Essentials
- City
- Plzeň (Pilsen), Plzeň Region, Czech Republic
- Population
- 185,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 100-250 Mbps via fiber optics (CETIN infrastructure)
- Currency & Banking
- Czech Koruna (CZK); 1 USD ≈ 23.50 CZK, 1 EUR ≈ 25.30 CZK
- Tap Water
- Safe and drinkable, high quality originating from the Hracholusky dam
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets
- SIM Card
- O2, T-Mobile, Vodafone; 10GB data approx. 500 CZK ($21)
- Banking for Expats
- Air Bank, Raiffeisenbank (multicurrency accounts), Revolut widely used
- Accommodation
- Airbnb, Bezrealitky.cz (direct from owners), UlovDomov.cz
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, cards and Apple/Google Pay accepted in 95% of establishments
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Hotel Continental (monthly rates from 18,000 CZK), Flatio
- Budget Accommodation
- River Hostel (rooms from 450 CZK/night), Hostel Plzeň
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Vnitřní Město (Historic Center) near Republic Square
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Jižní Předměstí (near Borský Park) or Slovany for quieter, local vibes
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- BIC Plzeň (Riegrova 1, monthly desk approx. 3,500 CZK); TechTower (Slovanská alej 24)
- Best Cafe for Work
- Le Frenchie (nám. Republiky 12), Kavárna v Podzámčí, Cafe Regner
- Networking Events
- Plzeň Digital Nomads Meetup, TechTower Hackathons, Startup Weekend Plzeň
- Social Events for Expats
- Foreigners.cz Plzeň events, 'Expats in Pilsen' Facebook Group
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Bolt (primary), Uber is less common but available; Liftago
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Nextbike (30 CZK/30 mins), Lime scooters (city center)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Bolevecké rybníky (Bolevec Ponds), specifically Velký Bolevecký Pond
- Top Regional Airline
- Smartwings (operating from Prague PRG, 90 mins away)
- Top International Airline
- Czech Airlines (CSA), KLM, Lufthansa (via PRG)
- Highway Access
- D5 Highway connecting Prague (1 hour) and Munich (3 hours)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Plzeň hlavní nádraží (Main Railway Station)
- Public Transport Passes
- Pilsen Card (Pilsen Ticket); 1-month pass for 510 CZK ($22)
- Regional Travel
- RegioJet or České dráhy (Train), FlixBus (Bus)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Fakultní nemocnice Plzeň (University Hospital Lochotín) - Edvarda Beneše 1128
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Yogacentrum Plzeň (Slovanská 23), Karma Yoga
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Fitness Victory (Americká 42), Holmes Place alternative: Koloseum
- Laundry Services
- Quickwash (Self-service, nám. Republiky), Samoobslužná prádelna 'Prádelna u věže'
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Wolt, Foodora
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Svíčková na smetaně or Pilsner Goulash at Na Parkánu
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Satyr (Kollárova 11), Slunečnice (Jungmannova 4)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Povidloň (Riegrova), Kafe v penzi
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Albert Supermarket, Lidl, Farmers Market at Republic Square (Saturday mornings)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Alza.cz, Mall.cz, Rohlik.cz
- Grocery Delivery
- Rohlik.cz, Kosik.cz (Delivery within 2 hours)
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Veleslavínova street and Riegrova street
- Local Brewery
- Pilsner Urquell Brewery (The original brewery tours and pubs)
- Wine Bars
- Vinotéka u Mouřenína, Weinkönig
- Street Food Stalls
- DEPO2015 Food Festivals, various stalls at Republic Square markets
- Popular International Cuisine
- Mevlana (Turkish), India 21, Pinocchio (Italian)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- St. Bartholomew's Cathedral (tallest tower in CZ), Pilsner Urquell Brewery
- Museums & Art Venues
- Techmania Science Center, West Bohemian Museum
- Historical Sites
- Historical Underground (Plzeňské podzemí), Loos Interiors
- Religious Sites
- Great Synagogue (second largest in Europe), St. Bartholomew's
- Annual Events
- Liberation Festival (May), Pilsner Fest (October)
- Cultural Districts
- DEPO2015 (Creative zone in a former bus depot)
- Theater Venues
- J. K. Tyl Theatre (Grand Theatre and New Theatre)
- Local Markets
- Saturday Farmers Markets at Republic Square
- Music Scene
- Divadlo pod lampou (Alternative/Rock), Buena Vista Club
- Street Art
- Murals at Náplavka on the Radbuza river
- Cooking Classes
- Centrum Bavaria Bohemia (cross-border workshops)
- Art Galleries
- Galerie města Plzně, Ladislav Sutnar Faculty Gallery
- Historic Buildings
- City Hall (Renaissance style), Great Synagogue
- Local Heritage
- Pilsner Urquell beer culture, heritage of industrialist Emil Škoda
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Borský Park, Sigmond's nature trail around Bolevec Ponds
- National Parks Nearby
- Šumava National Park (1 hour 15 mins drive)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Greenways along Radbuza, Mže, and Úhlava rivers
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Cathedral Tower (Republic Square), Chlum Lookout Tower
- Birdwatching Locations
- Berounka river valley nearby, Zábělá nature reserve
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Designated public fire pits at Škodaland (Bory)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Zásilkovna (Pickup points everywhere), PPL, Czech Post
- Tech Repair Services
- iOpravna, PC Servis Plzeň (Slovanská street)
- Table Tennis Spots
- TJ Sokol Plzeň, various public tables in Borský Park
- Language Classes
- Language School of West Bohemian University, Caledonian School
- Libraries & Study Spots
- SVK PK (Research Library of the Pilsen Region), Faculty of Law Library
- Community Centers
- Totem (Regional volunteer center), Moving Station
- Gaming Lounges
- Area 51 Gaming bar
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino Rebuy Stars (Plzeň Plaza)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 105,000 CZK per m² (e.g., 30 m² = 3,150,000 CZK / $134,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 85,000 CZK per m² (e.g., 30 m² = 2,550,000 CZK / $108,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 95,000 CZK per m² (e.g., 50 m² = 4,750,000 CZK / $202,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 78,000 CZK per m² (e.g., 50 m² = 3,900,000 CZK / $166,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 88,000 CZK per m² (e.g., 75 m² = 6,600,000 CZK / $280,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 72,000 CZK per m² (e.g., 75 m² = 5,400,000 CZK / $230,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 21% (Standard rate in Czech Republic as of 2024/2025)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 15%
- Tax System
- Residents taxed on worldwide income; non-residents on CZ-sourced income
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 23% (for income exceeding 36x average wage)
- VAT
- 21% Standard, 12% reduced
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, EU-aligned anti-avoidance rules apply
- Property Tax
- Yes, annual tax based on square footage and location coefficient
- Property Transaction Tax
- Abolished in 2020; however, income tax may apply if resold quickly
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Paušální daň (Flat tax) for freelancers starting at approx. 7,500 CZK/month including social/health