How can a newcomer open a bank account in the Czech Republic in 2026?

Expect a valid passport plus a second identity document such as a national ID or driving licence. Non-EU newcomers should also bring a long-term visa or biometric residence card and proof of why they are here: employment contract, study confirmation, or a signed lease (nájemní smlouva).

Many banks want a working Czech mobile number because internet banking and app payments use SMS authorisation codes. Get a local SIM early. Some branches also ask for a small opening deposit.

You can often open an account before rodné číslo arrives. Still, once the number is on your residence documents, return to the bank and update your profile so later digital services connect cleanly. See Get rodné číslo.

Choose a large retail bank with English-capable Prague or Brno branches if you need smoother onboarding. Branch practice varies more than marketing pages admit. One adviser may accept passport plus lease; another may push harder for residence-card detail.

Have your reported address ready. Banks ask where you live, and a messy Foreign Police gap creates avoidable friction. Finish address reporting first when private accommodation did not auto-register you.

After the account opens, set up rent standing orders, card payments, and any insurance premiums you must pay yourself. Public or commercial health cover can both need reliable payment paths; see Enrol in public health.

A bank statement can later support residence renewals, business filings, or proof of funds, but opening an account does not create a right to stay. Keep your visa or residence track on its own schedule through the Ministry of the Interior. See Apply for a residence permit.