Practical Information

Credit cards

International credit cards are accepted such as Eurocard/MasterCard, American Express, VISA, Diner’s Club, Japan Credit Bureau, Access and Carte Blanche etc.

Money exchange

You can change money at the airport and at all public transport stations, banks, and bureau de changes, but please first check the exchange rate to see if it is okay. Warning: Never change money in the street!

There is a bureau de change at the main railway station (entrance hall), so you can change money immediately after you arrive. Other bureaus are at Riegrova 11, the Information Centre, Horní nám. 1 (inside the town hall), and at Švédská 10. There are also many ATMs in Olomouc which accept all standard payment cards.

Foreigner-friendly banks in Olomouc

Komerční banka
www.kb.cz
Address: třída Svobody 14
Opening hours: Mon to Fri: 9 am - 5 pm
Languages spoken: English
Tel.: +420 955 564 163

Česká spořitelna
www.csas.cz
Address: třída Svobody 19
Opening hours: Mon to Fri: 9 am - 5 pm
Languages spoken: English
Tel.: +420 956 758 061

Raiffeisenbank
www.rb.cz
Address: náměstí hrdinů 1
Opening hours: Mon to Fri: 9 am - 5 pm
Languages spoken: Englis
Tel.: +420 585 206 932

ČSOB
www.csob.cz
Address: Horní náměstí 6
Opening hours: Mon to Fri: 9am - 12:30 pm and 1:30 pm - 5 pm
Languages spoken: English
Tel.: +420 585 501 333

GE Money Bank
www.gemoneybank.cz
Address: Opletalova 2
Opening hours: Mon to Fri: 9 am - 5 pm
Languages spoken: English
Tel.: +420 585 205 771

Sberbank
www.sberbankcz.cz
Address: Horní náměstí 17
Opening hours: Mon to Thu: 8:30am - 4:30pm, Fri: 8:30 am - 4 pm
Languages spoken: English
Tel.: +420 800 133 444

Fio banka
www.fio.cz
Address: Dolní náměstí 20, 779 00
Opening hours: Mon to Thu: 8:30 am - 6 pm, Fri 8:30 am - 5 pm
Languages spoken English, German
Tel.:+420 224 346 920

Emergency Numbers

European central emergency number (guaranteed assistance in English) – 112
Emergency road service - 1230, 1240

Private accommodation

If you prefer private accommodation, check out the Facebook group Spolubydlení Olomouc. It is very popular among Czech students offering rooms or looking for a new housemate.

Remember that if you stay over 90 days in the Czech Republic and live in a private flat/house you will need to register at the Foreign Police office (even if you are an EU citizen).

Topping up your account via ID card

Before ordering a meal, you first need to top up your ID card either at the cash desk office of the UP Main Canteen (on the left of the main entrance to the hall, far end of the corridor), any snack bar at the dormitories front desks, the snack bar of the Neředín Canteen, or the fast food bar in the Main Canteen (upstairs).

It is also possible to set up an online direct debit payment for dining.

Ordering meals

There are several ways to order a meal: through the website, via Portal, in person using the terminals in each canteen, and also via the Android application which you can download at Google Play.

Find step-by-step instructions HERE.

Types

Please note that there may be differences based on the type of the programme, length of your stay or cooperation agreement. Students, who participate in the Orientation Week, are always informed about their eligibility criteria.

• ISIC Card

International Student Identity Card is recommended to degree and short-term international students studying/staying at UP for more than 3 months. This card is also good as a discount card at many sites and at places such as movie theatres. For more information about ISIC see: www.isic.cz/en/

Price: 200 CZK refundable deposit + 250 for the international licence

• Blue ID card with a photo

The so-called "blue ID card with a photo" is used in electronic services at Palacký University in the same way as the ISIC card, however, does not provide the benefits of ISIC card. It is recommended to students staying for more than 30 days and less than 90 days. It is a great alternative for students who already have ISIC from their home university.

Price: 200 CZK refundable deposit

• Blue ID card without a photo

The so-called "blue ID card without a photo" is intended for UP visitors who need to access the university premises including basic services.

How to get an ID card

ID cards are issued at the UP Computer Centre (CVT) located at the UP Library (Biskupské náměstí 1, the "Armoury" / "Zbrojnice" building) on the 3rd floor. Do not forget to check their opening hours.

If you attend the Orientation Week, simply follow the instructions you receive there. The Central IRO organizes ISIC Point at which you will be able to apply and pay for your ISIC card. If not, follow the steps below for trouble-free acquisition of the card.

1. Request an ID card application form from the Central IRO or HERE.
2. Check whether you are registered in the UP Information System via the UP Portal
   Go to www.portal.upol.cz/contacts "student search". Enter your first and last name. If you see the card number, Portal ID, email and STAG login under your name, you may apply to collect the card. If not, wait a little longer. The process takes 1- 3 days from the time the data is entered in the system. If you still cannot find yourself, see the Faculty International Relations officer.
3. Pay 200/450 CZK at the main UP cash office (Pokladna) and keep the receipt
   The cash office is situated in the main courtyard at Křížkovského 8. If you cannot find the cash office, ask any student or employee at the front desk of the UP Rector's Office for help.
4. Fill out the application form, bring the 200/450 CZK receipt from the cash office, a photo, and your passport
   Bring a passport photo (please do not stick the photo on the application form, but write your name on the back side and just attach it with a clip to the form) and a completed application form to the ID card office. Do not forget to bring a form of identity, preferably a passport (EU citizens a national ID card).
5. Wait 24 hours
   Your card will be ready the following day, all you need to do is sign a contract. If the card gets lost or destroyed during the semester, first you have to pay 200 CZK again at the cash office and only then you can apply for a new one at the ID card office. The international validity of the card can be renewed each year with a revalidation sticker. After logging into the UP Portal you will find out how to pay. The payment must be made by transfer or money order at the post office. It is not possible to pay at the ID card office; you have to already have the payment receipt.
   If there are any problems with the ISIC card, visit the ID card office. There they will run a test to see what the problem with the card is.
6. Before you go back home
   Remember to collect the money left on the card at the canteen checkout (meal credit) or at the computer lab admins' office (copy credit). Unless you wish to keep the card, and provided the card has not been damaged, you can return it and get back the 200 CZK. You can arrange to return the card shortly before leaving within office hours at the ID card office.

Find more information on ID Cards at the Computer Centre (CVT) website: https://cvt.upol.cz/en/identificationcards/

You can also join a local gym – Sportcentrum Best, Help Fitness Club, Omega or FitCentrum Gambare. At the Regional Centre Olomouc there is the Help Fitness Prestige gym, and another sports venue, the Koruna Club, has great squash courts. There are also lots of places to play tennis, miniature golf and paintball. The same applies to bowling. If you love the water, check out the Olomouc swimming pool or the Aquapark. Interested in dancing? Visit one of the local dance schools or try one of the Latin dance halls for more information. You can also join the Facebook group Salsa/Bachata/Zouk/WCS in Olomouc. Before you start exploring the city, have a look at what the university sports centre has to offer.

Academic Sports Centre (UP ASC)

The contact point of the UP ASC is situated next to the main entrance of the Palacký University Sports Hall (next to the bike shop). You can buy membership passes for the sports programmes there as well. If you have any questions about the sports programmes, please check the Facebook page of the Academic Sports Centre or email: babeta.vankova@upol.cz, tomas.valenta@upol.cz.

Every year, the UP ASC organizes a whole range of various courses. In winter you can even go skiing, learn to snowboard or try snowblading. For adventurous souls there are snowshoe hikes with nights spent in hunting cabins. In summer you can go for an outdoor adventure course of windsurfing or paragliding. For a complete list of all the courses, check the UP ASC website. You can also just rent skis or a tent and experience adventure on your own.

Address and contact:
Sportovní hala (UP Sports Hall),
U sportovní haly 554/2a, Olomouc
web: www.akademikolomouc.cz  
https://www.facebook.com/Akademik-sport-centrum-UP-150393114498 

Sport programmes

There are two types of sport programmes for UP students. The basic programme “Základní program” covers a wide range of sport activities – ball games, dances, aerobics, etc. The specialized programme “Speciální program” focuses on the more exotic sports – climbing, indoor cycling, archery, etc. The whole programme range is available on the UP website at the beginning of each semester (search in Czech). In order to participate you need to first buy a sports pass. Bring your ISIC and one passport photo. The Basic Programme pass is about 600/1,000 CZK per semester/year. Although you are asked to select one sport of preference you want to attend, you are allowed to attend any other sport from the Basic Programme unless they are full. The cost of the Specialized Programme pass varies depending on the selected sport. You can buy the sports card in the first two weeks of the semester at the central canteen (třída 17. listopadu). The UP ASC staff will be there with a printed list of programmes to help you choose the best option for you and tell you more about the courses. The sports passes are available for sale at their office.

Are you into running? Check the regular running practices by Jogito ergo sum www.facebook.com/Radostzpohybu , a project coordinated by the Faculty of Physical Culture.