EU citizens living in Czechia can vote in the country’s municipal elections this October, but those who are not already registered will need to take action before election day. The elections will take place on October 9 and 10, with voters in Prague choosing representatives for both the Prague City Assembly and their local municipal district. EU citizens aged 18 or over who have permanent or registered temporary residence in Czechia can vote in municipal elections. However, they must be registered in the relevant electoral register. Registering to vote The deadline for registration is October 7, but the civic initiative Volby pro všechny recommends registering as soon as possible. Its EU Voter Registration Tool generates the necessary application form and explains how to submit it to the relevant municipal or district office. Registering early also means voters should receive their ballot papers at home before election day, giving them time to understand the unfamiliar Czech voting system. Those who register closer to the deadline will receive their ballots at the polling station. There is also an important option for those who miss the registration deadline. According to Volby pro všechny, EU citizens will have a special possibility this year to...
EU citizens living in Prague 8 can learn how to vote in the upcoming municipal elections at an event on 17 September. The Prague 8 branch of the Czech Pirate Party is inviting international residents to an English-language evening explaining how EU citizens can take part in Czech local elections. The event, titled “Hey, You Can Vote Too!”, will take place on Thursday, 17 September, at 6 PM at Pauza Palmovka in Prague 8. The evening will offer a practical introduction to the Czech voting system, an overview of the Prague 8 Pirates’ local programme, and an opportunity for international residents to share their views on life in the district. Organisers say the event is intended to help EU citizens understand their voting rights and discuss what they would like to see improved in Prague 8. Who Can Vote in Czech Local Elections? Citizens of other EU Member States can vote in Czech municipal elections if they meet certain conditions. Voters must: Be at least 18 years old by the second day of the election. Have permanent or registered temporary residence in the municipality. Be entered in the supplement to the permanent electoral register. EU citizens who are not already...
Prime Minister Andrej Babiš is considering a million-crown reward for families who have a second child, along with lifelong tax relief for parents of a third child. The proposals are among several measures being discussed, including support for parents who are studying, childcare services and more affordable housing. Babiš said he would bring together the relevant ministers to discuss the issue. The Czech Republic recorded just 77,600 live births in 2025, the lowest figure since statistical records began in 1785. Births fell in every region compared with the previous year. The country’s total fertility rate also dropped to 1.28 children per woman, while the average age of women having their first child rose to 29.2 years. Million-crown reward for a second child Babiš said the government was examining several proposals to encourage families to have more children. “One million crowns for a second child,” he said, describing a possible incentive for women who already have one child. He also mentioned a lifelong tax break for a third child, support for studying parents, nurseries and children’s groups. Babiš also criticized mortgage costs, questioning why Czech interest rates remain 1.5 percentage points above those in the eurozone. He has repeatedly criticized the...
Czechia has been ranked among Russia’s top five “enemy” countries in a new list published by Vzglyad, a Russian outlet widely regarded as a Kremlin propaganda mouthpiece. Czechia has been ranked as the fourth-most “hostile” country toward Russia in a new ranking published by Vzglyad, scoring 65 out of a possible 100 points. The list places Czechia alongside Romania, Poland, the United Kingdom and Canada, all of which received the same score. Italy topped the ranking with 80 points, followed by Germany, Lithuania and Finland, which tied for second place with 75 points each. The United States, Latvia and France shared third place with 70 points apiece. Japan makes the list for the first time Most of the countries in the top ten appear regularly in the ranking. This time, however, Japan was included for the first time. According to Vzglyad, Japan’s inclusion was prompted by Tokyo’s “firm protest” over Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Iturup. Iturup is part of the southern Kuril Islands, which Japan claims as its “Northern Territories.” Russia considers the islands an integral part of its territory. The territorial dispute dates back to the final days of World War II, when Soviet forces occupied Iturup...
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) has secured a major victory in the Saxony-Anhalt state election, prompting different reactions from Czech politicians. While some have congratulated the party and called for dialogue with its leaders, others have warned that the result reflects the growing strength of political extremism. The result has also renewed debate in the Czech Republic over migration, security and how mainstream parties should respond to the AfD. Martin Kupka, chairman of the Civic Democratic Party (ODS), described the result as a warning for Europe. He said democratic parties could not counter extremist movements simply by labeling them or ignoring issues that concern voters. “Democratic parties must offer clear solutions: a tough migration policy, security, less regulation and no populist waste of public money,” Kupka said. He added that the Czech Republic should avoid following the same political path. Vít Rakušan, leader of the Mayors and Independents (STAN), similarly said the election should serve as a lesson for Czech politicians. According to Rakušan, mainstream democratic parties risk losing voters when they leave issues such as migration and social problems to populist movements. Rather than focusing solely on the AfD’s success, he said, democratic parties should develop practical and sustainable...
The Czech Republic has spent roughly CZK 19 billion on COVID-19 vaccines since 2020, but fewer than half of the 41 million doses supplied under its pandemic-era procurement agreement were ultimately used in the country. More than 18 million doses expired and had to be destroyed, representing a value of about CZK 8 billion. A further four million doses were donated to other countries, according to information provided by the Czech Ministry of Health in response to a request from the Czech Technical Committee. For the 2026-27 vaccination season, around 900,000 doses will be available in the country. By comparison, fewer than one-third of that number was administered during the previous season. The vaccination season runs from September through the end of August the following year. Demand for COVID-19 vaccination has fallen sharply since the initial rollout. More than 15 million doses were administered during the first year vaccines were widely available. A year later, demand had fallen to roughly one-fifth of that level. Between 2022 and 2023, interest dropped by more than 80 percent, followed by further declines of about one-third in subsequent years. Only about 1,500 doses had been administered by July 26 this year. Most vaccinations, however,...
New rules affecting Ukrainian men seeking temporary protection in the Czech Republic will take effect on August 5, 2026. Under the changes, men aged 23 to 60 applying for temporary protection will have to demonstrate that they are exempt from military service in Ukraine. The requirement will apply to new applications and certain other applications for protection, but not to people who already hold valid temporary protection. The Czech Interior Ministry says the new rules follow an EU Council decision published in the Official Journal of the European Union on August 4. The decision also extends temporary protection for people fleeing Russia’s war in Ukraine until March 31, 2028. For applicants aged 23 to 60, military registration documents will be checked as part of the application process. Applicants will use Ukraine’s Reserv+ system to demonstrate their military status, with the electronic military registration document showing whether they are exempt from military service. The rules are different for younger applicants. People aged 18 to 22 will only need to demonstrate that they are registered in the Reserv+ system. The new requirement concerns people applying for temporary protection for the first time, as well as repeat applications and applications connected with family...
A large number of Czech households may be paying more for electricity than necessary because they are using a distribution tariff that does not match their actual consumption. A new analysis estimates that switching to a more suitable tariff could save households more than CZK 1.3 billion a year in total. The analysis was conducted by energy company bezDodavatele. The company examined electricity consumption at 1,132 household consumption points using the two most common household distribution tariffs, D01d and D02d. According to data from the Energy Regulatory Office (ERÚ), D01d and D02d are used by around 65 percent of the approximately 6.5 million household consumption points in the Czech Republic. The analysis found that changing the distribution tariff could reduce electricity costs for more than half of the households examined. Many households never reconsider their tariff One reason is that households often keep the same tariff for years without checking whether it still suits their electricity consumption. A tariff that made sense when a household first connected to the electricity grid may no longer be the cheapest option after its consumption patterns have changed. Many consumers, however, do not regularly review the distribution tariff listed on their electricity bill. According...
Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš called for temporarily excluding Spain from Schengen due to the migration crisis in Ceuta, where about 49,000 migrants entered uncontrollably from Morocco. Italy has already suspended Schengen rules in connection with Spain. Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš called for closing the Schengen zone to Spain after a sharp escalation of the migration crisis in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. According to Babiš, the situation in Ceuta is “absolutely scandalous,” and the cause of the crisis was the overly lenient migration policy of the Spanish authorities. According to the publication, since Thursday, about 49,000 migrants have entered Ceuta uncontrollably from the territory of Morocco. At least 19 people have died trying to cross the maritime border. Foreign Minister Petr Macinka (Motorists) described the situation as a serious challenge for the entire Schengen Area but stopped short of calling for Spain’s exclusion, saying he wanted to hear Madrid’s position before drawing conclusions. What is the Schengen Agreement? The Schengen Area allows people to travel between 29 European countries without routine passport checks at internal borders. While border controls are normally abolished, member states can temporarily reinstate them if they believe there is a serious threat to public...
The Czech prime minister also said Brussels is likely to permit a larger budget deficit as Prague seeks funding for hospitals, highways, and other domestic investment. Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš has expressed alarm over the country’s rapidly increasing payments to the European Union, warning that the Czech Republic could become a net contributor to the bloc as early as 2029. Following talks with Finance Minister Alena Schillerová, Babiš said Czech payments into the EU budget had risen by 22 billion crowns (€911 million) this year alone. “I was shocked by how much we are paying into the European Union,” he said, as cited by Echo24. “If in one year we are told that we will pay 22 billion more, that is a lot.” Officials currently expect the Czech Republic to become a net contributor to the EU budget for the first time in its history in either 2029 or 2030. Babiš was also asked about next year’s state budget deficit. When asked whether it would exceed this year’s planned shortfall of 310 billion crowns (€12.8 billion), he replied, “Don’t test me. I don’t know what the deficit will be.” Schillerová said a reliable estimate would only be possible after...
A Czech company has entered the Fortune Global 500 ranking for the first time in history. Energy and industrial group EP Group (EPG), controlled by Czech businessman Daniel Křetínský, placed 179th in the latest edition of the prestigious list of the world’s largest companies by revenue. The ranking, published annually by the U.S. business magazine Fortune, evaluates companies based on their total sales. EP Group reported revenues of $75.387 billion, equivalent to around CZK 1.6 trillion. To put the figure into perspective, the Czech state budget expects total revenues of CZK 2.118 trillion this year. EP Group’s portfolio includes stakes in major companies across Europe, including British postal operator Royal Mail, Slovak energy producer Slovenské elektrárne, German retail chain Metro and French energy giant TotalEnergies. With its debut in the ranking, EP Group has also placed Prague among the headquarters of the world’s largest corporations. The Czech capital is now one of 242 cities worldwide where at least one Fortune Global 500 company is based. Only 14 other countries in the Fortune Global 500 ranking have a single representative, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Poland, Austria and Thailand. EP Group is also among a very small number of newcomers. Only 13...
Czech women earn significantly less than men on average, with the annual difference estimated at CZK 109,000. New figures based on Eurostat data show the country’s gender pay gap remains above the EU average. Across the EU, employed women earn an estimated CZK 93,800 less annually than men on average. The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), which converted the hourly wage gap into annual earnings, estimates that the combined difference across the bloc amounts to more than CZK 8.65 trillion every year. Czech Republic exceeds the EU average According to Eurostat, women across the European Union earned 11.1% less per hour than men in 2024. In practical terms, women received CZK 88.90 for every CZK 100 earned by men. The figures cover companies with at least ten employees. Applying that methodology, the ETUC estimates that women in the Czech Republic earn roughly CZK 108,700 less per year than men, placing the country above the EU average. Only a handful of member states recorded larger estimated annual gaps. Finland ranked highest at around CZK 183,500, followed by Austria (CZK 165,600), Germany (CZK 146,200) and Sweden (CZK 123,600). At the opposite end of the scale, Luxembourg was the only EU country where...
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