Teach English in Czechia
The Ultimate 2026 Guide to Prague, the Zivno Visa, and Life in Central Europe.
Czechia (the Czech Republic) is the undisputed TEFL capital of Central Europe. With its fairy-tale architecture, rich history, and legendary beer culture, it attracts thousands of expats every year. In 2026, the demand for English teachers is heavily driven by Business English for adults and private tutoring.
For EU citizens, moving here is seamless. For Non-EU citizens (Americans, Canadians, etc.), Czechia offers a unique pathway: the Živnostenský list (Zivno). This freelance trade license allows you to legally contract with multiple language schools and private students, giving you total control over your schedule.
While the Zivno visa is a golden ticket, the bureaucracy is notoriously complex. Having a myTEFL 120-hour certificate is essential to prove your qualifications to the government. Because the paperwork can take months, many teachers use our placement service to start navigating the visa maze before they even board a flight to Prague.
Quick Facts
What’s in this guide?
Your roadmap to Bohemia and Moravia. Learn how to conquer the Zivno visa, budget in Koruna, and find the best teaching gigs in Prague and Brno.
- The TEFL jobs market in Czechia
- Language Schools vs. Freelance Tutoring
- Teacher Salary in Czech Koruna (CZK)
- The Zivno Visa (Freelance Trade License)
- Requirements for 2026
- School Terms & Split Shifts
- Cost of living: Prague vs. Brno
- Where to teach: Prague, Brno, Ostrava
- Getting hired: The Placement Route
- Czechia TEFL FAQs
The TEFL jobs market in Czechia
The Czech market is dynamic and entrepreneurial. Unlike Asia, where you sign a 12-month contract with one school that dictates your entire schedule, teaching in Czechia is mostly freelance-based.
Almost all Private Language Schools will hire you as an independent contractor rather than an employee. You will bill them monthly for the hours you teach. This means you can work for two or three different language centers simultaneously while also taking on private students.
The highest demand is for Business English. Czechia has a massive export economy and a thriving tech scene, meaning adult professionals need English to operate globally. If you have a TEFL certificate and any sort of corporate or business background, you can charge premium hourly rates.
- Population: 10.5 million
- Language(s): Czech
- Currency: Czech Koruna (CZK)
- Capital city: Prague
- Estimated salary: 35,000 - 45,000 CZK
- Public Holidays: 13 days
- Climate: Continental (Cold Winters)
- Main Transport: Trams & Metro
- Internet: Fast & Accessible
Types of English teaching jobs in Czechia
From running corporate workshops in Prague to tutoring students online.
Private Language Schools
The standard entry point. You work as a contractor. Schools often send you to corporate offices in the mornings and have you teach kids/teens in the late afternoon.
Freelance Private Tutoring
Because you are legally self-employed, you can find your own students. This pays the highest rate, but you must handle your own marketing and cancellations.
English Preschools
A growing sector. These are usually full-time employment contracts (rather than freelance). You work mornings/early afternoons with young learners.
International Schools
Elite schools offering British or American curricula. These jobs pay Western salaries but strictly require a full state teaching license.
TEFL teacher salary in Czechia
Czechia is a "break-even" or "lifestyle" destination. You will not get rich teaching here, but you will earn enough to live comfortably in one of Europe's most beautiful countries.
In 2026, an average teacher working 20-25 hours a week earns between 35,000 and 45,000 CZK ($1,500 - $1,900 USD) per month.
Because most teachers are on a Zivno (freelance) visa, you must pay your own taxes and health insurance. You must budget approximately 6,000 - 8,000 CZK per month for your social security and public health insurance contributions.
Monthly Salary Range (CZK)
| Language School (Monthly Avg) | 35,000 - 45,000 |
| Hourly Rate (Academies) | 300 - 450 / hr |
| Hourly Rate (Private) | 400 - 600 / hr |
| Taxes & Insurance (Zivno) | ~ 6,000 - 8,000 (Cost) |
| Rent (Shared Apt in Prague) | 10,000 - 15,000 |
The Zivno Visa (Freelance License)
For EU citizens, you can arrive and start working immediately without a visa.
For Non-EU citizens, the Živnostenský list (Zivno) is your lifeline. This is a freelance trade license that allows you to live in Czechia for a year (renewable) and invoice schools for your teaching hours.
The 2026 Zivno Requirements
You must apply at a Czech embassy outside of Czechia. You will need: A Bachelor's Degree, a clean FBI/RCMP background check (apostilled), proof of accommodation in Czechia for a year, and proof of funds (approx. $7,500 USD) in a bank account in your name.
The process is heavily bureaucratic and all documents must be officially translated into Czech. Because one mistake can result in a 3-month delay, almost all successful applicants use a visa agency or a placement service to handle the paperwork.
Requirements to teach English in Czechia
Czech language schools have high standards, and the government requires specific documents for the Zivno visa.
- Bachelor’s Degree Mandatory for the Visa. You need a degree in any field. The government requires this to prove your qualifications for the trade license.
- 120-Hour TEFL Certificate Essential. A TEFL certificate is required by almost every reputable language school to secure enough hours to sustain yourself.
- Bank Balance (Proof of Funds) To get the Zivno visa, you must provide a bank statement showing you have at least 156,500 CZK (approx. $7,500 USD) to support yourself.
- Clean Criminal Record You must provide an apostilled background check from your home country.
School Terms & Split Shifts
Hiring Season: The massive hiring peak is in September as the academic year starts, with a secondary peak in January. However, because freelancers turn over regularly, jobs open up year-round.
The "Split Shift"
Because you teach adults before they go to work and kids after they finish school, you will likely work a "split shift." E.g., teaching from 7:30 AM to 9:30 AM, having a long break, and teaching again from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
This schedule is ideal for those who want their mid-days free to study, go to the gym, or explore the city.
Cost of living & Savings in Czechia
Inflation has hit Prague in recent years, making it more expensive than it was a decade ago, but it remains cheaper than Western Europe.
Housing: Rent is your biggest expense. A 1-bedroom apartment in Prague costs 18,000 - 25,000 CZK. Because of this, the vast majority of English teachers live in shared apartments ("flatshares"), where a private room costs 10,000 - 14,000 CZK.
Food & Transport: Beer is famously cheap (often cheaper than water at restaurants, around $2.50 USD a pint). An annual public transport pass in Prague is heavily subsidized and costs only about $160 USD for the whole year—an incredible deal.
Monthly Budget (Single Teacher)
| Rent (Room in Flatshare) | 10,000 - 15,000 CZK |
| Zivno Taxes & Health Ins. | 6,000 - 8,000 CZK |
| Groceries & Dining | 6,000 - 9,000 CZK |
| Transport | 500 CZK |
| Leisure/Nightlife | 4,000 - 7,000 CZK |
Where to teach English in Czechia?
While Prague dominates the conversation, the regional capitals offer authentic culture and lower rents.
Prague (Praha)
The undisputed hub. 90% of TEFL jobs are here. It has a massive expat community, endless nightlife, and the highest concentration of corporate language contracts.
Brno
The second-largest city and the capital of Moravia. It is a massive university town with a vibrant, youthful energy, great café culture, and cheaper rent than Prague.
Ostrava
A gritty, industrial city in the east that is rapidly modernizing. Very few tourists and very low cost of living. Ideal if you want a purely authentic, non-touristy experience.
Olomouc & Plzeň
Beautiful, historic university towns. Plzeň is famous for its beer (Pilsner) and proximity to Germany. Jobs are fewer, but the quality of life is spectacular.
How to get a job in Czechia
The Zivno Visa process is heavy on paperwork and official translations. You can navigate it alone, or use our placement service to get setup with a job and visa guidance simultaneously.
The Independent Route
Get certified and apply to schools directly. You will likely need to hire a local "Visa Guru" or agency in Prague to help you process the Zivno trade license.
- Flexibility: Choose your own schools and hours.
- Recognition: myTEFL is accepted by language centers.
- Logistics: You manage the Zivno application yourself.
myTEFL Job Placement
Skip the headache. We connect you with reputable schools in Prague and provide dedicated assistance with the complex Zivno visa process.
- Visa Support: Help securing the Zivno contractor visa.
- Vetted Schools: Secured interviews with top academies.
- Arrival Help: Guidance on housing and health insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Crucial info for the 2026 Czech teaching landscape.