- Download our Moving to the Czech Republic Guide (PDF)
Expats have a variety of options for keeping in touch in the Czech Republic thanks to its well-developed telecommunications infrastructure.
Internet, mobile, landline and postal services are widely available and affordable, making it easy for expats to communicate with friends and family back home. While there is a distinct lack of local English-language print publications, there are many online resources to keep expats in touch with both local and international news.
Internet in the Czech Republic
The Czech Republic has fast and reliable internet, and connectivity shouldn't be a problem for expats. Wireless connections are more common than fixed lines in residential households and businesses alike, and in public places, expats will not struggle to find free WiFi connections around big cities such as Prague.
While there are many reliable Czech service providers to choose from, some of the most popular are UPC, O2, and T-Mobile. UPC, which was acquired by Vodafone, is quite popular among expats in Prague thanks to its wide location coverage, reasonable prices, reliable staff and English-speaking customer service providers.
Mobile phones in the Czech Republic
Expats looking to set up a mobile phone in the Czech Republic will find a variety of affordable packages available that can be tailored to suit individual needs.
The most prominent mobile operators in the Czech Republic are T-Mobile, O2 and Vodafone. Both prepaid and contract options are available, and it's easy to navigate available packages for each of these on the English versions of the mobile provider's websites.
To get a contract phone, expats will need to sign up for a 24-month contract. EU expats can get a phone contract with their passport, bank statement and a notarised letter from their landlord, while non-EU expats will only qualify if they have permanent residency. Generally, proof of address and identity documents are required as part of the application process.
Expats wishing to bring their phone from home may find that their phone is blocked in the Czech Republic and therefore unusable. Fortunately, there are mobile companies that can unblock phones in these cases so that they can be used in the country.
Landline telephones in the Czech Republic
Private landlines are not very popular in the Czech Republic but can be obtained if required. Landlines are most beneficial for people who want to call friends and family within the Czech Republic and the European Union or those who require a landline to facilitate high-speed internet installation. Many apartments don't have a landline installed though, and arranging one can take some time.
Postal service in the Czech Republic
Although it offers affordable prices, the service provided by the Czech Postal System does not have the best reputation. It's recommended to send important documents and packages via private couriers instead, despite the extra cost.
There are post offices located in several locations around the country (including a 22-hour branch in Prague), but expats should be aware that they still might encounter language difficulties, as the people working in post offices don't always speak English,and the documents are still mostly in Czech. Ideally, bring someone to act as a translator, whether a professional or a Czech-speaking friend.
English media and news in the Czech Republic
Unfortunately, there are no printed English-language newspapers in the Czech Republic. While it's possible to read local news in English, this will have to be done online. The Prague Post, formerly a printed English-language newspaper, is one of the most popular online sources for Czech news in English, along with The Prague Daily Monitor. Radio Prague broadcasts in several languages, including English, and publishes English-language news online.
Expat Health Insurance
Cigna Global Health Insurance.
Medical insurance specifically designed for expats. With Cigna, you won't have to rely on foreign public health care systems, which may not meet your needs. Cigna allows you to speak to a doctor on demand, for consultations or instant advice, wherever you are in the world. They also offer full cancer care across all levels of cover, and settle the cost of treatments directly with the provider.
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