Czechia

Why Czechs Pay Too Much for Mobile Services: 10 Common Mistakes

Czech households continue to pay more for mobile services than most people elsewhere in Europe. But consumer experts say the problem often lies less with the operators themselves and more with the habits of their customers. 1. Paying for Unlimited Plans They Don’t Need Many users opt for “unlimited” plans, even though they spend most of their time at home or work with Wi-Fi, make few calls, and rarely send text messages. This mismatch between usage and plan can add 300–600 CZK to the monthly bill. 2. Ignoring Contract Updates Subscribers frequently overlook emails about changes to their contract. Yet under Czech law, a unilateral price increase allows customers to terminate the contract without penalties. Most simply miss this chance to save. 3. Loyalty Is Not Rewarded In the Czech market, the best deals often go to new customers or those threatening to leave. Long-term subscribers who never renegotiate may pay significantly more than newcomers. 4. One Call Can Save 20–40% Every major operator has a customer retention department. A simple call mentioning a potential switch can result in discounts of 20–40%. Staying silent, however, leaves money on the table. 5. Hidden Charges on Bills Optional services such as device...

 by Prague Morning Apr 03, 2026

Rock for People Returns With Iron Maiden, Gorillaz and Limp Bizkit

Rock for People 2026 is already shaping up to be one of the biggest music events of next year, with five days of concerts, side events, and camping at Park 360 in Hradec Králové from June 10 to 14. The festival will once again bring together some of the biggest names in rock, metal, punk, alternative, and pop. Among the headliners are Gorillaz, Iron Maiden, Bring Me The Horizon, Limp Bizkit, Halsey, Megadeth, Papa Roach, Nothing But Thieves, Electric Callboy, Within Temptation, and A Day To Remember. The lineup also includes well-known international acts such as Tom Morello, Three Days Grace, The Wombats, BabyMetal, All Time Low, The Pretty Reckless, Trivium, Alter Bridge, Knocked Loose, Saxon, Alexisonfire, and Wolf Alice. Fans of heavier music can look forward to bands including Lionheart, Kublai Khan TX, Static-X, Malevolence, Silent Planet, Bury Tomorrow, Gatecreeper, Dying Wish, Thornhill, and We Came As Romans. Punk and alternative fans will find plenty to enjoy as well, with Destroy Boys, Social Distortion, Yard Act, The All-American Rejects, Don Broco, Trash Boat, and The Royston Club all set to appear. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rock for People (@rockforpeople) Several newer names are also...

 by Prague Morning Mar 31, 2026

Czechia to Launch Homegrown Space Satellite to Track Fires, Floods, and Traffic

The mission is intended to give Czech authorities their own eyes in orbit while boosting domestic ambitions to build more advanced satellites at home. The Czech Republic is moving ahead with plans to launch a new domestically developed satellite capable of delivering hundreds of images of the Earth each day for state use, in a project officials say could eventually help with everything from disaster response to transport monitoring. As reported by Echo24, representatives of VZLU Aerospace, the Czech national aviation and space center, and the European Space Agency have now signed the contract covering development of the AMBIC satellite, along with a universal satellite platform intended for future missions. The satellite is expected to be ready for launch in 2030. Once in orbit, the satellite is expected to capture up to 400 black-and-white and color images per day at a resolution sharp enough to identify objects the size of a car. It will operate in low Earth orbit at an altitude of up to 550 kilometers. Officials say the data could prove valuable to helping emergency services respond to fires and floods, and the imagery could also be used to monitor roads, railways, protected natural parks, and illegal dumping...

 by Prague Morning Mar 28, 2026

Free Contraception for Young People Sparks Political Debate in Czechia

The topic of publicly funded contraception has resurfaced in Czech political discourse after ODS MP Eva Decroix raised the issue on social media. She argued that health insurance coverage for contraception could prevent unintended pregnancies and reduce the number of abortions. Decroix suggested that coverage could initially focus on young women and students, highlighting the financial barrier contraception presents. “Do you know that most abortions are performed by women who already have one or more children? Do you know that 84 percent of people support women’s right to decide about their own pregnancy? I believe contraception should be covered, at least in the first step for young girls and students, by public health insurance,” she wrote on Facebook. Currently, Czech women generally pay for contraception themselves unless prescribed for medical reasons. A three-month supply typically starts at around 400 CZK. Amnesty International Czech Republic has long advocated for contraception to be included under public health insurance. Health Minister Open to Targeted Support Health Minister Adam Vojtěch of the ANO party emphasized that public health insurance is primarily intended to cover medical care and treatment, rather than universal contraception. However, he expressed willingness to consider targeted support. “Where contraception is indicated...

 by Prague Morning Mar 24, 2026

Preliminary Results: What Did Homeless People Do With 100,000 CZK?

A year-long experiment in Prague has tested a simple question: what happens when people without stable housing are given money with no conditions attached. The answer, according to researchers, runs counter to common assumptions. In the study, 40 people experiencing homelessness each received a one-time payment of 100,000 Czech crowns. They were free to spend the money as they chose, without oversight or restrictions. Researchers tracked their progress over the following 12 months. The findings suggest that most participants did not spend the funds on alcohol or drugs, as is often assumed. Instead, many used the money to cover basic needs and secure housing. By the end of the study period, around 80 percent had found some form of accommodation, and more than half managed to maintain it. The project, known as New Leaf Czech, followed a total of 100 participants divided into three groups. In addition to those who received cash, 20 people worked closely with a dedicated social worker, while another 40 formed a control group with no direct support. Melanie Zajacová, who led the research and heads the Department of Social Work at the Faculty of Arts at Charles University, said the results were stronger than expected....

 by Prague Morning Mar 23, 2026

Czech Republic Has Five Months to Secure Remaining EU Funds

Czechia has secured most of its share of European recovery funding, but with a fixed deadline approaching, the hardest part may still lie ahead. The European Commission has released another €614 million to the Czech Republic, bringing the total received under the bloc’s post-pandemic recovery program to roughly 70 percent of the allocated funds. The payment, equivalent to about 15 billion Czech crowns, reflects progress on a range of projects, from cleaner transport to energy savings. The funding is part of the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Facility, designed to help member states rebuild after Covid-19 while pushing their economies toward digital and environmental goals. For the Czech Republic, the total allocation stands at €8.75 billion, or more than 220 billion crowns. The latest tranche was tied to concrete outcomes. Authorities reported thousands of newly registered electric vehicles, a growing network of charging stations, and improved insulation in tens of thousands of homes. Investments have also reached rail infrastructure, university programs, and parts of the public administration system. Changes to regulations have supported the expansion of solar energy, while the rollout of 5G networks has continued. Companies have also benefited from digital upgrades backed by the program. Still, these steps...

 by Prague Morning Mar 23, 2026

World Happiness Report 2026: Czech Republic Still in the TOP 20

Every year, the World Happiness Report reveals which countries lead in overall happiness, and for the ninth year in a row, Finland has claimed the top spot. The Nordic countries continue to dominate the rankings, with Iceland and Denmark securing second and third place. Costa Rica stands out in fourth place, steadily improving in recent years and often surprising observers outside the region. Sweden and Norway, Finland’s neighbors, follow closely in sixth and seventh positions. Despite the stereotype of Czechs as chronic complainers, the Czech Republic is holding its ground. Out of 147 countries, it ranks 20th globally, the same as last year, showing that contentment is achievable even in nations known for their critical outlook. The World Happiness Report considers multiple factors when calculating the satisfaction index, including life expectancy, GDP per capita, perceived corruption, and trust in institutions. Citizens’ subjective feelings about their life quality are also central to the ranking. While the happiest nations cluster in Northern Europe and parts of Latin America, the report highlights regions facing severe challenges. Afghanistan, under Taliban rule for several years, ranks lowest at 147th. Other countries with limited resources and difficult living conditions, including Sierra Leone, Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Botswana,...

 by Prague Morning Mar 22, 2026

Czechia Wants to Limit Temporary Protection for Refugees from Ukraine

The Czech Republic plans to review the conditions for temporary protection of Ukrainian refugees after 2027, considering restrictions for working-age men and residents of western regions. The final decision must be approved by the EU. Interior Minister Lubomír Metnar stated that in the future, protection might not extend to working-age men or to people arriving from the western regions of Ukraine. However, such changes cannot be adopted at the national level – the decision must be agreed upon within the European Union, where the temporary protection mechanism operates. Currently, Prague is negotiating with other EU countries, trying to find a common approach. Temporary protection has already been extended by the EU until March 2027 and allows Ukrainians to legally reside and work in EU countries. At the same time, the Czech Republic has accepted the largest number of refugees per capita among all EU countries – over 401,000 people, and about six thousand more arrive every month. The authorities warn that the country’s capabilities are at their limit, which increases pressure on the need to review the current rules. One of the discussed options is the introduction of a geographical criterion, according to which protection would not apply to people...

 by Prague Morning Mar 18, 2026

Insurance Company VZP Warns Public of Fake Refund Emails

Czech health insurance company VZP is warning the public about a surge of fraudulent emails promising refunds of insurance premiums. The scam, which has already tricked multiple victims, urges recipients to provide personal and banking details in exchange for sums around 11,580 crowns. Jan Svoboda, Director of VZP’s Security Department, said the scam emails are sophisticated and convincing. “We are registering an extreme wave of fraudulent emails bearing the VZP logo and a number of valid elements that can confuse recipients. The messages promise a refund of overpayment from health insurance, and dangerous emails could have arrived at up to hundreds of thousands of addresses,” he explained. The emails claim that the refund is ready for transfer, but require the recipient’s authorization within 14 days, adding a false sense of urgency. This combination of a precise amount and time pressure is designed to create trust and provoke immediate action. However, experts say the fraud can often be identified by checking the sender’s email address. Official VZP communications always come from addresses in the form [email protected] Fraudulent emails usually use random character strings or suspicious foreign domains. A recent case illustrates the risk. A woman from the Jičín region followed a...

 by Prague Morning Mar 17, 2026

Czechia to Speed Up Residence Permits for Foreigners from 2029

The Czech government has approved a draft law aimed at modernizing the system for residence permits for foreigners, with a new digital platform expected to speed up applications and administrative procedures starting in 2029. The legislation, submitted to the Chamber of Deputies, introduces an electronic information system that will manage the issuance and revocation of residence permits. Officials say the reform should streamline communication between foreigners and authorities while improving the accuracy of records. According to the Ministry of the Interior, the law itself will not change the main conditions required to obtain residence permits. Instead, the goal is to simplify procedures and strengthen oversight through digital administration. If adopted, the new system would allow foreigners to create personal online accounts beginning in January 2029. Through these accounts they would communicate with state authorities, submit residence applications and receive official documents electronically. Officials say the digital platform should also help authorities manage the growing number of administrative cases related to foreign residents. The Interior Ministry reports that the number of applications submitted by foreigners is rising each year. In addition to new residence permits, authorities process more than 630,000 administrative cases annually, including address changes, registration numbers and travel document...

 by Prague Morning Mar 16, 2026

Czech Labor Market Turns to Filipinos as Worker Shortage Grows

Facing a long-term shortage of workers across key sectors, the Czech Republic is increasingly looking thousands of kilometers away for solutions. Companies are now turning to the Philippines to fill positions in industry, logistics, construction and specialized technical fields. In recent years, Filipino workers have become a growing presence in Czech factories and workshops. Many arrive with experience as welders, CNC machine operators, or specialists in aviation and defense manufacturing — professions where Czech companies struggle to find enough qualified local staff. Recruitment agencies say the trend reflects both economic pressure and the limits of traditional labor migration routes. Why Employers Prefer Filipino Workers Czech employers point to several reasons for the growing demand. Many Filipinos speak fluent English, which helps them integrate into international workplaces. Cultural factors also play a role. The Philippines is a predominantly Christian country, and recruiters say this often eases adaptation in European environments. Equally important is professional experience. Many workers arrive with training in manufacturing or technical trades that match the needs of Czech industry. Government policy has also made the Philippines an attractive recruitment source. Under the Czech Republic’s “Skilled Worker” visa program, the country receives one of the largest quotas, allowing more...

 by Prague Morning Mar 15, 2026

Easter Holiday Brings Four-Day Break Across Czech Republic

Residents of the Czech Republic will enjoy a four-day Easter holiday this year, from April 3 to April 6. The long weekend includes Good Friday (April 3), Easter Saturday (April 4), Easter Sunday (April 5), and Easter Monday (April 6). Many Czechs use this time for family gatherings, short trips, or spring getaways. While shops generally maintain regular hours on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, restrictions apply on Easter Monday. Under the Retail Trade Restrictions Act, all stores larger than 200 square meters must remain closed. Exceptions include pharmacies, gas stations, and retail outlets at airports and train stations. Some supermarket chains go further than the law requires. Penny, for example, voluntarily closes all stores not only on Easter Monday but also on Easter Sunday each year. Experts advise residents planning larger purchases to shop ahead of the holiday weekend to avoid last-minute crowds or inconvenience. Prague Easter Market Guide The Prague Easter Markets are open daily from 21 March to 12 April 2026, including over the Easter weekend. The main Easter markets are held at Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square. • Old Town Square Easter Market is the most enchanting, set against a backdrop of historic architecture. It features...

 by Prague Morning Mar 12, 2026

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