Living in Prague as an Expat | Expats Everywhere

Luis talks to ExpatsEverywhere about being an expat in Prague. Listen to his experience being a Spaniard in Czechia. He talks about working in hospitality, job opportunities, salary, cost of living, meeting people, things to do for fun, safety, and much more!
Questions? E-mail us at [e-mail]
Want more? Go to www.ExpatsEverywhere.com
Follow us on Facebook: ExpatsEverywhere
Follow us on Instagram: TheExpatTraveller
Follow us on Twitter: @expert_expat
#ExpatsEverywhere
Want an expat life strategist? Visit the services tab on www.ExpatsEverywhere.com to learn more!
ExpatsEverywhere has partnered with 4InShip to help you receive your packages outside of the USA. 4InShip states that their mission "is to provide top-notch customer service with low-cost shipping to customers all around the globe. Our goal is to simplify buying and shipping from the USA. 4InShip helps customers save money, by offering package forwarding and consolidation services.” The reason we back 4InShip is because they have successfully shipped for customers all around the world while keeping costs low and giving you one-on-one attention the whole way through. Explore more using this code: www.4inship.com/4InShip-Membe...

[@metalalive2006]

curious about engineering career in czechia, are there many expats competing engineering jobs in IT company there ? (Especially software engineering)

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Thanks for the comment. We'll pin this and see if anyone in our community responds.

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

@@CzechShooter Thanks for the comment. What else can you tell us about this software engineering demand? Is it certain companies or freelancers?

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

@@CzechShooter Thank you for responding to us here. Are you Czech or expat?

[@richiesd1]

Wow , this young man is very well spoken.

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

We love Luis. He's a great guy.

[@kishanbrahmbhatt2334]

great video, thank you for making it

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

You're welcome! Thank you for the positive feedback.

[@AmexEU]

Great interview. Thanks

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Thank you.

[@tinadtuna]

very helpful! Hope to move soon!

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Thank you. Contact us at [e-mail] if you need any additional help. www.expatseverywhere.com

[@TominovCZ]

200 € for accomodation per moth?? haha thats a good one. Ive never seen accomodation anywhere in Prague below 350 €

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

We needed to ask him to clarify because a lot of Spaniards, especially Madrileños like him, will have roommates. So it's possible to have 2-4 roommates and get cheaper rents but yes it's safer to say that an expat's accommodations for a 1 br apartment in Prague would be minimum 600 euros. Thanks for the comment, Tom. We appreciate you adding value with this comment and your other one.

[@user-pd6bd7ir4z]

800 euros is sort of like the minimum wage in Prague. even as a cashier in Lidl or Tesco's you can make some 800 per month easily. the average prague salary is around 39,000 CZK (about 1,600 euros per month) so even as entry level graduate you should be aiming for 30,000-35,000 Czk. depends on the industry though of course.

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Thanks for the comment!

[@thomascoxe7545]

Bullshit. Average salary is not that high.

[@letecmig]

regarding the weather:my friend, zero celsius means 'really cold' in CZ during the winter,munis 5 is really,really,really cold. Minus 20....is unheard of:) ...but i guess you are coming from the Spanish perspective-everything below 10C is 'arctic weather' for you:). Regarding Winter as a 'time to survive'- actually, if you embrace czech lifestyle,you find that winter is great opportunity to do downhill skiing,cross country skiing etc. etc.-just embrace what is there,do not be 'closed' in your 'spanish perspective'-you will see that Winter is actually GREAT time of the year;)

[@27Kathrine]

Great video. This Spaniard was on point on somethings, especially in the hospitality aspect. They have terrible customer service and when I mean terrible, I mean terrible. This has happened several times, that now I just laugh at it. But initially I didn't know how to respond. The first time this happened, I was going to order something at a food counter and I greeted politely in Czech first and ask them if they spoke English. They said yes, the first thing they said was "What do you want?" it was so offensive...it shocked me...but now when it happens, I just laugh at this kind of response. I guess, I got to roll with the punches, eh? However, on other things, he was a bit off, such as the name Czechia, the Czech people hate it and refuse to call it other than Czech Republic, even if the name has been changed. In terms of the weather, yes it quite cold and I agree with him. However, as of recently the weather has been a lot colder than usual during winter. I won't even bother to acknowledge letecmig comment. I will simply provide you some links from several different sources and you can make your own decision: 1. What the weather will be like this weekend, portal.chmi.cz/ 2. Statistics of the weather www.yr.no/place/Czech_Republic/Prague/Prague/statistics.html.... www.worldweatheronline.com/prague-weather-averages/hlavni-mesto-praha/cz.aspx 3. What the weather is usually like in Czech Republic. www.holiday-weather.com/prague/ www.myczechrepublic.com/weather/czech-winter-weather.html

[@marekj1100]

To consider the question “What do you want?”, spoken by a non-native English speaker in a distant land, to be _oh-my-gosh-so-offensive_ would likely be a symptom of ignorance of the potential for cultural differences when you travel. Particular ways of phrasing a question (or any statement, for that matter), and the level of politeness or rudeness associated with the choice of the phrasing, tend to be culture-specific. One cannot reasonably ascribe to such phrasing the exact same vibe that it would have from a native English speaker. Perhaps their English wasn’t great, and that’s what they could come up with ; and you, as a foreign visitor, should have been grateful that they spoke some English at all, so you didn’t have to speak their language.

[@richiesd1]

Do apartments have air conditioning for the summer?

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

You can find apartments with air conditioners.

[@barnbersonol]

And he thinks the temp goes down to minus 20! Maybe once every ten or twenty years it'll be that cold. Lower than minus ten is rare. Around -3 at night is the average in winter Sometimes winter days are wet and windy but not too cold. Summer is about 25 on average,. 30 is a hot day, 20 is a cool day.

[@Schluker]

The winter temperatures are very dependent on the region you are in. Your statement might be true for areas near Brno or Prague, but in Šumava, Jizerské hory and Krkonoše it is really common to reach temperatures around -20.

[@AlexGraceAKAChoppa]

-20 degrees in prague?! pahaha im from sweden and that is considered pretty cold in south of sweden. maybe for a spaniard it feels -20.

[@marekj1100]

Yes, it can get down to such cold here too. Not often, though. Not every winter, perhaps. A few years ago, we got about three weeks of nearly continuous deep freeze like that.

[@marekj1100]

On the other hand, it can get way above the meager +30 mentioned in the video in summer.

[@MacroRKF]

Well, czechs have one of the best healthcare system in the world. Dunno what's your experience, but I know what I'm talking about

[@summ466]

Very true as an austrian i agree here definetely. I like czech republic.

[@peterpamlockwood]

One Q....the Fact that HOSPITALS.....AMBULANCE ....DONT SPEAK ENGLISH ....How does this effect your living, and other English people living in Cz?.......EVERYTHING is centered around Prague ...Just dont get ill/accident!!!

[@MyYTwatcher]

I think there was some misunderstanding. Maybe he was talking about old buildings or maybe he didnt see shining new equipment or maybe he met some rude nurses or doctors. Because otherwise I dont understand his comment about the subject. CZE has got the same level of medical care as any other european country. And if you work then you basically have to be insured then it is also very cheap. Of course if you are not insured than there are problems.

[@vitezslavhron3879]

peter pam In the UK... Fact HOSPITALS ... AMBULANCE .... DONT SPEAK CZECH .... so UK health care sucks? So in England speak English, in the Czech Republic speak Czech!!!!

[@flowerpower6216]

every country says that...

[@EZMETAL]

Expat is just for English or Expat could be anyone outside any mother land country? Expat is the same of immigrant?

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Not sure what other languages use the term expat but if you're asking if it's for English people alone, no. It is certainly someone out of their fatherland. The biggest difference is the intended stay in the host country. Expats tend to go somewhere on a temporary basis and immigrants go with the intention it's forever. Both tend to go through an immigration process on a governmental side because there's often times not a distinction despite there being different potential visas.

[@sikhtraveller8860]

plz can u tell me wats the minimize m salary

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

National minimum wage in Czechia 477.78 euros.

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Average wage in Prague is currently hovering around 1,200 Euros or 31,000 CZK.

[@TominovCZ]

@@ExpatsEverywhere thats avarage in Czech republic its 45 000 CZK or 1750 Euros in Prague

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

@@TominovCZ Hi again, could you show us your source for this? A few of our sources are showing much lower.

[@TominovCZ]

@@ExpatsEverywhere www.czso.cz/csu/xa/prumerna-hruba-mesicni-mzda-v-hl-m-praze-ve-2-ctvrtleti-2019 PHA is Prague and it stands for second fourth of the year 2019

[@otakarsulc4686]

Most of things he said are true but definetly not about healtcare, maybe doctors or sisters dont always speak english, may be there are no extremly welcoming but healthcare is on high technical level and if you have national healtcare insurance (which is mandatory) its almost free, private hospital give you better service (english and nicer people) but not better healing. A lot of westerners come here to udergo surgery because its cheap and good.

[@ZoomGadget]

If you live in Czech Republic as a self employef tech nomad, how much do you pay in taxes?

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Personal income tax in Czechia (Czech Republic) is flat at 15%. If you're American, make sure you file and depending on how your income is, you should have foreign earned income exclusion, meaning no double taxation. Ultimately, speak to a tax specialist. We're trying to get one (or two) on the channel really soon.

[@ZoomGadget]

@@ExpatsEverywhere Thanks for the answer. I believe it is also mandatory to sign a health insurance isn't?

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

ZoomGadget yes. 💯 correct. Check out Insured Nomads as they’ve got a good lineup of insurance packages for expats. We don’t get any kickback from them. We just know them and recommend them highly. Very good people. Keep us posted on your developments. Blessings with your move!

[@taranbeto]

How about the language barrier?

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

He stated to us that he didn't experience a huge language barrier, however, his English is fluent, he's a native Spanish speaker, and has the ability to pick up other languages. We went out for a meal with him and he spoke to the staff in Czech and we spoke to them in English. Hope that helps. Keep in mind that this was in Prague.

[@emadvorakova42]

As a Czech I agree with too long winter.... Totally disagree with food, in Prague are many options and variaties of food. Sorry, I don´t eat only pork or dumplings, I eat more pizza, pasta, burrito or vietnamiese food...

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Thanks for sharing, Ema.

[@LonskiBig]

..I spent a month there ...I will give my perspective. These were all excellent questions. I disagree about rent- I think he is LOW....that said, if he's right that rent is $550USD/mo then prices have dropped from 5 years ago when I was there......But the city is compact as he says and the subway was only $1/day which gets you ANYPLACE and EVERYPLACE in the city...If you don't have to pay a car payment, insurance, gas, tires, oil changes like you do in the USA then you are miles ahead of the game....The people were extremely friendly and to this day I still get an occasional email from them...Even the subway system "Border Patrol" courteously IGNORED me when checking for documents- doing me a favor.......But the visa situation was not brought- up in the above. That's because he is EU. Americans have a ridiculously hard time if they want to stay permanently...Document after document, apostilled, notarized, copied, submitted...this government office, that government office...all because we are not EU....Yes, there are American ex- pats there, but many got in before the regulations came down hard.......Pilsner beer flows freely and cheaply even for breakfast...Live entertainment abounds...That Burger King by Wenceslas Square ???..I was there when it first opened up and prices were about the same as America....They love Johnny Cash....I left Nashville with him playing on the loud speakers and arrived in Prague only to have Johnny Cash on the city square's loud speakers on St. Patrick's Day.....I went up to that castle so much, they practically know me in there...

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

We love this post! Thank you, sir. Great stuff. Thanks for helping build our community here.

[@wddlaw]

@@ExpatsEverywhere A great way to get in to Prague for an American is to speak English. It may cost something but you can stay there for a year or longer and they will do paperwork.....Find the right placement agency. You will get a better paying job and meet far more contacts

[@wddlaw]

I meant teach English

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

@@wddlaw You can edit your post if you'd like. Thanks for contributing. Are you teaching English there?

[@barnbersonol]

I dunno what guy's on when he says you can earn 800 euros in Cz. For a start they don't use euros and on top of that, their min wage is the equivalent of about 100 euros a week. My Czech friend told me.

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

The reason he used Euros is two fold. One, he's from Spain and two, he's giving global viewers a frame of reference because it's a currency that people are more familiar with. In general, interviewers on our channel regardless of where they're from state money in USD or Euros.

[@barnbersonol]

Then he should say" the equivalent of 100 euros" And lose the silly, fake American accent. I watch French tv most days but do you think I pretend to be French?

[@jlsats]

@@barnbersonol His accent is perfectly fine. If he speaks like an American, it may be because he was taught by an American or spent time with Americans.

[@barnbersonol]

Fake fake. So annoying.

[@radomirstec31]

Yes definitely pork and those who don't eat pork or can not eat pork stay in the desert where you are and don't come to change our culture

[@radimmlcoch5690]

You are not expat you are immigrant

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

He's definitely an expat. Luis has since moved back to Spain with Four Seasons and will probably leave Spain again at some point for another assignment. Thanks for watching though.

[@radimmlcoch5690]

@@ExpatsEverywhere he Is expat for you because He Is spanish if He would be for example from maroco you would call him immigrant.dont be hypocrite

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

@@radimmlcoch5690 Honestly, that's the first time we've heard that. Normally, it's the Spanish complaining that if he's from the UK then he'd be called an expat and if he's from Spain, he's an immigrant. Go ahead and have a look on our channel of the variety of national backgrounds we have and come back at us about the hypocrite comment.