The cost of employing workers across the European Union rose again in 2025, with differences between countries continuing to stretch. New figures from Eurostat show that employers now pay nearly five times more for an hour of work in the bloc’s most expensive country than in its cheapest. Across the EU economy, the average hourly labor cost reached €34.9 last year. Within the eurozone, where 20 countries share the single currency, the average stood higher at €38.2. Both figures marked an increase from 2024, when costs were €33.5 and €36.8 respectively, reflecting steady upward pressure on wages and employer contributions. The divide between member states remains stark. Bulgaria recorded the lowest hourly labor cost at €12, followed by Romania at €13.6 and Hungary at €15.2. At the other end of the scale, Luxembourg topped the list at €56.8 per hour. Denmark and the Netherlands followed, with costs of €51.7 and €47.9. Labor costs in Europe are made up of wages and additional expenses paid by employers, mainly social security contributions. These non-wage costs account for roughly a quarter of total labor expenses across the EU, at 24.8 percent, and slightly more in the eurozone at 25.6 percent. Their share varies...
The proposed long-term agreement would see Prague secure up to 2 billion cubic meters of gas annually starting later this decade. The Czech Republic is moving closer to a significant new energy agreement with Azerbaijan, aiming to import up to 2 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year as part of efforts to diversify supply sources. Industry and Trade Minister Karel Havlíček said during a visit to Azerbaijan that deliveries could begin between 2028 and 2029. While the contract has not yet been formally signed, Havlíček indicated that negotiations are advanced and the deal is effectively promised. Prime Minister Andrej Babiš also confirmed that the Czech energy group ČEZ is actively seeking additional gas supplies as the government seeks to secure long-term energy stability. The planned imports would represent a notable share of Czech demand. According to the Energy Regulatory Office, the country consumed 7.2 billion cubic meters of gas last year, a rise of 6.5 percent compared to the previous year. Currently, Norway remains the Czech Republic’s main supplier, while liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments are largely sourced from the United States. Havlíček said the annual cost of Azerbaijani gas could reach around 20 billion Czech crowns, depending...
A former industrial site just outside Prague is once again turning into a late-night playground for food and music lovers. The ZE MĚ Project, a creative food collective, is bringing back its Frying Room concept on May 15, 2026, at Uhelný Mlýn—a former brownfield site transformed into an event space near the city. Described as a “gastro rave,” Frying Room mixes electronic music with live culinary performances. The idea is simple but unusual: chefs, artists, and guests share the same space, blurring the line between kitchen and dancefloor. The upcoming edition will be headlined by Czech producer and DJ NobodyListen, known for his Addict party series and a nomination at the Anděl Awards. He’ll be joined by the collective Zlomená Scéna, which focuses on drum & bass and underground sounds. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ze mě (@zeme.projekt) The event begins even before arrival. Ticket holders can board a private train from Prague that takes them directly to the venue, setting the tone for the night. For those driving, parking is available on site. Inside, expect a mix of DJ sets, experimental food experiences, and a live гастрономic show designed to be as intense...
The multi-genre United Islands festival will kick off Prague’s festival season, offering three days of music, film and discussions across the city. The program begins on Thursday, April 30, with pop-up concerts in Portheimka Park in Smíchov, followed by shows in clubs around Prague. The main open-air part will take place on May 1 and 2 on Štvanice Island, where five stages will host more than 100 emerging artists from across Europe. Among the international acts are Irish electro-noise trio Yard, Dutch singer Min Taka and Slovak rising star Meowlau. The Czech scene will feature recent Anděl Award winner Marie April, Toyota Vangelis, rapper Anki and indie band WYFE. In addition to music, this year’s edition expands its non-musical program. Visitors can attend debates with journalists Nora Fridrichová and Zdislava Pokorná, as well as a screening of the Oscar-winning film Mr. Nobody vs. Putin. Entry remains free, with voluntary tickets available to support the festival. United Islands has built a reputation as one of Central Europe’s key showcase festivals, focusing on new talent from the Czech Republic, Slovakia and beyond. It returns once again to Štvanice Island. View this post on Instagram A post shared by United Islands...
Although the main celebrations fall on April 30, this year’s Witches Night (čarodějnice) in Prague extends over several days, with events already scheduled before the traditional evening of bonfires. Across the city, districts are preparing parades, children’s programs, concerts and fire shows. The custom, known as Walpurgis Night, has long been tied to the belief that fires could drive away evil spirits. It also marks the end of winter and the arrival of spring, a theme that continues to shape the modern celebrations. Prague 1 – Kampa and Střelecký Island One of the most well-known celebrations will take place in the Lesser Town area. On April 30, Kampa will host an afternoon program for children starting at 2:30 p.m., including games, attractions and interactive activities. At 6 p.m., participants will gather at Malostranské Square before a parade crosses Charles Bridge toward Kampa. The main bonfire is scheduled for dusk, followed by live music performances. Nearby Střelecký Island will offer a full-day program from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., with refreshments, wine tasting, and live music. A light and fire show is also planned. Entry to both locations is free. Prague 2 – Svatopluk Čech Gardens Families with younger children can...
You have moved to the Czech Republic. Congratulations. Now you are in for a rollercoaster of authorities, paperwork, and forms that will make your head spin for a month after your arrival. Housing, work, a bank account, a phone, a residency stamp. And somewhere amidst all this, it might occur to you that you’d like to play online. Fine. But before you click anywhere, it’s good to know how the Czech gambling market actually works. And hey, it’s actually a fair system. Rules exist, someone enforces them, and you can navigate through it faster than you’d expect. You just need to know where to look before falling for a welcome banner. A Czech domain? That doesn’t mean anything yet Almost everyone makes this mistake. The website looks Czech, the address ends in .cz, the design seems professional. So it must be fine, right? Well, no. You can’t tell if an online casino is legal by its language or domain. You can tell by whether the operator is on the official list of the Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic. It sounds bureaucratic. But it’s the most reliable filter you have at your disposal. Moreover, the Ministry also publishes a...
Beer lovers in Prague can mark their calendars for May 1, when the eleventh edition of the První Pivní Máj festival takes over the grounds of Břevnov Monastery. The one-day event runs from 12:00 to 20:00 and offers a broad look at Czech and Moravian craft brewing in a relaxed, open-air setting. Around twenty microbreweries from across the country are expected to present their beers, with roughly 80 different types on tap throughout the day. The focus remains on smaller producers, giving visitors a chance to sample styles and recipes that are not always easy to find in regular pubs or shops. The festival is not limited to beer. Organizers have also invited Moravian winemakers, adding a second tasting option for those who prefer wine or want to alternate between drinks. Food stalls will be set up across the venue, serving a mix of street food and traditional snacks, including burgers, sausages, fried cheese, pancakes, and other quick bites. In the afternoon, visitors can join light-hearted competitions, such as timed beer drinking or holding a full beer mug for as long as possible. There will also be a discussion on Czech beer culture, offering some context on brewing traditions and...
Returning to Prague for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, composer Alexey Shor is set for three near-sold-out concerts, a long way from the apartment where he used to write music for nobody but himself. “[Prague] is just one of the most beautiful places on Earth,” Shor said. “The last time we had a concert here, the reception was wonderful, and the concert hall was full.” Unlike most composers, Shor spent more than two decades as a Wall Street mathematician, writing music secretly in his apartment with no intention of ever sharing it. It was only when a friend, world-class American violist David Carpenter, spotted a score on Shor’s desk and refused to let it stay private that everything changed, eventually leading to concert halls around the world and performances by some of the biggest names in classical music. That growing audience has brought with it a new kind of pressure compared with early in his career, and he now feels the weight of not wanting to disappoint them. “Early on, people had no idea who I was. I literally had people tell me, ‘We thought you died in the 19th century, and here you are,’” he said. Tonight,...
The start of the spa season in Czechia is approaching, with most towns set to open in May. As in previous years, the openings are tied to public events, smaller festivals, and cultural programmes that bring both locals and visitors into spa centres across the country. In Karlovy Vary, the season will open from May 1 to 3. The main event is the traditional parade of King Charles IV, which passes through the town with historical costumes and performances. The programme also includes concerts by the local symphony orchestra and a craft fair. A food and beer event is planned near the Thermal Hotel. Mariánské Lázně will follow on May 8–10. The opening begins with a concert by the West Bohemian Symphony Orchestra, followed by a church service and the traditional blessing of the springs. The town’s Singing Fountain, one of its main attractions, will again be part of the programme. In Františkovy Lázně, the season starts on May 16 with a ceremony at the František spring, including a parade and a day-long programme in the town centre. A week later, on May 23, Jáchymov will host cultural performances, local food stalls, and the usual blessing of the springs....
Interest in Poland’s Baltic coast is rising steadily among Czech travelers, who are increasingly choosing it over more traditional southern destinations. The appeal lies in a simple mix of short travel times, reasonable prices and reliable services. From Prague or northern parts of the country, the drive to cities such as Gdańsk, Sopot and Gdynia typically takes between four and five hours. For many, that proximity has turned the area into what some travelers informally call the “Czech sea,” a nickname reflecting how common Czech visitors have become along the coast. The region offers long stretches of sandy beaches, a contrast to the pebbled shores often found in Croatia. While the Baltic Sea remains cooler, with summer temperatures usually ranging between 18 and 22 degrees Celsius, many visitors find it more comfortable than the heat of southern Europe. The water is also less salty, which families with children often appreciate. Prices remain a major factor. A half-liter of beer in a standard restaurant along the Polish coast typically costs between 50 and 70 Czech crowns, noticeably less than in central Prague, where prices can be significantly higher. Accommodation is also more affordable, particularly outside the main tourist hubs, while...
A train journey between Prague and Vienna that currently takes several hours could be reduced to around two and a half hours by 2040 under new plans agreed by Czech and Austrian officials. Transport ministers from both countries signed a memorandum setting out joint ambitions for rail and road upgrades along key cross-border routes. The document outlines a long-term goal of significantly shortening travel times between the two capitals through major infrastructure investments. Reaching the 2.5-hour target will depend mainly on the construction of a high-speed rail line between Prague and Brno, a project seen as essential on the Czech side. The section forms part of the broader Via Vindobona corridor, which is designed to connect Berlin, Prague, and Vienna. Austrian estimates suggest the full route could reduce travel between Berlin and Vienna to about four hours. While both countries are planning upgrades, Austria’s section between Vienna and Břeclav is expected to remain a limiting factor, even after modernization that will allow speeds of up to 200 km/h. The agreement also covers several other rail corridors. One focuses on upgrading the Prague–České Budějovice–Linz connection, with a joint study by Czech and Austrian rail authorities examining the cross-border section. Another project...
Prague officials are once again debating how to ease pressure on the city’s historic core, with a new proposal to restrict vehicle access during the peak tourist season. Deputy Mayor Jaromír Beránek, a member of the Czech Pirate Party, plans to submit a measure that would temporarily limit traffic in key central areas during the summer holidays. The proposal targets parts of the city around Malostranské náměstí and sections of Smetana Embankment along the Vltava River. Under the plan, transit traffic would be blocked from passing through selected routes on both sides of the river, a move intended to reduce congestion, noise and pollution in one of Prague’s most visited districts. The idea follows earlier efforts by the Pirates to introduce entry fees for cars in the city center — a measure that was ultimately rejected by the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic. However, the latest proposal has met resistance from local leaders. Transport councilors representing seven Prague districts issued a joint statement warning that the restrictions would fail to address the root of the problem and instead shift traffic to other neighborhoods. According to the statement, redirecting vehicles away from the center would increase congestion in...
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