Banking

Steps

1. Get a Czech phone number: a prepaid card can be bought without an ID document as soon as you arrive (EURES).
2. Go to a branch with two identity documents (for example passport and ID card, or ID card and driving licence). Opening 100% online from abroad is often difficult because of anti-money-laundering checks.
3. If you are refused a current account, ask for a basic payment account: the bank can only refuse it on the grounds listed in the Payment Systems Act (§ 210): for example, you already have an account in Czechia that offers these services, or the anti-money-laundering rules forbid it. It must offer you a contract or refuse in writing no later than 10 working days after you have shown that you meet the conditions (§ 210), and it cannot discriminate against you at opening (§ 219). The basic account offers at least the services of Article 212 (deposits, withdrawals, transfers, direct debits, payment card).
4. Keep your home-country account if you wish: within the SEPA area, to pay bills, online purchases or taxes, or to receive tax refunds or benefits, your account cannot be refused because it is in another EU country, if the other party accepts these operations from domestic accounts (no discrimination based on the IBAN).
5. For a mortgage, expect an analysis of your income and of your stay: each bank sets its own conditions, ask several banks and compare.

Documents

• Two identity documents (passport, ID card, driving licence).
• Czech phone number, address in Czechia.
• Residence registration certificate (optional for a European, but it makes dealings with banks easier, according to EURES).

Costs and timelines

• Basic account: the law does not set an amount; the bank may charge for basic services at most the usual market price (obvyklá cena), and a contractual penalty has no effect, except in the case of an overdraft (Payment Systems Act 370/2017, § 213 and 214, 2025 version).
• Euro transfers to another EU country: your Czech bank cannot charge more for them than for a domestic transfer in koruna (Your Europe).
• Withdrawals in the EU outside your country: no more expensive than inside your country; conversion fees must be displayed beforehand.
• Deposit protection: €100,000 per person and per bank (equivalent in koruna).

Common pitfalls

• Arriving without a Czech phone: many banks require it for online access.
• Paying in euros without thinking: cards and terminals often accept both currencies; choose to pay in koruna and let your bank convert, after comparing the rates.
• Carrying little cash outside the big cities: cards work almost everywhere, but a bit of cash is still useful (EURES).

What changes by country of origin

• Legal residents of the EU: right to a basic account, whatever your age (ČNB).
• British people and other non-Europeans without legal residence in the EU: no right to a basic account; each bank decides.
• Eurozone countries: your Czech salary will be paid in koruna; plan for a koruna account and, if needed, a euro account.