As Spring 2026 graduates prepare to leave AAU behind, they face a surging cost of living that has landed Prague as the most expensive city in Eastern Europe, according to the Numbeo database.
The study ranked Prague the priciest in the region, surpassing Bratislava and Warsaw, with high rent and low purchasing power being driving factors.
The cost of living in Prague is a cause of real concern for many students, such as Hadley Hageseth, a third-year Humanities major, who is already feeling the pressure months before graduation.
“I live with my roommates and I live a modest life so far, but I imagine if I lived alone it would be a lot harder to keep up,” Hageseth said.
Natália Krivošeinová, a former AAU business student, would agree. After graduating last year, Krivošeinová decided to stay in Prague and find work.
“It’s kinda tough to cover costs of everything and have money on the side. I personally work two jobs. I don’t think I could manage with one,” Krivošeinová said.
Krivošeinová explained it took her over five months to find a job, applying to over 100 offers during that time. Her experience reflects a broader struggle in Prague’s job market.
According to Labour Office statistics, the Czech unemployment rate is the highest it’s been in nine years, rising to 5.1% in January 2026.
Despite fears, Hageseth is also planning to stay in Prague after graduating. She will apply for the job seeking visa, which allows former students to stay in the country for up to nine months to find employment.
“As a foreigner who doesn’t have any [EU] citizenship, there’s a lot of pressure on getting a job that can provide a visa,” Hageseth said. “I feel very intimidated by the job market.”
As AAU graduates transition from student life to independent careers, they face an uncertain future, with visa challenges, rising rents, and a tightening job market. Nevertheless, the dream of staying in Prague resonates stronger for some students, who are willing to overcome the challenges of the city.
“When I got this job, I was super happy,” Krivošeinová said. “I love Prague, I’ve been living here a few years and it just made the most sense for me [to stay].”
