The Czech Republic is a state that has everything for a normal, quiet life, including for migrants. Of the advantages, it is worth noting social stability, a well-developed infrastructure, a relatively low level of crime and corruption, as well as the fact that due to membership in the European Union, Czech citizens, as well as holders of residence permit and permanent residence status, have the opportunity to visit the Schengen countries without issuing visas. Not surprisingly, such conditions attract the attention of immigrants from all over the former Soviet Union, including Russia.
Foreigners in the Czech Republic: average standard of living, reviews
According to the 2011 census, the number of officially registered foreigners is nearly 450,000. This is three and a half times more than in 2001, when the total number of visitors did not even reach the mark of 125,000. In the first half of the "tenth" immigration rates fell sharply. This was due to the tightening of legislation, but serious changes for the better are expected soon. For example, if earlier in order to obtain citizenship it was necessary to renounce this status in the native country, today this is not necessary. Today, about 36,000 Russians live in the Czech Republic (+368.5% compared to 2001). The largest diasporas are Ukrainians (≈118,000), Slovaks (≈84,500) and Vietnamese (≈53,000).
The average salary in the Czech Republic fluctuates around $1,000 per month.. The most profitable professions are related to the financial, telecommunications and IT sectors. There, this figure is approaching the mark of 2 thousand USD. The highest salaries are traditionally among the residents of the capital, who receive an average of 1335 USD, the lowest - among the inhabitants of the Karlovy Vary Region (≈945 USD). The official living wage for foreigners is 3,410 crowns (≈135 USD), but this amount may vary depending on marital status. Everyone who lives in the Czech Republic is required to have legal (permanent residence, employed persons) or contractual health insurance. The level of hospital care here is quite high, especially when compared with Russia, Ukraine and other former Soviet republics, but lower than in most Western European countries. For renting housing you need to pay from 150-200 USD per month. Approximately 200–250 USD is the average cost of a food basket, which is one of the lowest rates in the EU. Clothing prices correspond to European ones. A single monthly pass costs 530 crowns (≈21 USD), a liter of gasoline is slightly more expensive than one dollar.
Andrey, 38, freelancer, Prague:
In terms of earnings, Czech society is quite homogeneous - there is no huge gap between the poor and the rich. Most of the inhabitants can be attributed to the middle class. Amenities that in Russia are available only to wealthy citizens can be afforded by many in the Czech Republic. I would also like to note a fairly low level of aggression and rudeness. This is especially felt during the first two or three months after the move. And here is very beautiful nature.
Work
Getting a job with a good salary in the Czech Republic is not easy. The market primarily requires highly qualified specialists (doctors, programmers, engineers) who are fluent in the local language. If you have the appropriate education and good knowledge of English / German, you can apply for some kind of administrative position. Intelligent auto mechanics, turners, locksmiths and electricians are also in demand here. Russians who do not yet have permanent residence status will also need permission from the Employment Service for employment. An exception is made only for clerk-clerks. To obtain the right to work, it will be necessary to submit the following documents:
- a copy of the passport;
- a document on education translated into Czech;
- applications from the applicant and employer;
- extract for the company from the Commercial Register;
- the photo;
- a stamp worth 500 crowns confirming the payment of the state tax.
The level of salaries is largely determined by the place of work. If in Prague specialists can earn from 1500 USD, then in a small town somewhere in the north, similar activities are estimated at two to three times more modest. From the money earned, it is necessary to make deductions for medical (4.5% of the total) and social insurance (6.5%). Other income, including payments on bank deposits, are taxed at 15%.
Those who want to work, study or do business in the Czech Republic often need to go through nostrification, that is, get confirmation of their diploma (exceptions are possible only for graduates of Moscow State University). This procedure is quite simple. The translated and officially certified document is sent to an educational institution whose program includes this specialty. After a certain time (usually the waiting period is several months), a certificate with confirmation of the diploma or refusal comes. In the case of secondary education, the request is sent to the local mayor's office.
Olga, 28 years old, travel agency employee, Pardubice:
It is rather difficult for a foreigner to find a job today, especially in the periphery. Preference is given to local residents, which is quite natural. For applicants who do not have permanent residence status, the chances of getting a decent job are close to zero, unless we are talking about highly qualified specialists for in-demand professions.
Pensions for Russians
Citizens of the Russian Federation with permanent residence status in the Czech Republic, upon reaching a certain age (57 and 60 years for women and men, respectively), are entitled to a pension. To do this, they need to submit to the local social security authorities:
- a copy of the work book;
- certificate of deregistration in the Russian Federation;
- a certificate from the Russian social security services, which indicates the amount of accruals and the date of the last payment of the pension;
- a copy of the diploma/certificate of graduation from the educational institution, as well as any other documents that will be requested. Everything must be translated into Czech and certified by an official service.
When calculating a pension in the Czech Republic, the length of service in the country of residence is taken into account and the pension increases accordingly (the number of years is also summed up)
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The waiting period can take up to six months, as the check is carried out not only in Prague, but also in Moscow. If the pension is approved, it will be paid from the moment of deregistration in Russia. Its size depends on many factors: length of service, earnings, the availability of academic degrees, etc. The national average is about 450USD, so many pensioners are forced to look for additional sources of income. If a person worked all the time in the Russian Federation, the pension is calculated based on local salaries for similar professions. If, in the presence of the Russian experience, the resident of permanent residence is not employed in the Czech Republic, he still must make monthly contributions to the social security fund until he reaches the required age.
How are Russian emigrants treated?
The attitude of Czechs towards Russians can hardly be called positive, but there is no particular negative either. The events of 1968, memorable for the older generation, no longer evoke strong emotions in the majority of young people. If the visitor behaves adequately, respects the local language and traditions, then he should not have any special problems with neighbors and colleagues. Among them, of course, there may be different people, but in general, adaptation is going well. The attitude towards "persons of Arab and Gypsy nationality" is much worse. As for the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, the indigenous people, as a rule, are not very interested in it. Unfortunately, Ukrainians and Russians themselves quarrel more among themselves, and many of them, until recently, communicated quite close and warmly. If before the start of the Crimean events, the Czechs generally perceived visitors from these countries as one people, but now this is no longer the case. In general, it is better not to raise the topic of politics once again - except for negative emotions, such a conversation usually leads to nothing.
Feedback from Nikolai, 46 years old, manager, Ostrava:
It is difficult to say that after the events in Ukraine, the attitude of Czechs towards Russians has changed a lot. There was no great love for us before, as well as some kind of exclusive hatred. There will always be people who are ready to spray poisonous saliva, but there are many more normal ones. By the way, even attempts to speak the Czech language, which many of our former compatriots almost defiantly neglect, really help to get closer to the locals.
Speaking about communication between former compatriots, it is necessary to note the disunity of the Russian diaspora.
Community
There are a number of metropolitan and regional organizations, each of which positions itself as an official representative of the community. The most famous and powerful is, perhaps, the "Russian tradition". Its activity consists in holding various public events (cultural, sports, scientific), publishing newspapers and books, providing comprehensive assistance in contacts with representatives of local authorities. The main financial support for this structure is provided in the form of grants by the Prague City Hall, the ministries of education and culture, as well as various foundations. However, it should be noted that Russian-speaking residents of the Czech Republic, for the most part, are not too keen on “organized” communication, preferring to spend time with close friends.
Undoubtedly the most "Russian" city in the Czech Republic is the resort city of Karlovy Vary. Here, a third of the population speaks Russian. But the fact that you will often meet among vacationers and residents who speak your native language is not the main plus. In Karlovy Vary, you can often see signs in Russian, as well as many restaurants, shops, bars, sanatoriums, where you will not only be understood, but also served in your native language. In general, there are many “Russian-speaking” and Russians in the Czech Republic. In almost all major cities, walking along the central (and not only) streets, you will meet Russians.
Samaria
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Pros and cons of living in the Czech Republic in comparison with Russia
| pros | Minuses |
| Decent standard of living. | Difficulties in obtaining even a work visa and a residence permit, not to mention permanent residence. |
| Well developed social infrastructure. | Many services are much more expensive than in Russia. |
| Low level of crime and corruption. | Lack of jobs with decent pay. |
| Free education, decent medical care. | High utility bills, not the biggest pensions. |
| The opportunity to freely visit the countries of Western Europe. | The laws on the stay of foreigners are constantly being tightened. |
| High-quality roads, public transport runs strictly on schedule. | Fairly expensive petrol. |
| Low interest rates on mortgages and loans. | Interest rates on deposits are also low. |
| Habitual temperate climate (mild winters), beautiful nature. | The inability to relax by the sea due to its absence. |
Czech Republic in questions and answers - video
The Czech Republic is far from an ideal country in terms of living comfort, especially when compared with Western Europe. This is not surprising, given that in recent history this state became truly independent only a quarter of a century ago, after the Soviet empire finally collapsed. It is much more logical to compare the standard of living of Czechs and Russians. Unfortunately, the advantage here is clearly not on the side of the Russian Federation. According to the Social Progress Index, the Czech Republic ranks 22nd in the world in terms of living comfort. Russia in this list is assigned only 71 positions. The difference is most pronounced when comparing small provincial towns and villages.
Czech Česká republika
Czech Republic - video
The total area of the country is approximately 79 thousand square kilometers. Large "water arteries" of the Czech Republic - the rivers Laba, Vltava, Morava, Odra. The relief of the country is dominated mainly by low mountain ranges. The highest point is Mount Snezhna, which is a little over 1,600 meters above sea level.
The Czech Republic has a temperate climate with warm summers and cold and very humid winters. Due to the fact that the territory of the country is surrounded on all sides by mountains, the weather here is quite stable. In winter, the mountains are covered with a stable snow cover, so many popular ski resorts are open at this time.
The population of the country is approximately 10.5 million people. Of these, 95% are native Czechs, and the remaining 5% are immigrants. Among foreigners there are Ukrainians, Slovaks, Vietnamese, Russians, Germans, Gypsies and Hungarians. Religiously, there are both believers and atheists in the Czech Republic. Among believing citizens, the largest group of co-religionists is Catholics, the second largest group is Protestants. There are also followers who support the Czech Reformed Church (separated from the Vatican in the 20s of the last century). On the territory of the state, they mainly speak Czech, but Russian can also be used as a literary language.
In the Czech Republic, the development of industry is at a fairly high level. The machine-building industry, metallurgy, fuel and energy, light, chemical and food industries are the most developed here.
The monetary unit of the Czech Republic is the crown. After the collapse of Czechoslovakia, the value of the kroon on the world market fell markedly, but at the moment its rate has increased significantly, unlike some other monetary units of the post-Soviet states.
A number of humanitarian organizations operate in the Czech Republic. For example, the Czech Red Cross is an organization that focuses mainly on providing social and medical assistance to the population of the country.
Sports are good in the Czech Republic. The national football team is famous for its achievements in Europe. Well, of course, the country's hockey team is also known all over the world - one of the strongest teams on the planet. Until recently, the republic was a leader among not only European, but also world countries in such a sport as decathlon. Also here, athletes show excellent results in sports such as rowing and tennis.
Sights of the Czech Republic
One of the many attractions in the Czech Republic is Orlik castle, built in the 13th century as a small fortress to defend the crossing of the Vltava River. In appearance, the castle resembles an eagle's nest and is located on top of a high cliff.
The largest collection of tapestries, the armory, which displays medieval tools, can be seen in castle Hluboka over the Vltava. Around the castle there is a beautiful English park with small hunting lodges. The castle with a park is the most famous and visited attraction in the Czech Republic.
At the intersection of the two largest rivers of the Czech Republic, the Labe and the Vltava, on the territory of an ancient Slavic fortress is located Melnik castle, which was built by representatives of the Přemyslid family. Subsequently, the castle became the residence of the chosen ones of Czech nobles.
40 kilometers from the capital of the Czech Republic is Dobris castle built in the eighteenth century in the Gothic style. This is one of the most famous royal hunting castles.
Another attraction of the Czech Republic is Cesky Sternberk - castle, built in the first half of the XIII century and to this day is the property of the descendants of its founders.
In the northern part of the country there is a natural park called Czech Switzerland. This is a natural park, where there is everything for a wonderful holiday and travel - dense forest, high cliffs, deep canyons and fast mountain rivers.
Another natural park is located in the northeast of the Czech Republic and is called Czech paradise. The area of the park is about 95 square kilometers. The shape of the Bohemian Paradise resembles an isosceles triangle with the cities of Jicin, Turnov, Mlada Boleslav at its peaks. Since 1954, the reserve has been under state protection. The name of the park was given by the tourists themselves, who visit it with pleasure. Here you can go rafting down a mountain river, ride a horse or go along tourist routes.
1. The time difference between Czech cities and Moscow is 3 hours. The days off of the week are Saturday and Sunday.
2. Czechs are a people who are not averse to having a good time on holidays. When traveling around the cities of the Czech Republic, keep in mind that it is customary to celebrate such holidays as Czech Independence Day (October 28), Statehood Day (September 28), Saints Cyril and Methodius Day (July 5) and Jan Hus Day (July 6).
3. In the cities of the republic it is forbidden to leave garbage on the streets. If you do not follow this rule, you may be punished with a large monetary fine.
4. In large cities, bars, cafes and restaurants start working from 9 am and finish around 11 pm. In small towns, these establishments can start working from 11 or 12 noon. Shops in the Czech Republic are open from 8 am to 5 pm, and supermarkets are usually open around the clock.
5. Tourists in the Czech Republic should pay special attention to the fact that here, when meeting, a woman is the first to give a hand to a man, and also male representatives should be the first to enter the open door.
6. In cafes or restaurants, it is customary to leave a tip in the amount of 5-10% of the total order value. You can also leave a small amount of money for the guide or taxi driver. If you are not satisfied with the quality of the service provided, you can not leave a tip - in the Czech Republic this is considered the norm.
7. Czech taxis are among the most expensive among Eastern European countries. Be careful when paying with drivers - they can take advantage of the passenger's inattention and incorrectly give change.
8. In the Czech Republic, every small village brews its own beer, so there are a lot of beers here. Experienced lovers of this foamy drink advise taking the first sip as large as possible in order to feel all the subtleties of the beer taste and aroma.
9. People living in the Czech Republic are very fond of animals. Almost every Czech family has its own pet. Special bins for animals have been installed on the streets - thus, local authorities monitor the cleanliness of the sidewalks.
10. Tourists should always carry an identity document with them, as representatives of the local police may at any time require it to be presented. If you are traveling within the city, then a copy of such a document will suffice.
Czech Republic on the map
Czech Republic always occupied a separate position among the Slavic countries of Eastern Europe. The country is famous for the abundance of exquisite architectural monuments of different styles and trends. Here you can see the Romanesque and Gothic styles, the Czech Baroque along with the Renaissance.
Peculiarities
The Czech Republic is a small country, but has a rich rich history. From time immemorial, Czechs, Germans and Slovaks, Italian masons and French merchants, as well as deserters from Napoleon's army, lived and worked here, in one way or another influencing each other. For centuries, they worked together the land, created works of art that still inspire respect and admiration today. Thanks to their ingenuity and skill, this small country is adorned with hundreds of ancient castles, monasteries and mansions, as well as entire cities. The Czech Republic has a huge amount of architectural treasures and natural wealth.
general information
The Czech Republic is located in Central Europe and covers an area of 78.8 thousand km2. The population of the Czech Republic is 10.3 million people, 95% of whom are Czechs. The official language is Czech, but German, English and Russian are also widely used. The monetary unit is the Czech crown (CZK). 100 CZK = $CZK:USD:100:2. Time in the Czech Republic is 1 hour behind Moscow in summer and 2 hours in winter. Timezone UTC+2 in summer, UTC+1 in winter. Mains voltage 230 V at 50 Hz, C, E. Telephone country code +420. Internet domain cz.
A brief excursion into history
The Czech lands were inhabited by the Boii Celtic tribes during the first 4 centuries of the 1st millennium. In the 9th century, the Slavs came here and founded Great Moravia, on the territory of which the modern Czech Republic was subsequently formed. The rise of the Habsburgs saw the Czech Republic become part of the Austrian Empire and later became part of Austria-Hungary. After the First World War, the Czechs and Slovaks united in the new state of Czechoslovakia, and after the Second World War, the country came under Soviet influence. In November 1989, the communist government was overthrown in a peaceful "velvet" revolution. In January 1993, the country split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Climate
The Czech Republic has a temperate climate with mild, wet winters and warm summers. You can visit the Czech Republic all year round if you go on an excursion tour or to medical resorts. In the ski resorts of the Czech Republic, snow lies from November to April.
Visa and customs regulations
Citizens of Russia and Ukraine need to apply for a Schengen visa to visit the Czech Republic. You can import duty-free goods for non-commercial purposes, but only for personal use or as a gift.
How to get there
Regular flights of Russian and Czech airlines are carried out daily from to. It can also be reached by direct flight. Charters are operated to and from Moscow and some other Russian cities.
Transport
It is convenient to get between the cities of the Czech Republic by bus or train, trains go faster and more often to some directions, buses to others. The CD company has a large railway network in the Czech Republic, there are many types of high-speed trains. To travel around the city, you can use public transport or a taxi. It is mandatory for all passengers to wear seat belts, even on the bus.
Cities and resorts
Select from list Brno Darkovy Karlovy Vary Lazne Belograd Luhacovice Marianske Lazne Moravia Lake Lipno Olomouc Ostrava Pardubice Pilsen Podebrady Prague ★ Teplice Frantiskovy Lazne České Budějovice Český Krumlov Jachymov
Information
The Czech spa business is inseparable from the European cultural heritage, and the high quality of natural healing resources has made it possible to gain extraordinary popularity and respect among Europeans. The use of modern health and rehabilitation techniques, combined with many years of traditional use of natural mineral waters, mud and climate, have allowed the Czech Republic to become a leading European power in the field of spa tourism. And yet, regardless of the purpose for which you come to the Czech Republic, just for rest or treatment, visit the capital of the country - Prague.
- the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic, located on the banks of the Vltava River. Prague is ranked among the most beautiful cities in the world, such epithets as the “golden city”, “the left bank of the nineties”, “the mother of cities”, “the city of a thousand spiers” and “the heart of Europe” have been assigned to it. Since 1992, the historical territory of the center of Prague has been listed by UNESCO as a world heritage site. Prague is full of sights, and one cannot help but pay attention to such objects as, and Petrin Hill. But not only sights attract tourists, there are many cozy cellars and cafes where they serve the best beers and wines, which the Czech Republic is also famous for. And, of course, in Troy, its world fame attracts more and more tourists from year to year.
There is a small cozy town in the Czech Republic. It rightfully belongs to the most beautiful cities in Europe. Its appearance has been preserved from the medieval period. This is how modern Cesky Krumlov lives with its ancient history. Each street, and maybe each house has its own history or legend.
From the resorts of the Czech Republic, the resort in the Czech Republic gained worldwide fame; in the old days it was a resort and a meeting place for exclusively noble persons of Europe. It is currently available to everyone. Mineral springs are the basis of the spa use of Karlovy Vary. The total number of mineral water springs in the city and its surroundings is 132. The water of these springs, with its healing properties, helps to cope with various diseases, is used for drinking, bathing and other special procedures.
- a resort in the western Bohemia, it is characterized by the unusual beauty of the place in which it is located, clean air and a calm atmosphere, emphasized by the silence of the forests. Marianske Lazne is the second largest spa area in the Czech Republic, which is located in close proximity to Karlovy Vary. The city is a picturesque place located in the southern massifs of the Nightingale Forest. The style of the Italian New Renaissance can be seen in almost all buildings of houses and sanatoriums. The resort is surrounded by forests with numerous hiking trails leading to many interesting places in the surroundings.
The resort in the west of the country is one of the largest resorts in the Czech Republic. It is world famous, it is one of the oldest European resorts, founded at the end of the 18th century, and to this day the atmosphere that reigned in the resort towns of the late 18th - early 19th centuries has been preserved here. Classicist architecture adorns spa buildings and pavilions, which made Frantiskovy Lazne one of the most attractive Czech spas. A healthy climate, supported by the clean air of the nearby forests, and the healing properties of acidic mineral waters contribute to a fruitful pastime in terms of strengthening health. Therapeutic procedures are carried out using mineral water sources, high-quality sulphurous-ferruginous mud and gas. The resort has more than twenty springs with bicarbonate-sodium-calcium acidic mineral waters. Spa Frantiskovy Lazne treats diseases of the circulatory system. These include heart defects, ischemia, hypertension, post-infarction condition, diseases of the arteries of the extremities, postoperative period. If the musculoskeletal system is subjected to diseases, then both arthrosis and diseases of the spine can be treated. In the treatment of gynecological diseases, good results have been achieved, especially in the treatment of infertility, hormonal changes, and inflammatory processes.
Czech notable for its medieval sights and castles, excellent treatment options and rich nature. Czech Republic and known for its cuisine and good infrastructure, which attracts tourists from many countries of the world.
Accommodation
Since most tourists travel to the Czech Republic on sightseeing tours, the level of the hotel becomes less important than its location. The closest hotels to historical sites are more expensive. As a rule, breakfast-based city hotels with small rooms, many are located in historical buildings. However, in medical resorts the most important criterion is the level of the hotel and its proximity to mineral springs.
Tourism plays an important role in the economy, every year the Czechs earn more than 100 billion dollars from tourists. is 5.5% of the country's GDP. About 170,000 people are employed in tourism, although this figure is clearly underestimated, because it does not include bartenders and waiters, shop assistants, and all these establishments work both for tourism and for the local population.
The Czech Republic receives about 9 million visitors a year. According to statistics for 2016, German citizens are in the lead among travelers - 1,880,000. Tourists come from Slovakia (645,000), Poland (543,000), USA (511,000), Great Britain (470,000). The Russians in this list are in 6th place - 406,000 tourists in 2016.
The attendance of the Czech Republic by tourists from China, South Korea, and Japan is growing at a tremendous pace. Do not be surprised if by 2020 in Prague you will see Chinese characters on shops and currency exchange offices.
What attracts tourists to the Czech Republic? What is the country proud of? What surprises visitors?
First, historical centuries-old monuments. Although not as long as the Greek, Chinese or Egyptian ones, there are a lot of monuments preserved here, and most of them are in excellent condition.
Having a thousand-year historical path behind it, the state is full of architecture of different styles and directions. These are more than 2 thousand castles, their ruins and palaces, among them the most popular are: Litomysl, Pardubice Castle, Jindrichuv Hradec, Star Summer Palace, Kromeriz Castle, Wallenstein Palace, Kinsky Palace.
Religious monuments in the Czech Republic fascinate with their grandeur and unique architectural solutions. This is the Cathedral of St. Wenceslas in Olomouc, the Church of St. James the Elder, and many others, like pearls scattered throughout the country. There are 11 Catholic cathedrals in the country.
Medical tourism is another strength of the Czech tourism industry. The healing springs of Karlovy Vary are famous all over the world. It is believed that the resort was founded here by Emperor Charles IV in 1350. Other destinations: Poděbrady, Jáchymov, peloid springs in Bechyn and Trebon, sulphurous-ferrous peloid springs in Lazne-Touseni, natural warm and hot water in Teplice and a few others.
The Czech Republic is one of the European "Meccas" of gastronomic tourism. Beer tours are in particular demand, when tourists are taken to breweries and tastings. However, there are so many types of beer in the Czech Republic that even during the longest beer tour you won’t be able to taste all of them.
Ski holidays are gaining momentum. Unfortunately, the country cannot boast of high mountains, in this area it is difficult for the Czechs to compete with neighboring Austria and Switzerland. There are mountains in the Czech Republic - these are the Sudeten Mountains, the highest point of the country is Mount Snezhka (1602 meters). Some ski resorts are located in the hills of Moravia. The most developed ski resort in the country is now Pec pod Snezkou.
