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Europe · Czech · updated 2026-10

Moving to the Czech Republic: visas, cost of living & citizenship

A single person needs about $1,900 a month to live in Prague, and a family of four about $4,200, including rent. The Czech Republic usually lets you apply for permanent residence after 5 yrs, with citizenship after 10 yrs, and dual citizenship is allowed. You can move here without a job offer through the Trade licence (Živnostenský list).

Monthly budget
$1,900
Low cost
Safety
79
Very safe
Stability
77
Very stable
Family
80
Excellent
Main city
Prague
Language
Czech
Permanent residence
5 yrs
Citizenship
10 yrs
Dual citizenship
Allowed
Digital nomad visa
Yes
What can your passport do in the Czech Republic?Pick your nationality to see your exact access, visit rules and personal score.
Open the interactive index →

Cost of living in Czech Republic, per month in US$

One person
$1,900
Family of four
$4,200
RentGroceriesTransportUtilities & internetEating out & leisureOther
1-bed flat, Prague centre
$900
Estimate
3-bed family flat
$1,650
Estimate
Price level
67
US = 100
Income per person
$2,747
GNI ÷ 12, World Bank

Safety

Safety score
79
Very safe
Homicides per 100k
0.77
US 5.8 · UK 1.0 · Japan 0.2

Political stability & governance

Political stability+1.02
Rule of law+1.17
Control of corruption+0.78
Government effectiveness+1.24
−2.5 weak0strong +2.5

Worldwide Governance Indicators, World Bank. Very stable overall (77/100).

Family-friendliness

Family score
80
Excellent
Child outcomes (HCI)
0.752
Health & schooling, 0–1
Under-5 mortality
2.6
per 1,000 births
Life expectancy
80 yrs
at birth
Health spending
$2,693
per person / year
Education spending
4.3%
of GDP

Spouse and children can join on most work and residence permits, and spouses can usually work. Public schooling is free; international schools are common in the capital.

Visa & residence routes

Remote work
Trade licence (Živnostenský list)Freelance residence via a trade licence; widely used by remote workers.
Job offer
Employee CardJob offer in a registered vacancy.

Some passports also get: Digital nomad programme for IT professionals earning 1.5× the Czech average wage.

Who gets easier access to the Czech Republic

EU/EEA free movement: you can live and work here with simple registration.

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Digital nomad programme for IT professionals earning 1.5× the Czech average wage (9 nationalities)

Digital nomad programme for IT professionals earning 1.5× the Czech average wage.

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Visiting: 93 passports can visit visa-free, 0 with an electronic travel authorisation, 0 get a visa on arrival, 0 can apply for an eVisa and 105 need a visa in advance (Passport Index dataset).

Road to permanent residence & citizenship

ArrivePRCitizen024681012+ yrs
Permanent residence
5 yrs
Citizenship
10 yrs
Dual citizenship
Allowed

Last checked 2026-10. Official source: www.mvcr.cz/mvcren

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to live in the Czech Republic?

About $1,900 a month for one person and $4,200 for a family of four in Prague, including rent. A city-centre 1-bedroom flat costs around $900 a month and a 3-bedroom around $1,650. Prices are 67% of US levels. The Czech Republic is the 47th cheapest of the 76 countries in the index.

Is the Czech Republic safe to live in?

The Czech Republic scores 79/100 for safety (very safe), ranking 14th of 76. The homicide rate is 0.77 per 100,000 people (US 5.8, UK 1.0, Japan 0.2).

Is the Czech Republic politically stable?

The Czech Republic scores 77/100 for stability (very stable), ranking 21st of 76, based on the World Bank's indicators for political stability, rule of law, control of corruption and government effectiveness.

Is the Czech Republic good for families?

The Czech Republic scores 80/100 for family-friendliness (excellent), ranking 18th of 76. Life expectancy is 80 years and under-5 mortality is 2.6 per 1,000 births. Spouse and children can join on most work and residence permits, and spouses can usually work. Public schooling is free; international schools are common in the capital.

How long does it take to get permanent residence in the Czech Republic?

Usually 5 yrs of legal residence.

How long until I can become a citizen of the Czech Republic?

Usually 10 yrs of residence. Dual citizenship: allowed.

Can I move to the Czech Republic without a job offer?

Yes. Trade licence (Živnostenský list): Freelance residence via a trade licence; widely used by remote workers.

Does the Czech Republic have a digital nomad visa?

Yes: the Trade licence (Živnostenský list). Freelance residence via a trade licence; widely used by remote workers.

Who can live and work in the Czech Republic without a visa?

you can live and work here with simple registration. (EU / EEA free movement: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland.)

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See also: cheapest countries to live · safest countries · most stable countries · best countries for families · where citizens of the Czech Republic can move