Living in Czechia as a French National: Residence, Health Insurance, Cities, Schooling and Safety

Several strengths stand out in the official sources. A French national has free access to the labour market and can live, study and work in the country without a residence permit or work authorisation (Ministry of the Interior). France Diplomatie classes the whole territory under normal vigilance and describes it as a safe destination requiring minimal precautions (updated 15 September 2026). Wages are rising: the average wage gained 7.2% in 2025 (ČSÚ).

• Currency: Czechia keeps the koruna (CZK); income received in euros carries an exchange-rate risk, the movement of which is tracked in the “Economic indicators” block below.
• Health insurance: it depends on status; an employee is affiliated by their employer, whereas a person without a job arranges their own cover, as detailed in the health section.
• Petty crime and scams: pickpocketing is frequent in central Prague, and online rental scams are documented (France Diplomatie).

Prague is the capital and by far the largest city: it had 1,409,528 inhabitants on 30 June 2026, 2,444 more than at the end of 2025, an increase due solely to migration, as natural change is negative (ČSÚ). The country has only six cities of more than 100,000 inhabitants; on 31 December 2022, Brno had 396,101, Ostrava 283,504, Plzeň 181,240, Liberec 107,389 and Olomouc 101,825 (ČSÚ).

• Prague: the widest choice of jobs, schools and services; it is also where the French embassy, the Lycée français and the hospitals cited by France Diplomatie are located.
• Brno, Ostrava, Plzeň: mid-sized regional cities, ranging from 396,101 inhabitants for Brno to 181,240 for Plzeň at the end of 2022 (ČSÚ).
• Countryside and mountains: tick-borne encephalitis calls for particular vigilance there in spring and summer (France Diplomatie).

Income benchmarks set the context. The average gross monthly wage reaches 49,215 CZK in 2025 and 52,283 CZK in the fourth quarter of 2025, with a median wage of 45,523 CZK in that quarter, 48,342 CZK for men and 42,692 CZK for women (ČSÚ, publication of 6 March 2026). The monthly minimum wage of 22,400 CZK in 2026 gives a floor for comparison (VZP).

• Housing: rents and prices vary strongly between Prague and the other cities; the Czech Statistical Office (Český statistický úřad) publishes them by region. France Diplomatie warns against online rental scams: visit the home and check the landlord before paying anything.
• Health budget: the guide to budgeting for health abroad helps you put a figure on this item, which depends on insurance status.

A French national enters with a valid identity card or passport. According to France Diplomatie, French nationals must register with the Foreign Police within 30 days of arrival; children under 15 and employees of accredited international or governmental organisations are exempt (updated 15 September 2026).

• Registration certificate: the Ministry of the Interior specifies that obtaining it is not a condition of residence and that it is up to each person to apply for it or not. The application can be made at any time and costs 200 CZK; the certificate is valid for ten years, with no extension possible. A travel document, proof of accommodation and a photograph are required, as well as health insurance when the grounds are study, family or a reason other than work; the processing time is 30 days at most.
• Identification number (rodné číslo): the Ministry of the Interior assigns it automatically, with no procedure, free of charge, within 30 days (Ministry of the Interior).

The public general health insurance fund VZP states that every person in permanent residence is insured, unless they come under the legislation of another EU or EEA state, Switzerland or the United Kingdom. EU nationals without permanent residence take part in Czech public insurance if they are employees, self-employed people working only in the country or dependent family members under the European regulations; the employer registers the employee with the fund. People who meet none of these conditions can take out commercial insurance for the months without public cover (VZP).

An insured person with no taxable income pays a contribution of 3,024 CZK a month since 1 January 2026, provided the state does not contribute for them (VZP). The details are in the pages on the Czech healthcare system and healthcare reimbursement in Czechia. Expavy helps you compare supplementary cover; see also expat health insurance.

The Lycée français de Prague welcomes 771 pupils across 15 levels, from nursery to the final year, all accredited by the French Ministry of National Education (AEFE). It allows a full course on the French curriculum up to the baccalauréat. For a family, the page on family health insurance for expats usefully complements these benchmarks, and the French embassy in Prague provides information on other schooling options.

France Diplomatie places the entire territory under normal vigilance and says petty crime remains the main concern, especially in central Prague, near Old Town Square and the castle, on public transport and in busy places (updated 15 September 2026). The emergency number is 112.

• Road and transport: the permitted blood alcohol level for driving is zero, and transport tickets are checked frequently.
• Documents: France Diplomatie advises carrying identity documents and keeping separate copies.
• Health: the usual French vaccinations should be up to date, and vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis is recommended for rural or wooded areas; a significant number of hepatitis A cases has been documented since autumn 2025 (France Diplomatie).

The seasons are distinct, and France Diplomatie links the risk of ticks to spring and summer, which calls for adapting outings in the forest. Temperature and rainfall records are published by the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (ČHMÚ), to be consulted for the chosen city.

Czech is the official language. The Ministry of the Interior portal is available in English for settling-in procedures, and learning Czech then makes it easier to deal with the health insurance funds and the administrations.