Prague is preparing to use anonymized payment card data to better understand how tourists move through the city, what they spend money on and how they use local services. City officials say the information will help them manage visitor flows and limit the negative effects of overtourism. The initiative is being developed through cooperation between Prague City Tourism (PCT) and CzechTourism, which jointly selected the data provider. According to PCT representatives, the data will provide insight into the behavior of international visitors, including their nationality, age groups and the types of experiences they seek in the city. The information will also show how tourists distribute their spending across accommodation, dining and other services. Officials say the dataset will allow experts to monitor changes in tourism patterns and react more quickly when visitor numbers rise in certain locations or seasons. The system will rely on aggregated and anonymized information from Mastercard, combined with analytical tools that focus on data from ten key tourism markets, including Poland, the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany. Tourism experts believe such data can also improve forecasting of future visitor numbers, using information from flight routes, reservations and payment activity. Connecting tourism data with digital...
This article has been written by Finaram.cz, a Czech platform specializing in mortgages, home financing, and real estate advice. For many foreigners living and working in Czech Republic, buying property is a natural next step. But getting a mortgage as a non-citizen comes with additional requirements. Czech banks apply stricter criteria to foreign applicants and carefully assess income stability, residency status, and financial history. Here’s what you need to know in 2026. Bank or Non-Bank: What’s the Difference? Bank Mortgages Czech banks are the main source of mortgage financing and operate under strict regulations set by the Czech National Bank (ČNB). Advantages: Lower interest rates Strong consumer protection Disadvantages: Longer approval process Higher requirements for income and residency Banks pay particular attention to employment stability, income sources, and credit history — especially for foreign applicants. Non-Bank Options Some non-bank institutions (such as building savings banks – stavební spořitelna) may offer more flexibility and approve cases that traditional banks reject. However, this usually comes at a cost: Higher interest rates Additional fees Fewer legal protections What Affects Mortgage Approval? Citizenship and Residency EU citizens generally face fewer obstacles. For non-EU nationals, requirements are stricter — particularly without long-term residence or...
Behind the scenes of Prague’s cafés and restaurants, operations have grown increasingly complex. Reservations arrive from multiple platforms, kitchen workflows are layered across systems, and payments span a variety of cards and providers, creating a patchwork of tools that rarely integrates smoothly. At the same time, locals are dining out less frequently, and delivery apps are gaining popularity. For owners and managers, the challenge is no longer just attracting guests – it’s running a tighter operation to protect margins. One solution gaining traction among independent venues is Tebi, which consolidates reservations, orders, and payments into a single, intuitive platform. Early adopters feel a positive impact with Tebi Since opening the doors of S74 wine&café in late 2025, Michal and David have experienced this costly patchwork of software. Welcoming over 100 guests on busy evenings, the duo found managing multiple subscriptions was draining their focus. By switching to Tebi, they replaced three separate platforms with a single system, relying on a digital floorplan that provides a real-time overview of occupied tables, upcoming reservations, and pending orders. The switch reduced subscription costs by around 70% and saved time on staff training and administrative tasks. These savings allow them to focus on menu...
A former industrial site in western Prague is set to be transformed into a new residential neighborhood, as developers move forward with a project on land once occupied by a thermal power plant in the district of Veleslavín. Developers Penta Real Estate and EPD Radek Pokorný have secured a building permit for the project, which will be built near the historic Veleslavín Castle in Prague 6. The investment is estimated at around 2.2 billion Czech crowns, according to the developers. Construction is scheduled to begin in June, alongside the launch of apartment sales. The new neighborhood is expected to be completed in 2028. The project will replace the demolished industrial structures with a combination of apartment buildings and townhouses. Plans call for 114 apartments and 27 townhouses, creating a residential area designed primarily for family housing. Architectural plans were prepared by the studio smilemiamilakes.com/services Schindler Seko, which designed two apartment buildings alongside rows of family houses. The apartments will range up to four-room units with kitchenettes. According to the architects, the layout aims to connect naturally with the surrounding residential fabric of Prague 6. The development will draw inspiration from the architectural style associated with the First Czechoslovak Republic, a period...
Prague’s Old Town Hall could soon offer visitors a new way to explore the city’s past. As part of a planned reconstruction of the building’s underground spaces, Prague City Tourism is preparing an immersive exhibition called “Guardians of Prague.” The project aims to open areas of the underground that are currently inaccessible while introducing modern audiovisual elements that will guide visitors through key moments in Prague’s history. According to Prague City Tourism, the exhibition will combine projections, videomapping and sound with live commentary from guides. Instead of a traditional tour, visitors will move through the underground spaces while historical scenes are projected onto the walls and surrounding architecture. František Cipro, chairman of the board of Prague City Tourism, said the goal is to expand the existing tours of the Old Town Hall and make additional sections of the building available to the public. “Together with the Prague City Hall, we want to expand our current tours and make new areas of the Old Town Hall accessible to visitors,” Cipro said. “At the same time, we are preparing an audiovisual installation focused on the history of medieval Prague.” City officials say the Old Town Hall remains one of the capital’s most...
The wage gap between men and women in the Czech Republic remains one of the largest in the European Union, according to newly published data from the European statistical office Eurostat. The figures show that women in the Czech Republic earn on average 18.5 percent less than men, placing the country second worst in the EU for gender pay inequality. Only Estonia records a wider difference, where women earn 18.8 percent less than men. Across the European Union, the average pay gap stands at 11.1 percent, meaning the Czech figure is significantly higher than the bloc’s overall level. Some European countries report far smaller differences. In Belgium, the gap is just 0.7 percent, one of the lowest in the EU. Meanwhile, Poland records a difference of 4 percent, while the gap reaches 15.6 percent in Germany and 15.7 percent in Slovakia. The situation is unique in Luxembourg, where women earn slightly more than men. The country reports a negative pay gap of –0.8 percent, making it the only EU state where male salaries are on average lower. Private sector shows wider differences Pay inequality is generally higher in the private sector across the EU. Most countries use transparent salary tables...
The Czech Republic is preparing to sign its first formal cooperation agreement with an American state, choosing Texas as its partner. The memorandum will be signed next week during a visit to the United States by Industry and Trade Minister Karel Havlíček. The agreement will establish a structured partnership between the Czech Republic and Texas, the second-largest and second-most populous state in the United States. It will also mark the first time Prague has concluded this type of memorandum with an individual U.S. state. The signing is expected to take place in Austin, the Texas capital, during the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival, where Havlíček will meet Texas Governor Greg Abbott. The minister’s trip to the United States is scheduled for March 9–15 and will also include meetings in Washington. According to the Czech Foreign Ministry, the partnership reflects long-standing historical and cultural links between the two regions. Texas is home to the largest community of Americans who claim Czech ancestry. Czech migrants began settling there in the 19th century, leaving a lasting mark on local culture and traditions. These historical ties have been reinforced by military cooperation. Since 1993, the Czech Army has worked with the Texas National Guard...
The Easter season in Czechia is once again bringing a wide range of traditional markets, castle festivals and folk events across the country. In the capital, the Easter atmosphere will return to Prague’s historic squares. Easter markets will open at Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square between 21 March and 12 April. Stalls will sell painted eggs, wooden rattles, ribbons and traditional Easter whips, while stage programmes will feature folk songs and dances reflecting Czech spring traditions. Easter markets are also planned in other Czech cities. In Plzeň, the Easter market at Republic Square will run from 25 March to 5 April. Visitors can browse stands offering painted eggs, handmade whips decorated with colourful ribbons, sausages, stuffing, cheeses and local mead. In Brno, the Easter Festival at Svobody Square will run from 27 March to 5 April. Around forty stands will sell wicker baskets, pottery, jewellery, Easter decorations and traditional painted eggs. The programme will also include performances by Moravian folklore groups, combining dance and live music. The southern Bohemian town of Český Krumlov will host its Easter market at Svornosti Square from 2 to 6 April. Local farmers and artisans will offer seasonal products, wooden crafts, fur sheep toys,...
More than just stories between pages, the Human Libraries Project is about bringing people together through experience, discussion, and inclusion. Human Libraries encourage people not to judge a book by its cover – the book being a human with individual experiences, rather than a paperback edition text. Since the early 2000s, the ideas of becoming a “human book” or a “reader” have been circulating globally, through various organizations, and continue to grow. In 2013, Amnesty International Czech Republic implemented this format, aligning with the belief in universal human rights, while actively working to combat discrimination and prejudice. Since then, thousands of human books have been invited to share their experiences in open conversations tackling racism, extremism, and xenophobia. “86% of children who experience Human Libraries consider themselves to be more empathetic towards others, as conversation deepens and more difficult questions arise,” states Natálie Ficencová, Coordinator of Human Libraries Amnesty International Czech Republic. “Human Libraries aim to improve empathy and understanding of human rights within society.” Just like turning a page from one chapter to the next, discovery is endless. As conversations deepen, comfort increases between participants and their curiosity. Human books come from many backgrounds, where everyone is safe and...
Prague hosted a European tourism workshop focused on promoting Sardinia to international travel markets, bringing together tour operators and buyers from across the continent. The event, organized by the tour operator Sardegna Travel, aimed to strengthen cooperation between Sardinian tourism businesses and European partners while positioning the island as a destination beyond the traditional summer season. The gathering marked the fourth edition of the initiative and drew tourism professionals from several countries, including Denmark, Sweden, Bulgaria, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Italy. Representatives of Sardinian tourism businesses also attended, meeting directly with travel buyers and agencies interested in expanding their offerings in the Mediterranean destination. Organizers said the goal was to support direct business relationships between tourism providers on the island and international travel partners. By facilitating these contacts, the workshop sought to encourage travel to Sardinia throughout the year rather than concentrating visits during the peak summer months. The event took place under the patronage of several institutions, including the Italian Embassy in Prague, the Italian-Czech Chamber of Commerce, the Italian Cultural Institute in Prague, and the Autonomous Region of Sardinia. Regional authorities included the workshop in their official program dedicated to promoting tourism on the island....
Nine people, including the owner and several regular customers, were infected during a hepatitis A outbreak at a restaurant in Prague. The establishment is located in the Prague 6 district and has been closed as a precaution. The case was uncovered by the Prague Hygiene Station, which carried out an investigation together with specialists in food hygiene and epidemiology. Inspectors identified problems related to personal and operational hygiene inside the restaurant. According to officials, the restaurant’s owner and several regular patrons were among those diagnosed with hepatitis A. The health authority has not disclosed the name of the establishment, as the epidemiological investigation is still ongoing. Petra Batók, a spokesperson for the hygiene station, said the restaurant was not officially ordered to close. The owner decided to shut the venue as a preventive measure after the inspection results were discussed. Health workers are now tracing contacts of the infected individuals. The public is considered safe, but people who may have been in high-risk contact will be contacted directly by the hygiene station. “Vaccination against viral hepatitis A is an effective preventive measure, and we recommend it,” Batók said, adding that epidemiologists are continuing their investigation into the possible source of...
Two well-known Prague venues — Lucerna Cinema and Edison Filmhub — have been included in a global ranking of the 100 best cinemas in the world, compiled by the international publication Time Out. The list places the Czech capital alongside major film cities such as Tokyo, Paris, and Los Angeles, highlighting Prague’s long-standing cinema culture. The historic Lucerna Cinema, located inside the Lucerna Palace near Wenceslas Square, ranked 62nd in the list. The venue has operated as a cinema since 1909 and remains one of Prague’s best-known film spaces. Time Out praised its distinctive early 20th-century atmosphere and its combination of Art Nouveau and Art Deco architectural elements. Over the years, the cinema has hosted premieres, festivals, and cultural events. Recently it also served as the site of the farewell ceremony for renowned Czech actress Jana Brejchová, highlighting the venue’s symbolic cultural role in the city. Edison Filmhub placed 75th in the ranking and was described by the publication as a Prague hub for thoughtful and independent film programming. The cinema is situated in a functionalistic building near the Jindřišská Tower, formerly used as a transformer station. It was created by brothers Ivan Hronec and Dominik Hronec, founders of Film...
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