City guide

🇨🇿 Living in Prague

15% flat tax, 50-60% cheaper than Western Europe, heart of Europe with an active tech scene

Not sure Prague is your city? Take the 2-minute quiz →

At a glance

Population
1.3 million (metro: 2.7M)
Currency
CZK
Avg. salary
€25,000–€45,000
Effective tax
18–22%
Climate
Continental
Tax regime
15% flat (23% above ~€77k)
Nomad visa
Yes

Net salary calculator

Calculate your take-home pay in Prague with our detailed tax calculator.

Calculate net salary →

Cost of living

Rent (1-bed, center)€1,040/mo
Rent (1-bed, suburb)€900/mo
Groceries (single)€250/mo
Groceries (family)€550/mo
Transport pass€25/mo
Restaurant (2 people, mid-range)€45
Coffee€3.30
Gym membership€55/mo
HealthcarePublic system via mandatory insurance, ~€50/month
Frugal
€1,300
/month
Moderate
€1,900
/month
Comfortable
€2,700
/month

Budget calculator

Build a detailed monthly budget for Prague based on your lifestyle.

Build your budget →

Why choose Prague?

15% flat tax on most incomes, one of the lowest in the EU

Cost of living 50-60% lower than Paris, London, or Amsterdam

Heart of Europe: 2h flight to Paris, London, Berlin, Vienna

Active startup scene: Avast, Rohlik, Productboard, JetBrains office

UNESCO World Heritage old town, 1,000 years of history, rich culture

Cheapest beer in Europe (~€2), vibrant nightlife and food scene

Živnostenský list, freelance/trade license popular with digital nomads

Quality of life

Overall
7.5
Safety
8.5
Healthcare
7.5
Education
8
Air Quality
6.5
Culture
9.5
Expat Community
8.5
English Proficiency
7

Moving to Prague : checklist

  1. 1Research visa (EU: register, non-EU: employee card or Živnostenský list)
  2. 2Calculate net salary (15% flat + 11% social contributions)
  3. 3Find accommodation (Sreality.cz, Bezrealitky.cz)
  4. 4Register with Foreign Police within 30 days
  5. 5Get rodné číslo (birth number) for tax and admin
  6. 6Open bank account (Fio Banka, Raiffeisenbank, Revolut)
  7. 7Register with health insurance (VZP, ČPZP)
  8. 8Learn basic Czech (Ahoj, Děkuji, Prosím): locals appreciate it

Frequently asked questions

What is the cost of living in Prague?+
Prague is very affordable. A single person needs €1,300–1,900/month. Rent for a 1-bed in the center averages €1,040, about half of what you'd pay in Paris or Amsterdam. Beer costs ~€2, dining out is incredibly cheap.
How much tax will I pay in Prague?+
Czech Republic has a near-flat 15% income tax on most incomes (23% above ~€77,400). Employee social contributions are 11% (6.5% pension + 4.5% health). Effective total rate is typically 18-22%, very competitive in the EU.
Is Prague good for expats?+
Very good, Prague has a large and growing expat community, excellent quality of life for the price, and a central European location. The younger generation speaks English well. The Živnostenský list makes freelancing easy.
What is the average salary in Prague?+
Average gross salary in Prague is CZK 55,000–65,000/month (€2,200–2,600). Tech roles pay CZK 80,000–120,000/month (€3,200–4,800). Combined with low costs, savings potential is comparable to Western Europe.
Do I need to speak Czech?+
For most tech and international jobs, English is sufficient. However, Czech is needed for daily life (shops, offices, healthcare). The younger generation (under 35) generally speaks good English. Learning basic Czech phrases is highly recommended.

Compare Prague with

🇨🇿vs🇩🇪
Prague vs Berlin
+38% cost
🇨🇿vs🇵🇹
Prague vs Lisbon
+12% cost
🇨🇿vs🇦🇹
Prague vs Vienna
+44% cost

Move to Prague from

🇫🇷→🇨🇿
Paris → Prague
🇬🇧→🇨🇿
London → Prague
🇧🇪→🇨🇿
Brussels → Prague
🇨🇭→🇨🇿
Geneva → Prague
🇦🇹→🇨🇿
Vienna → Prague
Explore Czech work culture →

These figures are indicative and based on public datasets. They are not tax advice. Consult a licensed tax advisor or financial professional before making relocation or employment decisions.

EXPATRIATION.IO

Going further with your move?

Explore expatriation.io for the guides, tools and resources to plan your expatriation, all in one place.

Explore expatriation.io