Czech Republic : Country overview

Geography

• Full country name: Czech Republic
• Population: just over ten million. 
• Border countries: the Czech Republic is a land-locked country at the heart of Central Europe, surrounded by Germany, Poland, Slovakia and Austria.
• Climate: overall the country’s climate is continental, with mild summer and cold winters.
• Terrain: the Czech Republic has some low mountains in Bohemia to the west, and hilly terrain in Moravia to the east, with lowland areas in the centre and south of the country.
• Natural hazards: the most significant natural hazard is flooding, which has caused severe damage in the past.

Living in the Czech Republic

• Cost of living: Study in the Czech Republic  states that the costs to cover food, accommodation and public transport for students ranges from £220 - £500 per month. Prague remains slightly cheaper than most European capital cities for things like food and transport. But luxury goods (electrical items, fashion, etc) continue to be higher than elsewhere.
• Internet domain: .cz
• Health: the quality of healthcare in the Czech Republic is good, and improving. It is available to anyone with healthcare insurance, and the price of services is considered below the average for Europe. EU citizens just need to have the European health insurance card (EHIC) in order to receive free medical care.
• Laws and customs: current Czech law does not recognise a distinction between hard and soft drugs and possession of any illegal substance could result in a five year jail sentence. However, the drug law is being reviewed.

Economy and finance

• Currency: Czech koruna (CZK)
• Type of economy: market economy
• Health of economy: the Czech Republic has one of the most stable and prosperous economies following the end of communism in Central and Eastern Europe. The Czech Republic is an attractive destination for foreign investors due to its central location, well-qualified labour force and low-cost structure. 
• Unemployment rate: 8.1%
• Main exports: heavy industry products including motor vehicles and machinery, fuel, and chemicals.

Culture

• People: over 90% of the population are Czech nationals, with small minorities of Moravian, Slovaks, and other immigrants.
• Religion: 26.8% Roman Catholic, 2.1% Protestant and 59% unaffiliated.
• History: see BBC Timeline: Czech Republic 

Politics

• Type of government: parliamentary democracy, with two chambers of government - the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies, with a President and a Prime Minister, the latter being the head of government.
• Major political parties: Civic Democratic Party, Czech Social Democratic Party, the Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia, Christian Democratic Union, Green Party, and Association of Independent Candidates.

Travel advice

Find the latest travel advice and a traveller’s checklist on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website.