The best bank in Czechia for a foreigner in 2026 is Air Bank, Fio banka, or ČSOB if you want a completely free account with no strings attached, and Raiffeisenbank if English-language app and support matter to you (this account is also free with no conditions). For currency exchange and travel, it's handy to add Revolut alongside your main Czech account.
There's no single "best" bank for everyone: the right choice depends on whether you have a residence permit, whether you speak Czech, whether you need an account for self-employment (OSVČ), and how often you withdraw cash abroad. Below is an honest comparison of seven banks covering maintenance fees, opening requirements, support language, and cash withdrawals. If you're just getting started, first read how to open an account at a Czech bank and which documents you'll need.
| Bank | Maintenance fee | Free-of-charge condition | English support | Cash withdrawal | For OSVČ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bank | CZK 0 | no conditions | no, Czech only | free at Air Bank, UniCredit Bank, Moneta, and Komerční banka ATMs | yes, free |
| Fio banka | CZK 0 | no conditions | limited | free at Fio ATMs | yes, free |
| ČSOB | CZK 0 | no conditions | yes, often at branches | free at ČSOB and Czech Post; other banks' ATMs in Czechia CZK 40; abroad CZK 40–100 | yes |
| Komerční banka | CZK 0 (Start tariff) | no conditions | limited | free within the shared KB, Moneta, Air Bank, and UniCredit ATM network | yes |
| Moneta | CZK 0 | no conditions | limited | free at all ATMs in Czechia and abroad (the ATM operator may still charge a fee) | yes |
| Raiffeisenbank | CZK 0 | no conditions (Chytrý účet) | yes, website and app | no bank commission in Czechia or abroad (watch out for DCC) | yes |
| Revolut | CZK 0 (Standard) | no conditions | yes | free up to 5 withdrawals or roughly CZK 4,500 (€200) per month, then 2% (min. €1) | yes (separate Business plan) |
Important: "fee-free maintenance" almost always just means there's no monthly account fee. International payments, cash withdrawals abroad, or currency exchange may cost extra, so always check the current tariff on the bank's website — prices and terms change from time to time.
A popular choice among foreigners thanks to its simple app and fully free account with no conditions. Since September 2025, customers can hold up to 10 accounts with no maintenance fee, including foreign-currency accounts in EUR and USD.
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A Czech bank with a free, no-strings-attached account and the ability to hold accounts in 14 currencies (CZK, EUR, USD, GBP, PLN, and more). A good option if you receive money from abroad.
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A large universal bank with an extensive network of branches and ATMs; English is often spoken at branches. The Plus Konto tariff is free with no conditions for everyone.
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One of the largest banks in the country. The former MůjÚčet is no longer offered to new customers; the current free basic option is the Start tariff, with CZK 0 maintenance, no conditions, and online setup.
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The Tom Plus account is free with no conditions and offers one of the best deals on cash withdrawals: the bank charges no commission at any ATM, either in Czechia or abroad.
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A bank that actively caters to foreigners: there's an English version of the website, online banking, and mobile app. The current account for new customers is Chytrý účet (which replaced eKonto Smart), free with no conditions.
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Technically not a Czech bank at all, but a service run by the Lithuanian Revolut Bank UAB with no physical branches — everything happens through the app. It works well as a supplementary account for currency exchange and travel, but with some caveats.
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Bottom line on Revolut: keep it as a secondary account alongside your main Czech one, and run your salary and rent payments through a bank with a Czech IBAN. The same logic applies to Wise — more on that in our guide to Wise and Revolut transfers.
If you're setting up as OSVČ (self-employed) in Czechia, a separate business account makes bookkeeping and taxes easier, even though the law doesn't always require one. Free business accounts are available from Fio banka, Air Bank, Raiffeisenbank, Moneta, and others — domestic and SEPA payments are usually fee-free. Accountants can help with bookkeeping and taxes, and immigration lawyers can help with your status paperwork.
EU citizens can open an account using a passport or ID card plus a Czech address. Non-EU citizens generally need a residence permit and a passport. Under EU directive, a basic payment account is available to EU residents in any member state.
Raiffeisenbank — the website and app are in English. ČSOB and other large banks often have English-speaking staff at branches. For documents and communication, translators can also help.
Yes, many banks (Air Bank, for example) require a Czech number and won't accept foreign ones. Get a Czech SIM card before heading to the bank.
Better not to rely on it alone. Because of the Lithuanian IBAN, not everywhere will accept it for salary or rent payments. Use Revolut as a supplement to your main Czech account.
A passport or ID card, a residence permit (for non-EU citizens), proof of a Czech address, and a Czech phone number. Foreign documents sometimes require a certified translation — see our guide on sworn/certified translation of documents in Czechia.
Decided on a bank? Move on to our step-by-step guide on how to open an account at a Czech bank, or browse all our guides to living in Czechia.
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