Czechia

Snow or Spring? What to Expect in Czechia This Week

The final days of February are here. Will the cold and frost persist, or can we look forward to warmer spring-like weather? Here’s what meteorologists predict for this week. According to the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (ČHMÚ), Monday will bring cloudy to overcast skies, with rain, snow, and even freezing precipitation expected in the northeast and east. In contrast, western Bohemia will see clearer skies. Fog, possibly freezing, is likely in some areas. Nighttime temperatures will drop to between -2°C and 2°C, while daytime highs will reach 8°C to 10°C in sunnier regions. Winds will be light, coming from the south at speeds of up to 4 m/s. On Tuesday, daytime highs will again range between 5°C and 10°C, though the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands may see slightly cooler temperatures, around 3°C. Nighttime lows will drop to -1°C to -3°C in Moravia and Silesia. The day will be mostly cloudy, with occasional fog—some of it freezing. Winds from the southeast to south will remain weak to moderate, reaching speeds of 2 to 6 m/s. Midweek: Snow Returns? By Wednesday, expect cloudy skies with occasional rain or showers. Snowfall is expected at elevations above 900 meters, mainly in the afternoon and evening. Nighttime temperatures...

 by Prague Morning Feb 24, 2025

Czech Republic Disposed 17 Million COVID-19 Vaccines Since 2021

The Czech Republic has disposed of more than 17 million expired COVID-19 vaccines worth around CZK 7.5 billion, nearly half of the total ordered. The primary reason is their expiration dates. According to Deputy Minister of Health Jakub Dvořáček, the country continues to receive updated vaccines tailored to new variants of the virus, leading to a cycle where older doses become obsolete. “In November, the last batch was adjusted to the latest strain, and another update is expected in the fall,” Dvořáček stated. Reports from Seznam Zprávy in 2023 indicated that the Health Ministry had already discarded 12 million doses worth 4.7 billion CZK at that time. In just over a year, the figure has increased by another five million doses. By the end of 2024, the Czech Republic will have ordered over 40 million doses at a total cost of nearly 18 billion CZK, according to Ministry of Health spokesperson Ondřej Jakob. Of these, only four million doses have been donated to other countries. New Shipments Until 2026 The Czech Republic is set to continue receiving vaccine shipments until at least 2026. However, as new strains emerge and new vaccines are introduced, demand for older doses diminishes. “Once you...

 by Prague Morning Feb 22, 2025

Lunch in a Restaurant? For Many Czechs, It’s Becoming a Luxury

Going out for lunch at a restaurant used to be a daily habit for many workers in Czechia. Now, it’s increasingly seen as a luxury. The average price of a restaurant lunch has climbed to 192 CZK this year—excluding drinks. Surprisingly, Prague is no longer the most expensive city for dining out. Rising Costs Are Changing Lunch Habits Rather than dining with colleagues at a nearby restaurant, more and more people are bringing food from home or opting for buffets and self-service cafeterias, which tend to be more affordable. The days when a decent meal cost just 100 CZK are long gone—today, it can be twice as much. Lunch Prices Surpass 200 CZK Finding a lunch menu for around 100 CZK is now a rarity. The only exceptions might be hot buffets at butcher shops, but even these are becoming scarce. Lunch prices in Prague first surpassed 200 CZK in November 2022, and other regions followed shortly after. In recent months, restaurant lunch prices have remained relatively stable, with slight fluctuations. “Last year, the average lunch price hovered around 190 CZK, with small spikes during the summer months,” said Jan Michelfeit from Pluxee, the company behind the survey. Price Isn’t...

 by Prague Morning Feb 21, 2025

Czechia to Warm Up Next Week, Temperatures May Reach 12°C

The Czech Republic is set for a gradual temperature rise in the coming days. While night temperatures will remain below freezing over the weekend, daytime highs could reach up to 7°C. Next week, thermometers may climb to 12°C, accompanied by occasional rainfall, according to the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (ČHMÚ). “On the back side of a high-pressure system over Eastern Europe, warmer air will begin moving toward us from the southwest, particularly in the upper layers of the atmosphere,” meteorologists explained. Following a frosty night, temperatures will hover slightly above freezing during the day. On Friday, skies will cloud over, with the possibility of light freezing rain in some areas. Western Bohemia could see icy conditions, as nighttime temperatures dip between -1°C and -5°C, and as low as -9°C in Moravia and Silesia. During the day, temperatures will rise to 1°C–6°C, except in northwestern Bohemia, northern Moravia, and the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands, where it may stay around -1°C. Saturday is expected to be mostly clear, while Sunday will bring more cloud cover. Mornings on both days could see patchy freezing fog or low clouds. Night temperatures will remain between -1°C and -6°C, while daytime highs will reach up to 7°C. Colder conditions...

 by Prague Morning Feb 21, 2025

Teenager Detained After Killing Two Women in Shop in Hradec Králové

Two women have died in a knife attack on Thursday at a shopping center in the Hradec Králové, officials said. Police say they detained a teenage suspect in connection with the stabbings in a store in the city of Hradec Kralove, some 100 east of Prague. Reports initially said the victims had been injured, one of them seriously, but police later said both had died. They were not identified. Authorities confirmed that both victims worked as shop assistants, and the motive behind the attack is under investigation. A 16-year-old Czech national was detained by police about one 1 kilometer from the scene, shortly after the attack. A knife was found nearby. Prime Minister Petr Fiala offered his condolences to the relatives of the dead. “What has happened in Hradec Kralove today is an absolutely incomprehensible and horrible act,” he posted on X. Police say the situation was under control and there was no danger to the public. No other details were immediately available. The store was surrounded by police tape, but according to local reporters, the shopping area is still in normal operation. “We are investigating the attacker’s motivation through the National Center for Combating Terrorism, Extremism and Cybercrime and...

 by Prague Morning Feb 20, 2025

Taiwanese Citizens Can Now Work in Czechia Without a Permit

The Czech government has expanded the list of non-EU countries whose citizens can work in the country without a permit. Starting in March, people from Taiwan will no longer need a work permit or employment card to be legally employed. The cabinet approved the change on Wednesday as part of an effort to attract more skilled foreign workers. The measure aims to ease hiring for Czech businesses while making it simpler for professionals and managers from Taiwan to relocate. According to the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, as of last June, 185 Taiwanese nationals—80 men and 105 women—were employed in Czechia. The decision comes after an amendment to the Employment Act, which allows the government to designate certain non-EU countries as eligible for work without additional permits. Since July 2023, this list has included Australia, Japan, Canada, South Korea, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States, Israel, and Singapore. Taiwan was originally part of the proposal but was later removed because Czechia does not officially recognize it as an independent state. However, a separate legislative change now allows Taiwan to be treated as an independent jurisdiction, clearing the way for its inclusion. Security concerns were also considered before...

 by Prague Morning Feb 19, 2025

New Poll Reveals Which Nationalities Czechs Most Want as Neighbors

The STEM Agency has published the results of its latest survey on Czech attitudes toward various nationalities and ethnic groups living in the country. The research, conducted from January 16-25, 2025, surveyed 1,034 Czech citizens aged 18 and over through a combination of in-person and online methods. Respondents were asked, “How would you feel if your neighbor was from this nationality?” As anticipated, Czechs showed the greatest warmth toward Slovaks, with 93% of respondents saying they would feel “very well, without problems” living next door to them. The English came in second, with 83% of respondents expressing a welcoming attitude. Americans ranked third, with 81% of Czechs saying they would be comfortable with them as neighbors. The Ukrainians followed closely, with 46% of respondents expressing no issues with having them as neighbors, while 35% of Czechs would accept Russians in their neighborhood. Notably, this dynamic had shifted dramatically since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, when attitudes were reversed. Both Jews and Vietnamese people garnered equal support, with 71% of respondents expressing no objections to having them as neighbors.   On the other end of the spectrum, Czechs indicated that Arabs and Syrians were the least desirable neighbors, with 20%...

 by Prague Morning Feb 19, 2025

Brutal Cold in the Czech Republic: Record Lows Reach -30°C!

The Czech Republic is in the grip of severe frosts, with temperatures in the mountains dropping as low as -30.2°C. According to the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (ČHMÚ), nighttime temperatures across much of the country ranged between -9°C and -14°C, while mountainous regions experienced even harsher conditions. The freezing conditions have persisted for several nights. “Tuesday night was particularly cold, especially in northwestern and northern Bohemia, where skies remained clear. Here, temperatures commonly fell to -9°C to -14°C, with some areas dropping to around -16°C. In the Jizera Mountains, we recorded temperatures below -20°C,” ČHMÚ meteorologists reported on X. The lowest temperature of the night was measured at Kořenov Jizerka, where the station recorded -30.2°C at 5:00 AM. “Elsewhere in the country, low-lying areas remained under compact cloud cover, preventing extreme temperature drops. In these locations, temperatures mostly ranged between -4°C and -9°C,” meteorologists added. Daytime Temperatures Struggle to Rise Even during the day, the frost is unlikely to ease. In some areas, temperatures will remain below freezing. “Cloud cover is gradually decreasing from the north and will continue to clear throughout the day. By the afternoon, most of the country will see sunshine, but maximum temperatures will only reach -4°C...

 by Prague Morning Feb 18, 2025

Heads Up: Hotels and Airbnb Must Register in New eTurista System

A new amendment to the Tourism Act will require all accommodation providers, including hotels and private Airbnb rentals, to register in the upcoming eTurista system. The proposal has passed its first reading in the Chamber of Deputies, with implementation planned for hotels this year and private rentals next year. The amendment also grants municipalities the power to regulate short-term rentals in apartment buildings. Local governments will be able to set restrictions on rental periods, limit the number of days a property can be rented per year, and impose occupancy limits based on apartment size. “Hotels and other registered accommodations must follow strict regulations and are subject to inspections and potential sanctions. However, authorities often have no oversight over short-term rentals via digital platforms, allowing some hosts to operate in a legal gray zone,” said Minister for Regional Development Petr Kulhánek (STAN). Kulhánek emphasized that the lack of regulation negatively affects popular tourist destinations like central Prague and the Krkonoše (Giant Mountains). Unregistered accommodations often fail to report foreign guests and avoid paying local accommodation fees. “Our estimates suggest that the state loses nearly CZK 800 million annually in unpaid taxes from unregistered accommodations, while municipalities lose another 55 million crowns in...

 by Prague Morning Feb 16, 2025

Extreme Cold Ahead: Temperatures in Czechia to Drop to -15°C This Week

Czechia is bracing for a week of freezing temperatures, with nighttime lows plummeting to -15°C.  The cold spell will peak midweek before a gradual warming starts on Thursday. The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (ČHMÚ) reports that a high-pressure system over northern and central Europe will drive the extreme cold. People were advised to dress in multiple layers, wear suitable footwear, and limit outdoor exposure, especially for children, the elderly, and those in poor health. The deep freeze will intensify on Monday, with clear to partly cloudy skies, though some areas may see temporary cloud cover and isolated snowfall. Nighttime temperatures will plunge to between -10°C and -15°C, with daytime highs reaching -3°C to 1°C. Tuesday and Wednesday will bring similar conditions, though daytime temperatures may rise slightly to 2°C. Thursday will remain mostly clear to partly cloudy, with temporary cloud cover moving in from the west. However, warmer air will start to arrive. The lowest nighttime temperatures will range from -8°C to -12°C, or around -6°C in cloudier areas. During the day, temperatures could climb to 4°C. The trend of clear to partly cloudy skies will continue into the weekend, though fog and low clouds may develop in some areas, including...

 by Prague Morning Feb 16, 2025

New Chinese-Sourced Drug Surfaces on Czech Online Markets

An alarming new drug, nitazene, is making its way through Czech online platforms. Sourced from China, this substance—more dangerous than fentanyl—has already captured the attention of customs officials. In recent weeks, online spaces have seen a surge of advertisements promoting nitazene worldwide. Customs officers in the Czech Republic have intercepted shipments linked to the drug, prompting concerns over its spread. Investigative efforts by Bellingcat and coverage on investigace.cz have shed light on the issue. Their research uncovered numerous nearly identical ads. One such message read: “Hello, friend. Our advantage is safe and fast delivery, ensuring your products arrive on time and in pristine condition. Our efficient process balances security and speed for a seamless experience every time.” These ads typically include contact details via Telegram or Signal and display an image of a white to grayish powder. In the Czech Republic, the drug has been promoted on eight different websites—including Hyperinzerce, Chov zvířat, Zbavsetoho, and primabazar.cz—although inquiries have so far gone unanswered. More Toxic Than Fentanyl Developed around sixty years ago as an alternative to morphine, nitazene was never approved for medical use. In stark contrast to fentanyl, nitazene compounds are estimated to be ten to forty times more toxic;...

 by Prague Morning Feb 15, 2025

Czech Government to Debate Sales of Kratom and Low-Potency Cannabis

The Czech government is set to discuss regulated sales of kratom and cannabis with THC levels up to 1% on Wednesday, with the changes potentially taking effect in July. The regulation focuses on substances deemed to pose low public health and social risks based on current scientific evidence. These include kratom and kratom extracts, known for their stimulant and pain-relieving effects; cannabis with up to 1 percent THC, a low-potency form of cannabis with minimal psychoactive effects. Low-THC cannabis products will be permitted to be sold in licensed stores starting this summer in Czechia, although certain forms of commerce such as automated vending machines remain prohibited. Additionally, starting on April 1, 2025, general practitioners (GPs) in the Czech Republic will be authorized to prescribe medical cannabis to suffering patients. The policy change is a result of a new decree from the nation’s Ministry of Health. “The decree allows GPs to prescribe medicinal cannabis for chronic, intractable pain,” Ministry spokesperson Ondřej Jakob previously said. Medical cannabis was first legalized in Czechia in 2013, however, only specialists can currently prescribe it resulting in roughly 8,000 patients receiving legal access. There is also a push in Czechia for wider adult-use cannabis legalization. However,...

 by Prague Morning Feb 15, 2025

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