Degree programmes taught in Czech at Czech public universities are tuition-free for students of every nationality; the only charges are an application fee and, if your studies run too long, a fee for the extra semesters. English-taught degrees are paid. A bachelor's at a public university usually costs $2,300–6,900 a year: for 2027 entrants the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague charges $2,270 (€2,000) and the Prague University of Economics and Business (VŠE) $6,810 (€6,000), and some programmes cost more. English-taught medicine in 2026/27 ranges from $14,190 (€12,500) in Olomouc to $27,540 (€24,250) at Charles University's First Faculty of Medicine. The official Study in Czechia portal suggests budgeting $570–910 (€500–800) a month for living costs, and a student visa requires proof of $5,390 (CZK 115,810) for a year.
A note for Russian citizens: Czechia restricts visa services for Russian and Belarusian nationals, and the Czech embassy in Moscow currently does not accept long-term study visa applications from Russian citizens, including those who also hold another citizenship. For most Russian applicants the figures below are therefore for reference only. Citizens of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Armenia and most other countries apply under the standard procedure.
Below you will find what the bill consists of, 2026/27 fees at named universities plus the 2027/28 rates already announced, dormitory and transport prices, one-off costs and four sample budgets. Amounts are in US dollars with the original CZK or EUR figure in brackets, converted at the ECB reference rate of 29 September 2026 (USD 1 ≈ CZK 21.50; EUR 1 = USD 1.1355).
Three scenarios at a glance
| Scenario | Annual tuition | Other costs to plan | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public university, Czech-taught degree | $0 | A preparatory language year if you do not speak Czech: Charles University's course costs $5,670–7,860 (CZK 122,000–169,000) excluding housing | Students ready to spend a year on the language and sit the same entrance exams as Czech school leavers |
| Public university, English-taught degree | Mostly $2,300–6,900; medicine and dentistry $14,264–27,672 | Living costs, insurance, visa | Students with B2 English who cannot spend a year on Czech |
| Private university | From $3,042 (CZK 65,000, MUP in Czech) to $14,554 (CZK 311,000, UNYP) a year; fees apply in Czech too | Same as above | Students who need a particular programme, format or start date |
The trade-off is time rather than money. A Czech-taught degree saves the tuition but usually adds a preparatory year and a year of living in Czechia before you start; even so, over the whole path to a degree it normally works out cheaper. An English-taught programme starts a year earlier. If you are also considering Slovakia, compare these numbers with our guide to the cost of studying in Slovakia.
When "free" stops being free
Tuition-free study is set out in Section 58 of the Higher Education Act (No. 111/1998). The same section lists the exceptions:
- Application fee. A public university may charge every applicant up to 20% of a base amount the Ministry of Education announces each year. In practice this is $37–44: $44 (CZK 940) at Charles University, $42 (CZK 900) at Masaryk University, $37 (CZK 790) at Palacký University and $40 (CZK 850) at the Czech University of Life Sciences. The fee is per programme and non-refundable, and if it is not paid on time the application counts as withdrawn.
- Studying too long. If you exceed the standard length of your programme by more than one year, the university charges a fee for every started six months. At Masaryk University in 2026/27 this is $1,120 to $2,370 (CZK 24,000–51,000) per half-year, rising with each extra semester. Earlier unfinished programmes at Czech public universities count towards the total.
- Programmes in a foreign language. The university sets these fees itself; the law does not cap them.
- In-house assessment of a foreign school certificate. Some faculties assess your certificate themselves instead of requiring nostrification, for a fee: $46 (CZK 990) at Charles University's First Faculty of Medicine.
Universities must publish next year's fees by the last day of the application period. If they publish later, admitted students cannot be charged more than the previous year's rate.
English-taught fees: 2026/27 and 2027/28 rates
There is no national tariff: each faculty, and sometimes each programme, sets its own fee. Charles University alone quotes a range of $45 (€40) to $34,770 (€30,620) a year, so compare specific programmes and check which intake a figure applies to: some universities have already announced 2027/28 rates, and the rest must do so by the end of their application period.
| University and programme | Annual fee | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (ČZU), Economics and Management bachelor's | $2,270 (€2,000) | Rate for the 2027/28 intake, applications 15 September 2026 to 31 March 2027; paid in CZK, so the euro amount depends on the exchange rate |
| Masaryk University, Brno: Faculty of Social Studies and Faculty of Science | $3,410 (€3,000) | 2026/27 rate for most programmes at these faculties; the Data Analytics bachelor's is $15,900 (€14,000) |
| University of Chemistry and Technology Prague (VŠCHT), chemistry bachelor's and master's | $3,930 (CZK 84,500) | 2026/27 rate; the fee of your intake year stays fixed for the whole programme |
| Metropolitan University Prague (MUP), private, English-taught | $3,950 (CZK 85,000) | $3,020 (CZK 65,000) in Czech except psychology; the price list does not state a year |
| Škoda Auto University, Mladá Boleslav, private, bachelor's | $5,340 (€4,700) | Paid per semester: $2,670 (€2,350) for winter semester 2026/27 |
| Czech Technical University in Prague (ČVUT), Faculty of Electrical Engineering | $5,120 (CZK 110,000) bachelor's; $6,140 (CZK 132,000) master's | Current faculty rate; it reserves the right to adjust fees slightly each semester |
| Masaryk University, Faculty of Informatics, master's | $5,110 (€4,500) | 2026/27 rate |
| Masaryk University, Faculty of Economics and Administration | $4,650–5,580 (CZK 100,000–120,000) | 2026/27 rate |
| Prague University of Economics and Business (VŠE) | $6,810 (€6,000) | Bachelor's and master's for students admitted from 2027/28; earlier intakes pay $5,680 (€5,000). Application fee $115 (€100); 2027/28 applications open on 1 November 2026 |
| University of New York in Prague (UNYP), private | $13,910–14,470 (CZK 299,000–311,000) | 2026/27 rate for non-EU nationals |
| English-taught medicine | $14,264–27,672 | Details in our guide to studying medicine in Czechia |
University profiles: Charles University, ČVUT, VŠE, ČZU, Masaryk University, Škoda Auto University. For the capital specifically, see universities in Prague.
The preparatory year: the hidden cost of a free degree
Czech requirements are set by each faculty: some ask for a B1 or B2 certificate, others accept passing the entrance exam in Czech as proof, and three of Charles University's five medical faculties require C1. A one-year course from zero targets B1–B2, so for medicine one year may not be enough. For reference, the one-year programmes of Charles University's Institute for Language and Preparatory Studies (ÚJOP) for 2026/27 and 2027/28:
| ÚJOP programme | Intensity | Course fee |
|---|---|---|
| Medicine and Pharmacy, from zero (COMPLEX) | 35 hours a week, three trimesters | $7,860 (CZK 169,000) |
| Engineering and IT or economics (Poděbrady), humanities (Prague), from zero | 35 hours a week | $7,770 (CZK 167,000) |
| Medicine and Pharmacy, from B1 (PROGRESS) | 25 hours a week | $5,670 (CZK 122,000) |
Add housing and living costs for the same year, another $6,847–10,955. Completing the course does not automatically mean reaching the required level or being admitted; you still compete in the regular entrance exams. For choosing a course, see our guide to Czech language preparatory courses.
Living costs
Study in Czechia's official guideline is $570–910 (€500–800) a month for students in a dormitory or shared flat. Prague and Brno sit near the top of that range, smaller university towns near the bottom.
| Item | Monthly, per Study in Czechia |
|---|---|
| Bed in a shared dormitory room | $180–375 (€160–330) |
| Single dormitory room | $285–510 (€250–450) |
| Room in a shared flat | $285–570 (€250–500) |
| Small flat outside / in the centre | $570–1,020 / $680–1,140 (€500–900 / €600–1,000) |
| Food | $170–260 (€150–230); a student canteen lunch is about $5 (€4) |
| Student mobile plan with unlimited data | $28 (€25) |
| Public transport | Annual student pass $57–115 (€50–100), depending on the city |
What that looks like at real Prague prices:
- Charles University dormitories. Under the price list in force from 1 May 2026, a bed in a double room costs $6–11 (CZK 126–226) a night, roughly $177–317 a month; a single room is $7–15 (CZK 156–329) a night. A long-term deposit of $98 (CZK 2,100) is paid when booking.
- ČVUT dormitories. From 1 September 2026 a bed costs $4–13 (CZK 92–280) a night; in the most common option, a double room at Strahov, it is $6 (CZK 130), about $183 for 30 days. You pay $235 (CZK 5,000) when booking; this becomes a deposit equal to 30 nights (at least $165 (CZK 3,500)), with any difference topped up or refunded. On moving in you also pay a dormitory insurance charge ($13 (CZK 290)) and an electricity advance.
- Prague public transport. Students aged 18–26 with proof of study or an ISIC card pay $6 (CZK 130) for 30 days, $17 (CZK 360) for 90 days or $60 (CZK 1,280) for a year. A full-price 30-minute ticket is $2 (CZK 39).
For comparison, VŠE estimates living costs in Prague at about $7,950 (€7,000) per academic year, or $625–910 (€550–800) a month.
One-off costs in the first year
| Payment | Amount | When |
|---|---|---|
| University application fee | $37–44 at public universities for Czech-taught programmes; higher for some English ones: VŠCHT $140 (CZK 3,000), VŠE $115 (€100) | On application, per programme |
| Nostrification of your school certificate | Administrative fee $140 (CZK 3,000) | Before enrolment; see our guide to nostrification in Czechia |
| Certified translations | Sworn translator's rates | Before applying and before the visa |
| Consular fee for a long-term visa or residence permit for study | $115 (CZK 2,500) | When applying at the embassy |
| Health insurance | Insurer's rate; cover must be at least $454,200 (€400,000) per claim | Before the visa is issued |
| Dormitory deposits | Charles University $98 (CZK 2,100); ČVUT $235 (CZK 5,000) booking payment that becomes the deposit | When booking |
| Flights and the first weeks | Actual cost | Before term starts |
Insurance is the item people most often forget. For a stay over 90 days you need comprehensive medical cover from an insurer authorised to sell it in Czechia, with a limit of at least $454,200 (€400,000) and no co-payment by the insured. The price depends on age, provider and term; the largest provider, PVZP, offers a discount to students aged 15–30.
First-year budget: four examples
These are our calculations using official 2026/27 rates. Living costs follow Study in Czechia's guideline for 12 months: $6,810–10,900 (€6,000–9,600). One-off costs from the table above are not included.
| Item per year | A. ÚJOP preparatory year before medicine | B. ČVUT, English-taught bachelor's, Prague | C. English-taught medicine, Olomouc | D. Škoda Auto, English-taught bachelor's |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $7,909 | $5,148 | $14,264 | $5,363 |
| Living | $6,847–10,955 | $6,847–10,955 | $6,847–10,955 | $6,847–10,955 |
| Total | $14,756–18,864 | $11,995–16,103 | $21,111–25,219 | $12,210–16,318 |
| Next | If admitted, from year two you pay living costs only | Fees may shift slightly by semester | Six years at the current rate: $85,582 in tuition alone | Paid semester by semester |
After a preparatory year, the Czech-taught route costs only living expenses, whereas six years of English-taught medicine in Olomouc come to roughly $127,000–151,000 including living costs. On the other hand, not everyone reaches C1 in a year, and a failed attempt means another year of expenses.
Visa funds are not your budget
For a long-term visa or residence permit for study you must prove funds of 15 times the subsistence minimum plus twice the minimum for every further month. With the minimum at $145 (CZK 3,130), that is $5,390 (CZK 115,810) for a year and $3,640 (CZK 78,250) for a semester; applicants under 18 need half. The usual proof is a bank statement in the student's name. The Ministry of the Interior also accepts confirmation that the host institution or another organisation will cover your costs, proof of prepaid services for the stay, or a scholarship award under an international agreement.
This is a legal minimum, not a forecast: by Study in Czechia's guideline a real year costs 1.3 to 2 times as much. The Czech embassy in Moscow still shows an older figure of $4,290 (CZK 92,130), so rely on the Interior Ministry portal. The full application procedure is covered in our guide to the student visa and residence permit for Czechia.
Can you cover costs by working?
Students residing in Czechia for study have free access to the labour market and do not need a separate work permit. The 2026 minimum wage is $1,040 (CZK 22,400) a month full time, or $6 (CZK 134.40) an hour. On a 20-hour weekly contract the minimum wage is $520 (CZK 11,200) a month before deductions: in Prague that roughly covers housing and food, but not English-taught tuition. Medicine and engineering leave little time for a job, so building part-time income into your core budget is risky.
Scholarships and discounts
- Czech Government scholarships for developing countries. For 2027/28 they are open only to citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Ukraine, Belarus (democratic forces), Ethiopia, Gabon, Mauritania, Zambia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Palestine, Guatemala and Honduras. Applications run from 21 August to 30 September 2026. Russia and Kazakhstan are not on the list.
- University scholarships. Faculties pay merit and social scholarships. Masaryk University, for example, awards an accommodation grant each semester to students in their first degree programme who are not registered as living in Brno and have not exceeded the standard length of study.
- Private university schemes. Škoda Auto University and UNYP run their own scholarship and discount programmes, decided by university committees.
- A Czech-taught degree remains the biggest saving if you can commit a year to the language.
How to pay
Pay directly to the university or faculty account shown on the official website and in your admission documents. VŠCHT expects payment within three months of enrolment, Škoda Auto invoices at the start of each semester, and the First Faculty of Medicine asks for euro transfers with all bank charges paid by the sender (OUR). Never pay intermediaries or personal accounts. If you are paying from Russia, use legal channels only; see our guide on paying for studies abroad from Russia.
Common budgeting mistakes
- Treating a Czech-taught degree as free and forgetting the preparatory year, translations and nostrification.
- Comparing universities by an "average English-taught fee" instead of the specific faculty's rate for your intake year.
- Ignoring the over-length fee: leaves of absence and resits push back your study time.
- Confusing the visa funds requirement with your real budget and arriving with the minimum.
- Paying for courses or housing before confirming you can obtain a visa with your passport.
FAQ
Yes, for degrees taught in Czech at public universities, regardless of nationality. You still pay an application fee (about $40), and if your studies exceed the standard length by more than a year, a fee for each extra half-year. Living costs, insurance and preparation are your own.
At public universities typically $2,300–6,900: for 2027 entrants ČZU charges $2,270 (€2,000) and VŠE $6,810 (€6,000); ČVUT's Faculty of Electrical Engineering charges $5,148 for a bachelor's. English-taught medicine costs from $14,264 at Palacký University to $27,672 at Charles University's First Faculty of Medicine.
Study in Czechia's guideline is $570–910 (€500–800), or $571–913, in a dormitory or shared flat. A bed in a double room in a Charles University dormitory costs about $177–317 a month, and a student transit pass is $6 for 30 days.
$5,390 (CZK 115,810) for a year or $3,640 (CZK 78,250) for a semester; half for minors. This is a Czech Interior Ministry requirement. For Russian citizens the obstacle is not the amount but the fact that the embassy does not accept their study visa applications.
Yes. Students with a study-based residence status have free access to the labour market and need no separate permit. The 2026 minimum rate is $6 (CZK 134.40) an hour, which will not cover English-taught tuition.
Charles University's ÚJOP one-year programme from zero costs $7,770–7,860 (CZK 167,000–169,000); the B1-level medicine track costs $5,670 (CZK 122,000). Budget housing and living for that year separately, another $6,847–10,955 per Study in Czechia's guideline. For a country overview, see studying in Czechia.
Yes. Under a service agreement we shortlist programmes that fit your budget, calculate the full cost to graduation and check whether a visa route is realistic for your citizenship. Fees are set by the university; visas are decided by the Czech Ministry of the Interior.
Sources
- Higher Education Act No. 111/1998, Section 58 (fees) — checked 24 Sep 2026
- Study in Czechia: living costs and tuition-free study in Czech — checked 24 Sep 2026
- Charles University: tuition fees, dormitory price list from 1 May 2026 (PDF), 2026/27 deposit (PDF) — checked 24 Sep 2026
- ČVUT Faculty of Electrical Engineering: fees, ČVUT dormitory price lists and move-in cost calculation (PDF) — checked 24 Sep 2026
- VŠE: admission and fees, ČZU: Economics and Management, VŠCHT: 2026/27 fees — checked 24 Sep 2026
- Masaryk University: tuition fees and study-related fees 2026/27 — checked 24 Sep 2026
- Palacký University: English-taught medicine, First Faculty of Medicine: 2026/27 fee — checked 24 Sep 2026
- MUP, UNYP, Škoda Auto University: fees — checked 24 Sep 2026
- ÚJOP Charles University: foundation programmes in Czech — checked 24 Sep 2026
- DPP: Prague public transport fares — checked 24 Sep 2026
- Czech Interior Ministry: proof of funds, medical insurance, residence permit for study — checked 24 Sep 2026
- Administrative Fees Act No. 634/2004 (nostrification fee) — checked 24 Sep 2026
- Czech Labour Ministry: 2026 minimum wage — checked 24 Sep 2026
- Czech Ministry of Education: Government scholarships 2027/28 — checked 24 Sep 2026
- Czech Foreign Ministry: limited visa services for Russians and Belarusians (updated 9 Feb 2026) and Czech embassy in Moscow: restrictions — checked 24 Sep 2026
- Exchange rate: ECB reference rate of 29 Sep 2026, EUR 1 = USD 1.1355 and EUR 1 = CZK 24.411, i.e. USD 1 ≈ CZK 21.50
Next steps
- Studying Medicine in Czechia: Free in Czech or Paid in English — Faculties, Exams, Fees and Degree Recognition
- Nostrification in Czechia: How to Get Your School Certificate and Degree Recognised
- Czech Language Preparatory Courses: University Programmes, Private Schools, Prices and Visas
- Universities in Prague: Public and Private Options, Fees and Admission for International Students
- How to Pay for Studies Abroad from Russia: What Works in 2026
- Cost of Studying in Slovakia: 2026/27 Tuition, Dormitories and a First-Year Budget
