Working in Prague is ideal for expats looking to advance their careers, thanks to the Czech Republic’s central position in Europe and stable economy. The high standard of living for a relatively low cost doesn’t hurt either.
For EU citizens, it’s easy to live and work in Prague as they don’t require a work permit. Non-EU citizens, on the other hand, do need a work permit to gain employment in the city.
Job market in Prague
Some main industries in Prague are manufacturing, IT, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and tourism. Although Prague’s industrial sector is thriving, new arrivals will have to compete with the highly educated local labour force for jobs.
Expats often find jobs in the financial services, education, information technology, trade and hospitality sectors. Teaching English and customer service roles are also popular among expats.
It may also be worthwhile to look into multinational companies that have set up shop in Prague. As the Czech Republic becomes more popular for foreign business investment, expats may be able to find a job in one of these companies.
Finding a job in Prague
With a highly educated and skilled workforce, competition for top jobs in Prague may be fierce. Nevertheless, expats with the right credentials and experience will find opportunities in the country. We recommend that expats secure employment before moving to Prague.
Job opportunities can be found through online job portals or by directly contacting a local recruitment agency. Otherwise, employment opportunities may be found by looking for postings on the websites of specific multinational companies.
Useful links
Work culture in Prague
How people conduct themselves during business proceedings in Prague can have a great impact on how fellow business associates perceive them. Expats should take some time to understand common business practices and etiquette in Prague to become familiar with their corporate culture.
Expats may initially perceive the reserved Czech manner as cold and impersonal, but Czechs are actually warm and hospitable people. They are generally private people until you get to know them on a more personal level, although it could take many meetings to reach this stage.
Although the group’s opinion may be heeded, traditional business structures in Prague are hierarchical, and decisions are made from the top down. Expats from more egalitarian societies may initially struggle with this aspect of working in Prague. This structure tends to be less prevalent in multinational companies, however.
Networking is highly important in Prague, and it is essential to build and maintain relationships. Business may be conducted slowly, with initial meetings scheduled to get to know each other and ascertain the trustworthiness of associates before a deal can be made. Expats must therefore exercise patience.
Family is valued highly in Czech culture. Family ties are deeply rooted, and family time is important. As such, it is unlikely that work commitments will extend over weekends or public holidays.