Internships in Prague: how to land a first role without a CV full of jobs

The classic first-job paradox: employers want experience, and the only way to get experience is a job. Internships exist to break that loop, and Prague has plenty of companies that understand the problem. The skill is knowing which doors are real and how to stand in front of them with almost nothing on your CV.

What counts as an internship here

There is no single legal "internship contract" in Czech law. What people call an internship (stáž or praxe) can take different legal forms. It might be a compulsory placement that your university arranges as part of your degree, a fixed-term employment contract, or a short work agreement. Which one applies decides whether you are paid, insured and covered by labour law.

Our explainer on Czech employment contracts describes the main types, which is useful background before you sign anything.

A placement that is part of your degree usually runs under an agreement between you, your university and the host company. Pay in that case depends on the arrangement, and some are unpaid. A placement outside your studies, where you do real work for a company, is a different matter. Ask for the terms in writing, including pay, hours and the duration, and ask what kind of agreement it is.

Pay: ask, don't assume

Unpaid internships exist, and in some study-linked placements they are normal. But if you work like an employee, you should be treated like one, with an agreement that sets out pay and conditions. Information on labour rules is available from the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, and the State Labour Inspection Office handles complaints about unlawful working conditions.

The legal pay floor for employees is covered in minimum wage in the Czech Republic, and the wider rules in Czech labour law basics. A sensible approach is to ask politely early on: "Is this internship paid, and on what type of agreement?" A good employer answers directly. A vague reply is information too.

Where to look

Start where you already have a foot in the door: your university's career centre or faculty notice board. Many Czech employers recruit interns through university contacts. Then look at company career pages directly, particularly large employers and the shared service centres discussed in our guide to corporate jobs in Prague.

Job boards list internships under words like stáž, trainee and junior. Our job boards guide covers where to search, and English-speaking jobs in Prague helps if you do not yet speak Czech.

Also useful: speak to the Prague startup crowd. Small companies will sometimes take on a student with a proposal. Read the Prague startup and tech scene first so you know who is who.

Writing a CV with nothing on it

You have more than you think. Course projects, a thesis, volunteering, language skills, a part-time job in a café. Employers read these as evidence of reliability. Our guide to writing a CV for Czech employers explains local habits, such as the usual length and whether to add a photo.

Tailor each application to the role. One paragraph that connects your coursework to their work will beat a long list of general skills. If the ad is in Czech and you do not read Czech, an English application to an English-language role is fine; if you are unsure, ask.

Interviews

Internship interviews are usually shorter and friendlier than for a full job, but they still ask "why us?" Read the company's website, know what they sell and have one question of your own. Our interview guide covers the local rhythm.

Visas and permission

If you are not an EU citizen, your right to take on an internship depends on your visa or permit type. A student permit may allow certain activities and not others, and a placement abroad as part of your studies has its own rules. Check with your university and the Ministry of the Interior before you accept, not after.

What a good internship looks like

A named supervisor. A task list that is not just photocopying. Feedback at the end of week one, not week twelve. A reference or a recommendation on the way out. If you get these, the internship has done its job even if the pay is modest.

Red flags

A listing that promises a job but asks you to pay for training. A role that looks like full-time work on an unpaid basis with no study link. Pressure to sign immediately. If something feels off, ask the university or the labour inspectorate before you commit.

After the internship

Ask for a reference or a short written confirmation of the work you did, including dates and tasks. Keep it with your CV and update your profile while the details are fresh. If the internship went well, ask your supervisor whether a longer role is possible or whether they can recommend you elsewhere. Czech teams are small, and a good word travels.

Frequently asked questions

Are internships in Prague paid?

It varies. Study-linked placements may be unpaid; work-based ones should be on a written agreement with pay terms agreed up front.

Do I need to speak Czech?

Not for every role. International companies and startups often work in English, but many local employers expect Czech.

Where do I look for internships?

University career offices, company career pages and job boards. Search for stáž, trainee and junior.

Can a non-EU student do an internship?

It depends on the permit and the type of placement. Check with your university and the Ministry of the Interior.

Today: write your one-page CV, pick three employers and send the first message. Rejection costs nothing, and replies teach you more than waiting.