With its medieval towns and castles, sprawling forests and quaint country villages, the Czech Republic has been the focus of European property hunters for years, but Brits are only just realising this market's potential. Although as a new nation it is a fairly recent arrival on the scene, the Czech Republic is making a name for itself as one of the most developed and forward moving countries in Eastern Europe.

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Country Profile
Capital City: Prague   
Area: 78,866 sq km / 30,450 sq miles
Population: 10,300,100
Time Zone: GMT +1
Country dialing code: 420
Currency: Czech Koruna 

Climate of Czech Republic
Temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters

Accessibility of Czech Republic
International flights only arrive into Prague, but flights are frequent thanks to the popularity of the capital as a weekend get-away.  An almost magical city of bridges, cathedrals, gold-tipped towers and church domes it spends its days, and lively nights, admiring its picture perfect reflection mirrored in the surface of the Vltava River.

Czech Republic country highlights
Prague has long been a popular destination for Brits enticed by its maze of cobbled, medieval streets and inspiring gothic architecture. 

Permanent Move to Czech Republic
The Czech Republic entered the EU in 2004, making it a viable for anyone from the UK wishing to permanently move there.  UK/EEA nationals have the right to live and work in Czech Republic without a work permit. UK citizens do not require any form of residence visa for stays of up to 90 days. For a longer stay you must apply for a visa.

Buying property in the Czech Republic
Currently experiencing a steady annual rise in property price – and one predicted to continue – the property market in the Czech Republic is mostly centred in and around Prague itself, although there is great potential for capital growth in many of the smaller towns such as Brno, Karlovy Vary or Ceske Budejovice. Overall, the Czech Republic's property prices have increased by 13 per cent each year for the last three, and the upward trend is expected to continue.  Property prices need some time to catch up with their western counterparts.  Currently, for under 50,000 euros, you could buy a one-bedroom apartment in central Prague, a modern one-bedroom house in Brno or countryside houses throughout the Czech Republic. For 51,000 to 100,000 euros you could find a modern one-bedroom house in central Prague, a modern two-bedroom house in central Brno or a multiple-bedroom countryside home.

Destination Hot Spots

Prague
For the time being most investors are looking primarily to Prague for property, with central one bedroom apartments available for under 50,000 euros, or one bedroom houses available for under 100,000 euros.

Search for property in the Czech Republic

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Useful websites about the Czech Republic:
A general information site about the Czech Republic
All about Prague
Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Czech Tourist Board

Article first published in May 2006