As Slovakia, the Czech Republic was created after the dissolution of Czechoslovakia on January 1st, 1993. It covers Bohemia, Moravia (historically the Czech lands) and a part of Silesia. Its geographic location (bordered by Germany, Austria, Poland and Slovakia) stimulates its economic integration into the European Union, which it joined in May 2004.
One third of the country’s surface area is covered by mountains and forest. The climate is temperate with some continental influences. Precipitation is more abundant in summer and varies from 450 to 700 millimetres. Temperatures are not so high (from -1° to 19°C).
The Czech population is very homogeneous (94% of Czechs and 2% of Slovaks) and is growing despite the population ageing. It is scattered between 14 self-governing regions. Its cities host only one fifth of the population while its capital, Prague, has 1.2 million inhabitants.
Economic liberalisation measures and structural reforms made it possible to start the transition from a planned to a market economy in the early 1990s. The macroeconomic situation had improved and the economic growth was good before it began to fall due to the global economic crisis of 2008. In brief, in about twenty years the Czech Republic has known very important political, economic and social transformations.
1 USD = 23,79 CZK
Date de mise à jour : 2024-12-09 08:00:03
The cost of living in the Czech Republic is moderate (prices increased because of the economic growth). However, prices may differ in Prague. Here are some examples:
Basic commodity | Euros, US dollars, pounds sterling // Czech crowns |
---|---|
1L of water (bottle) | €0.8 ; US$0.9 ; £0.7 / 21 CZK |
1 meal (2 dishes) | €4, ; US$4.5 ; £3.5/ 108 CZK |
1 bus ticket | €0.9 ; $1 ; £0.78/ 24 CZK |
The famous Kafka, Smetana, Dvořák, Miloš Forman, Kundera, Václav Havel and others made the reputation of this small Central European country. Paradoxically, the Czech Republic remains quite unknown. It is Prague which attracts most of the tourists!
Vaccines and specific advice:
Find out about the vaccines you should make before going to this country and about the preventive and/or treatment measures for local diseases.
Checklist :
- Vaccine updates, specific vaccines: 1-3 months before departure
- Visit your doctor for any health problem, prescription renewal, contraception, to have a sufficient stock of medicines, to adapt the dosage. In addition, you will need to send your coordinator a certificate from your doctor certifying that you are well suited to take part in an international volunteering project.
- Dentist: a dental check-up can be useful before going!
We advise you to visit the website of your country’s Foreign Affairs Ministry to consult the advice for every country.
Czech Republic travel advice
(latest update : 2019-01-31T17:46:11+00:00)
Latest update: Health section – addition of information and advice on access to healthcare after the UK leaves the EU
For more info, read full article Czech Republic travel advice
- Our partner INEX is a Czech organization sending and welcoming volunteers since 1991. Every year, they send about 800 Czech volunteers abroad and receive about 400 volunteers of any nationality in their workcamps. These workcamps are located all over the country. They focus on the environmental protection and the restoration of historical heritage.
- Precisions : in some regions of the Czech Republic, volunteering projects and programs are organized in the fields of social integration, environmental education and rural expansion. The Prague office emphasises the sending of volunteers abroad, the coordination of volunteering projects in the Czech Republic and also educational, intercultural and development projects and campaigns. The Brno office mainly focuses on social programs for disadvantaged children. Their Kostelecké Horky and Bile Karpaty offices work on environmental education and support programs for the resumption and the upholding of the traditions and the local handcraft.Their main mission consists in organizing international volunteering projects but also educative programs in order to:
- contribute to the development of an open and tolerant society
- encourage an active and responsible approach of our world at local and international levels
In short, they create a space where young people can acquire a new experience, develop new skills and their own point of view on the complexity of the world.
PROCEDURE FOR OBTAINING A VISA
The Czech Republic being a member of the Schengen area. For European people, stays of less than three months do not require a visa or passport. Only the identity card is required.
For a period of more than three months, you must apply for a residence permit.
Naturally, we invite you to consult the Embassy’s website before any departure in order to be informed of any changes.