Energy Demand Surges Amid Severe Frosts Due to severe frosts, gas and electricity consumption in the Czech Republic has risen sharply. Distributors report that gas consumption over the past week was roughly a quarter higher than during the same period last year. Electricity demand also increased, prompting the Temelín nuclear power plant to raise output from 1,086 to over 1,100 megawatts. Foreign Minister Challenges Presidential Authority New Czech Foreign Minister Peter Macinka stated unequivocally that the president has no real authority in forming the government. After President Petr Pavel again refused to appoint Filip Turek as Minister of the Environment, the leader of the Motorists Party said the movement would not nominate another candidate and would continue to push for Turek. The party insists that responsibility for cabinet formation lies with parliament, not the president. Czech Mortgage Rates Tick Up By early 2026, interest rates on new mortgages in the Czech Republic have increased slightly for the first time since last summer, averaging 4.94%. Banks continue to act cautiously amid inflation risks and economic uncertainty, and no major changes in rates are expected in the near term. Hepatitis A Deaths Spike in Czech Republic In 2025, 36 people died from...
The Czech Republic continues to hold its ground as one of Central Europe’s most attractive retail destinations. Last year, forty foreign brands made their debut in the country, confirming a steady inflow of international players despite ongoing economic uncertainty across the region. According to a market overview by Cushman & Wakefield, the number of new entries remained in line with recent years, though slightly below the exceptional peak of 2024, when 47 brands arrived. Food and drink lead the expansion Restaurants, cafés and fast-casual concepts once again dominated the list of arrivals. The most closely watched launch was the American burger chain Five Guys, which opened its first Czech outlet in Prague’s Máj department store. Other fresh names on the local dining scene included the health-focused dean&david, Mediterranean restaurant Koykan and Seven North, which opened inside the SiR Prague hotel. Live-music fans gained a new venue with the Piano Bar at Savarin Palace, while several specialty brands introduced new flavours to the market, from Italian aperitif Ciao Spritz to German cinnamon-roll concept Cinnamood. Supermarket chains also played a role in expanding the country’s culinary offer. Sushi Circle and Yuzu from Germany, along with France’s Mai Sushi, entered the Czech Republic...
Inflation in Czechia held at 2.1% in December Consumer prices in Czechia rose by 2.1% in December, the same as in November. This is according to a preliminary estimate released on Wednesday by the Czech Statistical Office (ČSÚ). The inflation rate was slightly above that of the eurozone, which stood at 2%, according to Eurostat data. The Czech National Bank holds record amount of gold in reserves The Czech National Bank (ČNB) purchased 20.4 tonnes of gold last year, a figure similar to that of 2024. By the end of the year, its reserves reached a record 71.6 tonnes, according to data released by the Bank on Wednesday. At the end of 2025, the value of the gold reserves stood at $10.1 billion and gold accounted for 5.76% of the total value of Czechia‘s foreign exchange reserves. Czech Republic Will Continue To Run Ammunition Initiative, Says Babis The Czech Republic will continue to coordinate the Ukraine ammunition initiative, but will not contribute any further money to the scheme, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis (ANO) wrote on social media yesterday after a meeting of leaders of the ‘Coalition of the Willing’ – countries committed to supporting Ukraine. Babis said he made the decision...
Cold weather is set to remain across the Czech Republic in the days ahead, with meteorologists warning that winter conditions will not ease anytime soon. While temperatures may rise slightly toward the end of the week, cold weather is expected to stay, with more snow on the way — including up to 20 centimeters in some mountain areas. According to the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute, freezing temperatures will dominate the country through at least Thursday. Even though mornings have been slightly milder than earlier in the week, daytime temperatures are expected to stay below zero in most regions, keeping icy conditions firmly in place. On Friday and Saturday, some areas may briefly see temperatures rise above freezing, but the cold will not let up for long. This, however, will not bring real relief. Instead, it is likely to be accompanied by snowfall and, in some areas, mixed precipitation. Meteorologists warn that rain combined with snow, or even freezing rain, could affect parts of southwestern Bohemia outside the mountain regions, increasing the risk of icy roads and sidewalks. The most intense snowfall is expected in the Bohemian mountain ranges, where up to 20 centimeters of new snow could accumulate by the weekend....
Czech Crown Hits Record High, Boosting Buying Power Abroad The Czech currency closed the year at its strongest level on record, surprising both analysts and the central bank. In December, the average exchange rate reached 24.26 crowns per euro, a level the koruna had never achieved before. The steady rise continued for most of the year without major swings, despite earlier forecasts from the Czech National Bank that had predicted a weaker performance. The stronger crown has had a clear effect on daily life: imports, foreign travel, and online purchases from abroad have become cheaper for Czech residents. Fake VZP Emails Promise Refunds, Aim to Steal Bank Details Authorities are warning the public about a new wave of scam emails pretending to come from the state health insurance company, VZP. The messages claim that recipients have overpaid their insurance contributions and are entitled to a refund, sometimes promising amounts in the tens of thousands of crowns. The real goal is to obtain bank details and drain accounts. VZP has stressed that it never sends refund notices by email. Any overpayment can only be checked through the official mobile app, by phone, or in person at a branch office. Avalanche Warning...
Foreigners moving to or visiting the Czech Republic often describe locals as distant, reserved, or difficult to approach. According to the Expat Insider 2025 survey, this perception places the country among the least friendly nations in the world, ranking second from the bottom. Only Kuwait scored lower, while Panama topped the list as the most welcoming destination. The survey reflects a long-standing image of Czech society as cautious and emotionally restrained. Smiling at strangers is uncommon, casual conversation is rare, and personal space is closely guarded. While this behavior may appear unfriendly to outsiders, Czech experts say it is rooted more in cultural habit than hostility. Psychologist Lenka Čandová explains that Czech communication tends to avoid surface-level interaction. People prefer meaningful conversations and often skip what many cultures consider polite small talk. For foreigners, this can feel abrupt or cold, especially in everyday situations such as shops, offices, or public transport. Another factor is the Czech approach to honesty. Locals often speak directly and without softening their words. What is intended as openness or efficiency may be interpreted elsewhere as rudeness. Czech humor can also play a role. Irony, sarcasm, and joking about serious topics are common, but these cues...
The Czech Republic faces a growing shortage of professional drivers, with transport companies warning that the gap is now affecting both freight and passenger services. Industry representatives estimate that around 20,000 truck drivers and 5,000 bus drivers are currently missing from the labour market, and the situation shows little sign of easing. Efforts to attract more women into the profession, expand access to driving licences, and offer retraining programmes have so far failed to reverse the trend. Instead of stabilising, the shortage is deepening, according to the Česmad Bohemia Association of Car Transporters, which represents major road haulage companies. As a result, carriers are increasingly looking beyond the European Union. Česmad Bohemia has been in talks with Transport Minister Ivan Bednárik about simplifying the process for recruiting drivers from so-called third countries. The association argues that without faster and clearer rules, Czech transport risks falling behind neighbouring states. Employing drivers from non-EU countries is one of the few remaining options. However, heavy bureaucracy is a major obstacle. While similar procedures in Poland can take only a few weeks, the Czech system often stretches over several months, discouraging both employers and applicants. Some steps have already been taken. From January 1,...
The 2026 meteor season is shaping up to be one of the most favorable in recent years. Astronomers report that several major meteor showers will peak under near-ideal viewing conditions, including the Perseids in August, expected to reach their strongest levels in two decades. During most major meteor showers, moonlight will be minimal or absent, leaving skies dark enough to reveal even faint streaks that are usually lost in brighter conditions. August: Perseids in absolute darkness The standout moment will arrive in mid-August, when meteor counts are expected to reach levels not seen in roughly twenty years. But strong displays will also appear in spring, late autumn, and early winter, offering multiple chances to observe fast-moving debris as it burns up in Earth’s atmosphere. The August Perseids, the most widely followed meteor shower of the year, will peak on the night of August 12 into the early hours of August 13. With a new Moon falling at the same time, viewing conditions will be close to ideal. Observers under clear skies could see as many as 80 meteors per hour, making this the strongest Perseid display in two decades. Spring and Autumn: From the Lyrids to the Leonids Spring brings...
Prague Zoo Sees Its Strongest Attendance in a Decade Prague Zoo ended last year with 1.45 million visitors, marking its best result in ten years and its strongest performance since the pandemic. Zoo officials say interest was driven largely by young gorillas Mobi and Gaia, who quickly became one of the site’s main attractions. Attendance was also boosted by several new animals, including Achilles, a Sumatran tiger, and Oslo, a South African sea lion. The figures suggest that visitor numbers have returned to pre-pandemic levels. Prague Public Transport Switches to Semi-Holiday Timetable Public transport in Prague has entered a semi-holiday operating mode from January 5 to March 1. During this period, intervals for trams, buses, and trolleybuses are longer by around 20 percent. The transport authority says the change reflects a seasonal decline in passenger numbers. Metro services remain unaffected, with trains running at standard intervals. IKEA Extends Collection of Used Pillows and Textiles IKEA Czech Republic has prolonged its recycling campaign for used pillows and bedding, which was originally due to end last year. The initiative will now continue until April 30. Customers can return sleep products from any manufacturer and material, as long as they are clean, dry,...
A devastating fire that broke out during New Year’s Eve celebrations at a bar in Switzerland has left more than 40 people dead and over a hundred others injured. The Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Saturday that a national of the Czech Republic was hurt in the blaze. While officials have not yet released details about the person’s age or the extent of their injuries, they confirmed that the individual is among those receiving medical care following the incident. The scale of the disaster has pushed Swiss authorities to seek international assistance. Switzerland has formally asked European Union member states to help treat patients suffering from severe burns and inhalation injuries. Czech Health Minister Adam Vojtěch said the Czech Republic responded without delay, offering hospital capacity for patients requiring specialized treatment. Some of the injured are now being considered for transfer abroad, including to the burn unit at Královské Vinohrady University Hospital in Prague, one of the most advanced facilities of its kind in Central Europe. Many of those hospitalized are reported to be in critical condition, with serious airway damage caused by smoke and extreme heat. Near the destroyed Le Constellation bar, mourners have created an improvised...
Road Deaths Reach Historic Low Road safety figures brought more positive news. A total of 428 people were killed in traffic accidents last year, marking the second consecutive year with the lowest number of fatalities since 1961, when nationwide statistics were first recorded. Hundreds Released After Child Support Law Change A legal change at the start of the year has led to the release of 302 people previously imprisoned for failing to pay child support. Under the revised law, non-payment is now considered a criminal offence only if it places a child in extreme material hardship. As the year begins, the combination of political disputes, diplomatic reactions and domestic reforms suggests that developments in Czechia will continue to attract attention both at home and abroad. Analysts say GDP trends point to 2.5% growth in 2025 Analysts say developments in gross domestic product confirm that the Czech economy is heading towards growth of around 2.5% in 2025, up from about 1% the year before. According to revised data from the Czech Statistical Office, GDP rose by 2.8% year on year and 0.8% quarter on quarter in the third quarter. Ukrainian Ambassador Rejects Okamura’s Remarks Ukraine’s ambassador to the Czech Republic, Vasyl...
When Prime Minister Andrej Babiš used his New Year’s address to suggest the creation of a Czech Flag Day, he likely expected a symbolic gesture of national unity. Instead, the proposal has revived an old and unresolved dispute rooted in the breakup of Czechoslovakia more than three decades ago. Babiš has said he wants March 30 to be marked as Czech Flag Day, recalling the moment in 1920 when the flag was formally adopted. Yet that date refers not to a Czech national symbol, but to the flag of Czechoslovakia — a state that ceased to exist in 1993. The distinction matters, particularly in Slovakia, where the legacy of the shared federation remains sensitive. When Czechoslovakia dissolved peacefully at the end of 1992, the federal parliament adopted a constitutional law governing the separation. The law was clear: neither successor state was permitted to use the former federation’s state symbols. This included the flag, which until that point represented both nations equally. Despite this, when the Czech Republic formally came into existence on January 1, 1993, it adopted a national flag identical in design to the former Czechoslovak banner. Slovakia objected at the time, arguing that the move violated the agreed...
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