About the Czech Republic

Everyone has their own story, but many of us share the experience of finding ourselves in a new country, where we must quickly build a new life. We hope our portal Expaterra can help you!

So, the Czech Republic: a land of opportunity and warm hospitality, where everyone can find their home among picturesque landscapes and rich cultural heritage.

Culture and Lifestyle

The Czech Republic is a country with a rich cultural heritage, unique traditions, and distinctive cuisine.

Czech culture has developed under the influence of Slavic roots and neighboring peoples, leading to its diversity and depth. In rural regions, traditional holidays like Maslenitsa and harvest festivals are still celebrated, accompanied by folk dances, songs, and vibrant costumes. The Czech Republic is known for its composers, such as Antonín Dvořák and Bedřich Smetana. Theaters, museums, and galleries play an important role in the cultural life of the country. Czech cities are famous for their diverse architectural styles—from Gothic and Baroque to Art Nouveau. Prague, the capital city, is often called “the city of a hundred spires” due to its numerous historic buildings.

Czechs value a balance between work and personal life, giving attention to family, friends, and hobbies. Sports, especially football, hockey, and cycling, are popular. Many Czechs prefer to spend weekends in nature, engaging in hiking or skiing. Christmas and Easter are the main family holidays, marked by special traditions and dishes. For instance, it's customary to prepare carp and bake honey gingerbread for Christmas.

Czech cuisine is known for hearty and tasty dishes reflecting the country's agricultural traditions. Meat dishes, such as roasted pork knuckle and beef in creamy sauce, are popular. Dumplings—traditional side dishes made from dough or potatoes—are common. Soups play an important role in Czech cuisine, with favorites including garlic soup and a thick cabbage soup with meat. Sweets include trdelník—a sweet pastry with cinnamon and sugar—and various fruit pies. The Czech Republic is famous for its beer, considered a national drink. Fruit liqueurs and wines from Moravia are also popular.

The Czech Republic ranks highly in various international rankings, reflecting its achievements in different fields.

In 2018, the Czech Republic was ranked 13th among 209 countries, demonstrating a high level of economic, social, and political integration into global processes. According to the Human Development Index for 2022, the Czech Republic is in 32nd position out of 191 countries, indicating a high standard of living, education, and life expectancy for the population. In 2018, the Czech Republic ranked 38th out of 180 countries on the Corruption Perception Index, reflecting a moderate level of perceived corruption in the country. The Czech Republic is also one of the safest and most peaceful countries in the world. 

Czechia, like any country, has its strengths and weaknesses. While the country shows high indicators in safety and quality of life, there are areas where Czechia ranks lower.

In 2023, Czechia dropped to 21st place in the global ranking of economic freedom, losing five positions compared to the previous year. This indicates the presence of certain limitations in economic activities and regulation.

Among EU countries, Czechia ranks 13th in education quality. However, the republic has the lowest indicators for the share of highly qualified youth. In particular, among the population aged 25–34, only 33% have a university education.

The cost of real estate in Czechia is quite high. As of today, citizens and residents of the republic more often purchase housing and commercial premises on credit. Average mortgage rates in Czechia are at 5.5%.

These indicators point to areas requiring attention and possible reforms to improve Czechia's standings in the relevant rankings.

Local Language

Learning the Czech language can present certain challenges for foreigners, depending on their native language and level of experience in learning other languages. Czech has a complex system of declensions (seven cases) and verb conjugations, which may be unfamiliar to speakers of languages where such systems do not exist. Each noun has a grammatical gender (masculine, feminine, or neuter), which affects the use of adjectives and verbs. Unlike English or Romance languages, Czech has fewer international words, making vocabulary harder to memorize. Pronunciation and usage of certain words may vary depending on the region. Czech may sound fast and words often "link" together. Many Czechs use slang, which can be difficult to understand in the early stages of learning. However, a systematic approach and regular practice will help overcome the difficulties and master the Czech language.