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One of the first—and most important—actions a foreigner should take when moving to Czechia is opening a new bank account. However, many find the process to be challenging, unsure of which banks are available to them, and which documents to bring.
Understanding your options and the process will help you avoid unnecessary delays. Whether you're relocating, studying, or working in Czechia, a local bank account can make managing your finances far easier.
We asked Eduard Malyarchuk, CEO of Nawi Europe, a company specializing in legal, tax, and banking solutions for expats, the process.
Why it pays to have a Czech bank account
Having a Czech bank account is highly recommended if you plan to live, work, or study in the country for more than a few months.
Many employers require a local account to pay your salary, and many landlords prefer rent paid from Czech accounts. Utilities, mobile services, and even transit passes are easier to manage with local banking.
Moreover, Czech accounts allow you to avoid foreign transaction costs, cash withdrawal fees, and poor exchange rates while you’re living in Czechia. Many banks also offer generous interest rates and even give rewards for opening accounts with them. Thinking long term, it also hugely simplifies mortgage applications. Many find it much easier to draw loans with a Czech account.
What do foreigners need to open a bank account in Czechia?
To open a bank account in Czechia as a foreigner, you will typically need several documents—though the exact type (and the amount) vary from bank to bank.
Eduard Malyarchuk, CEO - NAWI Europe a.s.“Knowing which documents to present—and in what form—is imperative for opening a new bank account. We often see foreigners simply unable to open accounts due to not knowing where to start with gathering the needed documentation.”
A valid passport is mandatory. Many banks may also require a secondary form of identification, such as a residence permit, national ID, or driver’s license. Proof of address—such as a lease agreement, utility bill, or Czech residence certificate—might also be needed. In some cases, a local phone number may also be required.
For example, Česká spořitelna requires only a passport to open a bank account, while MONETA Money Bank asks you to present a passport as well as another form of ID, like a residence card. Depending on your situation, an employment contract or official certificate of study may also suffice.
EU and non-EU citizens compared: Visas, work rights, and residency impacts eligibility
Depending on your immigration and home country status, additional documents might be necessary.
EU citizens may be asked for a temporary residence certificate, while non-EU citizens should provide a valid visa, work contract, or student enrollment confirmation.
A good example of this is Air Bank: EU citizens may present either their national identity card, passport, or residence permit card as their main identity document. However, if you’re not from the EU, your main identity document needs to be your residence permit card.
Consulting a special banking advisor familiar with banks and financial institutions in Czechia is the smartest and easiest way to open a bank account. They can clarify exactly which documents you need, saving you hours (and many headaches).
Foreign-friendly banks exist. Here’s how to find the right one
Some banks are more foreigner-friendly than others. As a general rule, foreign-owned banks (like the Austrian Raiffeisenbank or French-owned Komerční banka) tend to be more convenient for expats. Both banks have fully English-language apps.
UniCredit Bank has a specialized department for international clients, which on its website says its staff speaks English, German, French, Italian, and Russian.
Various banks also cater to different needs, and offer different levels of benefits and rates. A banking advisor will be able to guide you to the best option based on your needs: whether you need a current, savings, or investment account.
Access to a wealth of digital benefits
To make life simpler, several banks in Czechia allow you to open an account from home—although even this process has technicalities. Fio Bank, mBank, and ČSOB currently offer this option; however, you’ll often need to complete the process in person—and some banks require you to have a rodné číslo (a Czech national ID number) to do this online.
User-friendly technology to assist in your financial journey is an additional bonus. Major banks like Česká spořitelna, ČSOB, and Air Bank provide feature-rich mobile apps that include instant payments, biometric login, budgeting tools, and integration with government services like eDoklady.
Contact a specialized advisor to help you define your goals and needs. They will help simplify and hasten the process overall.
The bottom line
If you plan to live in Czechia for longer than a few months, a Czech bank account is critical to making your life much easier, and simultaneously saving and earning you money.
However, understanding which bank to choose, which documents to present, and how to actually open an account can be a real tangle. Getting help from a specialist will save you time, money, and stress—while securing the best possible account for your needs.
