Prague is preparing a major expansion of its municipal housing stock, with plans for up to 8,000 new city-owned apartments over the coming years. While construction remains limited today, the city says dozens of projects are moving through the planning process as it seeks to increase the supply of affordable rental housing. The programme is being coordinated by the Prague Development Company (PDS), a city-owned organisation established in 2020 to prepare residential developments on municipal land. According to its latest annual report, PDS has been entrusted with around 90 hectares of land, where more than two dozen projects are planned. The apartments are intended primarily for people who struggle to find affordable housing, including seniors, people with disabilities, single parents and workers in key public services such as healthcare, education, the police and the fire brigade. Despite these ambitions, only a small number of municipal apartments are currently being built. Data from Prague’s Institute of Planning and Development (IPR) shows that since 2019, around 50 to 60 municipal apartments have been completed each year, almost all of them developed by individual city districts. Among the latest projects are a building with 29 municipal apartments in Modřany, developed by Prague 12,...
The Czech government plans to increase defense spending by 36 billion CZK next year, allowing the Czech Republic to meet its NATO commitment of spending 2% of GDP on defence for the first time. Prime Minister Andrej Babiš announced the plan before departing for the NATO summit in Ankara, where allied leaders are expected to discuss military spending, the war in Ukraine and the future direction of the alliance. The Ministry of Defense received 154.79 billion CZK in this year’s state budget, equivalent to roughly 1.8 percent of GDP. An additional 30 billion CZK is expected to support defense-related projects through other parts of the state budget, but the government has acknowledged this will still fall short of NATO’s methodology for reaching the alliance’s spending benchmark. Earlier this year, Defense Minister Jaromír Zůna said NATO estimates Czech defense spending at 1.78 percent of GDP in 2026. His ministry has proposed increasing the budget to around 190 billion CZK next year to meet the alliance’s target. Speaking before the summit, Babiš described the gathering in Ankara as one of the most important NATO meetings in recent years. He said the Czech delegation would attend as the country’s new coalition government, emphasizing...
A new open-air event inspired by Barcelona’s street culture is coming to Prague. Groovy Market Fest will take place on 1 August 2026 in Riegrovy sady, turning the park into a one-day urban market focused on food, design and music. The concept is built around a simple idea: slow down the pace of the city and create a space where people can spend time outdoors without a fixed programme or pressure to move between stages. The organisers describe it as a mix of market, social space and informal cultural gathering. The festival is divided into three main areas. Food Garden will bring street food concepts prepared on site, with an emphasis on simple recipes and fresh ingredients. Palm Street will focus on bakery products, small food producers and craft brands working with local and regional ingredients. The Design Zone will present independent designers, fashion labels and small creative studios with a focus on original production. Music will run throughout the day with DJs and a curated programme designed to support the atmosphere rather than dominate it. A signature drink prepared on site will also be part of the experience. According to co-founder Marek Novák, the goal is not to replicate...
The Prague City Council has approved a new transport strategy that will shape the city’s public transport system from 2026 to 2030. The plan focuses on improving capacity, reliability and service quality across the Prague Integrated Transport (PID) network, which also connects to the Central Bohemian Region. Despite rising operational costs, the city has again ruled out any increase in public transport fares. This position remains unchanged even as the financial gap in the system continues to grow. Prague remains among the cheapest Czech cities According to the plan, Prague still has one of the lowest public transport costs among major Czech cities. With an annual pass, the daily cost of travel is roughly 10 CZK. Annual ticket prices in selected cities: Prague – 3,650 CZK Brno – 4,750 CZK Ostrava – 4,400 CZK Plzeň – 4,656 CZK Liberec – 3,990 CZK Growing gap between costs and revenues Behind the political decision to keep fares unchanged is a widening financial gap. In 2019, Prague set a goal for fare revenue to cover roughly a quarter of the operating costs of the PID system. That target is no longer being met. Last year, fare income reached a record 5.41 billion CZK,...
Escape the crowds without leaving the city. These three Prague restaurants with gardens offer the peace, greenery, and honest Czech cuisine you’d expect in a quiet village — not the capital. While Prague boasts hundreds of places to eat, very few offer the rustic charm of a countryside inn. These spots combine great food, outdoor seating, and relaxed atmosphere, making them ideal for summer lunches or long evening dinners under the trees. 1. Na Květnici: Classic Czech Fare Under Chestnut Trees Behind the Nusle Town Hall, in a former Sokol community building, you’ll find Na Květnici — a well-known local spot with the feel of an old-school Czech pub. Its spacious garden can seat up to 450 people under the shade of mature chestnut trees, but it still manages to feel calm and personal. Staff serve tank Pilsner and honest Czech meals, including roast meats, dumplings, and grilled dishes prepared outdoors. Locals come here regularly, but the place also draws people from other parts of Prague, especially in the summer. The restaurant organizes barbecues, concerts, and events for children, and even brews its own beer, Květ, which is light and refreshing. It’s one of the few places in the city...
The highest-paid jobs in the Czech Republic continue to be concentrated in top management and senior leadership roles, according to data published by Platy.cz. The figures show a clear gap between executive positions and the national average wage. At the top of the ranking is the General Director, with an average gross monthly salary of 216,592 CZK. Development Directors follow in second place with 199,417 CZK, while IT Directors take third position at 180,914 CZK. Further down the list, Country Managers and Directors earn on average 169,740 CZK per month. Heads of leasing departments report salaries around 148,256 CZK, while Economic and Financial Directors reach 147,989 CZK. Site manager earn approximately 145,989 CZK monthly. Directors of logistics follow closely with 141,989 CZK. Heads of legal departments complete the top ten, with an average salary of 139,773 CZK. Pilots also appear in the ranking, earning around 152,352 CZK per month. For context, the average gross salary in the Czech Republic reached 50,282 CZK in the first quarter of 2026, according to the Czech Statistical Office. This represents an annual increase of 8.1 percent. After inflation, real wages grew by 6.4 percent. Wages remain highest in Prague, where the average is close...
Prague continues to grow steadily, with official data showing that the capital has already passed 1.4 million residents. According to the Czech Statistical Office (ČSÚ), the population of Prague stood at 1,405,551 at the end of March 2026. This figure includes 686,987 men and 718,564 women, meaning women accounted for 51.1 percent of the population. During the first three months of 2026, the city recorded a decline of 1,533 residents. At the end of 2025, the total stood slightly higher at 1,407,084. Different institutions, however, present a more complex picture of how many people actually live in the capital. The Institute for Planning and Development of the City of Prague (IPR) has previously estimated that the real number of residents, based on mobile data and long-term movement patterns, ranges between 1.1 and 1.4 million people. The difference stems largely from residence registration rules. The 2021 census counted 1,301,432 people with usual residence in Prague and 1,261,304 with permanent residence. IPR estimates that around 12 percent of people living in the city are not officially registered there, while a similar number are registered in Prague but live elsewhere. According to Matouš Hutník from IPR, this group includes mainly younger, single residents...
Prague audiences can watch an open-air production of William Shakespeare’s The Tempest on Štvanice Island on July 17 and 18, presented by the theatre company Mad and Merry Men. Directed by Gordon L. Schmitz, the production offers a new interpretation of Shakespeare’s final play. In this version, Shakespeare himself appears as a character, stepping into the story as he writes it and briefly taking on the roles of several characters throughout the performance. Get your ticket here. The company has previously staged productions including Baron Münchhausen Between the Stars, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, A Clockwork Orange, and Murder on the Orient Express. Set on a remote island ruled by the magician Prospero, The Tempest follows a story of revenge, forgiveness and reconciliation. The production combines Shakespeare’s original text with live music and an ensemble cast, using the island setting as a natural backdrop for the performance. The costume and set designers behind Baron Münchhausen Between the Stars have also worked on The Tempest. Live music inspired by medieval traditions will accompany the performance. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Mad And Merry Men; Theatre Company Prague (@themadandmerrymen) The event is designed as an...
Prague has recorded a sharp rise in scabies infections this year, with public health officials urging residents to recognize the symptoms early. According to the Prague Public Health Authority, 459 people were diagnosed with scabies during the first six months of the year. That compares with 300 cases during the same period last year, marking a notable increase in infections across the Czech capital. Despite the higher numbers, health officials stress that Prague continues to have one of the country’s lowest infection rates relative to its population. One of the biggest misconceptions surrounding scabies is that it is linked to poor personal hygiene. Doctors say this is false. The condition has affected people around the world for centuries and periodically becomes more widespread, regardless of living standards or social background. “The current increase reflects the high mobility of modern society rather than individual hygiene,” said Dr. Martina Marešová, head of the anti-epidemic department at the Prague Public Health Authority, in an official statement. Can You Catch Scabies on Public Transport? As case numbers rise, many Prague residents have questioned whether trams, buses and the metro pose a risk. According to health experts, the likelihood of becoming infected during a typical...
Prague has entered the top tier of global congress tourism destinations, ranking sixth worldwide in the latest ICCA index. The city attracted more than 850,000 participants last year, confirming its position among the most active hubs for international meetings and conferences. According to the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), only Lisbon, Barcelona and Vienna are ahead of Prague. The Czech capital hosted roughly five thousand conferences over the past year, with the majority of delegates arriving from Europe and the United States. Interest from Asia has also been growing. The strength of Prague in this segment is linked to its hotel capacity and infrastructure. Many hotels in the city combine accommodation with conference facilities, which supports large-scale events. Industry representatives also point to safety as an increasingly important factor for organisers when selecting destinations. “Prague has a relatively good network of hotels, most of which have congress facilities. Prague also deserves this by being a safe destination. This is an increasingly strong motivating factor for visitors to come,” said Václav Stárek, president of the Association of Hotels and Restaurants. Congress tourism in Prague is coordinated by the Prague Convention Bureau. Its director Roman Muška says business events help stabilise...
The Czech retail market welcomed 16 new international brands in the first half of 2026, according to a report by Cushman & Wakefield. Fourteen of the brands opened their first Czech locations in Prague, while one launched in Ostrava and another in Pardubice. The food and beverage sector remained the strongest driver of expansion, accounting for seven new brands. One of the most high-profile openings was BOSS Café, which launched on Prague’s Na Příkopě Street next to the BOSS flagship store. The café concept currently exists in only a handful of cities worldwide, including London and Bangkok. Other newcomers included Slovak café Choco Boss, Ukrainian supermarket Best Market, Canadian confectionery Choco Choo, Italian sports nutrition retailer Volchem, German restaurant Home of Dumplings, and YO! Sushi, which opened its first Czech branch in Prague after its parent company entered the market last year with Sushi Circle. Fashion was the second most active category, with four new brands entering the market. Romanian accessories label Alisa Enco opened at the Mandarin Oriental Prague, while American fashion brand Kenneth Cole chose Westfield Chodov for its first Czech store. German menswear brand Digel debuted at Fashion Arena Prague Outlet, and Italian luxury label Ermanno Scervino...
Germany’s industrial slowdown is beginning to affect Czech factories, exposing how closely the two economies remain linked through supply chains, particularly in automotive and machinery production. According to consultancy EY, more than 120,000 jobs were cut in German industry in 2025, almost twice as many as a year earlier. The decline reflects weaker output, falling revenues and reduced confidence among German companies. EY analyst Jan Brorkhilker said German industry is facing a deep downturn, with companies adjusting production and staffing in response to weaker demand. Business associations in Germany, as reported by Reuters, expect further pressure on the labour market in 2026 as the economic slowdown continues. German manufacturers are dealing with several overlapping problems. Energy costs remain high after the European energy crisis, global demand has weakened, and companies face rising regulatory and transformation costs linked to decarbonisation and digitalisation. These factors are now feeding into hiring decisions. Surveys among German industry groups show that most companies expect further workforce reductions next year, while only a small share plan to expand. Radek Špikar from the Czech Confederation of Industry and Transport said the situation in Germany is a concern for Czech exporters. “We hope Germany will find a new...
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