Moving to Czechia: visas, cost of living & immigrant guide

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Population

10,702,498

Population Growth Rate

-0.15%

Urban Population

73.400000

Population in Major Urban Areas

PRAGUE (capital) 1.276 million

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Age Structure

15.090000

Median Age

41.400000

Birth Rate - births/1,000 population

9

Death Rate - deaths/1,000 population

11.01

Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman

1.29

Contraceptive Prevalance Rate - female 12-49

86.3%

Contraceptive Prevalence Rate - female 12-49

86.3%

Mean Age for Mother's First Birth (age 25-49)

27.6

Mother's mean age at first birth

27.6

Sex Ratio at Birth - male/female

1.060000

Net Migration Rate - migrant(s)/1,000 population

.98

Ethnic Groups

Czech 81.2%, Moravian 13.2%, Slovak 3.1%, Polish 0.6%, German 0.5%, Silesian 0.4%, Roma 0.3%, Hungarian 0.2%, other 0.5%

Language Note

Czech belongs to the Slavic group of languages.

The central European nation is ethnically quite homogeneous.

The only noticeable minority is Roms (Gypsies), who are bilingual.

Many Czechs speak German, French, Russian or English as a second language, depending on their generation.

Younger Czechs generally use English as a second language.

The Czech Republic came into existence first in 1918, and then on 1 January 1993 the division of the Czech and Slovak Republics.

In their language days, months, season and lots of other words are wrote with non-capitalized first letters.

Nationality Noun

Czech(s)

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Literacy - total population

99%

Literacy - male

99%

Literacy - female

99%

Literacy Definition

NA

Education Expenditures - percent of GDP

4.2%

Total School Life Expectancy - (primary to tertiary)

16.000000

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Life Expectancy at Birth

77.560000

Infant Mortality Rate

3.670000

Infant Mortality Rate - total deaths/1,000 live births

3.670000

Maternal Mortality Rate - deaths/100,000 live births

5

Hospital Bed Density - beds/1,000 population

7

Health Expenditures - percent of GDP

7.4%

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

32.7%

Drinking Water Source - percent of urban population improved

99.900000

Sanitation Facility Access - percent of urban population improved

100.000000

Underweight - percent of children under five years

2%

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Economic Overview

Czechia is a prosperous market economy that boasts one of the highest GDP growth rates and lowest unemployment levels in the EU, but its dependence on exports makes economic growth vulnerable to contractions in external demand.

Czechia’s exports comprise some 80% of GDP and largely consist of automobiles, the country’s single largest industry.

Czechia acceded to the EU in 2004 but has yet to join the euro-zone.

While the flexible koruna helps Czechia weather external shocks, it was one of the world’s strongest performing currencies in 2017, appreciating approximately 16% relative to the US dollar after the central bank (Czech National Bank - CNB) ended its cap on the currency’s value in early April 2017, which it had maintained since November 2013.

The CNB hiked rates in August and November 2017 - the first rate changes in nine years - to address rising inflationary pressures brought by strong economic growth and a tight labor market.

Since coming to power in 2014, the new government has undertaken some reforms to try to reduce corruption, attract investment, and improve social welfare programs, which could help increase the government’s revenues and improve living conditions for Czechs.

The government introduced in December 2016 an online tax reporting system intended to reduce tax evasion and increase revenues.

The government also plans to remove labor market rigidities to improve the business climate, bring procurement procedures in line with EU best practices, and boost wages.

The country's low unemployment rate has led to steady increases in salaries, and the government is facing pressure from businesses to allow greater migration of qualified workers, at least from Ukraine and neighboring Central European countries.

Long-term challenges include dealing with a rapidly aging population, a shortage of skilled workers, a lagging education system, funding an unsustainable pension and health care system, and diversifying away from manufacturing and toward a more high-tech, services-based, knowledge economy.

Industries

motor vehicles, metallurgy, machinery and equipment, glass, armaments

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$33,200.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

2.5%

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GDP - Gross Domestic Product (PPP)

$409,970,000,000 (USD)

GDP Per Capita

$33,200.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

2.5%

GDP - official exchange rate

$193,500,000,000 (USD)

GDP - composition, by end use

• consumption: 47.9% government
• consumption: 19.7% investment in fixed
• capital: 25.7% investment in
• inventories: 0% exports of goods and
• services: 81.5% imports of goods and
• services: -74.8%

GDP by Sector- agriculture

2.5%

GDP by Sector- Industry

37.5%

GDP by Sector- services

60%

Industrial Growth Rate

2.8%

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Inflation Rate

0.5%

Exchange Rate per US Dollar

25.02

Currency Name and Code

koruny (CZK)

Fiscal Year

calendar year

Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate

4.2%

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Labor Force

5,494,000

Unemployment Rate

5.6%

Major Industries

motor vehicles, metallurgy, machinery and equipment, glass, armaments

Agriculture Products

wheat, potatoes, sugar beets, hops, fruit; pigs, poultry

Population Below Poverty Line

8.6%

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Labor Force By Occupation- agriculture

2.6%

Labor Force By Occupation- industry

37.4%

Labor Force By Occupation- services

60%

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Annual Budget

$73,740,000,000 (USD)

Public Debt (% of GDP)

40.8%

Budget Surplus or Deficit - percent of GDP

-0.5%

Taxes and other revenues - percent of GDP

38.1%

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Full Country Name

Czech Republic

Country Name

Czechia

Local - Long

Ceska republika

Local - Short

Cesko

Etymology- history of name

name derives from the Czechs, a West Slavic tribe who rose to prominence in the late 9th century A.D.; the country officially adopted the English short-form name of Czechia on 1 July 2016

Independence

1 January 1993 (Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia)

note - although 1 January is the day the Czech Republic came into being, the Czechs commemorate 28 October 1918, the day the former Czechoslovakia declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, as their independence day

National Holiday

Czechoslovak Founding Day, 28 October (1918)

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Government Type

parliamentary republic

Constitution

• history: previous 1960; latest ratified 16 December 1992, effective 1 January 1993
• amendments: passage requires at least three-fifths concurrence of members present in both houses of Parliament; amended several times, last in 2021

Legal System:

new civil code enacted in 2014, replacing civil code of 1964 - based on former Austro-Hungarian civil codes and socialist theory - and reintroducing former Czech legal terminology

Executive Branch:

• chief of state: President Petr PAVEL (since 9 March 2023)
• head of government: Prime Minister Petr FIALA (since 17 December 2021); First Deputy Prime Minister Vit RAKUSAN (since 17 December 2021), Deputy Prime Ministers Marian JURECKA, Ivan BARTOS, Vlastimil VALEK (all since 17 December 2021)
• cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister
• elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (limited to 2 consecutive terms); elections last held on 13 to 14 January 2023 with a second round held from 27 to 28 January 2023; next election to be by January 2028; prime minister appointed by the president for a 4-year term
• election results: 2023: Petr PAVEL elected in the second round; percent of vote in the first round - Petr PAVEL (independent) 35.4%, Andrej BABIS (ANO) 35%, Danuse NERUDOVA (Mayors and Independents) 13.9%, Pavel FISCHER (independent) 6.8%; percent of vote in the second round - Petr PAVEL 58.3%, Andrej BABIS 41.6% 2018: Milos ZEMAN reelected president in the second round; percent of vote - Milos ZEMAN (SPO) 51.4%, Jiri DRAHOS (independent) 48.6%

Legislative Branch:

• Description: bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists of: Senate or Senat (81 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed; members serve 6-year terms with one-third of the membership renewed every 2 years) Chamber of Deputies or Poslanecka Snemovna (200 seats; members directly elected in 14 multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote with a 5% threshold required to fill a seat; members serve 4-year terms)
• elections:
• Senate - last held on 23 to 24 September with a runoff from 30 September to 1 October 2022 (next to be held in October 2024)
• Chamber of Deputies - last held on 8 to 9 October 2021 (next to be held by October 2025)
• election results:
• Senate - percent of vote by party/coalition NA; - seats by party/coalition - ODS 23, STAN 15, KDU-CSL 12, TOP 09 6, ANO 5, SEN 21 4, other 15, independent 1; composition as of January 2024 - men 148, women 52, percent of women 26%
• Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party/coalition – SPOLU 27.8%, ANO 27.1%, Pirates and STAN 15.6%, SPD 9.6%, other 19.9%; seats by party/coalition - ANO 72, SPOLU 71, Pirates and STAN 37, SPD 20; composition as of January 2024 - men 15, women 6, percent of women 28.6%;
• Note: total Parliament percent of women 20.6%

Judicial Branch:

• office: Supreme Court judges proposed by the Chamber of Deputies and appointed by the president; judges appointed for life; Constitutional Court judges appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate; judges appointed for 10-year, renewable terms; Supreme Administrative Court judges selected by the president of the Court; unlimited terms
• subordinate courts: High Court; regional and district courts

Regions or States:

13 regions (kraje, singular - kraj) and 1 capital city* (hlavni mesto); Jihocesky (South Bohemia), Jihomoravsky (South Moravia), Karlovarsky (Karlovy Vary), Kralovehradecky (Hradec Kralove), Liberecky (Liberec), Moravskoslezsky (Moravia-Silesia), Olomoucky (Olomouc), Pardubicky (Pardubice), Plzensky (Pilsen), Praha (Prague)*, Stredocesky (Central Bohemia), Ustecky (Usti), Vysocina (Highlands), Zlinsky (Zlin)

Political Parties and Leaders:

• Christian Democratic Union-Czechoslovak People's Party or KDU-CSL [Marian JURECKA]
• Civic Democratic Party or ODS [Petr FIALA]
• Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia or KSCM [Katerina KONECNA]
• Czech Social Democratic Party or CSSD [Michal SMARDA]
• Freedom and Direct Democracy or SPD [Tomio OKAMURA]
• Mayors and Independents or STAN [Vit RAKUSAN]
• Mayors for the Liberec Region [Martin PUTA]
• Action of Dissatisfied Citizens or ANO (Akce nespokojených občanů) [Andrej BABIS]
• Party of Free Citizens Svobodni [Libor VONDRACEK]
• Pirate Party or Pirates [Ivan BARTOS]
• Senator 21 [Vaclav LASKA]
• Tradition Responsibility Prosperity 09 or TOP 09 [Marketa PEKAROVA ADAMOVA]

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship Criteria:

• birth: no citizenship by descent
• only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Czechia dual citizenship
• recognized: no residency requirement for
• naturalization: 5 years

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Capital Name

Prague

Capital - geographic coordinate

50 05 N, 14 28 E

Capital Time Difference

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Daylight Savings Time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

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International Organization Participation:

• Australia Group
• BIS
• BSEC (observer)
• CD
• CE
• CEI
• CERN
• EAPC
• EBRD
• ECB
• EIB
• ESA
• EU
• FAO
• IAEA
• IBRD
• ICAO
• ICC (national committees)
• ICCt
• ICRM
• IDA
• IEA
• IFC
• IFRCS
• ILO
• IMF
• IMO
• IMSO
• Interpol
• IOC
• IOM
• IPU
• ISO
• ITSO
• ITU
• ITUC (NGOs)
• MIGA
• MONUSCO
• NATO
• NEA
• NSG
• OAS (observer)
• OECD
• OIF (observer)
• OPCW
• OSCE
• PCA
• Schengen Convention
• SELEC
• UN
• UNCTAD
• UNESCO
• UNHCR
• UNIDO
• UNOOSA
• UNWTO
• UPU
• Wassenaar Arrangement
• WCO
• WFTU (NGOs)
• WHO
• WIPO
• WMO
• WTO
• ZC

International Law Organization Participation:

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Diplomatic Representation from US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador Bijan SABET (since 15 February 2023)
• Embassy: Trziste 15, 118 01 Praha 1 - Mala Strana
• Mailing Address: 5630 Prague Place, Washington DC 20521-5630
• Telephone: [420] 257-022-000
• FAX: [420] 257-022-809
• Email: ACSPrg@state.gov
• Website: https://cz.usembassy.gov/

Diplomatic Representation in the US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador Miloslav STASEK (since 16 September 2022)
• Chancery: 3900 Spring of Freedom Street NW, Washington, DC 20008-3803
• Telephone: [1] (202) 274-9100
• FAX: [1] (202) 966-8540
• Email: washington@embassy.mzv.cz
• Website: https://www.mzv.cz/washington/
• Consulate(s) General: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York

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Geographic Location

Europe

Geographic Coordinates

49 45 N, 15 30 E

Total Area

30,451 Square Miles 78,867 Square Kilometers

Land Area

29,825 Square Miles 77,247 Square Kilometers

Water Area

625 Square Miles 1,620 Square Kilometers

Land Boundaries

1,236 Miles 1,989 Kilometers

Border Countries

Austria 362 km, Germany 646 km, Poland 658 km, Slovakia 215 km

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Terrain

Bohemia in the west consists of rolling plains, hills, and plateaus surrounded by low mountains

Moravia in the east consists of very hilly country

Highest Point

1,602 Meters

Highest Point Location

Snezka 1,602 m

Lowest Point

115 Meters

Lowest Point Location

Elbe River 115 m

Natural Resources

hard coal, soft coal, kaolin, clay, graphite, timber

Irrigated Land

149 Square Miles 385 Square Kilometers

Time Zone

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Daylight saving time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

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Climate

Prague has a humid, continental climate, with warm summers and cold winters.

Temperatures range from January's average daily high of 32°F (0°C) and low of 22°F (-4°C) to July's average daily high of 76°F (24.5°C) and low of 56°F (14°) Average annual rainfall is about 30 inches, distributed throughout the year.

Humidity averages about 80 percent.

During the winter months, high humidity makes the winter cold penetrating.

Light to moderately heavy snow can be expected during January and February.

Pollution can be severe during the winter months because of soft-burning coal and frequent temperature inversions.

Reduced hours of daylight from November through March combined with smog and raw weather create a gloomy atmosphere.

In fact, from mid-October when Daylight Savings Time ends until early April when it begins again, Czech law requires drivers to drive with their headlights on at all times.

Terrain

Bohemia in the west consists of rolling plains, hills, and plateaus surrounded by low mountains

Moravia in the east consists of very hilly country

Location

Central Europe, between Germany, Poland, Slovakia, and Austria

Total Area

30,451 Square Miles 78,867 Square Kilometers

Border Countries

Austria 362 km, Germany 646 km, Poland 658 km, Slovakia 215 km

Environment - Current Issues

• air and water pollution in areas of northwest Bohemia and in northern Moravia around Ostrava present health risks
• acid rain damaging forests
• efforts to bring industry up to EU code should improve domestic pollution

Environment - International Agreements

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

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Exports

$141,700,000,000 (USD)

Imports

$132,400,000,000 (USD)

Major Exports

machinery and transport equipment, raw materials, fuel, chemicals

Major Imports

machinery and transport equipment, raw materials and fuels, chemicals

Top Export Partners

Germany 32.4%, Slovakia 9%, Poland 5.8%, UK 5.3%, France 5.1%, Austria 4.1%

Top Import Partners

Germany 30%, Poland 9%, China 8.3%, Slovakia 6.6%, Netherlands 5%, Austria 4.1%

Export Partners

Germany 32.4%, Slovakia 9%, Poland 5.8%, UK 5.3%, France 5.1%, Austria 4.1%

Import Partners

Germany 30%, Poland 9%, China 8.3%, Slovakia 6.6%, Netherlands 5%, Austria 4.1%

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Country Description

The Czech Republic is centrally located in the heart of Europe.

It has a democratic parliamentary system of government and a well-developed economy.

The Czech Republic is a member of NATO and the European Union.

Tourist facilities in the capital city of Prague are at the level of those found in most European capitals, although travelers can expect varying standards outside of Prague.

Safety & Security

The Czech Republic remains largely free of terrorist incidents.

However, like other countries in the Schengen Zone, the Czech Republic’s open borders with its neighbors allow for the possibility of terrorist groups entering/exiting the country undetected.

Civil disorder is rare in the Czech Republic, although strikes and demonstrations may occur.

You should be vigilant in protecting your security, bearing in mind that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful may turn violent.

Avoid street demonstrations whenever possible.

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Crime

• when: On public transportation (trains, trams or the Prague metro); In the city center; In crowded areas; and Eating at outdoor cafes. As criminals may operate in groups, and could conceivably be armed with simple weapons, victims should avoid direct confrontation with potential criminals. Pick-pocketing rings in the Czech Republic tend to be professional and highly organized. Keep a copy of your passport biodata page (and any pages with valid visas) in a safe place separate from the passport itself; this can help you to apply for a new passport if yours is lost or stolen. Under Czech law, you must verify your identity by presenting a travel document, a residence permit card, or an identity card issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, if asked by Czech police. If you are a tourist, this means that you are expected to carry your passport with you. Please ensure the security of your passport while traveling to prevent incidents of pick-pocketing or theft. If you cannot produce your passport upon request, an immediate on-the-spot fine may be levied. Laws against traffic violations by pedestrians, such as jaywalking, are also frequently enforced in the Prague city center, and a fine will also be applied. Incidents of violent crime, while still relatively infrequent, are possible. U.S. citizens have reported incidents of sexual assault in recent years. You should be aware of the reported use of rohypnol and other “date rape” drugs in the Czech Republic. Use caution when accepting open drinks at bars or clubs, and don’t leave your drinks unattended. You should only change money at banks or legitimate money kiosks. An offer to change money by an unknown person on the street is most likely a scam. Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) are widely available throughout major cities in the Czech Republic. Most Czech ATMs offer instructions in multiple languages and allow access to U.S. bank accounts. The press has reported that criminal organizations are illegally obtaining users’ ATM card numbers and PIN codes by electronically “skimming” the information from victims’ cards at ATMs. This activity has reportedly occurred at ATMs in public areas--even bank lobbies covered by security cameras. Visitors requiring ATM services should attempt to use machines at more secure or heavily traveled and monitored locations, such as commercial banks, large hotels, and the airport. U.S. citizens have reported being overcharged by merchants on credit card transactions. While visiting the Czech Republic, you should carefully verify that charges are correct before signing for purchases, keep all receipts, and check your credit card accounts online to ensure that you are billed properly for credit card payments. Auto thefts and break-ins are common in the Czech Republic, especially in major cities. To avoid vehicle-related crimes, you should use parking garages and anti-theft devices. You should also not leave valuables in plain sight inside vehicles, as this increases the possibility of theft. Czech bars and dance clubs are generally safe. However, as with many cities, you may be approached to purchase illicit drugs; this is against the law in the Czech Republic. Be mindful that security at nightclubs could respond more forcefully than at similar venues in the United States. Be aware that casinos and gaming establishments are government-regulated, but some have been affiliated with, or attracted the interest of, organized crime.
• Taxis: You should be alert to the potential for substantial overcharging by taxis, particularly in areas frequented by tourists. Some taxi drivers charge unsuspecting foreigners two or three times the standard rate. To minimize the possibility of being overcharged, you should obtain a price estimate in advance and ensure that the driver is using the meter. The

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in the Czech Republic, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen.

Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different from our own.

The Czech Republic has a zero-tolerance policy for drinking and driving, and this is strictly enforced.

Criminal penalties vary from country to country.

There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States; for instance, you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods.

Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available.

Not only are the bootlegs illegal to bring back into the United States, by purchasing them you may also be breaking local law.

Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States.

If you break local laws in the Czech Republic, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution.

It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not where you are traveling.

If you are arrested in the Czech Republic, authorities are required to notify the U.S.

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Medical Facilities

Prague has adequate Western-style medical clinics with English-speaking doctors and dentists.

However, the Czech medical system is organized differently from the medical system in the United States.

Even though central emergency rooms exist in most hospitals, patients are often sent to the facility that treats their specific medical condition (i.e., broken noses are sent to the Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist rather than to the General Practitioner).

There are family practices in the Czech Republic that function like those in the United States, but they are located mostly in larger cities.

All major hospitals accept credit cards or cash as a method of payment.

Private specialists usually expect cash payment for health services, though some private facilities accept credit cards as well.

Administrative staff at the majority of Czech medical facilities may not speak English.

Hospitalization in the Czech Republic is much more liberal than in the United States; conditions that would be treated on an outpatient basis in the United States are often treated on an inpatient basis in the Czech Republic.

Ambulance services are on par with U.S. standards.

Response time is generally less than 15 minutes.

Ambulance companies generally expect payment at the time of service.

Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost thousands of dollars or more.

Please note that because euthanasia is not permitted under Czech law, U.S. living wills stipulating no exceptional interventions to prolong life cannot be honored in the Czech Republic.

Tick-Borne Illness: If you plan to camp or hike in long grass or woodlands from March through October, you run the risk of both tick-borne encephalitis and Lyme disease.

You should take precautions to prevent tick bites.

While there is no vaccine for Lyme disease, you may obtain a vaccine for tick-borne encephalitis in a three-shot series.

The first two shots are given 2-4 weeks apart, and the last shot 6 -12 months after the second.

Traffic Safety

While in the Czech Republic, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.

The information below concerning the Czech Republic is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

Road fatalities in the Czech Republic in 2011 were at their lowest level since 1947, according to Czech safety experts, but caution should be exercised while driving.

Driving speeds on European highways are higher than in the United States, and drivers are expected to stay in the right lane except when passing.

Highways in the Czech Republic generally meet European standards; however, on two-lane roads, drivers should be prepared to encounter uneven surfaces, irregular lane markings, and sign placements that are not clear.

Streets in towns are not always in good condition.

You should pay special attention to driving on cobblestone and among streetcars in historic city centers, especially in wet or icy conditions.

Traffic lights are placed before the intersection, so be aware of where you stop at signaled intersections.

Speed limits are 50 km/h in towns, 90 km/h outside of towns, and 130 km/h on highways, but drivers routinely flout the limits.

An International Driving Permit (IDP), available from AAA (in the United States only), must accompany a U.S. driver’s license; failure to have the IDP with a valid license may result in denial of an insurance claim after an accident.

Persons driving into the Czech Republic should be aware that a toll sticker is required to drive legally on major highways.

Signs stating this requirement are posted near the border, but are easy to miss.

The stickers are available at most gas stations.

The fine for failing to display a toll sticker is assessed on the spot.

Czech law requires that drivers have their headlights on at all times when driving in the Czech Republic.

The law also requires that all private cars, including those of foreign visitors, carry each of the following items: fluorescent green high visibility safety jacket, first aid kit, spare pair of prescription glasses kept in the glove compartment (if necessary), warning triangle, and complete set of spare bulbs.

Czech law allows for breathalyzer testing of drivers stopped by local law enforcement officials for any reason.

There is a zero-tolerance policy for alcohol and driving; driving with any trace of detected alcohol, however slight, is illegal and those caught usually face immediate fines and possible criminal proceedings.

U.S. citizens have reported instances of motorists stopped on the shoulders of highways waving at drivers as if they needed assistance.

Some drivers have reported being pressured into giving money to the person who has purportedly broken down, and it was unclear in those situations if the motorist was truly in need or trying to scam those who stopped to offer assistance.

For specific information concerning Czech requirements for driver’s permits, vehicle inspection, road tax and mandatory insurance, please contact the Czech Tourist Authority offices in New York by telephone at (212) 288-0830 or by email.

Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information.

Also, we suggest that you visit the website of the Czech Republic’s national tourist office and the Ministry of Transport.

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Airports - total

128

Airports with Paved Runways

41

Heliports

1

Railways

5,884 Miles 9,469 Kilometers

Roadways- total

81,195 Miles 130,671 Kilometers

Waterways

413 Miles 664 Kilometers

Ports and Terminals

Decin, Prague, Usti nad Labem

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Pipelines: Gas

4,449 Miles 7,160 Kilometers

Pipelines: Oil

333 Miles 536 Kilometers

Pipelines: Refined Products

58 Miles 94 Kilometers

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Telephones

2,092,000

Cell Phones

13,075,000

Internet Users

4,400,000

Internet Country Code

.cz

Internet Hosts

3,494,000

Broadcast Media

• Roughly 130 TV broadcasters operating some 350 channels with 4 publicly operated and the remainder in private hands
• 16 TV stations have national coverage with 4 being publicly operated
• cable and satellite TV subscription services are available
• 63 radio broadcasters are registered operating roughly 80 radio stations with 15 stations publicly operated
• 10 radio stations provide national coverage with the remainder local or regional

Telephone System

• assessment: Privatization and modernization of the Czech telecommunication system got a late start but are advancing steadily; virtually all exchanges are now digital; existing copper subscriber systems are enhanced with Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) equipment to accommodate Internet and other digital signals; trunk systems include fiber-optic cable and microwave radio relay
• Domestic: Access to the fixed-line telephone network expanded throughout the 1990s but the number of fixed-line connections has been dropping since then; mobile telephone usage increased sharply beginning in the mid-1990s and the number of cellular telephone subscriptions now greatly exceeds the population
• International: Country code - 420; satellite earth stations - 6 (2 Intersputnik - Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions, 1 Intelsat, 1 Eutelsat, 1 Inmarsat, 1 Globalstar)

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Electricity Consumption- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

53,420,000,000

Electricity Exports- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

22,230,000,000

Electricity Imports- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

8,580,000,000

Electricity Production- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

82,250,000,000

Natural Gas Consumption - Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

8,158,000,000

Natural Gas Exports- Cubic Meters (cu m)

7,400,000

Natural Gas Imports- Cubic Meters (cu m)

7,471,000,000

Natural Gas Production- Cubic Meters (cu m)

200,000,000

Natural Gas Reserves- Cubic Meters (cu m)

1,922,000,000

Oil Consumption- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

199,000

Oil Exports- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

403.8

Oil Imports- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

154,000

Oil Production- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

12,380

Oil Reserves- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

15,000,000

3 facts — expand for details.

Anthem History

• name: "Kde domov muj?" (Where is My Home?)
• lyrics/music: Josef Kajetan TYL/Frantisek Jan SKROUP
• note: adopted 1993; the anthem was originally written as incidental music to the play "Fidlovacka" (1834), it soon became very popular as an unofficial anthem of the Czech nation; its first verse served as the official Czechoslovak anthem beginning in 1918, while the second verse (Slovak) was dropped after the split of Czechoslovakia in 1993

Anthem Lyrics

Kde domov muj, Kde domov muj? voda huci po lucinach, bory sumi po skalinach, v sade skvi se jara kvet, zemsky raj to na pohled! A to je ta krasna zeme, zeme ceska domov muj, zeme ceska domov muj! Kde domov muj, kde domov muj? V kraji znás-li bohumilém Duse utlé v tele cilém, Mysl jasnou, vznik a zdar, A tu sílu vzdoru zmar! To je Cechu slavné pléme, Mezi Cechy domov muj, Mezi Cechy domov muj.

Anthem Lyrics English

Where is my home, where is my home?

Water bubbles across the meadows, Pinewoods rustle among crags, The garden is glorious with spring blossom, Paradise on earth it is to see.

And this is that beautiful land, The Czech land, my home, The Czech land, my home.

Where is my home, where is my home?

If, in a heavenly land, you have met Tender souls in agile frames, Of clear mind, vigorous and prospering, And with a strength that frustrates all defiance, That is the glorious race of Czechs, Among Czechs (is) my home, Among Czech, my home.