Study in the Czech Republic: Housing & Living Costs

The popular budget option for students to live is in dormitories. Most universities in the Czech Republic offer international students the opportunity to live on campus in student accommodations owned by the universities themselves.

If you prefer a little more space, you can also rent a private flat or single room in a shared flat for a reasonable price.

Expect to pay the following rent per month:

• Student Dormitory (room with roommates, usually 2 people in a room) - around 120 USD
• Private Room -  around 250 USD
• 2-3 Bedroom Private Apartment - around 500 to 800 USD

These prices are most likely to vary depending on location. If you are living in a more populous city like Prague, you can expect to pay more.

Cost of Living in the Czech Republic

Whether you’re studying in your home country or abroad, the choice to study can be an expensive one. Not only are there tuition fees to think of, but also the general cost of living, including the cost of accommodation, food, and leisure activities.

Before moving abroad to study, it’s important that you have a budget in mind. Consider whether you will live in student accommodations, share a room, or be able to work on a student permit.

Fortunately, the Czech Republic has a considerably lower average cost of living compared to other popular European study abroad destinations. Therefore, it’s an affordable option for international students!

Prices vary based upon your location, but on average, you should plan to spend between 350 to 750 USD per month (290-620 Euros/7600-16200 Czech Crowns). This amount should easily cover meals, accommodation, public transport, and extracurricular activities.

Some average living costs throughout Czech Republic are:

Food and Drinks

In the Czech Republic, it is easy to find quality food at an affordable price. On average, students can expect to pay the following:

Student Lunch in Cafeteria - 50 CZK / 2.3 USD

Meal in Restaurant - 130 CZK / 5.9 USD

Beer at a Bar - 30 CZK / 1.4 USD

Groceries tend to be cheaper as well. So, if you’re a student on a tight budget, consider limiting the number of meals you eat out, and go grocery shopping instead.

Entertainment

After a long week of classes and studying, the weekends are a chance to relax and explore the Czech Republic. As a student, there are plenty of discounts available to participate in leisurely activities such as museum exhibitions and art galleries. However, you should still have some money set aside for going out with friends and enjoying the local life.

Expect to pay the following for some common entertainment:

Movie Ticket - 100–200 CZK / 4.5–9 USD

Museum Admission - from 40 CZK / 1.8 USD

Gym Admission - from 100 CZK / 4.5 USD

Bike Rental - 200–500 CZK / 9–23 USD per day

Once you have arrived in the Czech Republic, check to see if you are eligible for an International Student Identity Card (ISIC) which entitles students to discounts for transport, restaurants, cinemas, museums, exhibitions and concerts.

Student Accommodation

After getting accepted into your dream university, the next important step is deciding whether you want to live in the dormitory or rent private accommodation.

Dormitories are offered by the vast majority of Czech universities and this option definitely brings many fun experiences and advantages. However, many students choose to seek out private accommodation in the Czech Republic. Check out this guide from international students on how they found private accommodation.

Learn more about education in the Czech Republic: