What to bring when you move to Prague, and what to buy there

The mistake is rarely forgetting something. You can buy a toothbrush in Prague. The mistake is packing three suitcases of things available on arrival and leaving behind the one piece of paper that takes six weeks to replace.

So pack in three piles: the irreplaceable, the useful and the pointless.

Pile one: documents, in your hand luggage

Take originals and a set of copies, plus a scan stored where you can reach it from a new phone.

An apostille authenticates a public document for use abroad under the Hague Convention. Which of yours need one, and whether the Czech authority also wants a translation by a court-appointed translator, depends on your permit. Ask the Ministry of the Interior or the embassy, not the internet. For the country-specific versions of this list, see moving to Prague from Canada, from Australia, from the US or from the UK. The order of the first appointments is in your first 24 hours and your first week.

Pile two: electronics and small gear

Czechia uses 230 V at 50 Hz and the standard European plug. Phones, laptops and most chargers take 100 to 240 V and need only a plug adapter. Hairdryers, kettles and other heating appliances from a 110 V country do not, and a transformer for those is rarely worth it (plugs, sockets and voltage).

Bring a laptop, phone, chargers and a spare cable, a power bank, headphones and any camera gear you use. Bring the phone unlocked if you want a Czech SIM or eSIM (SIM guide). A multi-plug strip is cheap in Prague.

Pile three: clothes, with a Prague twist

Prague has four proper seasons. Winter is cold and grey, summer can be hot, and cobbles punish thin soles. What to pack in every season and walking in Prague go into detail. In short: good walking shoes, layers and one proper coat.

The pile to leave

Heavy furniture, bulky appliances, a full set of bedding and anything that costs more to ship than to replace. Check whether your flat is furnished, because many Prague rentals are. Shipping your belongings covers the case where you do want to send things. A good knife and a favourite pan travel well; a whole kitchen does not.

Medicines, money and small things

Bring enough prescription medicine for the first weeks, in original packaging with the prescription or a doctor's letter. Import rules depend on the substance (as of 2026; check the Customs Administration and the State Institute for Drug Control). Pharmacies sell many over-the-counter products, but brands differ. Czech health insurance for newcomers explains how to get covered.

Carry two payment cards from different networks and warn your bank. Contactless works almost everywhere, a little koruna helps on day one, and paying in Prague covers the rest. Small things that earn their space: passport photos, a few plastic wallets for documents, a basic first-aid kit and a reusable shopping bag, since Czech shops charge for carriers. Pack the first night in a day bag (towel, a change of clothes, charger, something to eat) in case the freight is late.

Skip anything you would hesitate to carry up a flight of stairs yourself, because many Prague buildings have no lift. Thinking longer term? Hypoteky.com's guide to buying property in Czechia as a foreigner outlines the process, but packing is enough for now.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to translate my documents?

Often yes, by a court-appointed translator, for residence applications. Ask the authority which documents it wants.

Will my electronics work in Czechia?

Most phone and laptop chargers do (100 to 240 V). Check the label and bring a plug adapter.

Can I bring my driving licence?

Yes, but how long it stays valid for residents depends on where it was issued. Check with the authorities soon after arrival.

Put your passport, certificates and permit papers in one folder, and decide which of them need an apostille.