Can a US citizen live in Prague?

Yes, US citizens can live in Prague, though long-stay residence takes paperwork rather than a simple move. Americans can enter the Czech Republic visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day window under the Schengen rules. Anything longer needs a long-term visa or residence permit, applied for at a Czech consulate before arrival. The most common routes are employment, study, business (the Zivno self-employed permit), and family reunification. Permits typically require proof of accommodation, health insurance, clean criminal record, and sufficient funds (rough rule of thumb: 12 months of subsistence at roughly $1,000 to $1,500 a month minimum). Prague’s moderate cost of living sits at $2,575 per person per month, comfortably below the US average of $3,525. For the full picture, see our Prague cost of living page.