You've probably looked at the screen, seen the numbers, and wondered if you should wait another week. It’s the classic traveler’s or expat’s dilemma. If you're dealing with the Czech koruna to euro exchange, you're currently navigating a landscape that is far more stable than it was two years ago, yet strangely unpredictable.
Honestly, the Czech Republic is in a bit of a weird spot right now. Bulgaria just joined the eurozone on January 1st, 2026, leaving Czechia as one of the few holdouts in Central Europe. While people keep talking about "when" the koruna will disappear, the reality on the ground in Prague is that the koruna isn't going anywhere soon. Andrej Babiš, who won the late 2025 elections, has been pretty vocal about not wanting to adopt the euro anytime soon.
The Current State of the Koruna
Right now, as of mid-January 2026, the exchange rate is hovering around 0.041 EUR for 1 CZK. Or, if you prefer looking at it the other way, 1 EUR gets you roughly 24.2 to 24.3 CZK.
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It’s been remarkably resilient.
Why? Because the Czech National Bank (CNB) has been playing a very cautious game. While other central banks were slashing rates aggressively, Governor Aleš Michl and his board have kept the key repo rate steady at 3.5%. They are terrified of service-sector inflation, which is still being driven by people spending their higher wages on dining out and travel.
If you're waiting for a massive jump in the koruna’s value, don't hold your breath. Most analysts, including those from the Czech Banking Association, expect the currency to stay "broadly stable." This basically means it might wiggle by a few pennies, but the days of wild 5% swings in a single month seem to be over for now.
Why You Shouldn’t Wait for Euro Adoption
There is a huge misconception that because Czechia is in the EU, it has to switch to the euro "next year."
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Not true.
The Czech government has consistently declined to set a target date. Even though President Petr Pavel has been pushing for "concrete steps," the political reality is that the public is still largely skeptical. According to the latest assessments from the Ministry of Finance, the country didn't even meet all the "Maastricht criteria" required for entry last year.
What this means for your money:
- Business as usual: You will continue to need koruna for your rent, beer, and tram tickets in Prague.
- Dual pricing: You'll see more shops (like major grocery chains) showing prices in both currencies, but their internal exchange rates are usually terrible.
- Investment: The Prague Stock Exchange actually outperformed many global markets in 2025. If you're holding koruna, it might be worth looking at local dividend-heavy stocks rather than just dumping it all into a euro savings account.
Real Examples of Exchange Pitfalls in 2026
I see people making the same mistakes every single day at the Václav Havel Airport or near Old Town Square.
Last week, a friend of mine swapped 500 euros at a "0% commission" booth. He thought he was getting a deal. He ended up with about 10,500 CZK. At the actual market rate, he should have received nearly 12,100 CZK. He basically paid a 13% "invisible tax" because the spread—the difference between the buy and sell price—was massive.
Never trust the 0% commission sign. Instead, look for places like Exchange.cz near Maiselova street or use digital banks like Revolut or Wise. These apps usually give you the mid-market rate, which is the "real" rate you see on Google. If you’re an expat living here, Jan Stránský, a wealth manager at WOOD & Company, suggests setting a regular schedule to convert your income rather than trying to "time the market." It reduces the risk of getting hit by a sudden, temporary dip in the Czech koruna to euro rate.
The 2026 Outlook: Inflation and Rates
The Czech economy is expected to grow by about 2.2% to 2.4% this year. That’s solid, but not spectacular. Inflation has finally cooled down to around 2.1%, which is a huge relief after the double-digit nightmares of 2023.
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There is some talk that the CNB might finally cut interest rates in the summer of 2026. If they do, the koruna might weaken slightly against the euro. Why? Because lower interest rates make the currency less attractive to international investors. If you have a large amount of koruna you need to turn into euros, you might want to do it before June, just in case those rate cuts trigger a minor slide.
Actionable Steps for Your Currency Strategy
Don't just watch the ticker. Do this instead:
- Check the "VIP" rates: Many exchange offices in Prague offer a better rate if you are exchanging more than 1,000 EUR. Ask for it.
- Avoid Euronet ATMs: They are everywhere. They will offer you "guaranteed" exchange rates. Decline it. Always choose "Withdraw without conversion" and let your home bank do the math.
- Use Koruna for Local Debt: If you have a mortgage or loan in Czechia, keep your money in CZK. The interest rates on Czech savings accounts (currently around 3-4%) are still decent compared to many euro-zone alternatives.
- Monitor the German Economy: Since Germany is Czechia’s biggest trading partner, if the German economy stumbles in late 2026, the koruna will likely feel the heat.
The bottom line is that the Czech koruna to euro relationship is currently defined by "cautious optimism." The koruna is a "safe" regional currency, but it’s still subject to the whims of a central bank that is obsessed with killing inflation once and for all. Keep your eyes on the CNB's board meetings—that's where the real movement happens, not on the tourist signs in the city center.