Essentials
- City
- Ostrava, Moravian-Silesian Region, Czech Republic
- Population
- 285,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 100-250 Mbps (Fiber common in Poruba and City Center)
- Currency & Banking
- Czech Koruna (CZK); 1 EUR ≈ 25.30 CZK, 1 USD ≈ 23.10 CZK
- Tap Water
- Drinkable and high quality (Beskydy mountain source)
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets
- SIM Card
- O2, T-Mobile, Vodafone (approx. 600 CZK for 15GB data/month)
- Banking for Expats
- Raiffeisenbank, ČSOB, Air Bank, Revolut widely used
- Accommodation
- Flatio (mid-term), Airbnb, Sreality.cz (local listings)
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, cards/contactless accepted almost everywhere except small stalls
- Short Term Rentals
- Old Town Apartments (approx. 1,500 CZK/night), Airbnb
- Budget Accommodation
- Hostel U Arény (starting at 450 CZK/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Moravská Ostrava (City Center) near Masarykovo Square
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Poruba (vibrant university district with parks and cafes)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Impact Hub Ostrava (Day pass: 400 CZK, Monthly: 3,500 CZK), Sokolská třída 1263/24
- Best Cafe for Work
- COFFEEIN Ostrava (excellent Wi-Fi and quiet atmosphere), Nádražní 32
- Networking Events
- Patrioté MSK (Business community meetups at Impact Hub)
- Social Events for Expats
- Ostrava Expat Centre (Regular monthly meetups and help for foreigners)
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Bolt (most active), Uber
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Nextbike (pink bikes, first 15 mins free), Lime scooters
- Best Beach Nearby
- Hlučín Lake (Štěrkovna) - 15 mins drive, recreational gravel beach
- Top Regional Airline
- LOT Polish Airlines (direct flights to Warsaw Hub)
- Top International Airline
- Ryanair (Flights to London/Milan from Ostrava Mošnov OSR)
- Highway Access
- D1 Motorway (Direct connection to Prague, Brno, and Poland)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Ostrava hlavní nádraží (Main Station) and Ostrava-Svinov
- Public Transport Passes
- ODISka card or 'MojeDPO' app (Yearly: 3,999 CZK, Monthly: 500 CZK)
- Regional Travel
- RegioJet or Leo Express trains (Fast, affordable routes to Prague/Vienna)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Fakultní nemocnice Ostrava (University Hospital), 17. listopadu 1790/5
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Jogacentrum Ostrava (Nádražní 10), Wellness v Centru
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Fit Park (Modern complex), Vitkovicka 3083/1 (Entry approx. 200 CZK)
- Laundry Services
- Quickwash (Self-service laundry), Umělecká 305/1
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Wolt, Foodora
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Svíčková na smetaně or Roast Duck at Moravská Chalupa
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Black Kale Food (Vegan bistro), Smetanovo náměstí 3217
- Best Dessert Spots
- Sladký časy (Artisanal cakes), 28. října 25
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Albert, Billa, or the Tržnice (Market) at Černá Louka
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Alza.cz (Electronics), Allegro.cz
- Grocery Delivery
- Rohlik.cz, Kosik.cz (Same day delivery)
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Stodolní Street (Famous party street with over 60 bars)
- Local Brewery
- Ostravar Brewery (Visit the Ostravar Museum and pub on Hornopolní)
- Wine Bars
- Vinotéka u Mostu (Sokolská třída 1)
- Street Food Stalls
- Faency Fries (Local Belgian-style fries brand), various locations
- Popular International Cuisine
- Gokana Japanese Restaurant (Sushi), Zahradní 1275
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Lower Vítkovice (DOV) - Industrial heritage site and Bolt Tower
- Museums & Art Venues
- GVUO - Gallery of Fine Arts, Poděbradova 12
- Historical Sites
- Silesian Ostrava Castle (Slezskoostravský hrad)
- Religious Sites
- Cathedral of the Divine Saviour (Second largest cathedral in Moravia)
- Annual Events
- Colours of Ostrava (Huge international music festival in July)
- Cultural Districts
- City Center (redeveloped industrial blocks and old town mix)
- Theater Venues
- Antonín Dvořák Theatre, Smetanovo náměstí
- Local Markets
- Starobělské trhy (Seasonal regional markets)
- Music Scene
- Dock (Indie music club and bar), Havlíčkovo nábřeží 28
- Street Art
- Mural landscapes around Nádražní and the DOV area
- Cooking Classes
- Studio Kulinari Ostrava, various themed workshops
- Art Galleries
- Plato Ostrava (Contemporary art in a converted slaughterhouse)
- Historic Buildings
- New City Hall (Nová radnice) with the tallest viewing tower in CZ
- Local Heritage
- Mining traditions; represented by Landek Park Mining Museum
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Beskydy Mountains (30 mins drive to Lysá hora peak)
- National Parks Nearby
- Poodří Protected Landscape Area (Wetlands and hiking channels)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Ostravice River trail (Bicycle path connecting city to the mountains)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Halda Ema (Conical slag heap offering panoramic city views)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Heřmanický pond (Local nature reserve for aquatic birds)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Bělský les (Designated public grilling and fire pits)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Zásilkovna (Pick-up points everywhere), PPL, Czech Post
- Tech Repair Services
- iOpravna (Authorized Apple and electronics repair)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Sportovní centrum Fajne, Gen. Sochora 12
- Language Classes
- Ostrava Expat Centre (Free/Cheap Czech lessons for foreigners)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Moravian-Silesian Research Library (MSVK), Prokešovo náměstí 9
- Community Centers
- Cooltour Cultural Centre (Alternative arts and meetings)
- Gaming Lounges
- SkillZone Ostrava (PC gaming and esports center)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino Kartáč Ostrava, Mariánské Hory
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 65,000 CZK per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 2,600,000 CZK)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 45,000 CZK per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 1,800,000 CZK)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 60,000 CZK per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 3,600,000 CZK)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 42,000 CZK per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 2,520,000 CZK)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 55,000 CZK per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 4,400,000 CZK)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 40,000 CZK per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 3,200,000 CZK)
- Corporate Tax
- 19% (Standard rate in Czech Republic)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 15% (can be reduced via double tax treaties)
- Tax System
- Worldwide income for residents (>183 days)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 23% (for income over 3 times the average salary)
- VAT
- 21% (Standard), 12% (Reduced/Simplified for food/services)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, EU-aligned legislation
- Property Tax
- Yes, annual tax based on square meters and location coefficient (relatively low)
- Property Transaction Tax
- 0% (Abolished in 2020), but 15% VAT applies to new builds
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Flat Tax (Paušální daň) for freelancers (one monthly payment covering social, health, and tax, approx. 7,500 CZK)