Learning Czech
Prague Compass doesn't cover language courses. We give you the phrases you need at a counter, but for actual lessons the official newcomer site lists free and subsidised courses across the city.
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Czechia, decoded
The vocabulary, numbers and unwritten rules you meet in forms, offices and conversations.
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- How Czech addresses workTwo house numbers, a postcode format that trips people up, and what to write on a form.
- How Czech phone numbers workNine digits, no area codes, and how numbers are grouped when spoken.
- How dates and numbers are writtenDay first, full stops in dates, commas in decimals.
- Understanding Czech public holidaysWhat closes, what stays open, and the shop-closure law.
- How pharmacies workPrescriptions are electronic, and pharmacists handle a lot that a GP would elsewhere.
- How to make an appointmentDoctors, offices and the booking habits that differ from what you may expect.
- How rubbish and recycling workColour-coded containers, bottle deposits, and bulky waste collection.
- How public transport tickets workTime-based tickets, validation, and why a long-term pass is almost always cheaper.
- What to expect when dealing with a Czech officeHow to prepare so that a visit takes one trip rather than three.
- Useful Czech phrases for everyday administrationA short list that covers most counter conversations.
- How renting works in PragueDeposits, agency fees, the lease, and what to check before signing.
- How banking works hereOpening an account, account number format, and paying bills.
- Finding a doctor when you arriveRegistering with a GP, finding English-speaking practices, and what to do out of hours.
- Finding a place to rent in PragueWhere flats are actually advertised, how fast you have to move, and agency versus direct from the owner.
- The lease agreement, and what to check before signingIt must be in writing, only the owner can let the flat, and the red flags worth walking away from.
- Deposits: what is normal and what protects youHow much is usual, what it can be used for, and how to get it back.
- Rent, utilities and the annual settlementWhat is usually included, what is billed separately, and why you may get money back once a year.
- Proof of accommodation from your landlordThe document foreign nationals need for residence paperwork, and how to ask for it.
- Ending a tenancy properlyNotice in writing, notice periods, the handover, and what happens with your registered address.
- Czech POINT: one counter for many official documentsA network of public contact points — mostly post offices — where you can get common official extracts and certified copies without visiting the specific office that issues them.
- The Public Defender of Rights (Ombudsman)Where to turn when a public authority is unlawful, slow, unresponsive, or discriminatory — and what the Ombudsman cannot do.
- Tenant-landlord disputes: the Czech Tenants' AssociationThe actually relevant place to start for ordinary tenancy problems, since the Ombudsman usually cannot help with private landlord-tenant disputes.
Glossary
- apostila / superlegalizacea-pos-ti-la / soo-per-leh-ga-li-zah-tsehTwo ways of certifying that a foreign official document is genuine.
- Czech POINTcheck pointA government network of contact points — mostly post offices — where you can obtain common official extracts and certified copies in one place.
- datová schránkada-to-vaa skhraan-kaAn official state electronic mailbox used for legally binding communication.
- DIČdeechYour tax identification number.
- DPHdeh-peh-haaValue added tax (VAT).
- havarijní pojištěníha-va-riy-nyee po-yish-tyen-yeeOptional comprehensive motor insurance.
- IČOee-choAn eight-digit identification number given to every business and self-employed person.
- jednotný registrační formulářyed-not-nee re-gis-trach-nyee for-moo-laarzhThe single registration form used at the trade licensing office.
- kaucekow-tsehThe rental deposit, also called jistota.
- kontrolní hlášeníkon-trol-nyee hlaa-shen-yeeThe VAT control statement — a detailed breakdown of your invoices.
- Lítačkalee-tach-kaThe Prague transport account and travel pass system.
- matrika (matriční úřad)ma-tri-kaThe registry office that records births, marriages, partnerships and deaths.
- nájemní smlouvanigh-em-nee smloo-vaThe lease agreement between a tenant and the owner of a flat.
- občankaob-chan-kaThe Czech national identity card, held by citizens.
- oddací listod-da-tsee listThe Czech marriage certificate.
- OSVČoh-es-veh-cheA self-employed person — literally "self-employed gainfully active person".
- ověření podpisuo-vye-rzhe-nee pod-pi-suOfficial verification of a signature.
- paušální daňpow-shaal-nyee danFlat-rate tax — one monthly payment covering income tax plus social and health insurance.
- pobytová karta rodinného příslušníkapo-bee-to-vaa kar-ta ro-dyin-neh-ho przhee-sloosh-nee-kaResidence card of a family member of an EU citizen.
- podnájempod-nigh-emA sublet — renting from a tenant rather than from the owner.
- potvrzení o zajištění ubytovánípot-vrr-zeh-nee o zigh-ish-tye-nee oo-bi-to-va-neeConfirmation of accommodation, signed by the owner of the property.
- povinné ručenípo-vin-neh roo-che-nyeeCompulsory third-party motor liability insurance.
- prohlášení poplatníkapro-hlaa-shen-yee po-plat-nee-kaThe taxpayer's declaration — known as the "pink form" (růžové prohlášení).
- předávací protokolpshe-da-va-tsee pro-to-kolThe handover record for a flat.
- přehledprzhe-hledThe annual overview of income filed with the social security administration and your health insurer.
- přechodný pobytprzhe-khod-nee po-bitTemporary residence.
- roční zúčtováníroch-nyee zooch-to-vaa-nyeeThe annual tax settlement your employer can do for you instead of a tax return.
- rodné číslorod-neh chees-loThe Czech birth number — a personal identifier used almost everywhere.
- Sdružení nájemníků ČRzdroo-zhe-nyee nigh-em-nee-koo cheh-rehThe Czech Tenants' Association — a nationwide NGO that advises tenants.
- sociální pojištěníso-tsi-aal-nee po-yish-tye-neeSocial insurance — pensions, sickness and unemployment.
- soudní tlumočník / soudní překladatelsood-nyee tlu-moch-neekA court-appointed interpreter or translator whose work Czech offices accept as official.
- Státní občanstvístaht-nee ob-chan-stveeState citizenship — full membership of the Czech state, beyond any residence permit.
- technický průkaztekh-nits-kee proo-kazThe vehicle registration document — the car's technical certificate.
- trvalý pobyttr-va-lee po-bitPermanent residence.
- úřadoo-zhadAn office or authority — the general word for a public administration body.
- Veřejný ochránce právverzh-nyee okh-ran-tseh prahvThe Public Defender of Rights — an independent body that investigates complaints about public authorities.
- výpis z katastru nemovitostívee-pis z ka-tas-troo neh-mo-vi-tos-teeAn extract from the land register showing who owns a property.
- výpověď z nájmuvee-po-vyed z nigh-mooWritten notice ending a lease.
- vysvědčení o právní způsobilosti k uzavření manželstvívi-svyed-cheh-nee o prahv-nee spoo-so-bi-los-tiA certificate from your own country saying you are legally free to marry.
- zálohy na službyza-loh-hi na sloozh-biMonthly advance payments for utilities and building services.
- zaměstnanecká kartaza-mnest-na-nets-kaa kar-taThe employee card — a combined residence and work permit for one specific job.
- zápočtový listzaa-poch-to-vee listThe confirmation of employment your employer must give you when you leave.
- zdravotní pojištěnízdra-vot-nee po-yish-tye-neeHealth insurance — compulsory in Czechia.
- živnostzhiv-nostA licensed trade — the standard legal form for freelance work.
Not covered here
These topics are covered properly by the official newcomer site run with Prague City Hall support, so we point you there rather than duplicating them.