The best way to exchange currency in Czechia is at a no-commission směnárna (exchange office) offering a rate close to the official ČNB rate (around 24.2 CZK per 1 EUR as of July 2026), or by paying and withdrawing cash with a Revolut or Wise card at the interbank rate. The golden rule: always compare the offered rate against the Czech National Bank (ČNB) rate, and steer clear of exchange offices in Prague's tourist center, where rates can run 30–40% below market.
The law on směnárenská činnost (currency exchange activity) also gives you strong consumer protection: you can cancel an unfavorable deal free of charge within 3 hours and get your money back (up to the equivalent of 1,000 EUR). Below we explain how to pick a place to exchange money, how to read a kurzovní lístek (exchange rate board), and how to avoid the "0% commission" trick.
The rate you get depends less on the type of institution than on the specific location and method. Cash is best exchanged at an honest směnárna outside tourist areas; for card payments abroad and ATM withdrawals, multi-currency cards usually win out.
| Method | Rate | Fee | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Směnárna (exchange office) | Close to ČNB at honest ones, much worse at tourist-trap ones | Legally banned (except for coins and checks) | One-off cash exchange, if you check the rate first |
| Bank | Worse than a good směnárna, wide spread | Also legally banned on cash exchange; the markup is baked into the rate itself | Large sums where reliability and paperwork matter |
| Revolut / Wise | Interbank (mid-market) | 0–1%, depending on plan and day | Card payments and cash withdrawals abroad |
Note: a bank will almost always give you a worse rate than a good směnárna, but it issues an official document and suits larger sums. For details on opening an account and getting a Czech card, see our guides on how to open an account at a Czech bank and the best bank in Czechia for foreigners.
The Czech National Bank (ČNB) publishes the official exchange rate every business day at around 2:30 PM. This is not the rate at which you exchange money — it's a reference benchmark. It's also the rate a směnárna must use (the previous day's ČNB rate) to calculate your refund if you cancel a deal.
On July 16, 2026, the ČNB rate was around 24.2 CZK per 1 EUR. The exact figure changes daily — check the current kurzovní lístek on cnb.cz before exchanging. Rule of thumb: a good exchange office deviates from the ČNB rate by only 1–2%. If you're offered, say, 21 CZK per euro when the ČNB rate is 24.2 — that's outright robbery.
A směnárna's board displays two rates: nákup (the rate at which the office buys your currency — this is what applies to you when exchanging euros for crowns) and prodej (the rate at which it sells you currency). Tourist-trap exchange offices deliberately confuse customers by displaying a great prodej rate in large print, while the predatory nákup rate is shown in small type.
A telling example: the Chequepoint exchange chain in central Prague was offering tourists only about 15 CZK per euro — nearly 40% below the standard rate. ČNB fined the chain 1.2 million CZK and revoked its license, and the court sided with the regulator.
This is the key protection under the law on směnárenská činnost. If you realize you've been ripped off, you can cancel the deal and get your money back free of charge and without giving any reason. Conditions:
Always keep the doklad (receipt) from the transaction — a směnárna is legally required to issue one. For larger exchanges (over 1,000 EUR), demand written information about the rate and your rights before handing over cash. If an exchange office refuses to refund your money, file a complaint with ČNB or contact the finanční arbitr (financial ombudsman); in a disputed case, lawyers can also help.
The rule is simple: the closer you are to Wenceslas Square, Charles Bridge, or Old Town Square, the worse the rate. Good exchange offices are usually located slightly off the beaten path (Smíchov, Letná, or around metro stations outside the center). How to spot an honest směnárna:
For spending abroad and cash withdrawals, multi-currency cards are often better than any směnárna, since they use the interbank rate. Some 2026 details:
For a detailed comparison of plans, limits, and how to transfer money, see our guide transferring money from Czechia: Wise and Revolut. Tip: get one of these cards for everyday spending and withdraw crowns from an ATM, using a směnárna for cash only when you actually need it.
Use the official ČNB rate as your benchmark — around 24.2 CZK per 1 EUR as of July 2026. This is a reference rate; at an exchange office, you'll get slightly less when selling euros. Check cnb.cz for the current figure, as it changes daily.
Yes. By law, you have the right to cancel the deal within 3 hours at the same exchange office and get back up to the equivalent of 1,000 EUR — free of charge and without giving a reason. Keep your receipt (doklad).
No. An explicit commission on banknote exchange is already banned by law, and the "0%" slogan usually just masks a bad rate. Don't look at the commission — look at the final amount in crowns and compare it to the ČNB rate.
An honest směnárna outside the tourist center is almost always cheaper than a bank. Banks are convenient for large sums and official documentation, but their rates are worse.
Czechia is not part of the eurozone; its official currency is the Czech crown (CZK). Some tourist spots accept euros, but at a highly unfavorable in-house rate, with change given in crowns. It's better to pay by card in crowns or exchange euros at an honest směnárna.
A small amount for your first expenses is fine, but it's better to do your main exchange once in Czechia, or use a Revolut/Wise card. Rates at airports and train stations are typically the worst you'll find.
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