Difference between revisions of "Czechia/Banking"

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{{DISPLAYTITLE:List of Czech bank accounts for foreigners}}
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{{DISPLAYTITLE:Banking for Foreigners in Czechia}}
== Foreign bank account? Where to withdraw cash ==
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To receive salary, invoice clients, pay rent & shop in Czechia, a Czech bank account is needed. Here we describe
 +
 
 +
* where the withdraw cash with a non-Czech Visa or Mastercard,
 +
* which Czech & foreign banks are good for foreigners.
 +
 
 +
== Still having a foreign bank account? Where to withdraw cash ==
 
If you are still only having a foreign bank account, you probably need to withdraw cash with your foreign Visa or Mastercard.
 
If you are still only having a foreign bank account, you probably need to withdraw cash with your foreign Visa or Mastercard.
  
 
Some bank machine are more suitable than others – find here a [[/Cash|List of Czech ATMs not charging extra fees]].
 
Some bank machine are more suitable than others – find here a [[/Cash|List of Czech ATMs not charging extra fees]].
  
== What do I need to open a Czech bank account? ==
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== What Czech bank account do I need? Or: The smartest setup ==
Most banks will require from you:
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Before looking for offers and opening an account, think about what exactly you want to do with it. If you keep your current bank account from your home country, you might need only a Czech account in CZK – and use e.g. '''Revolut''' or '''Transferwise''' for exchanging money from your old account to your new Czech one.
 
 
* an ID / passport
 
* a proof of residence, can be
 
** a rental contract
 
** temporary/permanent residence permit
 
 
 
With these documents, go to a branch of the following banks.
 
 
 
== Free bank accounts with English support ==
 
 
 
=== Fio banka ===
 
 
 
[https://www.fio.cz/?lng=2 Fio banka] is a branch bank that also offers online banking. Their website has an English interface, and also in their branches you can find English speaking customer service.
 
 
 
They offer a free [https://www.fio.cz/bank-services/bank-accounts/current-account?lng=2 current account] that can hold Czech currency (CZK), but also in many others (at the moment: AUD, CAD, DKK, EUR, GBP, HRK, HUF, CHF, JPY, NOK, PLN, RUB, SEK, USD).
 
 
 
Besides, you get
 
 
 
* a free Mastercard for contactless payments
 
** another payment card for a second person
 
* up to 10 cash withdrawals / month at Fio ATMs
 
** 5 at other ATMs
 
** 1 withdrawal in foreign country per month
 
 
 
''See also:'' [https://www.fio.cz/bank-services/bank-accounts/current-account?lng=2 More features]
 
 
 
=== Raiffeisenbank ===
 
German-based Raiffeisenbank offers [https://www.rb.cz/en/personal/accounts/current-accounts two current accounts]:
 
 
 
* ''[https://www.rb.cz/en/personal/accounts/current-accounts/chytry-ucet Chytrý účet]:'' simple but free
 
* ''[https://www.rb.cz/en/personal/accounts/current-accounts/aktivni-ucet Aktivný účet]:'' 49 CZK / month but including many features
 
  
==== Chytrý účet ====
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=== Revolut & Transferwise ===
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[https://www.revolut.com/ Revolut] & [https://berlincheap.com/transferwise-review Transferwise] are free multi-currency accounts: You have one account but balances in EUR, USD, CZK etc. And you can exchange money between these balances without any (big) spread. On Revolut for instance, you can exchange 100 EUR into CZK and back – and still have not (much) less than 100 EUR.
  
The '''Smart account''' (''Chytrý účet'') has no running fees but also not many features included. What you get included:
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=== Currency exchange at Czech banks ===
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This is much different with Czech banks: They have a different rate for buying EUR and selling EUR – and in between a spread. For instance, you would change 1 EUR into 25 CZK – and for changing these 25 CZK bank into EUR, a rate of 1 to 26 CZK is applied, giving you back only 0.96 EUR.
  
* a CZK account (for any further currency, you pay 29 CZK / month)
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On average, you loose around 3% when exchanging EUR to CZK via a Czech bank. With Revolut, it is rarely over 1%.
* a debit card
 
* a credit card
 
* free cash withdrawal at ATMs in Czechia
 
  
Read more about [https://www.rb.cz/en/personal/accounts/current-accounts/chytry-ucet Chytrý účet]
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=== Combine Revolut with a Czech bank account ===
  
==== Aktivný účet ====
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This is why the smartest setup could be the following:
  
With the '''Active account''' (''Aktivný účet'') you pay 49 CZK / month and get additionally
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* Get a [https://www.revolut.com/ Revolut] or [https://berlincheap.com/transferwise-review Transferwise Borderless Account]
* not only an account in CZK but also optionally in EUR, USD, GBP, CHF, JPY, CAD, PLN, HUF ...
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* Get a simple, free Czech Bank Account with CZK only
* free cash withdrawal at ATMs not only in Czechia but worldwide
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* If you need to receive money in another currency than CZK:
 +
** receive it on your Revolut or Transferwise account
 +
** exchange it there to CZK
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** send the CZK to your simple Czech bank account
  
Read more about [https://www.rb.cz/en/personal/accounts/current-accounts/aktivni-ucet Aktivný účet]
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Vice versa for sending EUR from your Czech account:
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* Send CZK to Revolut
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* Exchange it there to EUR
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* Send it from Revolut to where you want
  
=== Equabank ===
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Read more:
 +
* [https://transferwise.com/help/articles/2932345/czk-transfers Transferwise Guide to CZK transfers]
  
Equabank is a Czech bank and offering a free current account in CZK, including:
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=== Isn't Revolut / Transferwise enough? Why a Czech account at all? ===
  
* free cash withdrawal at ATMs worldwide
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Since Revolut allows you sending and receiving CZK, you may think now: Why would I need a Czech account at all?
* free Mastercard debit card
 
* optional: an account in EUR
 
* free incoming and outgoing transactions in EUR and CZK
 
  
Account opening is possible in [https://www.google.com/maps?q=equa+bank branches] or online.
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In Czechia, bank transfers follow a special system using [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Variable_symbol "Variable, Constant & Specific symbol"]. To perfectly comply with these transfers, a Czech bank account is suitable.
  
Read more about [https://www.equabank.cz/en/current-account Equabank's current account]
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== See also  ==
  
<!-- https://www.sberbank.cz/en -->
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* [[Czechia/Banking/Current|Banks for Foreigners in Czechia]]

Latest revision as of 19:15, 12 June 2022

To receive salary, invoice clients, pay rent & shop in Czechia, a Czech bank account is needed. Here we describe

  • where the withdraw cash with a non-Czech Visa or Mastercard,
  • which Czech & foreign banks are good for foreigners.

Still having a foreign bank account? Where to withdraw cash[edit]

If you are still only having a foreign bank account, you probably need to withdraw cash with your foreign Visa or Mastercard.

Some bank machine are more suitable than others – find here a List of Czech ATMs not charging extra fees.

What Czech bank account do I need? Or: The smartest setup[edit]

Before looking for offers and opening an account, think about what exactly you want to do with it. If you keep your current bank account from your home country, you might need only a Czech account in CZK – and use e.g. Revolut or Transferwise for exchanging money from your old account to your new Czech one.

Revolut & Transferwise[edit]

Revolut & Transferwise are free multi-currency accounts: You have one account but balances in EUR, USD, CZK etc. And you can exchange money between these balances without any (big) spread. On Revolut for instance, you can exchange 100 EUR into CZK and back – and still have not (much) less than 100 EUR.

Currency exchange at Czech banks[edit]

This is much different with Czech banks: They have a different rate for buying EUR and selling EUR – and in between a spread. For instance, you would change 1 EUR into 25 CZK – and for changing these 25 CZK bank into EUR, a rate of 1 to 26 CZK is applied, giving you back only 0.96 EUR.

On average, you loose around 3% when exchanging EUR to CZK via a Czech bank. With Revolut, it is rarely over 1%.

Combine Revolut with a Czech bank account[edit]

This is why the smartest setup could be the following:

  • Get a Revolut or Transferwise Borderless Account
  • Get a simple, free Czech Bank Account with CZK only
  • If you need to receive money in another currency than CZK:
    • receive it on your Revolut or Transferwise account
    • exchange it there to CZK
    • send the CZK to your simple Czech bank account

Vice versa for sending EUR from your Czech account:

  • Send CZK to Revolut
  • Exchange it there to EUR
  • Send it from Revolut to where you want

Read more:

Isn't Revolut / Transferwise enough? Why a Czech account at all?[edit]

Since Revolut allows you sending and receiving CZK, you may think now: Why would I need a Czech account at all?

In Czechia, bank transfers follow a special system using "Variable, Constant & Specific symbol". To perfectly comply with these transfers, a Czech bank account is suitable.

See also[edit]