Living in Olomouc
Palacký University Olomouc, as well as Olomouc city, offer a variety of centres and midpoints where students, academic workers, guests, and the general public can learn and improve on the basis of educational, cross-cultural, multi-lingual and self-growth abilities, skills and habits for the journey of studies, work or life growth.
Dormitories
University students, employees and guests can choose from a variety of apartments and dormitories recommended by the university or they can reach for real estate agencies with individual preferences and requirements. It is possible to see the current state of every university type of accommodation as it is all digitalized through a virtual tour.
Housing and apartments
As the dormitories can accommodate only a limited number of students, there is also an option to rent a shared room or an apartment in the private sector. Sometimes students also reach for this option as it meets their specific accommodation preferences. It is usual for students to rent a whole apartment with their university colleagues and friends, so the rent for every member is comparable with the dormitory.
Students, academics and guests can reach out to several real estate agencies operating in Olomouc. Some groups and websites help international people with valuable information regarding accommodation or finding roommates and friends. We include links to real estate agencies, Facebook groups and hotel options in Olomouc:
Canteens and dining options
The Czech Republic has several typical foods that may surprise international visitors. However, the cuisine of the Czech Republic is quite all-embracing and foreign people can reach for almost all types of foods in Olomouc. Palacký University Olomouc usually provides students with canteens within a few minutes from dormitories, so they do not have to struggle to search for their favourite diner. There are also many restaurants in Olomouc that, in addition to the standard all-day menu, offer daily lunch menus at affordable prices. We present some dining options concerning UP canteens, restaurants, cafes and bistros.
Bank account services
Some foreign people must open a bank account to receive a payment or a scholarship from a university. It is possible to choose from several banks in the Czech Republic. To open a bank account, you must provide all the documents in English or Czech.
Mobile phone services
The Czech Republic has a wide range of mobile phone service providers. Some of them are more popular and desirable to customers than others. The main difference lies in their tariff options. Sometimes it is required to possess a Czech number to open a bank account, make an appointment, communicate with national authorities, or order online. However, if a customer has a SIM card from any other European Union country and does not need to do the mentioned actions above, there should not be any inconsistencies with the drawing of the services set by the preferable provider from another country.
Czech Language Courses
Learn Czech in Olomouc through a variety of options that fit different schedules and budgets: sign up for free courses offered by the city, take accredited university classes to earn credits, join informal conversation meetups to practice speaking with locals and other learners, or study at your own pace with online platforms and language apps.
At the University
| Language Seminars at the university | If you are a student at our university, there are seminars you can attend, get credits, and learn the Czech Language. |
| Summer School of Slavonic Studies | courses of Czech language designated for teachers, lectors and students of Czech language and literature, Slavonic studies, translators, journalists, businessmen and applicants from the general public interested in Czech language, literature and culture. The programme comprises of courses for beginners (A0) as well as advanced learners (C1). |
| Czech for Foreigners | Two-semester intensive preparatory courses (preparatory for a follow-up study at Palacký University). |
| UPLift | The Language School of the Faculty of Arts at Palacký University offers individual Czech language courses. You can attend the course individually or, for example, together with a friend. The course includes thematically focused lessons, continuous assessment, and concludes with a final test.The course also prepares participants for the Czech language exam required for permanent residence. |
Outside of University
| Centres for Support of Integration of Foreigners | The one in Olomouc offers free language courses in person. The one in Brno also offers courses in person but additionally has a Self-Learning Course of Czech Language. |
| Facebook Group Only English | If you want to converse with Czech of English speakers, you can join Only English - Olomouc group on FB. |
| Tandem App | Additionally, there is a handy app called Tandem where you can chat online with people speaking the languages you want to learn. |
| Česky levou zadní | For self-learners, META has developed a series of textbooks titled Levou zadní I–III, complemented by a grammar reference book. Each textbook covers a different language level: Levou zadní I (A1–A2), Levou zadní II (B1), and Levou zadní III (B1+). The grammar reference book, which is adapted for all levels, includes tables and explanations of grammatical phenomena up to level B1. Answer keys and glossaries for the textbooks are also available on the website. In addition to the textbooks, learners can register for the Levou zadní Online e-learning course or download the mobile application. |
If you are preparing for a final exam to receive permanent residency permission, here are some useful information regarding the examination.
There is also doskolyspolecne.cz which helps children from Ukrainian families learn Czech to integrate into normal school and social life.
Driving Licence
The following part contains information about the conditions and obligations of foreign nationals for using a driving licence in the Czech Republic.
Living costs in the Czech Republic
It is possible to declare that the Czech Republic is, comparing living costs among other EU countries, affordable. Living costs in the Czech Republic may differ mainly because of a different location, spending habits, accommodation choices and lifestyle. Still, the average range of living costs is between 10 000 and 20 000 CZK per month, including meals, accommodation, public transport and culture.
To see up to date what costs how much visit the Numbeo webpage which provides overview for Olomouc as well as other cities and also comparison of prizes.
Job opportunities
If you have a long-term residence permit or long-term visa and you are either:
a) student from EU/EEA countries and Switzerland, you can work in the Czech Republic. You do not need an employment permit, Employee Card or Blue Card to work in the Czech Republic. You can enjoy the same legal status as any other citizen of Czechia.
b) student coming from a third country enrolled in a full-time study programme at any Czech university or language institute accredited by the Czech Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports (MEYS), you can work in the Czech Republic. You do not need an employment permit.
For more information regarding the Free Access to the Labours Market, check the web page of the MOI. Some countries outside the EU have a free access to the labour market. Those countries are: Austrailia, New Zealand, USA, Canada, Great Britain, Israel, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore.
Be aware that the purpose of your stay as specified on your long-term visa or residence permit has to correspond to your actual activites. In other words, if you came here to study, your workload should not affect your studies. Although there is no legal limit, we recommend our full-time students to work about 20 hours/week at the most.
Public transport
Olomouc transportation is managed by a complex network of tram and bus lines. Tram lines transport passengers around the central parts of the city, whereas bus lines expand transport to peripheral parts, where there are no tram rails. In some instances of line exclusion, buses replace the trams.
The major operator is Olomouc Public Transport Company (Dopravní podnik města Olomouce, DPMO). For the timetables, tickets, fares, etc., please see the website of DPMO. You can also search your connections in the Integrated Transport System (IDOS.cz).
More information about tickets, main routes, etc. at the Arrival to UP section.
Sockets and Plugs
If you are coming to the Czech Republic from far away, it is possible that the electricity sockets and plugs in your country are not compatible with those in the Czech Republic. Here is a picture showing which plugs and sockets are used in the Czech Republic.
Most of the shops with electronic devices sell some kind of reduction so it should not be hard to obtain one that would fit your plug.