On Wednesday, April 9, the Czech government will discuss the annual assessment of the country’s readiness to adopt the single European currency. A decision on when — or whether — Czechia will join the eurozone remains off the table, as the governing coalition remains split on the issue. The cabinet’s programme statement does not commit to adopting the euro. Instead, it pledges to meet the Maastricht criteria — the EU’s convergence benchmarks for euro adoption. Last year, the country fulfilled four of the five: price stability, interest rates on long-term government bonds, deficit levels, and public debt. The only outstanding requirement is exchange rate stability, as Czechia is not yet part of ERM II, the EU’s exchange rate mechanism. Economists have advised that the country should only join ERM II once a date for adopting the euro is set, and for the shortest possible period. Although Czechia formally committed to joining the eurozone when it entered the EU in 2004, no deadline was ever established. The Ministry of Finance maintains that the decision on when to adopt the euro lies with each member state — but should depend on economic readiness, not just formal criteria. Alignment with the eurozone’s broader...
Czech residents are about to enjoy the first long weekend of 2025, thanks to the upcoming Easter holidays. With Good Friday and Easter Monday both designated as official non-working days, people will have a four-day break, from April 18 to 21. But what about shopping? Here’s what you need to know: on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (April 18, 19, and 20), stores will operate as usual. However, on Monday, April 21, large supermarkets will be closed. Since October 2016, a law has been in place in the Czech Republic prohibiting stores larger than 200 square meters from opening on certain public holidays. This rule applies to all big shops, not just grocery stores. The law was introduced to allow supermarket employees, like others, to spend time with their families during these holidays. Good Friday, falling on April 18 in 2025, is not covered by this restriction, so all stores will be open as normal. However, Easter Monday is one of the holidays when the law mandates closures, meaning that on April 21, all large supermarkets must remain closed. Here’s a Quick Overview: Public holidays when stores remain open: Good Friday (April 18, 2025) Labor Day (May 1) Day of Slavic...
The Czech Republic has taken a major step in railway innovation by launching its first autonomous train. On Saturday morning, a blue-and-white motor unit arrived in Dolní Bousov from Kopidlno, running about ten minutes behind schedule. At first glance, the journey seemed like any other — a single wagon, a quiet route through the countryside. But one crucial detail made this ride historic: there was no driver in the cab. The train, developed by Czech company AŽD, drew a crowd of railway professionals, journalists, and curious locals for its debut. Zdeněk Chrdle, CEO of AŽD, called the autonomous train a breakthrough in European rail transport. “Driverless trains exist abroad, but they usually run in fully enclosed environments — tunnels, fenced corridors, isolated systems. This is the first time an autonomous train will run in open terrain, on a regular line with level crossings and potential real-world challenges,” said Chrdle. The train is a refurbished 810 series locomotive, renamed Edita — an acronym for Experimental Railway Vehicle for Innovative Technologies of AŽD. It pulls a trailer wagon that seats passengers, and while the system is fully autonomous, Czech law still requires a human onboard who can intervene in emergencies. “During autonomous...
This week, the Czech Republic will face a wave of cold Arctic air sweeping in from the north and northeast. As a result, expect frosty nights, daytime chill, and even snow in some regions. While the cold will gradually ease starting Tuesday, the beginning of the week will bring freezing temperatures and danger to vegetation, especially flowering fruit trees. On Monday, expect mostly cloudy to overcast skies on Monday, with partly cloudy conditions possible in Bohemia early in the day. In the northeastern half of the country, snow showers may occur—especially in mountain regions. In areas below 500 meters, rain or mixed precipitation is possible. Tuesday brings cloudy skies, with rain or showers in some places and snow above 600 meters. However, both precipitation and cloud cover should begin to decrease by the evening. Night temperatures will range from 0°C to 4°C, dipping to -2°C in calmer areas. Daytime highs will rise to between 8°C and 12°C. On Wednesday, skies will remain cloudy to partly cloudy, with occasional showers in the northeast and snow above 600 meters early in the day. Snow will continue on Thursday in elevations above 600 meters, while the rest of the country can expect rain...
Since April 1, all doctors in the Czech Republic have been authorized to prescribe medicinal cannabis to patients suffering from intractable chronic pain. It marks a shift in the country’s healthcare system, as it expands access to a treatment option that was previously available only through specialists. Cannabis has been used for medical purposes in the Czech Republic since 2015, and only specialized doctors could prescribe it. However, the new regulation now allows general practitioners to prescribe medicinal cannabis for pain management, offering an alternative to painkillers such as morphine or fentanyl. Petr Šonka, chairman of the Association of General Practitioners, expressed his support for the change, emphasizing that cannabis is a safer option with fewer side effects compared to traditional opioids. A nationwide educational program is being implemented, including regional seminars aimed at informing GPs about the prescription of cannabis. After a slow start in 2015 when medicinal cannabis was legalized, sales reached over 100 kilograms in 2021. In 2024 alone, 320 kilograms were prescribed, representing more than one-third of the total amount dispensed since legalization. This past decade, around 250 doctors have prescribed it in the country with a total of 937 kilograms. According to the 2024 Report...
The amendment, approved by Czech President Peter Pavel, significantly increases recruitment and retention benefits for Czech soldiers in a bid to address critical army staffing shortages. Czech President Petr Pavel has signed a key amendment aimed at strengthening the Czech Army by significantly increasing recruitment and retention benefits for professional soldiers. The move, backed by the government, seeks to address the increasingly concerning personnel shortfall in the armed forces. Under the new legislation, the recruitment allowance for new soldiers will rise sharply to a maximum of CZK 1 million, quadrupling the previous ceiling of CZK 250,000. This allowance will be paid out as a one-time bonus, but only after the completion of a three-month probationary period. In addition to the recruitment incentive, the amendment enhances several other benefits, including the stabilization allowance, housing support, and subsidies for service abroad. The Czech defense ministry estimates that the additional measures will cost the state budget CZK 375 million annually. Defense Minister Jana Černochová and Chief of the General Staff Karel Řehka have consistently raised concerns over the army’s personnel shortage. Řehka has stressed that to meet strategic defense goals, the military needs a net annual increase of 1,200 soldiers. Just 27,826 professional...
A new study has confirmed what many have already suspected—drug use in the Czech Republic is increasing. According to wastewater analysis conducted by the TG Masaryk Water Research Institute (VÚV), cocaine is the most common drug in Prague and Pilsen. At the same time, methamphetamine (pervitin) dominates in Ústí nad Labem and Ostrava. The study also found that marijuana use is rising, with its presence in public spaces becoming more visible, particularly in Prague. Gone are the days when smoking a joint was done in secret; today, the scent of marijuana is replacing cigarette smoke on the streets of the capital. However, how do scientists identify which drugs are being consumed and where? The solution was discovered in the wastewater analysis—novel, anonymous, and highly accurate for gazing at national drug consumption patterns. How Scientists Track Drug Use Through Wastewater Each year, researchers take wastewater samples from large Czech cities and test them for traces of drugs. It is a straightforward, objective way to see what people are using. The data is then sent to the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA), allowing comparisons with other countries. “The method provides an objective and anonymous view of drug consumption in the population. Thanks...
The Czech Republic is set for another sharp temperature drop this week, according to the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (ČHMÚ). The beginning of the week will bring cold and humid air from northwestern Europe, followed by a brief warming period. However, by Friday, a cold front will sweep through, bringing another round of chilly weather. Throughout the week, the weather will be cloudy and rainy, with snowfall in higher elevations. While the weekend will start with relatively mild temperatures, a significant cooling trend will follow. Here’s what meteorologists predict for the upcoming days. Monday and Tuesday: Rain, Snow, and Low Temperatures If you have outdoor plans on Monday, prepare for rain and snow in the mountains. The sky will remain mostly cloudy, with showers and mixed precipitation above 700 meters. Evening rainfall may subside. Nighttime temperatures will range from 6 to 2°C, while daytime highs will only reach 5 to 9°C, with some areas in Moravia hitting 12°C. A northwest to north wind will continue throughout the day. On Tuesday, the pattern remains unchanged. Expect cloudy skies with occasional showers, with snow above 900 meters. Precipitation should taper off in the evening, allowing for decreasing cloud cover. Night temperatures will drop...
A wave of new bone marrow donors has joined the Czech registry, moved by the story of two-year-old Madlenka. Over the past ten days, more than 6,000 people have registered as bone marrow donors in Czechia—half the number usually recorded in an entire year. In 2023, the total number of new donors was around 12,000, yet this unprecedented surge took place in just a few days, largely thanks to Madlenka’s father, who shared her story online. Madlenka, a two-year-old girl, is battling aplastic anemia, a serious condition that affects bone marrow function. Her search for a compatible donor has touched the hearts of thousands, prompting people across the country to sign up. Doctors and medical staff continue to process samples, including those sent from plasma centers and transfusion stations. The donor drive will run across Czechia until the end of April. For those unable to donate due to age restrictions, there’s still a way to help. A fundraising campaign has been launched to cover the costs of donor registration and collection. As of Friday evening, donations had surpassed 850,000 CZK. The surge in registrations has been visible across the country. In Brno alone, 580 people signed up yesterday. Over the...
A new survey reveals that nearly half of Czech citizens believe current defense spending at 2 percent of GDP is sufficient, and only a small fraction would volunteer to join the military if Czechia or a NATO ally were attacked. The poll, conducted last month by the Median agency for Czech Radio, found that half of the respondents were content with the current level of investment in defense, one third of people wanted to increase spending above NATO’s minimum threshold of 2 percent, while a quarter of those asked backed a reduction in spending. The findings come just weeks after the Czech government announced plans to increase defense spending to at least 3 percent of GDP by 2030, a move Prime Minister Petr Fiala has described as both necessary and urgent. The Chamber of Deputies is set to debate the nation’s defense capability this week, with President Petr Pavel scheduled to address an extraordinary session on the topic. “Two percent is the minimum today, but not all states even meet that. We need to discuss whether higher spending is necessary and feasible,” Fiala said. He also highlighted the economic benefits of defense investment, including domestic industrial growth, innovation, and technological...
As for the most interesting Czech holidays and traditions, Easter sure gives Christmas a run for its peníze (i.e. money). In addition to catching the beauty of spring, Eastertime visitors will come away from Prague with a pocketful of history and traditions to be shared back home (especially if a visit to the country’s more traditional Moravian region is involved). For a preview of what to expect for Easter in the Czech Republic, read our 8 fascinating Easter facts! 1. Is it Easter… or a celebration of spring? Velikonoce (Easter) comes from the expression velká noc, meaning “great night” after the day in which Jesus Christ rose from the dead. During Communist rule, however, the religious celebration was suppressed and the arrival of spring was recognized instead. Since the Velvet Revolution and the collapse of Communism in 1989, Easter’s Christian roots have slowly been reestablished, though the holiday is still less overtly religious than visitors might expect (at least in the case in the capital city). 2. Easter Monday trumps Easter Sunday The main day for Easter celebrations is on Easter Monday, also a national holiday. Easter Sunday (Velikonoční neděle), on the other hand, is typically spent preparing for the following day’s festivities during which ladies decorate the eggs...
A new report by the energy think tank Ember finds that imports of Russian gas to the EU surged by 18% in 2024. Despite plans to phase out Russian energy by 2027, increased imports into Italy, the Czech Republic, and France drove the rise. Although demand did not grow, imports increased. Moreover, the EU plans to enhance its liquefied natural gas (LNG) import capacity by 54%, with member states seeking alternative gas suppliers. According to the think tank, this expansion occurs despite stable demand until 2030. Analysts warn that such expansion could result in overcapacity, with fossil gas supply expected to surpass demand by 26% in 2030. “This level of overinvestment, amounting to 131 billion cubic meters, matches the combined annual gas consumption of Germany, France, and Poland,” reads the press release. “It is a scandal that the EU is still importing Russian gas,” said Ember analyst Dr Pawel Czyzak. “Instead of investing in true alternatives like renewables and efficiency to cut off Russian imports, Member States are burning money with expensive LNG capacity that won’t even be used.” The analysis reveals that after years of price volatility driven by the war in Ukraine, gas prices surged by 59% in...
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