Cost of Living

The cost of living in the Czech Republic is on average comparable to that of other Central and East European countries. A single student is advised to have available approximately 8.500 CZK (cca 280 €) per month to cover food, basic transport and accommodation.

Be aware that the level of rent varies depending on which city you live in, whether you use the Charles University Halls of Residence or private place and if you share the flat or not. The final cost of your living, of course, depends on your personal spending habits.

Medical care and Insurance

If you are a citizen of an EU-member country, you are supposed to be an EHIC holder. Your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), form E111 or Provisional certificate has to be submitted to the attending physician. If you do not have either of these documents, the physician can insist on cash payment. In order for the doctor to ensure his or her own reimbursement from the contracting Czech health insurance fund, he or she will need to see your EHIC card, Provisional certificate, or E111 form, and will copy the information onto another specific internal form, known as "Potvrzení o nároku" (Certificate of entitlement). The doctor will also need to check your ID document (passport, ID card, drivers license).

The doctor can be found at the Faculty, appointments to see him can be made Monday to Friday. If you need a special treatment or to consult a specialist speaking English, German or Russian, you will be sent to University Hospital Motol. This hospital with highly specialised wards and centres provides top-standard medical care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year, including all public holidays.In case of an emergency call 155 and ask for a doctor. It is advisable that any prescriptions or medicine should be brought from your home pharmacy in order to keep costs down. There is also a dentist at the Faculty, who will take care of your teeth at a reasonable cost. Please remember that all medical treatments must be covered financially in the Czech Republic, therefore, health insurance is necessary to avoid a direct payment.

Students from outside non-EU countries are not covered by the EU’s E111 form, and they therefore musthave a valid international medical insurance plan, or they must expect to pay cash for all medical care. In case of emergency or an accident use any hospital or health clinic. If your medical problem isn't an emergency, Prague has several clinics that cater to English-speaking clients that can provide a network of services from basic examination to accompanying a patient to the hospital. Please note, however, that these are usually commercial operations that may charge a high fee.

Have a look at your insurance before you leave, as you may have to take out additional, or a different insurance. You can also arrange the insurance in Prague. The insurance offered by an insurance company called Všeobecná zdravotní pojišťovna includes coverage for medical treatment and accident insurance. The cost of this insurance is approx. 19.000 CZK per one year. 

If you need to visit a general practitioner, gynaecologist or dentist, you can go to one of the following health centres:

Transportation in Prague

The network of municipal buses, trams and subway (called METRO) has a wide and regular coverage. Prague integrated transport (PIT) consists of public transport services in Prague (Metro, trams, funicular to Petřín, city buses), suburban bus service (lines of series 300 and 400) and railway service (only 2nd class passenger and fast trains and selected express trains - specified in timetables of the Czech Railways) in Prague and suburban regions http://www.dpp.cz/en/.

Prague Public Transport 

The Metro is the quickest way to travel long distances across the city. It has three lines: A (green), B (yellow) and C (red). It closes down for the night shortly after midnight and reopens at 5.00 a.m. Trams and buses connect the Metro system to outlying areas, and are also a handy way to make short journeys in the city centre. The most efficient form of night transport is the network of night trams that runs from about midnight until the Metro reopens. Night trams run very precisely with a 30-minute interval, and rendezvous with each other at selected stations to facilitate passenger transfers. All night routes begin with the number "5". For further information o­n public transport inPrague (fares, list of routes and timetables), 

visit http://www.dp-praha.cz, where you will find comprehensive information in English.

Travel Passes

If you use local transport regularly, you can save money and time by purchasing season tickets. Passes are valid for unlimited travel on any bus, tram or (in Prague) metro line throughout the city area. They are also valid on some suburban train routes up to the city boundary. They currently cost 230 CZK for 

one calendar month, or 630 CZK for three months in Prague. In other cities it is about half of the price.

Travel Passes

If you use local transport regularly, you can save money and time by purchasing season tickets. Passes are valid for unlimited travel on any bus, tram or (in Prague) metro line throughout the city area. They are also valid on some suburban train routes up to the city boundary. They currently cost 230 CZK for 

o­ne calendar month, or 630 CZK for three months in Prague. In other cities it is about half of the price

Ticket Inspection

Tickets are not inspected as passengers get o­n or off public transport. However, plain-clothes ticket officers travel widely around the system, and frequently ask passengers to show their tickets or passes. Passengers who are travelling without a valid pass or ticket are subject to a fine of 500 CZK, which must be paid o­n the spot. All officers carry both a metal badge and a photo-ID card ("průkaz"), which are numbered. The number on the two forms of ID should be identical. Always insist on getting a receipt.

Discounted ticket for university students cost approximately: Monthly 230 CZK or Quarterly 630 CZK

As a student you obtain a discounted transportation card if you are 26.

Short-term tickets: 24-hour ticket 70 CZK, 3-day ticket (72 hours) 200 CZK, 7-day ticket (168 hours) 250 CZK,15-day ticket (360 hours) 280 CZK.

Taking a taxi in Prague is quite expensive.

Internet and e-mail

There is a “Computer Suite” at the Faculty with PCs for your use. The computers equipped with common word-processing are windows-operated and have a free internet and e-mail access. You will receive your own personal e-mail account and a password that allows you to use the Faculty computers. You can use PCs during the day and in the evening during the semester-time.

Library 

The Library has comfortable study space for 70 students, collection space for 300.000 volumes and access to all electronic resources o­n the Internet and elsewhere. Curricural needs come first, then research needs and finally some leisure oriented materials and periodicals. Suggestions from students are also considered. The Library strives to reflect multiple viewpoints while respecting the main Faculty’s mission.

Bank

We recommend you to open a Czech bank account to enable you to transfer money from your home bank account and avoid high fees. Remember that you must bring your passport when you want to open an account.

Telephone 

Students that have mobile phones can buy a pre-paid sim-card, which can be refilled with calling credits at a low cost.

Sport and recreation

A broad program in physical education and sport provides students with the opportunity to participate at various levels of physical activity, encouraging students to develop both mind and body.

Whether you are a finely-tuned fitness freak in peak physical condition, or just looking for the occasional spot of exercise to atone for persistent over-indulgence, there is sure to be something for you. There is a facility o­n campus for fitness classes ranging from aerobic exercises to circuit training in a weight room.

The outdoor facilities consist of two multi-purpose courts, football practice field and athletic six-lane all-weather track with the sectors for field events.

The indoor facility provides a multigym, where all ball ballgames can be played.

Department of Outdoor Sports offers free skiing courses, and, adrenaline sport fans are provided with courses of sky diving, rock-climbing and paragliding offered by Department of Technical Sports.

Adjacent to the main Faculty building, there is a Squash Centre providing non-guided squash, wall-climbing and aerobics classes.