Czechia

Czech Lunch Costs Soar – Prague Workers Pay Twice as Much as in Zlín

In Czechia, eating out during the workday has become a growing luxury. According to the latest Edenred Restaurant Index, the cost of lunch has risen steeply across the country – and nowhere more so than in Prague. The average lunch menu in the capital now costs 220 CZK, making it the most expensive in the country. Just behind is Brno, where employees pay 208 CZK for a midday meal. Meanwhile, cities like Zlín, Ústí nad Labem, and Olomouc remain on the more affordable end, with prices up to 55 crowns lower. The national average for a lunch menu now stands at 196 CZK, highlighting a steady climb in prices that has outpaced wage growth. Since 2014, lunch prices have jumped by more than 130%, while average salaries rose by roughly 82% over the same period. Back in 2020, workers in Prague paid just 149 CZK on average for lunch. In cities like Ostrava or Jihlava, it was even cheaper—hovering just over 120 CZK. But the most dramatic comparison goes further back. In 2014, Prague diners paid only 98 CZK, while in the Pardubice Region, lunch cost a mere 75 CZK. In a decade, the price of lunch has more than...

 by Prague Morning Jun 14, 2025

Prague Airport Cancels All Routes to Israel Amid Iran-Israel Escalation

Amid rising military tension in the Middle East, Prague’s Václav Havel Airport has suspended all flights to and from Israel. The cancellations were confirmed early Friday morning via the airport’s official account on the X social media platform. Airport authorities cited security concerns due to escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, urging travelers to monitor the airport’s website for updates and to stay in touch with their airlines for the latest information. “There is a gradual cancellation of all flights with Israel due to the deteriorating political situation,” said the airport, located in Prague’s Ruzyně district. Direct connections between Prague and Tel Aviv—Israel’s second-largest city—have been suspended until further notice. Due to the current political situation, flights to and from Israel are being gradually suspended. Passengers are kindly advised to check the latest status of their flight on the airport’s website and contact their airline for further information. pic.twitter.com/UlJ8gsj1qw — Prague Airport (@PragueAirport) June 13, 2025 According to the airport’s schedule, four outbound flights to Tel Aviv were originally planned for Friday. One has already been canceled, and all five incoming flights from Tel Aviv to Prague have also been called off. The decision follows a major Israeli aerial offensive...

 by Prague Morning Jun 13, 2025

European Court Condemns Czechia’s Gender Recognition Law

The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that the Czech Republic violated the rights of a non-binary person by requiring sterilisation as a precondition for legal gender recognition. The case was brought by T.H., a non-binary person who has spent over a decade fighting for the right to change their legal gender and personal identification number without being forced to undergo sterilisation. Czech authorities consistently rejected the request, citing national law, which still mandates surgical sterilisation for legal gender changes. In today’s judgment, the Strasbourg-based court declared that this requirement breaches Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which guarantees the right to private life. The Court emphasized that the Czech Republic must provide a clear legal framework that allows trans people to update their gender marker without invasive medical procedures. While the Czech Constitutional Court overturned the sterilisation mandate in 2024, it delayed the change until July 1, 2025, giving the government time to prepare a new law. However, no viable legislation has been passed. The issue now hangs on non-binding ministerial guidelines, which have yet to be published and could be easily reversed after elections later this year. T.H., the claimant in the case, welcomed...

 by Prague Morning Jun 12, 2025

Canada Wildfires Smoke Could Turn Czech Skies Orange

Czech skies could take on an unusual hue on Monday, June 9, as smoke from intense wildfires in Canada drifts over Central Europe, according to the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (ČHMÚ). The agency confirmed on Sunday that elevated levels of fine dust particles from Canadian forest fires have reached the upper layers of the atmosphere and will pass over the Czech Republic. The most visible effects are expected on Monday morning, with sunrise and sunset potentially showcasing vibrant shades of orange and red. “This is a textbook case of long-range atmospheric transport of suspended particles,” the ČHMÚ explained. “The highest concentration of smoke and dust is expected during the first half of the day on Monday.” Already over the weekend, some residents in the Czech Republic observed the moon taking on a bright orange tint, a result of the smoke high above the horizon. The smoke originates from large-scale wildfires that have swept across the Canadian provinces of Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario since May. These fires have led to mass evacuations, significant health warnings, and disruptions in oil production. Although the smoke’s presence may create striking visual displays, its impact on public health is expected to be minimal, at least for...

 by Prague Morning Jun 08, 2025

Czechia’s New Migration Rules: Fewer from China, More from India

The Czech Republic is reshaping its immigration policy, introducing tougher quotas for work and business visas in an effort to control who gets to live and work in the country long-term. The new system prioritizes skilled labor—particularly Indian IT professionals—while sharply limiting the number of visas for low-skilled workers from China and several African nations. Starting July 1, 2025, these changes will apply to applications for visas allowing stays of over 90 days. The aim is to ensure that Czech embassies are not overwhelmed by applications from unqualified laborers, while still attracting professionals deemed beneficial to the economy. India’s Tech Talent Welcomed One of the most striking shifts is the expansion of the Digital Nomad visa program for Indian nationals. Although the government approved this policy in August 2023, it will come into effect next year. The Czech Coordination Authority for State Border Protection and Migration Management formally authorized the update. Qualified Indian professionals, especially in IT, engineering, natural sciences, and mathematics, are seen as valuable assets. Many of these individuals are expected to work with Czech companies in semiconductor development and technical research. The Digital Nomad scheme, which allows self-employed foreigners to live and work in the Czech Republic,...

 by Prague Morning Jun 08, 2025

Czech Health Ministry Proposes Stricter Rules for E-Cigarette Sales

Czechia’s Ministry of Health has unveiled a draft regulation that would tighten restrictions on electronic cigarettes, particularly those that feature pictures of animals or characters appealing to children. The proposed measures, which must be approved by the European Commission, are intended to bring the country’s laws in line with broader public health goals across the EU. Under the new rules, e-cigarettes and their refills will no longer be allowed to resemble toys, sweets, or display images of animals or characters appealing to minors. Products may not contain sweeteners, cannabis extracts, psychoactive substances, anabolic steroids, or hormones. Labels with cartoon aesthetics, gaming references, or fantasy motifs would also be banned. The regulation is a direct response to growing concern over the soaring popularity of vaping among Czech youth. According to the State Institute of Health (SZÚ), 13.9% of the population used electronic cigarettes in 2023—up from less than 5% five years ago. Nearly one in four people aged 15–24 vape regularly, and about 15% of users started before the legal age of 18. Although originally promoted as a safer alternative to tobacco, e-cigarettes are now being widely used by people who have never smoked traditional cigarettes. The Ministry highlights that nearly...

 by Prague Morning Jun 07, 2025

Czechia Holds EU’s Lowest Unemployment Rate at 2.7% Despite Slight Rise

The EU unemployment rate was 5.9 per cent in April 2025, stable compared with March 2025 and down from six per cent in April 2024, Eurostat said. The lowest unemployment was recorded in Czechia and Malta, both at 2.7 percent. While Czechia saw a slight month-on-month increase, Malta registered a small decline. Eurostat estimated that a total of 12.902 million people in the EU, of whom 10.680 million were in the euro area, were unemployed in April 2025. Compared with March 2025, unemployment declined by 188,000 in the EU and by 207,000 in the euro area. On an annual basis, the figures show a drop of 217,000 in the EU and 343,000 in the euro area. The report also provided figures on youth unemployment. In April 2025, an estimated 2.859 million people under the age of 25 were unemployed across the EU, including 2.272 million in the euro area. The youth unemployment rate fell to 14.8 per cent in the EU and to 14.4 per cent in the euro area, down from 15.0 and 14.8 per cent respectively in March. Month-on-month, youth unemployment declined by 57,000 in the EU and by 74,000 in the euro area. However, compared with April...

 by Prague Morning Jun 03, 2025

Prague and Central Bohemia Public Transport Fares to Jump in 2026

Public transport users in Prague and Central Bohemia should prepare for a substantial fare increase starting January 2026. The regional governments are moving forward with a plan to raise prices by as much as 30% for paper tickets and 20% for digital fares, citing escalating operational costs and a push towards more efficient, electronic systems. The Central Bohemian Regional Council has already approved the fare hike, with a final vote by regional councillors set for June 9. Prague City Council is expected to follow suit soon after. According to Petr Borecký (STAN), regional councillor for transport, and Andrej Hofman, deputy director of the Integrated Transport System of the Central Bohemian Region (IDSK), preparations are underway to implement the changes by the beginning of next year. What Will the New Fares Look Like? Under the proposed changes: A regular 30-minute paper ticket covering three tariff zones will rise from CZK 30 to CZK 39. The same fare purchased via the PID Lítačka mobile app will cost CZK 36. The goal is to encourage the use of electronic tickets, which reduce printing costs and speed up boarding. Some commuters may not feel the full impact of the increase, as Prague zones are...

 by Prague Morning Jun 02, 2025

Tourism Surge: Czechia Sees 4.1 Million Hotel Guests in Early 2025

Tourism in Czechia is gaining strength again, with visitor numbers — both local and foreign — approaching those seen before the pandemic. In the first quarter of 2025, hotels and other accommodation facilities welcomed 4.1 million guests, who collectively spent 10.5 million nights in the country, according to data from the Czech Statistical Office (CZSO). While domestic tourists made up a slight majority (53%), the number of foreign visitors rose by nearly 2% compared to the same period last year, making up 47.5% of total arrivals. The average stay was 3.5 days, with international guests increasingly opting for longer visits. Prague remains the top tourist destination, pulling in 1.6 million visitors, followed by the Hradec Králové Region (366,000) and South Moravia (307,000). Yet it was the Karlovy Vary Region that recorded the longest average stay – 6.09 days, far exceeding the national average. In contrast, South Moravia and the Vysočina Region reported much shorter average stays of 2.66 and 2.52 days, respectively. “This data confirms that we are succeeding in attracting visitors beyond traditional tourist hotspots,” said František Reismüller, Director of CzechTourism. “We’re seeing positive year-on-year growth in nearly all regions.” Foreign Interest Climbs – Especially from Israel, China, and...

 by Sarah Duchêne Jun 02, 2025

Weekly Forecast: Temperatures Near 30°C and Storms Expected

After a cool and rainy spring, the Czech Republic is heading into a week of summer-like temperatures—but don’t leave your umbrella at home. According to the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (ČHMÚ), the next few days will bring a mix of sun, heat, and powerful storms as frontal systems sweep across Central Europe. Monday will be cloudy to overcast. Most regions will see showers or occasional rain, with intense thunderstorms possible, especially in the southeast and east of the country. Nighttime lows will range from 13°C to 17°C, while daytime highs will stay between 20°C and 25°C—though areas in the southeast may hit 27°C. Winds will come from the west to southwest, generally light to moderate, increasing briefly during storms. On Tuesday, expect continued cloudiness and light showers, particularly in the east. Night temperatures will dip slightly, ranging from 12°C to 16°C, and possibly down to 9°C in the west and northwest. Daytime temperatures should remain stable at 20°C to 25°C. By Wednesday, warmer air returns. Most of the country will enjoy temperatures from 23°C to 28°C, although the western regions will be slightly cooler at 20°C to 23°C. Skies will start out partly clear, but clouds and afternoon thunderstorms will likely...

 by Prague Morning Jun 01, 2025

Platon and Anakin? Czech Parents Are Getting Creative with Baby Names

In the latest report from the Czech Statistical Office (CZSO), Jakub and Eliška once again topped the list of the most popular baby names in the Czech Republic for 2024. These names have dominated the rankings for over a decade — Jakub since 2011 and Eliška since 2012. Jakub led the pack among boys, followed closely by Matyáš, Jan, Adam, Matěj, David, Vojtěch, Filip, Dominik, and Tomáš. For girls, Viktorie, Sofie, Anna, Natálie, Amálie, Ema, Tereza, Laura, and Adéla trailed behind Eliška. Interestingly, the once-traditional Marie continued to decline in popularity, while the more modern-sounding Mia climbed to 13th place. In Prague, the name David was the most frequently chosen for newborn boys. “We can speculate whether this has something to do with last year’s hockey championship and the stellar performance of our scorer David Pastrňák,” Rojíček said with a smile. The report also looked into names passed down through generations. Among boys, Antonín, Václav, Josef, and František remain commonly inherited. In contrast, girls’ names are less often repeated within families, although names like Marie, Ludmila, Anna, and Alena still appear among inherited traditions. Czech Parents Get Creative — Meet Platon, Anakin, and Auri The 2024 data also highlighted a...

 by Prague Morning May 29, 2025

30°C Heatwave Hits Czechia This Weekend, But Showers Expected

After a stretch of colder days, summer weather is finally making its way into Czechia, with temperatures expected to climb to nearly 30°C this weekend. But while the heat returns, thunderstorms and showers remain in the picture, particularly in the afternoons. Friday will bring rain, especially to western regions. Morning lows will sit near 10°C, while daytime highs are projected to reach between 17°C and 22°C, possibly hitting 24°C in some areas. The weekend is shaping up to be the warmest of the year so far, with Saturday promising sunnier skies and temperatures ranging from 24°C to 29°C. However, localized thunderstorms and sudden downpours are likely to break up the sunshine in several regions. Residents are advised to monitor weather alerts issued by the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute and follow safety instructions as needed. Sunday will continue the trend: highs may touch 30°C, but unsettled weather remains likely. Showers and storms could roll in again, and morning fog may reduce visibility in lower-lying areas. Looking into early next week, the high temperatures are expected to persist, though skies will likely stay mostly cloudy, with intermittent rain or thunderstorms still on the radar.   Would you like us to write about your...

 by Prague Morning May 29, 2025

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