Studio apartments to rent in Prague: what 1+kk means and where to look

"Studio" means one thing in New York and something slightly different in Prague. A Czech listing says 1+kk or 1+1, and a quick read of the code tells you if you are looking at a cosy single room with a hob in the corner or a neat little flat with a proper kitchen. Learn the code first and the search gets easier.

The code

The number before the plus counts the rooms apart from the kitchen. After the plus comes the kitchen: kk is kuchyňský kout (a kitchenette built into the main room) and 1 is a separate kitchen.

Floor area is given in square metres, and two 1+kk flats can differ a lot in size. Study the plan and look at where the bed will go.

Why people choose a studio

A 1+kk is the cheapest way to live alone in a good location, and it brings privacy that a share can't. A room in a flatshare can cost less still: see our cheap rooms guide. Studios are also the easiest to heat, which counts in a Prague winter. The downside: a small flat turns from cosy to cramped quickly if you work from home or have guests. Two people can live in one, and some couples do it happily for a year, if you both keep modest amounts of stuff and like each other a lot. When two people work from home, a 2+kk is worth the extra.

Where studios cluster

Studios are everywhere, but they gather in three places: near the centre and along metro lines, where owners buy small flats as investments; near universities and business parks, where demand is steady; and in modern developments, where developers include a high share of small units.

For central, walkable areas, look at Vinohrady, Žižkov, Nusle, Karlín and Holešovice. Our guides to young professionals' neighbourhoods and student neighbourhoods show the typical choices, and estates on the edge of the city offer small and large flats at lower rents, with a longer ride. New-build blocks often have many small units, and some owners let them out; the newly built units let by their owners on Novostavby.com (in Czech) usually come with modern insulation and a lift.

What it costs, without a number

Any figure we printed would be out of date by the time you read it, so build your own.

Asking prices on portals aren't agreed rents, but they're the best live picture available. Official data from the Czech Statistical Office and the Ministry of Regional Development give the wider trend, not the price of the flat you want.

What to check on a studio

Light and noise. A studio has one main room, so a loud street or no daylight matters more than in a bigger flat.

Kitchen and storage. A kitchenette may mean two hobs and a small fridge. Work out where your clothes will go. A cellar storage unit helps.

Heating. Ask whether heating is central, gas or electric; electric can be costly in winter. See last year's bills.

The floor. The ground floor can be cold and noisy, the top floor hot in summer. A lift is a plus.

The lease. Check the term, the notice rules and whether you can register your address. The deposit is capped at three months' rent. Our 12-month lease guide explains the exit rules.

Many Prague studios are let furnished, which is good news if you arrive with a suitcase and a mixed blessing if you inherit someone else's taste. List every item in the hand-over protocol, photograph the mattress and appliances, and ask who replaces things that break.

Short lets and long lets

Many short-term lets are small flats, so check which type of lease you're being offered. A short-term let may be priced at a premium and may not allow you to register your address. A standard long-term lease is usually cheaper per month. If you aren't sure how long you'll stay, a fixed term of a year with a clear exit clause is a good compromise.

On move-in day, check the cupboards, the shower pressure, the window seals and the heating. Photograph everything, note each scratch in the protocol and read the meters. Your first week has plenty of other jobs; our first-week checklist goes through them.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between 1+kk and 1+1?

1+kk has a kitchenette in the main room, while 1+1 has a separate kitchen.

How much does a studio in Prague cost?

It depends on the district, size and condition. Read recent portal listings for a current picture.

Are studios usually furnished?

Many are, but not all. The listing should say.

Can I register my address in a studio?

Usually yes, with the owner's consent. Foreigners should follow Ministry of the Interior rules.

This is a general explainer, not legal or tax advice.