The currency of the Czech Republic is the Czech koruna (ISO code CZK), written with the symbol Kč and divided historically into 100 haléřů. As of 2026, roughly 23 koruna trade for one US dollar, making it one of the more stable and freely traded currencies in Central Europe. Despite joining the European Union in 2004, the country has kept its own money and has set no firm timetable for switching to the euro.
The Czech Koruna at a Glance
The word koruna means "crown," a nod to the coins that once carried royal imagery across the lands of Bohemia. The currency is issued and managed by the Czech National Bank (Česká národní banka), an independent institution headquartered in Prague that sets interest rates and controls the money supply.
- Official name: Czech koruna (plural: koruny or korun)
- ISO code: CZK
- Symbol: Kč
- Subunit: haléř (1/100), now removed from circulation
- Issuing authority: Czech National Bank
Because the koruna floats freely against other currencies, its value shifts with markets day to day. The Czech National Bank intervened heavily between 2013 and 2017 to cap the koruna's strength against the euro, then let it float again, an episode often cited as a textbook case of unconventional monetary policy.
Why the Czech Republic Still Uses the Koruna
When the Czech Republic and Slovakia parted ways in the peaceful "Velvet Divorce" of 1993, the shared Czechoslovak koruna was split into two separate national currencies. The new Czech koruna swiftly proved to be one of the firmest currencies in the former Eastern Bloc, helped by a sizeable manufacturing base anchored by names such as the carmaker Škoda.
EU membership in 2004 came with a commitment, in principle, to eventually adopt the euro. In practice, successive Czech governments have shown little urgency. Public opinion has long leaned skeptical, and policymakers value the flexibility of running their own monetary policy. For travelers and businesses alike, that means the koruna is here to stay for the foreseeable future, and prices across the country are quoted in Kč rather than euros.
Banknotes and Coins in Circulation
Czech banknotes are widely admired for their design, each portrait drawn from the country's history of statesmen, scholars, writers, and artists. The reverse sides feature architectural and symbolic motifs tied to each figure.
- 5,000 Kč — Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, first president of Czechoslovakia (purple)
- 2,000 Kč — Emmy Destinn, celebrated opera soprano (brown)
- 1,000 Kč — František Palacký, historian and "Father of the Nation" (purple)
- 500 Kč — Božena Němcová, beloved 19th-century writer (red)
- 200 Kč — Jan Amos Komenský (Comenius), pioneering educator (orange)
- 100 Kč — Charles IV, medieval king and Holy Roman Emperor (green)
Coins circulate in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 koruna. The smallest copper-colored coins handle everyday change, while the bi-metallic 50 Kč coin is the highest-value coin in regular use. The haléř subunit, once used for fractions of a koruna, was withdrawn entirely, so cash prices now round to whole koruna.
Using Money as a Visitor
In Prague and other cities, card payments are nearly universal, accepted in restaurants, shops, public transport ticket machines, and even many market stalls. Contactless tap-to-pay is the norm. Cash, however, remains handy in smaller towns, rural areas, and traditional pubs where a card terminal may not be available.
A few practical tips can save real money:
- Withdraw koruna from bank-affiliated ATMs rather than independent "Euronet" machines, which often push poor conversion rates and high fees.
- Avoid the brightly lit exchange kiosks in tourist districts; many advertise attractive headline rates but bury hidden commissions. By law, exchange offices must now allow you to cancel a transaction within hours, but it is simpler to use a reputable bank or ATM.
- When a card terminal offers to charge you in euros or dollars instead of koruna, decline and pay in CZK to avoid unfavorable "dynamic currency conversion."
- Tipping around 10 percent is customary in restaurants for good service.
Always confirm whether a price is listed in koruna or euros. Some tourist-facing venues quote euros at deliberately weak rates, so paying in the local koruna is almost always cheaper. For more background on the country, see our czech republic country guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Czech Republic use the euro?
No. The Czech Republic uses the koruna (CZK). Although it is an EU member obligated in principle to adopt the euro eventually, it has set no target date, and the koruna is used everywhere for daily transactions.
Can I pay in euros in the Czech Republic?
Some hotels, large shops, and tourist attractions accept euros, but they usually apply an unfavorable exchange rate and give change in koruna. You will get better value paying in CZK with a card or local cash.
What is the Czech koruna symbol and code?
The currency symbol is Kč, written after the amount (for example, 100 Kč), and the international ISO code is CZK.
What is the best way to get Czech koruna?
Withdrawing from a bank ATM or using a low-fee travel card typically gives the best rate. Order a small amount before you travel if you want cash on arrival, and avoid tourist-zone exchange kiosks.