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While Prague concentrates the bulk of professional and expat opportunities, Czechia offers several compelling alternatives depending on your relocation project. Here is an overview of the most attractive cities, with concrete data on rents, schools and expat profiles.

Prague: the capital, multinational hub

With about 1.35 million inhabitants (2.8 million for the metropolitan area), Prague is the Central European hub for multinationals (tech, finance, pharma, SSC). The average rent for a one-bedroom furnished apartment in expat districts ranges from CZK 20,000 to 35,000/month (~USD 825-1,440).

Almost all of the country's international schools are concentrated here: International School of Prague (ISP) in Prague 6, PBIS across multiple campuses, Park Lane, EISP, American Academy. Infrastructure is outstanding: 3 metro lines (A, B, C), 24/7 trams, buses, and V谩clav Havel Airport just 30 minutes from the centre.

Four neighbourhoods stand out for expats: Vinohrady (Prague 2) for international young professionals, Dejvice (Prague 6) for families with children at the ISP, 贬辞濒别拧辞惫颈肠别/尝别迟苍谩 (Prague 7) for creatives, 沤颈啪办辞惫 (Prague 3) for an alternative, more affordable option. Cultural life is dense: National Theatre, Philharmonic, Prague Spring Festival in May. Living in Prague means living within a living heritage.

Brno: the second city, a fast-growing tech hub

Capital of Moravia, Brno has about 400,000 inhabitants (750,000 in the metropolitan area) and stands out as a real technology hub with the presence of Avast, Red Hat, JetBrains. With more than 89,000 students, it is a young, dynamic city. Masaryk University is the country's second largest.

Rents are significantly more accessible than in Prague: CZK 15,000 to 22,000/month for a one-bedroom (~USD 620-905), 15 to 25% below the capital. For schooling, the International School of Brno and a few bilingual schools cover expat needs. The Brno MotoGP circuit and the proximity to Moravian vineyards round out the appeal. Prague is 2 hours away by motorway (A/D1) or 2h30 by train.

Ostrava, Plze艌 and Olomouc: affordable alternatives

Ostrava, the country's third city, offers rents 30 to 40% below Prague. The city, with its industrial heritage, hosts TOIS (Ostrava International School), the only IB continuum school outside Prague. Less cosmopolitan, it appeals to those prioritising cost of living.

Plze艌 (Pilsen), 90 minutes from Prague, is the birthplace of Pilsner beer. A student town with a quieter pace, it suits expats working remotely.

Olomouc, often called "Prague in miniature", is a stunning Moravian university city. Its Holy Trinity Column is UNESCO-listed. Highly affordable, it lies about 3 hours from Prague and appeals to those seeking authentic living away from mass tourism.

Relocation procedures in Czechia depend on whether you are an EU citizen or a third-country national. The country has several residence regimes, and a major overhaul of immigration law is expected in 2026, with greater digitalisation of procedures. The competent authority is the Ministerstvo vnitra (Ministry of the Interior), with the Cizineck谩 policie (Foreign Police) handling registrations.

EU/EEA and Swiss citizens

Nationals of EU, EEA and Switzerland enjoy freedom of movement and can live and work in Czechia without a visa or permit. For stays exceeding 3 months, registration with the Foreign Police is mandatory, with the issuance of a Potvrzen铆 o p艡echodn茅m pobytu (temporary residence certificate). This document is essential for opening a bank account, registering with a doctor or signing a lease. Processing takes up to 30 days. After 5 years of continuous legal residence, you can apply for permanent residence.

Non-EU nationals: main visas and permits

For third-country nationals (UK, US, Canada, Australia, etc.), short stays of 90 days within any 180-day period are permitted in the Schengen area without a visa. Since 12 October 2025, the biometric EES (Entry/Exit System) has been in force at Schengen borders.

For long-term relocation, several pathways exist. The Long-Stay Visa (V铆zum k pobytu nad 90 dn暖), also known as Type D visa, is valid for up to 1 year and is the first step for most professional or family projects. Once in Czechia, it can be converted into a biometric residence permit (Pobytov茅 opr谩vn臎n铆) valid for up to 3 years depending on the category.

The Employee Card (Zam臎stnaneck谩 karta) is for non-EU nationals with a Czech employment contract. It requires a job offer, a labour market test (a vacancy advertised for 30 days unless in exempt sectors), and government fees of CZK 2,500 to 5,000. Processing takes 60 to 180 days.

The EU Blue Card (Modr谩 karta EU) targets highly qualified professionals: a recognised university degree, a contract of at least 1 year, and a minimum salary equal to 1.5 times the national average wage 鈥� approximately CZK 73,450 gross/month in 2026. EU mobility becomes available after 18 months.

For self-employed individuals, the 沤ivnostensk媒 list (trade license) opens the way to 翱厂痴膶 status (sole trader). It is the most flexible route, covering consulting, IT, teaching, crafts and trade, but the business visa requires 90 to 120 days of processing.

Permanent residence, citizenship and health insurance

Trval媒 pobyt (permanent residence) is available after 5 years of continuous legal residence (reduced to 2 years for close family members of EU citizens). Fees are CZK 2,500 and processing takes up to 60 days from within Czechia. Czech citizenship can be applied for after 10 years of continuous permanent residence, with a Czech language test and a history/culture test required since 2014. Dual nationality has generally been accepted since 2013.

Health insurance is mandatory for any residence permit exceeding 90 days. Non-EU nationals without local employment must take out commercial insurance with minimum coverage of EUR 60,000, costing around EUR 100 to 300 annually depending on age and coverage.

For US citizens, FATCA reporting obligations remain. UK citizens post-Brexit are now subject to non-EU rules but retain certain rights under bilateral agreements. Plan your applications at least 3 to 4 months before departure for long-stay visas. All official information is available on the .

The Czech labour market is one of the most dynamic in the European Union. With unemployment among the lowest on the continent and a diversified economy driven by automotive industry, finance and tech, Czechia offers strong opportunities for qualified professionals, especially in Prague.

A tight and growing labour market

With unemployment at 2.7% in 2025, Czechia is experiencing a genuine shortage of skilled labour. Nominal wage growth reached +5.9% in 2025 and is forecast at +5.4% in 2026 鈥� well above inflation, meaning real purchasing power gains. Prague concentrates the bulk of tech, finance and shared services centre (SSC) jobs from multinationals: Amazon, Microsoft, IBM, SAP, Oracle, Accenture, Honeywell, Siemens, T-Mobile, Erste Bank, among others, operate major regional offices there.

Wages and social contributions in 2026

The 2026 minimum wage stands at CZK 22,400 gross/month (~USD 980), or about CZK 17,500 net, up 7.7% from 2025. The average gross salary reached CZK 48,967/month (~USD 2,015), with a median salary around CZK 45,523.

On contributions, employees pay a total of 11.6% of gross salary (social security + health insurance), while employers contribute an additional 33.8%. The tax administration is the Finan膷n铆 spr谩va.

The table below shows monthly gross salary ranges observed in Prague across the main growth sectors in 2026, giving a clear order of magnitude for qualified professionals.

Sources: , (2026 data).

Self-employment: 翱厂痴膶 and Trade License

The 翱厂痴膶 (sole trader) status is widespread in Czechia. Registration of the 沤ivnostensk媒 list costs around CZK 1,000 and can be completed online within a few days. It is a highly flexible structure, covering consulting, IT, teaching, crafts and trade.

For freelancers with moderate revenue, the Pau拧谩ln铆 da艌 lump-sum regime allows a fixed monthly payment covering income tax, social security and health insurance: CZK 9,984/month in 2026 for Band 1 (revenue 鈮� CZK 1 million). Alternatively, freelancers can apply a flat-rate expense deduction of 60% or 80% of gross income without supporting documents. As of 2026, the new JMHZ unified report replaces around 25 separate filings for employers 鈥� a major administrative simplification.

The Czech market is particularly welcoming to international profiles in Prague: English is sufficient in most large companies, while learning Czech becomes a major asset for moving up in administration or working outside the capital.

The Czech property market 鈥� and Prague's in particular 鈥� has tightened considerably over the past five years. Rents climbed more than 10% in 2024-2025, and a further 4-9% rise is expected in 2026. The good news: options remain varied across districts and budgets. There are no legal restrictions on foreigners buying property in Czechia.

The rental market and platforms

Prague concentrates the country's strongest demand. The average rent per m虏 reached CZK 475/m虏/month in Q3 2025 according to Deloitte. Most listings (65-75%) are furnished, matching expectations from expats and young professionals.

For your search, the main platforms are Sreality.cz, Bezrealitky.cz, Reality.cz, and Expats.cz, which offers English-language listings. Facebook groups like "Prague Expats Housing" complement these. Expect to pay one month's rent as deposit + one month in advance, sometimes a one-month agency fee.

Rents by Prague district

Districts Prague 1, 2 and 7 are the most expensive: in Prague 1 (Star茅 M臎sto, Mal谩 Strana), the average rent reaches CZK 33,810/month; in Prague 2 (Vinohrady, Nov茅 M臎sto) CZK 33,600/month 鈥� the iconic expat district with its Art Nouveau architecture; Prague 7 (Hole拧ovice, Letn谩) sits around CZK 32,760.

Mid-range districts popular with expats include Prague 6 (Dejvice, Bubene膷) at CZK 27,000-32,000 鈥� the family district par excellence with embassies, international schools and the ISP. Prague 8 (Karl铆n) at CZK 25,000-35,000 is a rapidly gentrifying area. Prague 5 (Sm铆chov, And臎l) at CZK 24,000-30,000.

More affordable: Prague 4 (~CZK 380/m虏), well connected by metro and tram, Prague 9 (Vyso膷any, Let艌any) with new developments, and Prague 10 (Vr拧ovice), gentrifying steadily.

Concrete benchmarks: a furnished studio (40-50 m虏) in Prague 2 costs between CZK 20,000 and 28,000/month. A furnished one-bedroom apartment ranges from CZK 25,000 to 35,000, and a three-bedroom from CZK 33,000 to 50,000. Outside the centre (Prague 4 or 9), a one-bedroom is available between CZK 14,000 and 20,000.

Sought-after neighbourhoods and buying property

Vinohrady (Prague 2) remains the iconic expat neighbourhood with its Art Nouveau buildings, caf茅s and parks (Havl铆膷kovy sady, Riegrovy sady). Letn谩/Hole拧ovice (Prague 7) attracts young creatives thanks to DOX, galleries and the Vltava riverside. Karl铆n (Prague 8), fully renovated after the 2002 floods, has become a modern hot-spot. Dejvice (Prague 6) appeals to families with its quiet, leafy streets near the ISP. Sm铆chov/And臎l (Prague 5) is a dynamic commercial hub, and 沤颈啪办辞惫 (Prague 3) remains the authentic, more affordable choice.

For property purchase, the average price per m虏 for new builds in Prague reaches CZK 150,000/m虏 in 2026 (an all-time high). Prestige properties in Prague 1 or 2 exceed CZK 250,000/m虏, while Prague 4 or 9 remain accessible at CZK 90,000-140,000/m虏. The property acquisition tax was abolished in 2020. Mortgages are accessible to foreigners holding a valid residence permit, at rates of around 4-5% in 2026.

Czechia offers excellent value for money for expats earning in strong currencies. With a stable economy, controlled inflation around 1.9% in 2026, and very competitive housing, food and transport costs, Prague remains one of Europe's most accessible capitals. It is also an advantage for local earners: nominal wages are growing faster than inflation, supporting purchasing power.

According to Numbeo (2026, including rent), Prague is 48% cheaper than New York. The Prague cost-of-living index stands at 59.6 (NYC = 100), while the quality-of-life index reaches 106.3, one of the best in Europe. The city is comparable to Budapest, but significantly cheaper than Vienna, Berlin or London.

Monthly budget for a single person in Prague

The table below shows an estimated monthly budget for a single person with a comfortable lifestyle in Prague (Numbeo / Profee, 2025-2026 data). These are indicative estimates, to adjust based on neighbourhood and lifestyle.

Monthly budget for a family of four in Prague

For a family of four, the budget excluding rent is estimated at around USD 2,600/month according to Numbeo. Adding suitable accommodation (3 bedrooms) and tuition, here is an indicative estimate for Prague.

Reference prices in Prague

To give a concrete idea: a meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs CZK 150 to 300 (the lunch "denn铆 menu" is often CZK 150-200), a coffee CZK 50-80, and a draught beer at the pub just CZK 25 to 50 鈥� among the cheapest in Europe. A transport ticket costs CZK 20 for 30 minutes, CZK 40 for 90 minutes.

Sources: (April 2026), , .

Czechia operates a universal healthcare system regularly ranked among the best in the EU by the WHO. Funded through employee and employer contributions, it offers comprehensive coverage at a reasonable cost 鈥� a major asset for relocating with a family.

The public health insurance system

The system is built around competing public health insurance funds, the largest being VZP (V拧eobecn谩 zdravotn铆 poji拧钮ovna), followed by OZP, VoZP and 膶PZP. All offer the same basic coverage: general practice, specialists, hospitalisation, surgery, maternity, subsidised medication and basic dental care.

The country has more than 25,000 hospitals, clinics and practitioners. Life expectancy reaches 80 years for men and 84 for women. Pharmacies (濒茅办谩谤苍补), recognisable by their green cross, are widespread and well-stocked.

On contributions: employees pay 4.5% of gross salary, employers 9%, with no ceiling on health contributions. The State funds dependants (children, students, retirees) at CZK 1,900/month.

Access for expats

For EU/EEA citizens employed by a Czech company, registration with public health insurance is automatic. The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) covers temporary visits for emergency care, but not scheduled treatment.

For non-EU nationals employed in Czechia, public system access is immediate. Bilateral health agreements exist with the US, Japan, Turkey, Serbia, Albania and Israel, among others. Those who do not fall into any of these categories must take out commercial insurance with minimum coverage of EUR 60,000 for stays exceeding 90 days.

Good news for families: since January 2024, all children under 18 holding a long-term residence permit are covered by public insurance (parents pay the contributions).

Commercial insurance and quality of care

The leading insurer for expats is PVZP (Poji拧钮ovna VZP), linked to VZP. Other companies 鈥� Slavia, Allianz, Generali, Kooperativa 鈥� offer comprehensive health policies at rates between CZK 2,500 and 8,000/year (~USD 100-330) depending on age and coverage.

Quality of care is excellent in Prague and major cities. Public-sector waiting times can reach 2 to 8 weeks for non-urgent specialist consultations. Private consultations, available without delay, typically cost between CZK 500 and 1,500. Dental tourism to Prague is widespread, with costs 40-60% lower than in Western Europe.

Reference hospitals

Several institutions stand out for their excellence and international patient services: Facultn铆 nemocnice Motol (Prague 5, the country's largest hospital, world-class paediatrics), Nemocnice Na Homolce (cardiology, neurology, English-speaking services), IKEM (cardiology and surgery), and the Canadian Medical Center or Medicover Hospital for premium multilingual private care. In emergencies, dial 112 (European number) or 155 for the ambulance service.

The Czech tax system is one of the country's main draws for expats. Managed by the Finan膷n铆 spr谩va, it is built on a moderate flat-rate income tax for most taxpayers, the absence of wealth and inheritance taxes, and an extensive network of double tax treaties 鈥� including with the US, UK, Canada, Australia and most other major economies.

Personal income tax: 15% for the vast majority

The personal income tax structure relies on two simple bands:

1. 15% on annual income up to 36 times the average monthly wage, i.e. CZK 1,762,812/year in 2026 (~USD 73,450).
2. 23% above this threshold 鈥� a progressive rate that only applies to high earners.

Over 95% of employees fall entirely within the 15% band. A basic tax credit of CZK 30,840/year is automatically deducted for any resident, further reducing the effective rate. Other credits include: low-income spouse (CZK 24,840/year under conditions), children (CZK 15,204 for the first, CZK 22,320 for the second, CZK 27,840 for the third), mortgage interest (up to CZK 150,000/year), supplementary pension and life insurance (up to CZK 48,000/year).

Tax residence is established by permanent residence in Czechia or by spending at least 183 days in the country during a calendar year. Tax residents are taxed on their worldwide income, while non-residents are taxed only on Czech-source income. Tax returns must be filed by 1 April (paper), 1 May (electronic) or 1 July (via tax advisor).

Corporate income tax and VAT

Corporate income tax stands at 21% since 2024 (raised from 19%). Basic investment funds are taxed at 5%, pension funds at 0%.

VAT (DPH) applies a standard rate of 21% and a reduced rate of 12% on food, water, books, medicines, restaurant services, accommodation and local public transport. The VAT registration threshold has been raised to CZK 2 million in annual revenue since 2025.

Major 2026 update: crypto and investments

Since 2026, capital gains on cryptocurrencies and securities are fully exempt if the holding period reaches at least 3 years, or if annual gross proceeds do not exceed CZK 100,000. The exemption ceiling for securities held over 3 years reaches CZK 40 million in gross proceeds. This is a particularly favourable regime for individual investors.

No wealth tax, no inheritance tax

Other appealing features include: no wealth tax, no inheritance or gift tax (abolished in 2008), and no property acquisition tax (abolished in 2020). The property tax (da艌 z nemovitost铆) remains very modest. Czech-source dividends and interest are subject to a 15% withholding tax (35% for residents of countries without a tax treaty).

An extensive treaty network

Czechia has signed 99 double taxation treaties, including with the US (in force since 1993, capping dividend withholding at 15%), the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, China, India, South Korea and most major economies. US citizens remain subject to FATCA reporting and worldwide US taxation, but the foreign tax credit applies on Czech-paid taxes. Foreign pensions are taxed as income in Czechia for tax residents, with treaty relief in most cases. For more details, see the .

The Czech Republic is an increasingly popular destination for international students. In 2023, around 55,000 foreign students were enrolled in full-degree tertiary programs 鈥� that's about 18 % of all students at public and private higher education institutions in the country. Czech higher education attracts students from over 160 countries, with the largest groups coming from Slovakia, Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and India. Popular fields of study include engineering, IT, business, medicine, and international relations, reflecting both the Czech Republic's academic strengths and the demands of the global job market.

The Czech education system combines a free, high-quality public option, well-respected international schools concentrated in Prague, and Czech universities ranked among the oldest and most prestigious in Central Europe. Tuition for international families ranges widely depending on the curriculum chosen.

The Czech public system

Public education is entirely free for residents, both citizens and foreigners 鈥� but instruction is delivered in Czech. This makes it less suitable for non-Czech-speaking children in the short to medium term, except for very young learners.

The system includes 箩别蝉濒臎 (nurseries, ages 1-3, fee-paying at ~CZK 5,000-10,000/month), mate艡sk谩 拧kola (M艩) (kindergartens, ages 3-6, free for ages 5-6 and heavily subsidised before), then primary and secondary education. Quality is solid, as reflected in PISA scores, and higher education is internationally recognised.

International schools and main institutions

Almost all international schools are located in Prague (with the notable exception of TOIS in Ostrava). Fees vary considerably depending on institution and grade level, as shown in the selection below.

The International School of Prague (ISP), in Prague 6 - Nebu拧ice, is the largest and oldest (founded 1948). It offers the IB continuum (PYP-MYP-DP) to over 60 nationalities. Fees for 2025-26 start at CZK 425,000 first year (including registration), rising to CZK 658,000/year for Grades 11-12.

The Prague British International School (PBIS) offers the British curriculum (IGCSE, A-Levels) and IB from 18 months to 19 years, with fees of CZK 300,000 to 438,200/year. Park Lane International School (Prague 1) and the English International School Prague (EISP, Prague 4) are other British references. The American Academy Prague follows the American curriculum at around CZK 298,500/year.

The English College in Prague (ECP) is a selective IB secondary school for ages 13-19, with a strong academic reputation. Riverside School offers an English/IB international approach. For families relocating to Brno, the International School of Brno is the main choice, while the Ostrava International School (TOIS) offers the only IB continuum outside Prague (fees from CZK 173,000 in early years to CZK 290,000 in DP).

Overall, expect CZK 200,000 to 700,000/year for international schools in Prague, with additional registration fees of CZK 15,000 to 30,000, plus lunch and extra-curricular activities.

Czech universities

Charles University in Prague (Karlova Univerzita), founded in 1348, is the oldest in Central Europe and ranks among the top 100 universities in Europe 鈥� particularly strong in medicine, law and humanities. 膶痴鲍罢 (Czech Technical University) is recognised in engineering, 痴艩贰 in business and economics, and Masaryk University in Brno is the country's second academic hub.

English-taught programmes are plentiful: expect CZK 60,000 to 300,000/year for non-EU students, up to CZK 500,000/year for medicine. EU students typically pay nothing or very little, just like Czech citizens. Recognition of foreign qualifications goes through a nostrification procedure handled directly by Czech universities.

A successful move to Czechia requires solid administrative and logistical preparation. Here is a detailed checklist to navigate the first weeks in Prague or elsewhere in the country smoothly. Plan your administrative steps at least 2-3 months before departure.

1. Visa and residence permit: file your long-stay visa or Employee Card application 3 to 4 months before arrival for non-EU nationals. EU citizens should plan their registration with the Cizineck谩 policie within 30 days of arrival if their stay exceeds 3 months.
2. Address registration: this is the cornerstone of all subsequent procedures. For non-EU nationals, registration with the Foreign Police must be completed within 3 days of arrival. Bring your passport, signed lease and proof of address.
3. Tax number (DI膶): essential for signing an employment contract or starting 翱厂痴膶 activity. Request from the Finan膷n铆 煤艡ad (local tax office) according to your address.
4. Local bank account: easy opening with passport and proof of address at the main Czech banks (KB, 膶SOB, 膶esk谩 spo艡itelna, Raiffeisenbank, Air Bank). Air Bank and Fio Banka are known for simple online services. Revolut and Wise remain useful, but a Czech account is necessary to receive a local salary and pay rent via SIPO direct debit.
5. Health insurance: check your coverage from day one. For long-stay permits, commercial insurance is mandatory unless you are covered by a Czech employer or a bilateral agreement. PVZP is the reference insurer for expats.
6. Housing: start your permanent housing search from abroad via Sreality.cz or Expats.cz. Prefer a short-term rental (Airbnb, furnished accommodation) for the first 3-4 weeks, allowing time for stress-free viewings.
7. Transport: in Prague, forget the car (parking is complicated and expensive in the blue/orange zones). The monthly public transport pass (3 metro lines, 24/7 trams, buses) costs only CZK 330/month, about USD 14. The annual pass is around CZK 3,300.
8. Driving licence: EU/EEA licences are valid without exchange. Non-EU holders may exchange under reciprocity conditions, otherwise the Czech licence (艡idi膷sk媒 pr暖kaz) must be obtained. Driving is on the right.
9. Trade License (沤ivnostensk媒 list) for freelancers: registration online or in person, completed in a few days. Separate registration with social security (OSSZ) and a health insurance fund is required.
10. School enrolment: ideally start 4-6 months before arrival for Prague's most sought-after international schools (ISP, PBIS, EISP). Documents: report cards, school certificates, vaccination records.
11. Czech language classes: essential for everyday procedures outside Prague. Even basic level is highly appreciated by locals and significantly facilitates integration.
12. Home country formalities: register with your embassy or consulate in Prague, sort out home-country tax obligations (especially for US citizens with FATCA, and UK citizens dealing with HMRC), notify former insurers, and arrange international moving services if needed.

Daily life in Czechia is generally relaxed and orderly, with people tending to be polite, reserved, and punctual. Cities like Prague and Brno are lively but not overwhelming, offering a balanced mix of work, culture, and leisure, while smaller towns are quieter and community-focused. Expats can expect a calm, structured environment where daily life runs smoothly, making it easy to settle in. Crime rates are low compared with many other European countries, and violent crime is rare.

Moving to Czechia means access to extraordinary heritage and a rich culture. Prague is one of the few major European cities to have emerged from World War II without bombing, leaving an architectural patrimony unique in the world. Beyond the capital, the country offers diverse landscapes, spa towns and living traditions.

Prague: a UNESCO-listed historic centre

The historic centre of Prague has been UNESCO-listed since 1992 and brings together the Old Town (Star茅 M臎sto), Mal谩 Strana, New Town (Nov茅 M臎sto) and the Castle district (Hrad膷any).

The must-sees: Prague Castle (Pra啪sk媒 hrad), the world's largest castle complex at 70,000 m虏 and home to St. Vitus Cathedral with its Alfons Mucha stained-glass windows; Charles Bridge (Karl暖v most), a medieval bridge lined with 30 baroque statues; Old Town Square with its famous Astronomical Clock (Pra啪sk媒 orloj, 1410), the oldest still-functioning of its kind in the world; the Klementinum and its baroque library; the Jewish Quarter (Josefov) with 6 synagogues and the old cemetery; Vy拧ehrad Castle, quieter and home to the graves of Dvo艡谩k, Smetana and Mucha.

Culture, museums and architecture

Prague shines with cultural richness. The Mucha Museum showcases the works of the Art Nouveau master. The DOX Centre for Contemporary Art in Hole拧ovice is the reference in Czech contemporary art. The Dancing House (Tan膷铆c铆 d暖m), designed by Frank Gehry and Vlado Miluni膰 (1996), is the icon of deconstructivist Prague architecture. Pet艡铆n Hill, accessible by funicular, features a Czech replica of the Eiffel Tower and a cherry-blossom display each spring.

The cultural calendar is set by the Prague Spring Festival (Pra啪sk茅 jaro) in May, a classical music event of international prestige, the National Theatre (N谩rodn铆 divadlo) and the Czech Philharmonic. Christmas markets, on Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square, are among Europe's finest (late November to early January).

Nature, beer and the art of living

Prague offers great green spaces: Letn谩 Park with its panoramic views and famous beer garden; Stromovka Park, dubbed "Prague's Central Park"; the Vltava for cruises, kayaking or pedal boating.

Beer culture is central to Czechia, which holds the highest per-capita beer consumption in the world (~185 litres/year). Pilsner Urquell (Plze艌) and Budweiser Budvar are the historic brands, but microbreweries flourish in Prague (Pivovar Jinonick媒, Matu拧ka, Vinohradsk媒 pivovar). The Prague Beer Festival takes place in May at Letn谩. For something unusual: a Beer Spa, with baths in hopped beer and unlimited draught beer.

Beyond Prague: must-see escapes

Czechia is full of gems within easy reach of Prague. 膶esk媒 Krumlov (UNESCO), a medieval town in Southern Bohemia, hosts the country's second-largest castle (2h30 from Prague). Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad), a renowned spa town, hosts the prestigious International Film Festival in July. Kutn谩 Hora (UNESCO, 1h from Prague) is famous for its St. Barbara's Cathedral and the striking Sedlec Ossuary, decorated with 40,000 human bones.

Brno, capital of Moravia and the country's second city, is home to Villa Tugendhat (UNESCO), a Bauhaus masterpiece. The Moravia region is the Czech wine country, with wine routes and villages like Mikulov, Znojmo and Valtice-Lednice (UNESCO). For nature lovers, Bohemian Switzerland National Park impresses with the Prav膷ick谩 br谩na, the largest natural sandstone arch in Europe.

Czech cuisine is also worth exploring: sv铆膷kov谩 na smetan臎 (beef sirloin in cream sauce), 驳耻濒谩拧, 惫别辫艡辞-办苍别诲濒辞-锄别濒辞 (pork, knedl铆ky and sauerkraut), all paired with a fresh draught beer in a traditional hospoda.

Moving to Czechia means joining a country at the heart of Europe combining quality of life, economic stability and moderate cost. Prague offers the professional opportunities of a major capital within a preserved medieval setting, with an attractive tax system and a high-performing healthcare system. Brno, Ostrava and other cities offer a quieter lifestyle at even more accessible prices. Whether you are seeking a new professional adventure, a fulfilling family setting or a dynamic entrepreneurial environment, Czechia deserves serious consideration. The expat community is diverse, welcoming and rapidly growing.