As Czech property prices soar, couples rethink buying a home together

For many young Czech couples, Valentine’s Day has a new twist: instead of hunting for a bigger apartment together, they are increasingly moving in with one partner. A recent analysis by real estate platform Bezrealitky.cz shows that 42 percent of couples now prefer settling into the home that is already more suitable for joint living, while just 21 percent plan to move into a new property.

Ten years ago, couples tended to find a new place together roughly eight months into a relationship. Today, the timeline has stretched, reflecting changing priorities amid high property prices.

“Most couples are waiting for a long-term relationship to justify buying their own home,” Hendrik Meyer, CEO of Bezrealitky.cz, told Czech News Agency. “Until then, renting is seen as temporary, and size requirements are more flexible.”

Some couples adapt by compromising on location or commuting. Around 13 percent move to a larger apartment in a cheaper area, while roughly 10 percent prioritize space even if it means a longer commute. A smaller group, about four percent, share rental apartments with another couple to manage costs.

Rising rents in Prague are also pushing residents to consider nearby Central Bohemian towns. “People are returning to interest in two-family houses, offering comfort at a reasonable price,” Meyer added, highlighting an alternative to expensive city apartments.

Couples already carrying mortgages face additional hurdles. Banks are unlikely to approve loans for a second property when one or both partners are already tied to existing mortgages.

According to Bezrealitky.cz, rents across the country climbed around one percent in late 2025, averaging CZK 374 per square meter monthly. In Prague, the rate reached CZK 448 per square meter, with Hradec Králové seeing the sharpest quarterly increase of seven percent. Conversely, Jihlava and its surroundings experienced a five percent decline.

On the sales side, older apartments, family houses, and rentals all saw price increases exceeding ten percent year-on-year. The average price for older apartments in Q4 2025 was CZK 118,486 per square meter, while houses sold at CZK 66,047 per square meter.

In terms of rental prices, Prague is the highest in the country, with the average monthly rent for a 70-square-meter apartment in the capital now running CZK 31,325 by the end of 2025. That represents more than a fifty percent rise over the past five years: in 2019, the average rent for a 70-square-meter apartment in the capital was CZK 19,547.

The lowest rents in the country are found in the Ústí nad Labem Region, where the average rent for a 70-square-meter apartment now runs CZK 14,362. Across the country, the average monthly rent for a 70-square-meter apartment is CZK 26,160.

As property prices continue to rise, young couples are increasingly navigating compromises, whether that means moving in with a partner, choosing rentals farther from city centers, or rethinking long-term housing plans.