Moving & Relocation
Welcome to the Czech Republic
Basic indicators
The CR has a 78,864 km sq. area, 10,2 mio. population, the GDP per capita in PPS amounted to 13,200 € (Eurostat 2001). The life expectancy is 71,8 and 78,6 for males and females, respectively (WHO 2001). The CR has the 33rd highest Human Development Index among the 173 states, for which this measure was estimated by UN (Human Development Report 2002). Click here for more details on the indicators.
Political system
The Czech Republic is a parliamentary democracy with the President as the head of the State. The Parliament consists of two chambers, the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate. Since the June 2002 elections the Czech Republic has a coalition Government (Social Democratic Party, Christian Democratic Union, Union of Freedom).
Geography
The Czech Republic is situated approximately in the heart of Central Europe, 326 km from the Baltic and 322 km from the Adriatic sea. It shares borders with Germany, Poland, Austria and Slovakia.
The total area of 78,864 km2 is comparable to that of Austria or Ireland and makes up 2 percent of the area of the European Union.
The Czech Republic does not have access to any sea, but its rivers Labe (Elbe, 370 km), Vltava (433 km), Morava (246 km), Dyje (Thaya, 306 km), Odra (Oder, 135 km) carry their waters into the North, Baltic and Black seas.
The hilly western and middle part of Bohemia comprises the Czech Highlands and the slightly higher mountain ranges of Šumava, Český les, Krušné hory, Krkonoše, Orlické hory and Jeseníky. The Beskydy lie in the eastern part of the country.
The highest point of elevation is the peak of Mt. Snezka (1 602 m above the sea level) and the lowest point is near Hrensko where the River Labe leaves the Czech territory (117 m above the sea level).
Climate
The Czech Republic as a landlocked country has moderate climate with four seasons corresponding to the temperate climate zone, which is characterized by cool summers and cold, cloudy and humid winters.The climate varies markedly among the various regions of the Czech Republic, and throughout the year.
The average temperature in January, the coldest winter month is -5 degrees Centigrade. The summer weather can be very warm with temperatures around +23 degrees Centigrade in July.
A nice time of the year to visit the Czech Republic is late spring (mid-May to mid-June) and early fall (September to mid-October) when the weather can be quite pleasant, although it can be unpredictable. The best chance of warm and dry summer weather is from mid-July to mid-August.
Time
GMT +1, the same as in Western Europe.
Daylight Saving
Start: last Sunday in March
End: last Sunday in October
Nature
Nature in the Czech Republic and its forests and mountains were inhabited and cultivated since the ancient times. In spite of it we can still find beautiful untouched, wild places, unique with their sceneries and formations. In these areas animals such as the wolf, the wildcat, the lynx, the big bustard and the grouse still live.
Administration
The Czech Republic is divided into 14 local administrative units (the capital city of Prague being one of them), controlled by regional administrations.
The largest cities besides Prague are Plzeň, Brno, Liberec and Ostrava.
Religions:
Roman Catholic - 39,2 %, Protestant - 4,1 %, Orthodox 3 %, non-believers and atheists - 39,7 %, other 13.4 %
Language
Official language - Czech.
The Czech language belongs to the group of West Slavic languages. From another perspective, Czech is an inflectional language, which means that the words “inflect” (their endings change). The meaning a given word has in a sentence is primarily determined according to this inflection.
Economy
The Czech Republic is one of the most stable and prosperous of the post-Communist states of Central and Eastern Europe. Growth in 2000-05 was supported by exports to the EU, primarily to Germany, and a strong recovery of foreign and domestic investment. Domestic demand is playing an ever more important role in underpinning growth as interest rates drop and the availability of credit cards and mortgages increases. Current account deficits of around 5% of GDP are beginning to decline as demand for Czech products in the European Union increases. Inflation is under control. Recent accession to the EU gives further impetus and direction to structural reform. Privatization of the state-owned telecommunications firm Cesky Telecom took place in 2005. Intensified restructuring among large enterprises, improvements in the financial sector, and effective use of available EU funds should strengthen output growth.
Economic structure
| Agriculture, hunting and forestry, fishing | 5 % |
| Mining and quarrrying | 2,2 % |
| Manufacturing | 26,6 % |
| Electricity, gas and water supply | 5 % |
| Construction | 6,8 % |
| Wholesale and retail trade | 13.5 % |
| Transport, storage, communication | 6,1 % |
| Financial intermediation | 7,6 % |
| Other | 27,2 % |
Agricultural products: wheat, potatoes, sugar beets, hops, fruit; pigs, poultry
Industries: metallurgy, machinery and equipment, motor vehicles, glass, armaments
Natural resources: hard coal, soft coal, clay, graphite, timber
Transport
Overview
International rail crossings outnumber international airports by 18 to one (the Prague airport), but both are outscored by the 30-plus international road crossings.
Plane
Scheduled international flights arrive predominantly at Prague – the Ruzyně Airport (PRG) is connected worldwide by at least two dozen international carriers, including the state-run airline ČSA (České aerolinie).
The country is connected through three more international airports: Karlovy Vary (KLV), Brno Tuřany (BRQ), and Ostrava Mošnov (OSR). Prague is the central hub airport for low-cost airline Smart Wings. Buying tickets in the CR won't save you much money, so if you're only going to one destination, take advantage of the lower cost of a return (round-trip) ticket bought at home.
Car
By road, visitors can enter the CR at over 30 points, and the list is growing all the time. Currently there are 7 highways crossing the country and more are being constructed.
Speed limits:
On a motorway 130 km/h (80 mph)
On an open road 90 km/h (56 mph)
In build-up area 50 km/h (31 mph)
Motorways and high-speed roads can only be used by a motor vehicle, or an articulated vehicle with at least four wheels, upon the payment of a fee for the use of a motorway and a high-speed road.
The fee is paid prior to the use of a motorway or a high-speed road by a motor vehicle.
The sales outlets must be marked with a sticker and coupons may only be sold at their nominal prices, set by a government directive. Coupons can be purchased at all post offices (Česká pošta, a.s. ), from contractual vendors at fuel stations, primarily on the network of toll motorways and high-speed roads, and at connectors to those roads. They can also be obtained at border crossings (D 5 - Rozvadov and D 2 - Břeclav) and at other places servicing motorists. All vendors must be equipped with information materials, i.e., with a sticker marking the sales outlet, the price-list, and a four-language information leaflet.
Note: It is recommended that drivers, in their own best interest, check when purchasing short-term coupons (two-month, fifteen-day, one-day) whether the vendor marked the beginning of their validity correctly, before they attach them.
The fee for the use of a motorway and a high-speed road by a road motor vehicle (hereinafter referred to as a “motor vehicle”) with at least four wheels, or by an articulated vehicle is:
a) For one calendar year for a motor vehicle or an articulated vehicle:
1) Of a total weight up to 3.5 tonnes – CZK 900
2) Of a total weight over 3.5 tonnes and up to 12 tonnes - CZK 7,000
3) Of a total weight over 12 tonnes – CZK 14,000
Breakdown service
1240(ABA
Road assistance service can be reached at +420 800 124 000. Operates 24 hours a day.
In a traffic accident
During each traffic accident involving a foreign national or vehicle, the police officer will ask for the insurance document. The driver is obliged to have such a document with him/ her.
If the foreign vehicle is damaged and it proves necessary to interfere with the load due to the traffic accident, the relevant customs office will be informed.
If the foreigner shows an international insurance card, the police officer will verify its validity in the Czech Republic. He will make a note of the name, validity and number of insurance document in the record of road accidents.
If the foreign vehicle is damaged, the police officer always provides the driver with confirmation that the Police Force was informed of the traffic accident and that the traffic accident was verified by the Police Force.
Confirmation would include:
- Date and place of issuance of confirmation,
- Date, time and place of traffic accident,
- Make and registration number of vehicle, name and address of owner of vehicle, name and address of driver of vehicle at the time of the accident,
- Detailed description of the damaged parts of the vehicle,
- Stamp of the Police Force unit, which verified the accident and signature of the police officer who issued the confirmation and his/ her identification number.
Trains
Trains in the Czech Republic are operated by České dráhy. The train is a commonly used means of transportation in the Czech Republic. All Czech cities, towns and many villages have their train stations and are interconnected well enough to make train travel a convenient way of getting from one place to another.
Coaches, Buses
Traveling by coach is often the quickest and most direct way to get from one Czech town to another. There are many private bus companies that operate regular services. Almost no Czech buses are equipped with toilets and bathroom breaks are only made on long-distance trips, approximately every three hours.
Tickets can be bought when boarding, or at the main stations together with the seat reservation. For schedules see http://www.idos.cz/
Prague
Bigger cities have an advanced public transport system. In Prague, you can easily get around by buses and trams and also by Metro (subway). For travelling to the adjacing parts of Prague you can use buses or trains within the Prague Integrated Transport System. More information, maps and timetables are available at the Public Transport website: www.dpp.cz
Public Holidays
In total, there are seven bank, or public, holidays in the Czech Republic
The Day of Recovery of the Independent Czech State – January 1
Liberation Day - May 8
The Day of Slavonic Apostles Cyril and Methodius – July 5
Jan Hus Day - July 6
Day of Czech Statehood - September 28
The Day of Establishment of the Independent Czechoslovak Republic - October 28
Day of Students' Fight for Freedom and Democracy – November 17
Other significant days
Easter Monday
Christmas Day - December 24
First Christmas feast - December 25
Second Christmas Feast - December 26
USEFUL INFORMATION
Electricity
DO bring an adaptor if you plan to use American appliances. The Czech Republic uses the 220V system common throughout Western Europe; plugs have two rounded prongs. You will need a voltage converter, or (if your appliance has a 120/220V switch) a plug adaptor to use your electrical appliances, PCs, etc. in the Czech Republic. The adaptors are available in hardware and travel stores throughout the US.
Emergency Numbers
Fire, tel 150
Emergency road service, tel 154
Ambulance, tel 155
Municipal police, tel 156
Police, tel 158
Searching for phone numbers locally, tel 1180
Searching for phone numbers internationally, tel 1181
Exact time, tel 14112
Wake up calls - you have to program your phone: press *55* then required time - for example for 6:05 am press 0605 and then press #.
National operator, tel 133002
24 hours pharmacies ("Lekarny s nepretrzitou pohotovostni sluzbou"):
Pharmacies Prague 1, Palackeho 5, tel 224 946 982
Pharmacies Prague 2, Belgicka 37 (Namesti Miru), tel 222 519 731 Pharmacies Prague 4, Soukalova 3355, tel 241 770 498 Pharmacies Prague 7 - Milady Horakove 18, tel 233 375 599
Pharmacies Prague 8, Budinova 2 (Bulovka Hospital), tel 266 082 017 Pharmacies Prague 8; Heydukova 10, tel 266 310 899
Pharmacies Prague 10, Srobarova 50, tel 267 161 111
Pharmacies Prague 11, Drabikove 534, tel 272 912 743
Pharmacies Prague 12, Soukalova 33, tel 241 770 498
Prague 1, Nam.Republiky 8, (Department Store "Kotva")
- open Mo-Fr 9.00 - 20.00, Sa-Su 10.00 - 18.00, tel 224 801 675
Prague 5, Sarska 5/133, (Hypermarket "Globus" Zlicin)
- open daily 9.00 - 21.00,; tel 251 612 142, 251 613 385
Prague 9, Veselska 663, (Hypermarket "Tesco" Letnany)
- open daily 9.00 - 21.00, tel 283 923 049
Main Post Office:
Jindrisska 909/14
110 00 Prague 1, tel:221 131 111
Lost and found department:
Police Prague 1, Karoliny Svetle 5, tel 224 235 085
Lost credit cards:
American Express, tel 224 194 400
Visa, tel 224 125 353
Diners Club, tel 26731448
Eurocard/Mastercard, tel 224 423 135
PARKING IN PRAGUE
Parking Zones in the City Center
The Orange ZoneMaximum time of parking is 2 hours. Charges: 40,- Kc per hour, 10,-Kc per 15 min. (the minimum time is 15 minutes). Zone is effective from 8 am to 6 pm.
The Green ZoneMaximum time of parking is 6 hours. Charges: 30,- Kc per hour, 15,- Kc per 30 min. Zone is effective from 8 am to 6 pm (Monday – Friday).
Both zones are equipped with coin-operated parking meters taht can collect coins valued Kc 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 or 50. Operating instructions are attached to parking meters.
The Blue ZoneLong-term parking zone is designed solely for residents of Praha 1 or companies based in this district. Only vehicles with a parking card can park there.
Public Parking Garages
Praha 1, namesti Jana Palacha
Praha 1, Ostrovni (the National Theater)
Praha 1, nam.Rebubliky 8 (KOTVA store)
Praha 1, Renaissaince Hotel
Praha 1, Marriott Hotel, V Celnici 8
Praha 1, InterContinental Hotel, nam.Curieovych
Praha 1, Opletalova 9 (near the Wenceslas Square)
Praha 1, Bolzanova (the Main Railway Station
Praha 2, Vaclavska
Praha 2, Vinohradska 28
Praha 2, Wilsonova (near State Opera)
Praha 3, Taboritska (Olsanka Hotel)
Praha 3, Vinohradska (Don Giovanni Hotel)
Praha 4, Milevska (Corinthia Panorama Hotel)
Praha 4, Kongresova 1 (Hotel Corinthia Towers)
Praha 4, 5.kvetna 65 (Congress Centre)
Praha 5, Bozdechova (Zlaty Andel)
Praha 5, Radlicka (Andel City)
Praha 6, Evropska (Diplomat Hotel)
Praha 1, Wilsonova (Main Railway Station)
Praha 1, V Celnici
Praha 1, Na Florenci (Masarykovo Railway Station)
Praha 1, Malostranske namesti
Praha 1, Tesnov (near the Ministry of Agriculture)
Praha 2, Skretova
Praha 2, Karlovo namesti (near the New Town Hall and St. Ignatius church)
Praha 2, Tylovo namesti
Praha 3, Olsanska
Praha 3, namesti W. Churchilla
Praha 3, Seifertova (near the crossing with Italska street)
Praha 4, Na Pankraci (near the Pankrac market)
Praha 4, Budejovicka (near the Prior store)
Praha 4, Dvorecke namesti
Praha 4, Hraskeho (near subway station C – Chodov)
Praha 4, Novodvorska – Papirnikova
Praha 5, namesti 14.rijna
Praha 6, U Prasneho mostu
Praha 7, Kostelni
Praha 7, Partyzanska (Holesovice Railway Station)
Praha 7, U Vystaviste
Praha 7, Letensky plan
Praha 10, U Hraze
Praha 10, Za Srasnickou vozovnou
Source: Centre for Administration and Operations of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, International Department , Academy of Sciences of the Czech Repoublic
