last update: 20.06.2007
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Housing, Family Life, Leisure Time, Everyday necessities

Houses and flats

Flats may be owned by

municipalities/towns, housing cooperatives, individuals and legal entities.

Municipal flats are always rented flats – the people who live in them have concluded an occupational lease with the municipality, and they pay rent.

A housing cooperative (hereinafter only referred to as "cooperative") is a legal entity formed by members that has its own rules and governing bodies. The cooperative is the owner of the building and flats are rented to members of the cooperative.

Renting a house or a flat

How Do I Rent A Flat (Apartment) in the Czech Republic? http://www.czechpoint101.com/renting.html

Currently, tenants pay for one of two rental types.

When renting a house or apartment on the free market, you can only arrange a "contractual rent." This is based on mutual agreement between the owner of the building and the tenant.

The country's most expensive housing is in Prague, where the average price for a square meter is 30% above the country average. The country average is approximately CZK 21,600 per square meter.

Standard housing unit has a water supply, proper bathroom facilities or at least a shower and proper toilet facilities.
Currently, more than four-fifths of housing units have central heating, three-thirds are connected to the sewer system and almost two-thirds have a gas supply.

Childcare

Child care http://www.expats.cz/prague/article/parents-kids/child-care-in-prague/

Babysitting

Budget: In-home sitters generally range from 90 -140 CZK an hour, with most agencies charging at least 110 CZK an hour for experienced sitters.

Private nurseries vary widely in how much they charge: anywhere from around 7,000 CZK per month for a few days a week of half-day care to upwards of 15,000 CZK per month for full-time care. 

Types of Care

In-Home Babysitting Prague has both agencies and independent sitters.  Agencies have several advantages: they are licensed and insured (as are their sitters), they can find a replacement if the sitter is sick, and they pre-screen their sitters. Expat parents have found mediocre sitters at "good" agencies and great nannies at so-so agencies. 

The expats discussion forum (http://www.expats.cz/prague/whats_new.php) frequently lists postings by and for sitters, as does the list serve for members of the International Women Association of Prague (IWAP) http://www.expats.cz/prague/czech/community/iwap/ . 

Nurseries

New child care facilities appear regularly in Prague. For children at least 6 months of age, most options are state nurseries. Your local town hall will have a list of these facilities under jesle. For children 12 months and up, some state nurseries offer babysitting facilities, such as Dětské Jesle also accepts one-year-olds and older children.

Tourism

Since time immemorial, the Czech lands have been the crossroads of European cultures. The cultural character of Czech cities, villages and spa towns has always been a source of inspiration to visitors and guests, who come here from all corners of the world. The tourist regions are dotted with charming towns, castles and chateaux (the most per square mile of any country in the world!),  ancient villages and, of course, many spas, all waiting to be discovered.

Golden Prague

The magical city of bridges, cathedrals, gold-tipped towers and church domes, whose image has been mirrored in the surface of the Vltava river for more than ten centuries. Prague is also a modern European metropolis full of energy, music, and art. It's a city of contrasts: Serene green isles in the river and peaceful parks draping the city's seven hills are just steps away from the architectural treasures and bustling street life of the city center. It's a place where different architectural styles stand cheek by jowl, creating an atmosphere that's both intimate and romantic, and quite impossible to forget once you visit.

Spa towns

There are numerous mineral springs on the Czech territory which have been used for medicinal purposes since the early 15th century. Located in picturesque natural landscapes, Czech spa towns are attractive for both their urbanistic layout and their unique spa architecture. Some spa houses even boast elaborate original furnishings.

The magic castles and châteaux

The Czech lands boast an extraordinarily high number of cultural monuments. Over 2,000 preserved castles and chateaux represent an important part of the national cultural heritage, both in terms of their number and in terms of their historical and artistic value; their significance transcends national borders, and more than a few of these structures are important even in the global cultural context.

Religious sites

Religious sites and places of pilgrimage are a great part of architectural heritage of the Czech Republic. Although most of the churches, monasteries, chapels and pilgrimage places are Roman-Catholic, there also are many Jewish and Orthodox Christian sights. Religious architecture has gone through more than a thousand years' development.

Active Holidays

The Czech Republic is an ideal country for active holiday, where you can relax as well as improve your physical condition. In case you decide for relaxation, you have a choice of various wellness offers. Lovers of “adrenaline” sports will be pleased by wide possibilities of bungee jumping.

For more information see http://www.czechtourism.com

Communications and Post Offices

Privatization and modernization of the Czech telecommunication system got a late start but is advancing steadily; growth in the use of mobile cellular telephones is particularly vigorous.

The international country code is 420.

Internet country code: .cz

Internet users: 4.8 million, Internet hosts: 819,773 (2005)

Couriers & Forwarders

http://www.businessinfo.cz/en/articles/couriers-forwarders/1001078/

Major courier and forwarding service providers in the Czech Republic render delivery services within, from and to the CR. Most of the logistics companies provide also moving & relocation services that might be of use to expatriates considering relocation to or from the Czech Republic.

Association of Forwarding and Logistics http://www.sslczech.cz/

Czech Logistics Association http://www.logistika.cz/

DHL http://www.dhl.cz/

FedEx http://www.inspekta.cz/

UPS http://www.ups.com/

TNT http://www.tnt.com/

Maurice Ward & Co. http://www.mauriceward.com/

Čechofracht http://www.cechofracht.cz/

Birkart http://www.birkart.cz/

Schenker http://www.schenker.cz/

Cargo-Partner http://www.cargo-partner.com/

Currency

Currency code: CZK

The official currency of the Czech Republic is the Czech Crown (koruna), abbreviated as Kč, with the international abbreviation CZK. The approximate value of 100 CZK is 3 EUR/4 USD.

Coins: 50 hal., 1 Kč, 2 Kč, 5 Kč, 10 Kč, 20 Kč, 50 Kč   
Banknotes: 20 Kč, 50 Kč, 100 Kč, 200 Kč, 500 Kč, 1000 Kč, 2000 Kč, 5000 Kč   
Check out the exchange rates updated daily by Czech National Bank (CNB) http://www.cnb.cz/en/index.html

Currencies Accepted :

Czech Republic is not yet a part of the European Union EuroZone and therefore paying in EUR is possible rather exceptionally (in some hotels, restaurants or stores mainly in Prague and other large cities).

Money Tips for Travelers

Always change money in a bank or take cash out of ATM machines, which are plentiful in Prague and every larger town. ATM machines are a very convenient way to get Czech crowns.You can also use your card to make payments. Major credit cards are accepted in mayor locations. The change you receive will be in Czech crowns.

Shopping basket

Czech TV’s regular program Here in Europe publicizes a survey of prices across various states of the European Union. It shows, for example, that the prices of groceries in the Czech Republic are nearly the same as prices elsewhere in Central Europe – mainly those in Poland and Hungary; however, they are incomparably lower for example than in the United Kingdom or Belgium.

Living Costs

http://www.expats.cz/prague/article/prague-relocation/cost-of-living/

The following should give you some idea of the average prices for living in Czech Republic:

All prices are, of course, variable. Most prices will deviate 20% in both directions, depending on where you shop/eat/live, and the quality of the goods or services.  Prices for accommodation and utilities will especially fluctuate.  All prices include taxes – a 19% VAT (value added tax) in most cases.

Banks

Opening hours:

Monday to Friday usually from 8 AM to 5 PM, some branch offices open on Saturdays.

All banks provide foreign exchange operations and offer an entire range of banking services:

Citibank http://www.businessinfo.cz/redir/568/

CSOB (Czech and Slovak Commercial Bank) http://www.businessinfo.cz/redir/569/

eBanka http://www.businessinfo.cz/redir/570/ Internet banking, mobile banking services.

HVB Bank Czech Republic http://www.businessinfo.cz/redir/567/

Komerční banka http://www.businessinfo.cz/redir/571/

Živnostenská banka http://www.businessinfo.cz/redir/572/

Czech Export Bank http://www.businessinfo.cz/redir/539/ Provides state - supported export financing.

Czech National Bank http://www.businessinfo.cz/redir/500/ Provides the official data and information on financial and economic situation of the Czech Republic, analytical reports and financial statistics. Issues daily official exchange rate of Czech koruna (Czech national currency) to other currencies.

Czech-Moravian Guarantee and Development Bank http://www.businessinfo.cz/redir/514/

provides assistance to small- and medium- sized enterprises

Cuisine

http://www.myczechrepublic.com/czech_culture/czech_cuisine.html

Although Czech cuisine is not the best choice for vegetarians, everybody will most likely find at least a couple of meals "to die for". It may be the potato soup, the traditional roast pork with dumplings and sauerkraut, the fruit filled dumplings, or the apple strudel. Czech cooking and eating habits have been shifting in the general direction of a healthier lifestyle, but traditional Czech recipes are still extremely popular - and those tend to be high in calories, fat and sugar. Sauces and condiments are popular. Czech meal is often accompanied by the national beverage, which is beer.

For restaurants in Prague see: http://www.pragueexperience.com/restaurants/restaurants.asp

Moving animals and plants, Pets

Veterinary doctors can be found at the Zlaté stránky directory http://zlatestranky.idnes.cz/

The non-commercial transfer of animals in the EU in cases where these animals are used for special breeding purposes (dogs, cats, and ferrets) is possible between EU Member States or from a third country to the EU only if:
- the transported animals do not show any signs of disease;
- they are tattooed or have had a microchip inserted for purposes of identification;
- they are vaccinated against rabies, and revaccinated every year;
- they have been vaccinated against distemper (this applies to dogs only);
- they are accompanied by an individual certificate which enables them to be clearly identified.

Transportered animals under three months old must not show any signs of disease, must be accompanied by an individual certificate enabling their clear identification.
They must not be a breed which is subject to measures restricting their movement.

CITES

The import, export and re-export of protected species of flora and fauna, both living and dead, is only possible on the basis of an authorisation given by the Ministry of the Environment CR (http://www.env.cz/).

Useful links and addresses:

http://www.myczechrepublic.com/

http://www.expats.cz/ International portal

http://www.en.domavcr.cz/ Helping foreigners to find a home in CR

http://www.czech.cz/ The official website of the Czech Republic

http://www.pragueexperience.com/ Guide for Prague events

http://www.mvcr.cz/ Ministry of Interior of the Czech Republic

http://www.cs.mfcr.cz/cmsgrc/ Czech Customs Administration

http://www.svscr.cz/ State Veterinary Administration of the Czech Republic

(Portal on Learning Opportunities throughout the European Space: http://europa.eu.int/ploteus/portal/ ).

http://portal.mpsv.cz/sz

http://www.hotjobs.cz/

Academic Information Agency http://www.dzs.cz/

Centre for Higher Education System (http://www.csvs.cz/).

Information guide for foreign nationals residing with their children in the Czech Republic:

http://www.mzcr.cz/data/c2166/lib/Pruvodce_zdravotni_peci_o_deti_ENG.pdf ale odkaz asi nefunguje

http://www.mzcr.cz/; http://www.czech.cz/;

http://www.czech.cz/en/basic-facts/health-and-health-care/healthcare-system/receiving-health-care/

http://www.msmt.cz/uok/ru_list.php?lang=en&dl=en

Application procedure for recognition of professional qualifications

http://www.msmt.cz/uok/procedure.php?sec=postup&w=1

http://www.czech.cz/

http://www.myczechrepublic.com/

http://www.en.domavcr.cz/rady.shtml?x=157143 Home in the Czech Republic

This Website should facilitate the foreigner´s living in the Czech Republic. You can find here a number of practical advice for living, but also interesting news from the societal life of communities living in the Czech Republic.