More than one million foreigners are currently living in the Czech Republic, marking a significant increase over the last ten years.

This represents approximately 10% of the country’s population, according to the Czech Statistical Office. The number of foreigners has doubled compared to 2013, when roughly 500,000 were registered.

The majority of immigrants come from Ukraine, Slovakia, and Vietnam. Together, these groups make up over half of the total foreign population in Czechia. The largest increase has been among Ukrainians, partly due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which prompted many to seek refuge in the country.

The number of Slovaks living in the Czech Republic has also risen steadily. Their close cultural ties, shared history, and lack of a language barrier continue to make the Czech Republic an attractive destination for Slovak nationals.

The Vietnamese community remains the third-largest group, maintaining a strong presence due to long-standing migration ties dating back to the 20th century.

Key Reasons for the Growth

The rise in foreign residents is closely tied to economic opportunities and improved living standards in the Czech Republic. Many foreigners relocate for employment, as the country has a low unemployment rate and a growing demand for labor in various industries. Additionally, the Czech Republic’s strategic location in Europe and its relatively low cost of living compared to Western European nations make it an appealing option.

Another factor influencing this trend is the country’s integration policies, which, although not without challenges, offer certain pathways for foreign workers and students to settle. For instance, in recent years, government programs have aimed to simplify visa processes for qualified workers in industries facing labor shortages.

Regional Distribution

Foreigners are predominantly concentrated in urban areas, with Prague hosting the largest share.

Over 20% of the capital’s residents are foreign nationals, underscoring its role as an international hub for business, education, and culture. Other regions with a significant foreign presence include Brno, Ostrava, and Central Bohemia, where industrial zones and multinational companies attract a global workforce.

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Prague City Hall is running a new website Prague for All which is primarily intended for migrants living in Prague.

At the same time, it is a source of information for all inhabitants of the capital city of Prague, which is becoming more and more culturally diverse just like a number of other big European cities.

This website is available in several language versions – the ones that newcomers in Prague speak the most. It is designed as a reference point of the most important information and contacts for organisations, offices and their departments.

The aim is to enable migrants to get as much information as possible about dealing with everyday situations and living in the city that has become their new home.

The website also provides information about courses of Czech, cultural events and opportunities to participate in public life, which give migrants a chance to integrate into life in the capital city and in the Czech Republic.

You can follow the Facebook page here

Every seventh Prague inhabitant is a foreigner and a half of them have permanent residence in the Czech Republic, an analysis by the Prague Institute of Planning and Development (IPR) shows.

In 2018, the number of foreigners registered in Prague exceeded 200,000. Overall, foreigners make up more than 15% of all Prague residents.

The analysis also states that foreigners are becoming a stable part of Prague’s future population and are a perspective source of workforce for the local labor market.

The most numerous group of foreigners living in Prague are 51,000 Ukrainians, followed by 31,500 Slovaks and 24,000 Russians. Taken together, these three countries form more than half of the total number of foreigners in Prague.

Foreigners are also becoming a stable part of Prague’s future population. This stabilization is particularly necessary to meet the needs of the labor market, as unemployment in Prague is one of the lowest in EU.

The number of citizens from the European Union is 1/3 of all foreigners. The remaining two-thirds are citizens from the so-called third countries: Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.

Almost 50% of foreigners have a permanent residence in Prague, which confirms the stability of this Prague population, especially in relation to the labor force potential.