Czech Republic
Europe · Prague · CZK (Czech Koruna)
Economy & industry overview
The Czech Republic is a high-income, open economy in Central Europe, deeply integrated into EU supply chains and strongly oriented toward manufacturing and exports. The automotive, engineering, electronics, and machinery sectors form the backbone of industrial output, with Germany as the dominant trade partner. The services sector, including financial services, IT, and tourism, accounts for roughly 60% of GDP. After a mild contraction in 2023, the economy returned to positive growth in 2024 driven by recovering household consumption and strong labour-market conditions. The Czech koruna remains the national currency; the country has not yet adopted the euro.
Key sectors
Learn everything about Czech Republic →Macro
| GDP nominal, USD | $345.04B |
| GDP growth real, annual | 1.1% |
| Inflation annual | 2.4% |
| Population people | 10.9M |
| GDP per capita USD | $31,660 |
| Market cap total listed, USD | $65.80B |
| Market cap / GDP | 19.1% |
| Unemployment | 2.7% |
| Listed companies | 27 |
| Exchange | Prague Stock Exchange (PSE) |
Data year: 2024. Sources: World Bank – GDP (current US$), 2024, IMF World Economic Outlook, October 2024, Czech Statistical Office (ČSÚ), Czech Ministry of Finance – Macroeconomic Forecast 2024, Prague Stock Exchange (PSE) – Market Statistics 2024, CEIC Data – PSE Market Capitalization 2024, FocusEconomics – Czech Republic Unemployment 2024, Wikipedia – Economy of the Czech Republic, Wikipedia – Prague Stock Exchange, TheGlobalEconomy.com – Czechia GDP 2024.
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LatviaLargest listed companies
The biggest companies on the main local exchange, by market capitalisation.
| # | Company | Sector | Market capUSD | US listing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ČEZ, a.s.CEZ · PSE | Energy & Utilities | $18.50B | — |
| 2 | Erste Group Bank AGERSTE · PSE | Banking & Financial Services | $17.80B | — |
| 3 | Komerční banka, a.s.KOMB · PSE | Banking & Financial Services | $6.40B | — |
| 4 | Moneta Money Bank, a.s.MONET · PSE | Banking & Financial Services | $2.20B | — |
| 5 | Philip Morris ČR a.s.TABAK · PSE | Consumer Goods – Tobacco | $1.35B | — |
| 6 | Colt CZ Group SECOLT · PSE | Defence & Firearms | $1.05B | — |
| 7 | CPI Property Group S.A.CPIPG · PSE | Real Estate | $1.60B | — |
| 8 | O2 Czech Republic a.s.TELEC · PSE | Telecommunications | $1.40B | — |
| 9 | Kofola ČeskoSlovensko a.s.KOFOL · PSE | Consumer Goods – Beverages | $280.00M | — |
| 10 | Česká zbrojovka Group SE (CZG)CZG · PSE | Defence & Firearms | $950.00M | — |
| 11 | Avast plc (Gen Digital, formerly)— · PSE | Information Technology – Cybersecurity | — | GEN |
| 12 | Pegas Nonwovens SAPEGAS · PSE | Industrials – Nonwoven Fabrics | $290.00M | — |
| 13 | Vienna Insurance Group AG (VIG)VIG · PSE | Insurance | $4.80B | — |
US-traded ETFs
Funds listed in the US that give exposure to this market, the simplest route for many US investors.
| ETF | Scope | Expense ratioannual % | Exposure% of fund |
|---|---|---|---|
| VWOVanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF · Vanguard | Broad EM | 0.08% | 0% |
| EEMViShares MSCI Emerging Markets Min Vol Factor ETF · BlackRock / iShares | Broad EM | 0.25% | 0% |
| GURSPDR S&P Emerging Europe ETF · State Street / SPDR | Regional Delisted | 0.49% | 5% |
| CEEThe Central and Eastern Europe Fund, Inc. · BlackRock / iShares | Regional | 0.69% | 4% |
| EEMiShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF · BlackRock / iShares | Broad EM | 0.70% | 0% |
Local exchange & access
| Exchange | Prague Stock Exchange |
| Code | PSE |
| Website | www.pse.cz/en/ |
| Currency | CZK |
Local broker access
Foreign investors can access Prague Stock Exchange-listed securities through international brokers offering European market access (e.g., Interactive Brokers, DEGIRO, Saxo Bank, and local Czech brokers such as Patria Finance and Fio banka). Equities trade in CZK. Settlement follows the T+2 standard under EU rules. PSE is part of the Euronext group, which provides integrated clearing and settlement infrastructure. Withholding tax on dividends for non-residents is generally 15% under Czech law, subject to applicable tax treaties.
Global brokers with foreign-market access
- Interactive Brokers — Direct access to 90+ markets worldwide, including many emerging exchanges.
- Saxo Bank — Multi-market access across Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
- Charles Schwab (Global) — Foreign ordinary shares on select markets; US-listed ADRs and ETFs.
- Fidelity International Trading — International stock trading on a number of developed and emerging markets.
Listed for convenience only. Not a recommendation. Available markets, fees and onboarding rules differ by broker and by your country of residence.
Relocation & residency
Investment visa / residency programme
Grants No formal investment-migration programme
The Czech Republic does not operate a formal golden visa or citizenship-by-investment programme. EU/EEA/Swiss nationals have freedom of movement and right of residence. Non-EU nationals may obtain long-term residence permits through employment, business activity, or family reunification, but there is no dedicated investment-linked fast-track residency route. The Czech government has not legislated a structured investment-migration scheme as of 2024–2025.
Need help applying? Specialist investment-migration advisers such as Henley & Partners.
Foreign-investor access
EU and EEA citizens may reside and work in the Czech Republic freely. Non-EU nationals typically require a long-term visa or residence permit based on employment, self-employment, or family ties. The Czech Republic is a Schengen Area member. A biometric residence permit is required for stays beyond 90 days for third-country nationals. Permanent residence is available after 5 years of continuous legal stay.
US-listed ADRs & cross-listings
Companies from this country whose shares also trade in the US, investable in a normal US brokerage account.
| Company | US ticker | Local ticker | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Erste Group Bank AG | EBKDY | ERSTE | Erste Group trades as an OTC ADR in the US (EBKDY) and is also listed on the Vienna and Prague Stock Exchanges. It provides indirect exposure to the Czech banking market through its Česká spořitelna subsidiary, which is one of the Czech Republic's largest banks. |
| Gen Digital Inc. (formerly Avast/NortonLifeLock) | GEN | — | Gen Digital was formed from the merger of NortonLifeLock and Czech cybersecurity firm Avast in 2022. Gen Digital is incorporated in the US and listed on NASDAQ; it is the successor to Prague-listed Avast, which was delisted after the merger. It retains significant Czech operational heritage and R&D presence. |
| Vienna Insurance Group AG (VIG) | VIG | VIG is listed on the Vienna and Prague stock exchanges but does not have a formal US ADR programme. OTC trading in its shares may be possible through some US brokers, but there is no established US ADR ticker. |