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Czech Koruna Exchange Guide: What Visitors and Expats Need to Know

Everything you need to know about the Czech Koruna (CZK) — why Czech Republic hasn't adopted the Euro, typical costs, and the best strategies for converting your money.

Whether you’re planning a weekend in Prague, relocating to Brno for work, or just trying to understand why a country in the heart of the EU still uses its own currency — this guide covers everything you need to know about the Czech Koruna.

Czech Koruna Basics

The Czech Koruna (CZK), also written as Kč (koruna česká), is the official currency of the Czech Republic (Czechia). The ISO 4217 code is CZK, and it’s divided into 100 haléřů (hellers), though haléř coins haven’t been in circulation since 2008 — all cash transactions are rounded to the nearest whole koruna.

Coins and Banknotes

Coins: 1 Kč, 2 Kč, 5 Kč, 10 Kč, 20 Kč, 50 Kč

Banknotes: 100 Kč, 200 Kč, 500 Kč, 1,000 Kč, 2,000 Kč, 5,000 Kč

The 5,000 Kč note (worth roughly €200) is the highest denomination and can sometimes be tricky to break at small shops. For everyday transactions, 200 Kč and 500 Kč notes are the most practical.

Current Exchange Rate

As of February 2026, the EUR/CZK rate hovers around 24.26, meaning 1 Euro buys approximately 24.26 Czech Korunas. You can track the live rate on our EUR/CZK exchange rate page.

For quick mental math: divide the CZK price by 25 to get an approximate euro value. A 500 Kč dinner? That’s roughly €20. A 15,000 Kč monthly transit pass? About €600… wait, that can’t be right. (It’s actually around €50 for a monthly pass — the annual one costs around 3,650 Kč.)

A more useful rule of thumb: 100 CZK ≈ €4.

Why Hasn’t Czech Republic Adopted the Euro?

This is one of the most common questions visitors ask. Czech Republic joined the EU in 2004 and is technically obligated to adopt the Euro eventually — but there’s no deadline, and successive Czech governments have shown little enthusiasm for making the switch.

The Official Position

Czech Republic has not joined ERM II (the Exchange Rate Mechanism, the required “waiting room” before Euro adoption) and has no target date for doing so. The Czech National Bank (ČNB) maintains an independent monetary policy with inflation targeting.

Why the Reluctance?

Several factors keep the Czech koruna alive:

  1. Economic sovereignty — The ČNB’s ability to set interest rates independently has been valuable. During the 2013–2017 period, the ČNB deliberately weakened the koruna using a currency floor (keeping EUR/CZK above 27) to fight deflation. This kind of intervention wouldn’t be possible under the Euro.

  2. Public opinion — Polls consistently show that a majority of Czech citizens oppose Euro adoption. The sentiment is roughly 70% against, though this fluctuates with economic conditions.

  3. Convergence concerns — While Czech GDP per capita has been converging with the EU average, the country’s price levels are still significantly below the Eurozone average. There’s concern that Euro adoption could trigger a one-time price increase (as was perceived in some countries that adopted the Euro).

  4. The “if it ain’t broke” argument — The Czech economy has performed relatively well with its own currency. Unemployment is among the lowest in the EU, and the koruna has been broadly stable against the euro.

Will It Ever Happen?

Probably — eventually. But don’t hold your breath. Most economists and politicians agree it’s a matter of “when, not if,” but that “when” keeps getting pushed further into the future. For practical purposes, plan on using CZK for the foreseeable future.

Typical Costs in Czech Republic (2026)

Here’s what things actually cost, to help you calibrate your spending expectations:

Dining & Drinks

  • Beer (0.5L) at a pub: 55–75 Kč (€2.20–3.00) — Czech Republic has famously cheap and excellent beer
  • Lunch menu (daily special): 150–250 Kč (€6–10)
  • Dinner at a mid-range restaurant: 300–600 Kč per person (€12–25)
  • Espresso at a café: 55–80 Kč (€2.20–3.30)
  • Bottle of water (0.5L, shop): 15–25 Kč (€0.60–1.00)

Transport

  • Prague metro/tram single ticket (30 min): 30 Kč (€1.20)
  • Prague monthly pass: 550 Kč (€22.50)
  • Taxi (per km): 28–36 Kč (€1.15–1.50)
  • Petrol (per liter): ~38 Kč (€1.55)

Accommodation

  • Hostel dorm bed (Prague): 400–700 Kč/night (€16–29)
  • Mid-range hotel (Prague): 2,000–4,000 Kč/night (€82–165)
  • Airbnb (1BR apartment, Prague): 1,500–3,000 Kč/night (€62–124)

Everyday

  • Grocery basket (weekly, one person): 1,200–1,800 Kč (€49–74)
  • Cinema ticket: 200–280 Kč (€8–11.50)
  • SIM card (prepaid, with data): 200–500 Kč (€8–20)

Best Strategies for Converting Money

For Tourists (Short Visits)

  1. Use a multi-currency card — Services like Revolut, Wise, or N26 give you near-interbank rates with minimal fees. Pay by card everywhere and withdraw small amounts of cash for places that don’t accept cards.

  2. Withdraw from bank ATMs — Use ATMs from Czech banks (Česká spořitelna, ČSOB, Komerční banka, Raiffeisenbank). Always decline “conversion to your home currency” — this is Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) and adds 3–7%.

  3. Exchange at reputable směnárny — If you prefer cash, use recommended exchange offices. See our Prague exchange rate guide for specific recommendations.

  4. Avoid: Airport exchanges, hotel front desks, Euronet ATMs, and any směnárna near Old Town Square.

For Expats (Long-Term)

  1. Open a Czech bank account — Major banks include Česká spořitelna, ČSOB, Komerční banka, and digital-first options like Fio banka. Most offer EU SEPA transfers.

  2. Use Wise (TransferWise) for large transfers — For rent deposits, car purchases, or monthly salary conversion, Wise typically offers the best rates for EUR→CZK transfers.

  3. Negotiate your salary in CZK — If you’re paid in euros and converting to CZK monthly, the exchange rate fluctuation becomes a real factor. Getting paid in CZK eliminates this uncertainty.

  4. Track the rate — Use FX Europe to monitor EUR/CZK trends. The rate can swing 2–3% over a month, which matters when you’re converting thousands of euros.

The Golden Rules

No matter your situation, these rules always apply:

  • Always pay in CZK — whether by card, ATM, or cash exchange. Never accept euro pricing at restaurants or shops, and always refuse DCC at payment terminals.
  • Check the rate before you exchange — Use the ECB reference rate or FX Europe app as your benchmark.
  • Small amounts at bad rates hurt less — If you’re stuck at the airport, exchange just enough for a taxi (about 500 Kč). Do the rest in the city.

CZK and the Euro: Living Side by Side

Despite not officially using the Euro, you’ll encounter euros surprisingly often in Czech Republic:

  • Many hotels quote prices in EUR (but charge in CZK)
  • Some tourist restaurants accept EUR (at terrible rates)
  • Border areas, especially near Austria and Germany, sometimes accept EUR
  • Major retail chains occasionally run EUR promotions

Don’t be tempted. These “convenience” euro prices always have a significant markup baked in. The only exception is if you’re paying by card and your card converts at interbank rates — in which case it doesn’t matter what currency the merchant charges in, as long as your bank handles the conversion.

Key Takeaways

  1. Czech Republic uses CZK and won’t switch to EUR anytime soon
  2. The rough conversion is 100 CZK ≈ €4 (or divide by 25)
  3. Always pay in CZK, never accept euro pricing
  4. Use a multi-currency card or reputable exchange office
  5. Avoid tourist-trap směnárny, airport exchanges, and Euronet ATMs
  6. Track rates with FX Europe before converting

The Czech Koruna is a stable, well-managed currency in a strong economy. Understanding how to handle it efficiently can save you meaningful money — whether you’re visiting for a weekend or settling in for years.