The cost of the first year of preparation and living in the Czech Republic
When planning a budget for studying abroad, many families face difficulties in allocating finances. Depending on the chosen educational institution, city, living conditions, and lifestyle, expenses can vary significantly. In this article, we have calculated the cost of a preparatory year in the Czech Republic so that you can plan your budget in advance and get a complete understanding of the upcoming expenses.
What the first year's budget consists of
In the Czech Republic, provided that one enrolls in a Czech-language course, no payment is required. That is, education is free. However, in order to prepare for the entrance exams, learn the Czech language at the required level, and gather all the documents, intensive training with full immersion in the language and cultural environment is necessary. Therefore, the applicant will spend the first year attending courses for further admission. The amount of expenses for a student in the Czech Republic depends on the chosen type of preparatory courses and living conditions.
What to include in the first year's budget
When calculating the cost of studying in the Czech Republic after 11th grade, it is necessary to cover the budget for 12 months of the preparatory year and the entrance period with accommodation in the Czech Republic until enrollment. It is important not to confuse these amounts with the budget that will be during university studies.
When planning the budget for the first year, it is necessary to take into account: payment for preparatory courses depending on the tariff, accommodation, meals, insurance, transportation and mobile communication expenses, basic expenses, as well as registration fees that need to be paid when submitting applications or processing documents (nostrification, university application submission, visa fees, and document translation).
Preparation and university education
It is important to separate the cost of Medstudy preparatory courses, university admission expenses, and living costs. For example, the cost of the Medstudy preparation program for medical faculties in the Czech Republic is €5,300 at the promotional price listed on the website (as of early November 2026). The program includes 1,020 academic hours and is available in both online and offline formats in Prague. The standard price is €6,200; with full payment, you receive a 15% discount, and installment payments are also possible. You can find information about other preparatory programs and their conditions on our website.
Payment of fees and charges for admission is made separately. Additional services, such as admission support or assistance with nostrification, depend on the Medstudy program chosen. In some packages, it may be included in the cost, in others - paid separately.
How much does moving and student life cost
The cost of living in the Czech Republic for a student depends on many factors: from the major you choose to your personal preferences and habits. Some expenses that will need to be paid in the first year have a fixed amount — this includes transportation passes, phone service, and fee payments. There are also one-time expenses, such as document processing, diploma nostrification, visa fees, and application fees to universities. Other expenses depend on personal means and preferences.
One-time payments before moving
Before the trip to the Czech Republic for preparatory courses, the applicant needs to take into account the following expenses:
- Applying for a foreign passport if you don’t have one yet
- Payment for the courses themselves: the full cost or the first installment in case of installment plan
- Expenses for tickets to the Czech Republic
- Expenses for preparing documents, their translation and certification, as well as payment for submitting applications to educational institutions
Living expenses. When renting, it may be necessary to pay a deposit for housing, which is usually returned after the end of the lease if the terms of the contract are met and there are no debts or damages. It is important to take it into account in the initial budget, but not to confuse it with non-refundable expenses.
Monthly expenses
A student's monthly expenses in the Czech Republic consist of payments for housing, food, transportation, mobile communication, and household needs. The largest budget item is rent. The cost depends on the location and type of accommodation; it should also be taken into account that in most cases, utility bills and internet are paid separately. You can learn more in detail about housing rent and accommodation options in the Czech Republic in this article.
The rest of the budget goes to everyday living. Food is cheaper if you buy groceries at supermarkets and cook at home. Added to this are fixed expenses: a discounted student transport pass, which in Prague costs about 130 CZK per month, a mobile plan with internet, which is approximately 300–500 CZK per month, and small household purchases. Also, consider personal expenses: buying clothes, hygiene products, entertainment, and unforeseen purchases. It is important to determine in advance the amount you will be able to allocate each month.
Understanding these regular expenses, it will be easier for you to estimate the overall cost of studying in the Czech Republic for foreigners.
Three scenarios of the first year's budget
In the table, we indicated how much studying in the Czech Republic costs for the first year of study in three options:
| Expense item | Period | Economy | Standard | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Training at courses | For the year: | Depending on the chosen program, promotions, and payment conditions: from €4300 to €6200 | Depending on the chosen program, promotions, and payment conditions: from €4300 to €6200 | Depending on the chosen program, promotions, and payment conditions: from €4300 to €6200 |
| Accommodation | Per month: | 6,000 – 8,500 CZK (240 – 340 €) | 9,000 – 13,000 CZK (360 – 520 €) | 16,000 + CZK (640 + €) |
| Accommodation | For the year: | 72,000 – 102,000 CZK (2,880 – 4,080 €) | 108,000 – 156,000 CZK (4,320 – 6,240 €) | 192,000 + CZK (7,680 + €) |
| Nutrition | Per month: | 5,000 – 6,500 CZK (200 – 260 €) | 7,500 – 10,000 CZK (~300 – 400 €) | 12,000 – 18,000+ CZK (480+ €) |
| Nutrition | For the year: | 60,000 – 78,000 CZK (2,400 – 3,120 €) | 90,000 – 120,000 CZK (3,600 – 4,800 €) | 144,000 + CZK (5,760 + €) |
| Health insurance | For the year: | Basic comprehensive insurance 20,000 CZK (800 €) | Standard insurance policy 25,000 CZK (1,000 €) | Extended insurance 30,000 CZK (1,200 €) |
| Personal expenses and leisure (clothing, entertainment) | Per month: | 1,500 – 2,500 CZK (60 – 100 €) | 3,500 – 6,000 CZK (140 – 240 €) | 8,000 + CZK (320 + €) |
| Personal expenses and leisure (clothing, entertainment) | For the year: | 18,000 – 30,000 CZK (~720 – 1,200 €) | 42,000 – 72,000 CZK (~1,680 – 2,880 €) | 96,000 + CZK (3,840 + €) |
| Fixed expenses (communication, travel pass, etc.) | For the year: | 10,000 CZK (400 €) | 14,000 CZK (560 €) | 20,000 CZK (800 €) |
How to check the budget and avoid unnecessary expenses
Calculate in advance all upcoming education expenses in the Czech Republic for Ukrainians, the cost of all additional services, and create a payment schedule in case of installment payments for the course;
Check hidden costs. In addition to the cost of the course and accommodation, take into account the payment for translations and document certification, diploma nostrification, university application fees, visa fees, and others. Also, provide for expenses for everyday needs and unforeseen situations;
Separate expenses into one-time and monthly. Determine in advance the deadlines for paying rent, insurance, and documents. Clarify which services are already included in the course fee;
Discuss with the applicant the monthly budget that will be allocated to him, so that the future student learns to manage personal expenses for the month;
Set up a financial reserve. Allocate an additional amount in case of changes in the cost of services or unforeseen circumstances;
Do not count on future part-time work as a guaranteed income. The possibility of finding a job depends on the level of Czech language, class schedule, and available vacancies. Also, combining work with intensive preparation for entrance exams is not easy;
Calculate the budget individually. To understand in advance how much will be needed for preparation and living in the Czech Republic, you can contact Medstudy for a personal calculation of the program cost and a separate living budget.
FAQ
What does free education in Czech mean?
Free education is provided by Czech state universities on the condition of successful admission to the university. Preparatory courses, where they teach the language and help prepare for entrance exams, are paid.
How does the preparatory year differ in expenses from the first year?
If you are admitted to free education in the Czech language, you will not have to pay for your studies. For the preparatory year, you will need to pay for courses. Also, in the first year, you will need to pay for the nostrification of your diploma, visa fees, and charges when submitting documents to the university.
Is accommodation included in the program price?
In some Medstudy packages, assistance in selecting or accompanying you in renting housing may be included in the price, but the rent itself is paid separately.
What expenses occur only once?
One-time expenses include: obtaining a foreign passport, tickets to the Czech Republic, preparation of documents (their translation, notarization, and nostrification), visa fees, payment of applications to universities, and a refundable housing deposit.
How to account for collateral and the exchange rate?
The deposit for accommodation should be taken into account in the initial cash requirement, but not considered an irrecoverable expense. This amount is returned upon departure. All expenses in CZK/EUR should be planned with a margin to account for currency fluctuations.
Is it possible to plan a budget taking into account side jobs?
No. Finding a job in the first year is difficult due to the high intensity of classes and incomplete language proficiency.
