Top 5 Things to Arrange in Your First Week in Prague

For International Students & Newcomers (Survival Edition)

Arriving in Prague to start your studies or career is an incredible milestone. But after the initial excitement of landing in the city of a hundred spires, reality sets in: paperwork, foreign offices, bureaucratic deadlines, and Google Translate working overtime.

Don’t let early administrative tasks overwhelm you. Getting these five essentials sorted during your first seven days will keep you fully legal, save you money, and set you up for a stress-free semester.

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1. Register at the Foreign Police (Non-Negotiable Priority)

If you are a non-EU national, Czech law mandates that you register your physical address with the Foreign Police (Cizinecká policie) within 3 working days of arrival. Failing to do so can lead to fines and red flags on future visa or residence permit applications.

• Living in a University Dormitory or Hotel? You can relax. Officially accredited dorms and hotels report your stay automatically via the state Ubyport system. Always confirm this with your dorm reception upon check-in.
• Renting a Private Apartment or Sublet? You must visit the Foreign Police in person (in Prague, located at Olšanská 2176/2, Prague 3).
• What to bring:
  • Original travel passport with your valid visa
  • Proof of accommodation (Doklad o ubytování or registered lease agreement)
  • Comprehensive health insurance card/contract and payment proof
  • Completed registration card (přihlašovací lístek, available at the office)

Pro Tip: Lines at Olšanská can be long. Arrive early in the morning, or let a relocation specialist handle your reporting and documentation so you don’t lose an entire study day in a waiting room.

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2. Get a Local Mobile Plan & Data Connection

While Prague has great public Wi-Fi in university libraries and cafes, navigating the city, buying tram tickets, receiving bank SMS verification codes, and coordinating group chats requires reliable mobile data immediately.

• The Main Operators: The “Big Three” in Czechia are Vodafone, T-Mobile, and O2.
• Prepaid vs. Student Contracts:
  • If you need connectivity on day one, grab a Prepaid SIM card at the airport, shopping centers (Palladium, Nový Smíchov, Westfield Chodov), or local convenience stores.
  • Once you receive your official university enrollment letter or ISIC card, switch to a dedicated student contract (often providing 10GB–unlimited data with substantial discounts).
• eSIM Alternative: If your smartphone supports eSIM, you can activate local data before your flight touches down at Václav Havel Airport.

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3. Open a Czech Bank Account

While international digital cards (like Revolut or Wise) work well for everyday groceries, having a local Czech bank account is essential for:

• Paying monthly apartment rent via Czech domestic transfers and QR platba (QR code payments).
• Receiving student wages or internship stipends under DPP/DPČ contracts.
• Avoiding foreign transaction fees and unfavourable card exchange rates.

Student-Friendly Banks in Prague:

• Česká spořitelna: Excellent English-language mobile app (George), large branch network, and dedicated free student accounts.
• Air Bank: Highly modern and transparent, but some legal terms and conditions are strictly in Czech—bring a Czech speaker along when opening in-branch.
• Raiffeisenbank / Komerční banka (KB): Established options with structured multicurrency (CZK/EUR) student packages.

What you need to bring: Passport, a second ID (such as a national ID or ISIC), proof of accommodation/study confirmation, and an active Czech phone number.

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4. Register with a General Practitioner (Praktický Lékař)

Having statutory or commercial health insurance (such as pVZP) is legally mandatory, but an insurance card does not automatically assign you a doctor.

When you get sick or need a medical certificate for university, finding a general practitioner who accepts new patients and speaks fluent English on short notice can be extremely frustrating.

• How to register: Check your insurance provider’s list of contracted clinics (smluvní lékaři).
• International-Friendly Clinics: Facilities like Motol University Hospital’s Foreigners Pavilion, Unicare Medical, or Poliklinika na Národní have dedicated multilingual departments.
• The Golden Rule: Register for a baseline health check during your first month. Bureaucracy moves significantly slower when you are managing a 39°C fever.

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5. Set Up Your Wellness & Fitness Routine

Settling into a new country comes with cognitive load and academic stress. Establishing a physical routine early helps balance the screen time, jet lag, and paperwork fatigue.

• Popular Gym Chains:
  • Form Factory: Extensive network of modern clubs across Prague offering gyms, saunas, and group classes (student discounts available).
  • Max Fitness & John Reed: Great equipment, urban vibes, and central locations.
  • NextMove: Premium boutique fitness spaces in Karlín and Vinohrady.
• University Sports Facilities: Almost all major universities (Charles University, CTU, VŠE, CZU) have heavily subsidized sports clubs, gyms, tennis courts, and swimming pools available for a fraction of commercial prices.

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Bonus Step: Activate Your Student Transit Pass (Lítačka)

Before your first week wraps up, link your student status to the PID Lítačka app. Prague has one of the best public transit systems in the world, and verified university students travel across all metros, trams, and buses for only 130 CZK/month (or ~1,280 CZK for an entire year).

Welcome to Prague!

Your first week might feel like a whirlwind of forms, transit lines, and new streets. Taking care of these five core pillars upfront ensures you are fully compliant with Czech law and free to focus on what matters: your education, your new friends, and exploring one of Europe’s most vibrant cities.

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