Your first week in Prague: a day-by-day checklist

Day one is the airport, the key and a long sleep. Day two is when the city starts asking for paperwork. The trick is doing things in the right order, because a bank wants an address, an address wants a landlord and a landlord wants a signature. Here is the order that works.

Days one and two: the basics

Your address. Foreigners staying in Czechia must register their place of stay, and the rules and deadline depend on your nationality and the type of stay. The Ministry of the Interior sets them (as of 2026; check the official source). In a hotel, the hotel handles it. If you rent a flat, ask the landlord how it is done, because some do it for you and some do not.

Transport. Buy a ticket or install the PID Lítačka app. If you are staying, get the Lítačka card and a pass, which beats daily tickets.

A local SIM. A prepaid SIM or an eSIM saves you roaming charges and gives you a local number for deliveries and the bank. We have a separate article on choosing one.

Days three and four: money and health

A bank account. Most banks want a passport and proof of address, and some have English-speaking staff. Bring both, plus your employment details if you have them. Some banks open accounts for newcomers online. Compare fees and card options.

Health insurance. Work for a Czech employer and you are covered by public insurance through payroll, so tell HR which insurer you have chosen. If you do not work here, check whether your permit requires private cover. Keep your insurance card on you and save 112 and 155 in your phone.

A GP. Not every GP is taking new patients, so ask early. Look for an English-speaking one if you need it.

Days five and six: set up your life

• Shops and food. Find the supermarket nearest you. Many shops close or cut their hours on public holidays.
• Post and parcels. Put your name on the letterbox so the post can reach you.
• Waste. Sort rubbish into the coloured bins in the courtyard or street, which usually cover paper, plastic, glass and mixed waste.
• Utilities. If you rent, ask the landlord who is responsible for electricity, gas and internet, and get the contract details.

Day seven: fill the gaps

On a long-term permit, check for further appointments, such as biometrics or collecting a residence card, and put them in your calendar.

A few words

You can survive in English, but a few words open doors. Dobrý den (good day), děkuji (thank you), prosím (please) and na shledanou (goodbye). Try them in a shop and see what happens. The smile you get back is the first Czech thing you will earn.

What locals know

Keep everything in one folder, physical or digital. Ask your landlord for a signed copy of the contract on day one. Offices value the right document over fluent English, so bring originals plus copies, and make appointments early where they exist.

Another local habit: ask a neighbour. A good-natured neighbour will tell you where the post goes, which bin is which and which shop is shut on Sundays.

Get your bearings

Spend an afternoon walking without a plan. Pick a tram and ride it to the end of the line. Find where you can get coffee and groceries, and where the nearest metro stop is. The city makes more sense once you have walked it.

Mistakes to avoid

Do not wait for the perfect flat before you sort the basics. A temporary address with a clear registration route is better than a perfect one with a delay. Do not leave the bank account until week three, because everything from rent to the phone contract becomes harder without one. And do not forget the small things: a spare set of keys, a power adapter and the landlord's contact details in your phone.

Finally, ask. Colleagues, neighbours and other expats have all done this, and most are glad to help. The week will feel hectic and then, rather suddenly, ordinary. That is how you know it has worked.

Keeping it in proportion

Not everything has to happen in seven days. The list above covers what cannot wait. Things like learning Czech, choosing a favourite pub or finding the best bakery will fill the weeks that follow. If you are stuck on something, move to the next item and come back. Progress, not perfection, is the goal of week one.

Make friends early

The first week is also social. Say hello to neighbours. Find a regular café. Look up meet-ups or language exchanges in your field. A few friendly faces make bureaucracy and bad weather much easier to bear, and the other newcomers you meet will have just solved the problem you are facing.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to register my address?

Foreigners staying in Czechia must register their place of stay. Rules and deadlines depend on nationality and stay type.

Can I open a bank account in English?

Some banks have English-speaking staff or online account opening. Compare options and bring a passport and proof of address.

How do I get health insurance?

If you work for a Czech employer, public insurance runs through payroll. Otherwise check what your permit requires.

Do I need Czech to survive the first week?

No, but a few words help.

Today: look up your registration deadline, put it in your calendar and ask your landlord or hotel how the registration is handled.