Prague

Under 90 days: No visa needed. Since Brexit, UK nationals can enter the Schengen Area visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This covers most summer internships and shorter placements. You just need a valid passport (with at least 3 months validity beyond your stay).

The 90/180 rule: This is a rolling window across the entire Schengen Area. If you spent 30 days in Spain earlier that year, you only have 60 days left for Prague. It catches people out.

Over 90 days: You'll need a long-term visa or work permit. This requires an internship agreement from your host company, proof of accommodation in Czechia, evidence of sufficient funds, and a clean criminal record. Processing takes 60-90 days - Czech bureaucracy is thorough. Start early.

What we do: For placements under 90 days, we provide documentation and guidance. For longer stays, we help coordinate with your host company on the visa application paperwork.

Prague is extremely safe. Numbeo's crime index rates it at 24.4 - compared to Berlin at 44.6 and Paris at 57.9. Over 91% of residents report feeling safe walking alone during the day, and 74% at night. Violent crime against foreigners is very rare.

What to watch for: Pickpocketing in tourist hotspots (Old Town Square, Charles Bridge, tram 22, Prague Castle). Keep your phone in a front pocket in crowded tram stations. Taxi scams - always use Bolt, Liftago, or negotiate the price before getting in. Overcharging in tourist-trap restaurants near the Astronomical Clock - eat where locals eat.

Night safety: Prague's nightlife is generally safe but drink spiking occurs (as in any European city). Use common sense. The night tram network runs until 4:30 AM, so you never need to walk home alone.

Your GHIC works here. The Global Health Insurance Card (post-Brexit replacement for EHIC) entitles you to state-provided healthcare in Czechia on the same terms as a Czech citizen - either free or at a reduced cost. Apply via the NHS website before you go (it's free).

Czech healthcare quality: Generally good. Hospitals in Prague are modern and well-equipped. GP visits and emergency care are covered by GHIC. Dental and specialist care may have co-payments.

Still get travel insurance: GHIC doesn't cover repatriation, rescue, theft, lost luggage, or flight cancellations. A basic policy costs £30-60 for a 3-month stay - much cheaper than for destinations like Bali because there's no extreme-sport risk factor.

Vinohrady (Prague 2): The most popular neighbourhood with young professionals and expats. Beautiful tree-lined streets, excellent cafes and restaurants, and well-connected by metro. Room in a shared flat: £380-500/mo (10,500-14,000 CZK). The priciest option, but worth it if budget allows.

Žižkov (Prague 3): The budget pick. Historically working-class, now full of students, artists, and cheap pubs. Has more pubs per square metre than any other neighbourhood in Europe (allegedly). Room: £280-380/mo (8,000-10,500 CZK). Gritty but authentic.

Karlín (Prague 8): The tech hub. Modern offices, co-working spaces, trendy restaurants. Rebuilt after devastating floods in 2002, so the infrastructure is new. Room: £350-450/mo (10,000-12,500 CZK). Best for tech interns - many startups are based here.

Smíchov (Prague 5): Affordable and practical. Good metro access, a large shopping centre, and proximity to the river. Room: £300-400/mo (8,500-11,000 CZK). Less character than Žižkov but more convenient.

Old Town (Prague 1): Don't live here. It's beautiful but expensive, overrun with tourists, and noisy at night. Save it for weekend walks.

Prague has a continental climate - meaning proper seasons, unlike London's eternal grey.

Summer (Jun-Aug): Warm to hot, 25-35°C. Long daylight hours. Outdoor beer gardens everywhere. The city comes alive. Best time for an internship if you want good weather.

Spring (Mar-May) & Autumn (Sep-Nov): Mild and beautiful, 8-20°C. Fewer tourists. Cherry blossoms in spring, golden leaves in autumn. Excellent for exploring.

Winter (Dec-Feb): Cold. Average -2°C to 3°C, can drop to -10°C or below. Snow is common and makes the city magical - but you need a proper winter coat, layers, and waterproof boots. Christmas markets in December are spectacular (and the mulák/svařené víno - mulled wine - is about £2).

Prague's public transport (PID) is genuinely outstanding - and absurdly cheap by UK standards.

The system: 3 metro lines, 30+ tram routes (including night trams until 4:30 AM), and an extensive bus network. Trams run every 4-8 minutes during the day. The metro is clean, efficient, and safe.

Cost: Monthly pass: 550 CZK (£19). Annual pass: 3,650 CZK (£130). Single ride (30 min): 36 CZK (£1.27) via the Lítačka app. For comparison, a London Zone 1-2 monthly Oyster cap is £160+.

Get the Lítačka app: Buy tickets digitally, load your monthly pass, and use contactless. No need for paper tickets.

Prague Castle and Charles Bridge (touristy but still impressive), Petřín Hill for city views, Letná Park beer garden overlooking the Vltava, Vytšehrad fortress at sunset. Day trips to Český Krumlov (UNESCO fairy tale), Kutná Hora (bone church), Karlštejn Castle. Cheap Ryanair/Wizz flights to Berlin (£15), Budapest (£20), Vienna (£25) - four European capitals within an hour's flight. Our intern community organises group trips.

It's a genuine mix. Tech, business services, and larger international companies often offer stipends of £200-600/month. Tourism and hospitality roles sometimes include free accommodation and meals instead. NGO positions are usually unpaid. Compared to destinations like Bali where almost everything is unpaid, Prague offers a real chance of some income - though don't expect to live on it alone.

Potentially, yes. The Turing Scheme funds international placements through participating UK universities. You cannot apply directly - check with your university's placement or international office. Czech Republic is an established destination. The scheme covers travel and living expenses and is confirmed through the 2026-27 academic year. We provide all the documentation your university will need.

Most UK universities accept international placements if they meet their learning criteria. Prague is a well-recognised destination for European work placements. We provide formal documentation including learning agreements, supervisor reports, and internship confirmations. If your university has specific requirements, share them with us early and we'll ensure compliance. We have experience with placement year, sandwich year, and year in industry formats.

Not for work. All our placements operate in English. That said, learning basics like "děkuji" (thank you), "prosím" (please/you're welcome), and "pivo, prosím" (beer, please - you'll use this one a lot) makes daily life smoother and earns genuine appreciation from locals. Czech is one of the hardest European languages for English speakers, so nobody will judge you for sticking to basics.

Minimum 8-12 weeks for a meaningful experience. For a placement year, 5-6 months is ideal. Under 90 days keeps you visa-free, which simplifies logistics enormously. If you want longer, start the long-term visa process 3 months before your intended start date. Most of our placements run 3-6 months.

Very safe. Prague consistently ranks among the safest European capitals for women. Public transport runs until 4:30 AM (night trams), streets are well-lit in residential areas, and the intern/expat community is large and welcoming. Standard precautions apply - avoid isolated areas late at night, be aware of drink spiking at bars (as anywhere in Europe), and use reputable taxi apps. Our local team provides a safety briefing on arrival and is available for support.

Žižkov (Prague 3) is the budget champion - rooms from £280/mo in a shared flat, and more pubs per capita than anywhere in Prague. Smíchov (Prague 5) is also affordable with good metro access (£300-400/mo). Avoid Prague 1 (Old Town) and Malá Strana - beautiful but overpriced and tourist-heavy. Properties near metro stations command a 5-10% premium (1,000-2,500 CZK extra), but the convenience is usually worth it.

Yes. In a traditional Czech pub, a half-litre (pint) of draught Pilsner costs 45-65 CZK (£1.60-2.30), while a small bottle of still water on the same menu often costs 49 CZK or more. This is because beer is taxed lower in Czechia (it's a cultural staple, not a luxury), and restaurants only serve bottled water, not tap. Tap water is perfectly safe though - carry a refillable bottle. The Czech Republic has the highest beer consumption per capita in the world (140 litres per person per year). You will fit right in.