with clear requirements, a list of documents, and set deadlines, but it can be difficult to understand all the details on your own. Up-to-date and structured information on the legalization procedure is contained in the Immigration Guide from Visit World — a PDF manual that is sent to your email address within a few minutes after ordering.

The guide covers all the key issues: step-by-step instructions for obtaining a temporary and permanent residence permit, as well as citizenship on various grounds; a complete list of required documents and the cost of processing; requirements for applicants and application processing times; rules for filling out forms; contact information for the relevant authorities in the country; practical advice for adapting and the benefits of resident or citizen status.

Order the Immigration Guide from Visit World and start preparing for your move with a full understanding of what steps await you and how to complete them correctly!

Reminder! The Czech Blue Card is an opportunity for highly qualified workers from non-EU countries to live and work in the Czech Republic. Who is eligible to apply for a Czech Blue Card, what documents are required, and what benefits the card offers — we explain it all here.

Photo: Depositphotos

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