William Nattrass
VerifiedArticles by William Nattrass
Why shopping around unlocks the best mortgage deals in Czechia
Taking out a mortgage is among the most serious financial decisions you’ll ever make. The name itself, derived from an old French legal term meaning “dead pledge,” indicates the inescapable, binding nature of a mortgage contract. While options exist these days to help those struggling with mortgage repayments, it’s still a decision you want to get right.
Czechia's economy is growing. So why does everything still feel expensive?
On paper, 2026 has brought some encouraging economic news in Czechia. Inflation has cooled to around two percent, unemployment remains among the lowest in the EU, and real wages, measuring growth in pay adjusted for inflation, are growing again. For people managing rent, groceries and other everyday expenses, those improvements may not translate into feeling better off.
Revenge of the beetle: Year of drought spells disaster for Czech forests
2026 is expected to be one of the driest years in Czechia this century. Record heat and a lack of rain have left many of us hot and bothered, but humans aren’t the only ones. Experts warn that Czechia’s trees have also come under severe strain. Foresters are sounding the alarm over a feared resurgence of the bark beetle infestation which has decimated Czech forests over the past decade.
Language, formality, AI: How to master your Czech job interview as a foreigner
Job interviews are always scary. After all, they exist so that potential employers can judge you and your fitness for a role – and most of us don’t like being judged. A lot of work goes into making the right impression. Researching the company, practicing answers to standard interview questions, even thinking about what to wear are all important parts of interview prep. If you’ve just moved to Czechia, being interviewed can be even more daunting.
Think you’re a victim of Czechia's gender pay gap? Use this tool to find out
Efforts to tackle the gender pay gap are driving significant changes to European Union employment law. Unequal pay between men and women is a particularly big issue in Czechia, where the gender pay gap is among the EU’s widest. A new online calculator tool introduced by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs highlights gender pay differences seen across professions.
Prague cost of living: What does it cost to raise a family in 2026?
There are no prizes for guessing that family life is when your expenses in Czechia really shoot up. Still, you might be taken aback by just how much having children in Prague can cost. Especially in an age of inflated living costs, all the primary cost drivers see significant changes at this stage. Families may shift from renting to paying off a mortgage. Instead of relying entirely on public transport, they may decide they need a car.
Inflation in Europe is going back up. Is Czechia at risk?
A couple of years ago, double-digit inflation profoundly changed the economic realities of life in Czechia. While consumer prices subsequently stabilized, inflation figures are now ticking back up again. Like the rest of Europe, consumer prices in Czechia are threatened by ongoing global energy price shocks. Could these pressures lead to a new inflation crisis? Expats.cz examined the data and spoke with a leading Czech economist to find out.
Good leadership in Czechia needs diverse perspectives. This global executive explains why
When everyone thinks alike, what gets missed? A new colleague might question a routine everyone else takes for granted or suggest an approach they’ve used elsewhere. Those ideas can go unheard if fitting in means keeping quiet. Leaders have a role in making sure people feel confident enough to offer a different view, and Milica Abella, Director of Smoke-Free Products at Philip Morris Czech Republic, knows this from experience. “Leadership begins with curiosity and listening,” she tells Expats.cz.
Investing in Czechia: How to make your money work without triggering taxes
Digital investment platforms have opened investing up to the general public, but there’s a catch. You can now invest from anywhere, into almost any instrument, at any time – but you’re still tied by specific, non-negotiable tax rules in the country where you live. Expats in Czechia who want to start investing, as well as those who already are, need to be on top of local tax requirements before they put their money to work.
Freelancing in Czechia: Everything you need to know to start earning
Lots of people dream of going freelance. They imagine life without a boss, without a daily commute, with no need for permission to take a holiday, leaving the rigid eight-hour working day behind. Yet freelancing doesn’t mean a life without constraints. Every freelancer is effectively the boss of a small one-person business.
Britain mulls reversing Brexit: What would it mean for UK expats in Czechia?
A lot of political decisions, even seriously important and controversial ones, don’t make an immediate and obvious impact on the everyday lives of ordinary people. But some do, and Brexit, the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the European Union, has been an unavoidable fact of life for millions ever since Brits voted “Leave” in 2016. Czechia is home to an estimated 8,000 British citizens.
Living alone vs. as a couple: What it costs to live in Prague by household
It’s well known that the cost of living in Czechia has rocketed upward in recent years. Yet how much you need to live in Prague depends not only on rising prices, but also on whether you live alone or share a household. Moving in with a partner can reduce rent and utility costs per person, but greater disposable income can also change how—and how much—you spend. We analyzed two life stages that correspond closely with a typical trajectory for a foreigner living in Prague.
How to find a lawyer in Czechia—and avoid costly legal mistakes
Czech legal proceedings can be difficult for anyone to navigate, but language barriers and unfamiliar legal conventions create additional problems for foreigners. Finding a lawyer with relevant expertise who also speaks your language to a high standard is one of the most important steps you can take. Foreigners should also be aware that Czech proceedings may work differently from those in their home countries.
Czech legal proceedings can be an expat nightmare. Here’s how to survive
The Trial, one of Prague writer Franz Kafka’s most celebrated works, tells the story of a man embroiled in a legal case he does not understand, facing unknown charges leveled by mysterious authorities. The quintessentially “Kafkaesque” nature of this tale can feel like an allegory for problems faced by expats interacting with the Czech legal system today.
Digital tipping is spreading in Czechia: How much should you leave?
Anyone who has been in Czechia for more than a couple of years will remember what’s fast becoming a lost “old-school” tipping culture. After enjoying a meal or coffee, if you felt the service was good, you’d simply state the total amount you wanted to pay, including the tip. Through the eyes of a foreigner, it could seem awkward. In other countries, such as the UK, a standard service charge added to the bill has long removed the need to personally state a tip amount.
Not sure you’ll stay in Czechia? 3 ways to invest for whatever comes next
How many foreigners in Czechia can say with confidence how long they’ll be here? Job contracts end, relationships change, family life intervenes, and the country wins many expats over for good. Uncertainty about the future is normal, but it stops many from investing and putting their money to work. It shouldn’t. “Not knowing your timeline is no reason to leave your money in low-interest bank accounts," says Jan Stránský, Wealth Manager at WOOD & Company.
Why Czechia could attract global companies in 2027 – and where the jobs may be
Companies deciding where to invest in 2027 face challenges that looked very different only a few years ago. Deglobalization is being driven by war and hostile trade barriers, while artificial intelligence is transforming entire industries and changing what businesses require from employees and international operations. But according to industry leaders, Czechia is emerging as a strong base for global business services.
Czech sick pay explained: What happens when you can't work?
If you’re working in Czechia, your salary doesn’t simply stop when you get sick. The Czech social security system provides income support during temporary incapacity, with your employer and the state taking over responsibility at different stages. The amount you receive, however, is lower than your normal salary, and the calculation becomes more generous the longer you remain off work.
'I felt I had no choice but to pay': Prague ticket inspectors leave foreigners feeling intimidated
When Pablo F. and his family visited Prague, they expected a routine journey through the city. Instead, a ticket inspection left them frightened and questioning whether they had been treated differently because they were foreign.
Getting married in Czechia? 8 things the matrika won't tell you
First came the proposal, then you told family and friends, and now you've agreed on a date. This is where things get less romantic: turning the wedding into a legally recognized marriage in Czechias. If one of the partners was born outside of Czechia, it is perfectly possible to do so, but the process comes with a few requirements that can be easy to overlook.
Swapping your license in Czechia: Don’t skip these crucial steps
So you’ve established that you can exchange your foreign driving license for a Czech one. Now comes the next challenge: actually getting through the process. For some foreign drivers, swapping a license is a relatively straightforward administrative procedure. For others, it can involve certified translations, medical checks, an International Driving Permit, or even a Czech driving test.
Why Czech salaries still feel low even as wages rise
In the first quarter of 2026, nominal wages grew by 8.1 percent year-on-year, while annual inflation was at 1.6 percent, meaning growth in real wages of 6.4 percent. That sounds like good news. But a new survey of 1,000 Czechs by Provident Financial found that 13 percent now have nothing left from their paycheck at the end of the month, up from 9 percent last year. The figures point to a wider question: if Czech wages are rising so quickly, why do salaries still feel low?
Foreign driving licenses in Czechia: Who can drive and who must exchange?
Your driver’s license is one of those vital documents you take for granted: until you discover that your home-country license doesn’t necessarily give you the right to drive in Czechia. For foreign residents, where your license was issued and how long you’re staying can determine whether you can simply get behind the wheel, need to exchange your license, or have to take the Czech driving test.
Are you being paid fairly in Czechia? A no-nonsense guide to salaries
When it comes to your pay and employment, knowledge is power, but many of us don’t dig into the numbers behind our compensation. Confusion arises from various opaque elements in Czech pay. Figuring out how much money will actually arrive in your bank account is harder than you’d think due to a complex system of tax and insurance deductions.
Beyond buying property: A credit fund approach to Czech real estate
Investing in Czech property has, in recent years, attracted considerable interest. Yet while property values and rental income can offer returns, owning real estate comes with risks. Stalled development, loss of value due to damage or deterioration, problematic tenants, changing mortgage conditions, and difficulty selling can all pose problems for property owners.
From A2 to B1: Everything you need to know about Czech language tests
For many foreigners living in Czechia, learning Czech begins as a personal choice. Some want to understand their Czech partner’s family, others want to feel more connected to their community, while many simply want the independence that comes with being able to navigate daily life without translation. But for those planning to stay long term, learning Czech eventually becomes more than a personal goal. It becomes part of the legal process of building a future here.
How ‘learnability’ could help you land your next job in Czechia
Technological advances are transforming jobs across industries in Czechia, changing what employers expect from workers. As a result, “Tell us about your AI skills?” is now yet another typical question to add to your mental job interview checklist. Companies increasingly need people with technical knowledge, yet a ManpowerGroup survey found that 61 percent of Czech employers are unable to find applicants with the right skills.
Do you need to speak Czech to live in Czechia? Increasingly the answer is yes
When I first arrived in Prague, learning Czech didn’t seem urgent. Having never lived outside Britain, the culture shock of moving to a new country seemed like more than enough, and with the privilege of coming from an Anglophone country, I just assumed that English would be enough. Looking back, that was a strange attitude. After all, I couldn’t even talk with my wife’s family without her acting as interpreter.
UK exchanges are returning to Erasmus+. Here's what students in Czechia should know
For thousands of British residents in Czechia, Brexit changed far more than residence paperwork and airport queues. It also interrupted educational links that had allowed pupils, university students and teachers to move between the UK and the rest of Europe through programs like Erasmus+. Britain was a major Erasmus destination before Brexit, and its return is expected to restore reciprocal exchanges.
Need a doctor in Czechia? Try calling your insurance helpline first
We’ve all been there. A routine health issue in Czechia can cause a lot more stress than it should due to the complications of navigating an unfamiliar healthcare system, with all the challenges of the language barrier thrown in for good measure. When you or your loved ones need care, the anxieties of expat life can make a tricky situation even harder. There is a practical option open to many expats in Prague and across the country that makes getting the right care easier.
Rage against the machine? How voice bots are transforming customer service in Czechia
How do you feel when you call a customer service helpline and, instead of being answered by a person, you find yourself in conversation with a robotic, automated voice? For many of us, a sigh and a roll of the eyes is the typical response. Automation means the days of incomprehensible phone calls and futile attempts at understanding across language barriers may finally be over, but that doesn’t mean the technology is perfect.
This English-taught business diploma expands secondary options in Prague
For expat families in Czechia, secondary school is one of the biggest educational decisions they will make. Students enter this stage as children and leave it as young adults, with a qualification that can shape where they study, work, and build their future. The choice usually comes down to the Czech Maturita, English A Levels, or the International Baccalaureate.
Mercedes-Benz Studio lands in Prague with three weeks of design, culture and events
If you’ve run out of lifestyle activity ideas in Czechia, one of Europe’s most iconic car brands is about to drive some serious inspiration. From May 4–24, the historic Mánes Gallery in Prague will host a rare design-led Mercedes-Benz experience marking 140 years of automotive innovation.
How a Prague center is sowing seeds for next-generation IT success
The worlds of finance and technology are closely linked together. With banks increasingly resembling technology companies due to their reliance on advanced digital solutions, the nature of the workforce in finance is changing. Commerzbank’s Digital Technology Center (DTC) in Prague is a case in point. As an international hub for the major German bank’s digital activities, it’s an integral part of a finance industry giant.
Leader Talks: Crestyl’s Viktor Peška on finding your dream apartment in Prague
Prague’s sky-high property prices means that now more than ever, securing a good deal is vital when buying a home. Prague is chock-full of stunning properties, but finding your dream home requires knowing where (and how) to look. Crestyl, a developer of prime residential real estate in Prague, is delivering various exciting projects to the Prague property market.
Comfort, beauty, freedom: A Czech holiday that welcomes you home
Ivana Tykač, a successful Czech entrepreneur and the visionary behind Oblík, describes the resort’s name as evoking something “rounded, cozy, and sweet.” And indeed, Oblík embodies this essence. Here, you’re not bound by expectations or a particular way of living. Instead, Oblík embraces you just as you are. “When you walk into Oblík, it’s like coming home,” Tykač says warmly.
Prague's Karlín to celebrate a key driver of Czech economic growth with ABSL festival
One of Czechia’s most remarkable economic success stories in recent decades has been its business services sector. An industry which was non-existent in this country during much of the twentieth-century is now among Czechia’s biggest employers, driving modernization and growth in cities across the country.
Ahoj, roomie! How attractive dorms enhance the study experience at a Czech university
What do we really mean when we talk about the “student experience”? While studying, working hard and achieving qualifications form the core purpose of going to university, for many, the social element is just as important. University is a place for making lifelong friends – whether in classes themselves, or in student accommodation. Young people thrown together by pure chance often end up forming deep connections that will last the rest of their lives.
ASK AN EXPERT: Is Czech real estate still a strong investment?
The Czech real estate market has faced significant turbulence in recent years. Following a spike in interest rates which led to temporary stagnation in house prices, property prices are shooting skywards as rates fall and economic stability returns. Given this growth and the traditional “safe bet” nature of real estate as an asset class, investing in property in Czechia has long appeared a no-brainer.
Live like a royal between Prague’s prestigious Hradčany and Břevnov districts
Few ever get the chance to live next door to a castle – let alone next to Prague Castle itself. A project currently on sale in Hradčany offers the opportunity to do just that – and for a surprisingly affordable price tag. Renowned developer PSN is selling the last remaining apartments at its Myslbekova 15 project, a historic building on Myslbekova street undergoing sensitive renovation.
How ‘delivering cheers’ worldwide packs a great expat career in Prague
Logistics is about getting things from A to B – but while this sounds simple, the reality of global supply chains is anything but. Logistics provides the underpinning to our daily lives, and without it, we would miss much that we take for granted.
Step-by-step: Setting up a bank account as an expat in Czechia
Something as apparently simple as setting up a bank account can make a big difference to your quality of life in Czechia. Choosing a bank that suits your needs and circumstances – and that, if possible, provides services in your own language – prevents complications while giving you more control over your money. Setting up an account is usually easy for expats – but it still pays to do your homework.
ASK AN EXPERT: Should I invest in Czechia or abroad?
In the complex and ever-changing world of investing, there’s often no right or wrong answer. What’s good for one investor may be bad for another, and expats in Czechia should evaluate their personal goals before deciding what type of investment is right for them. A fundamental question is whether to invest in Czechia or abroad. The temptation to invest elsewhere, especially for those struggling with the language barrier, can be strong.
The simple secret to investing safely in Czechia
Choosing between two firms offering investment advice could make all the difference between growing your wealth or entering a world of unwelcome problems. Unscrupulous firms in Czechia offering investment advice without the proper licenses or regulatory oversight leave customers with little to no protection in the event that things go wrong.
Leader Talks: ČSOB’s Markéta Cechman on banks’ responsibility to customers and society
i This article was written in partnership with ČSOB a.s. Read our policy From the customer’s perspective, banking has become increasingly accessible and user-friendly in the digital age. Actions which would previously have required going into a bank branch can now be performed at home with the touch of a button. Yet behind these slick user experiences are sprawling, complex organizations which are constantly seeking to innovate within a strict regulatory environment.
Find your dream apartment in Vinohrady, the ‘Soul of Prague’
Ask any Prague local about the best places to live in the city, and they’ll almost always mention Vinohrady. This district is Prague’s answer to Paris – tree lined streets flanked by elegant, historic apartment buildings, trendy cafes, restaurants with cuisines from around the world, and boutique stores.
How a Prague international school immerses children in a feast of cultures
Building bridges between cultures is key to leading a fulfilling international life, and when it comes to sharing and engaging with different cultures, nothing beats the magic of food. At Prague British International School (PBIS), the powerful impact of learning side-by-side with pupils from across the world is amplified by an equally diverse community of parents who are actively involved in school life. Every summer, PBIS celebrates this remarkable diversity with an International Food Festival.
Going self-employed in Czechia? Here’s how to get your trade license
Expats working across various industries in Czechia find benefits in being self-employed. The flexibility of “being your own boss” allows you to choose your own projects and working hours while pursuing your interests and passions. These benefits make self-employment a dream for many – but in Czechia, you first must overcome the daunting obstacle of obtaining your “trade license” (Živnostenský list in Czech).
A prestigious Prague MBA program is rocket fuel for development and networking
Holding your own and succeeding in the world of business is no mean feat. Often, professionals who find themselves elevated into management roles feel overwhelmed, as they are required to take on additional responsibilities necessitating new skill sets. MBA degrees are designed to equip students with the skills they need to succeed as business leaders.
How a Prague restaurant is reinventing a ‘plant-forward’ dining experience
Traditional Czech food is delicious, but its heavy meat-based dishes only capture a fraction of the potential of the flavors of local cuisine. Vegetables and fruits are much loved by Czechs yet often overlooked by restaurants focusing on “typical” meat-heavy dishes such as svíčková, guláš or vepřo knedlo zelo. One Prague restaurant aims to change this through an innovative approach combining the delights of premium meat, poultry, and fish with vegetable-based dishes that pack a remarkable punch.
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