Which Operator Should You Use When Buying a SIM Card in the Czech Republic?

Using a foreign number in the Czech Republic is possible, but it might not be the best option for you; it’s expensive, people might not recognise your number as quickly, and some may even have problems reaching you. So setting up a Czech phone number, even to make a few months living a little bit easier, makes a lot of sense. Here’s how to do just that with mobile operators that you should choose when buying a SIM card in the Czech Republic.

Most larger companies in the Czech Republic, like T-Mobile, Vodafone, or O2, will have physical shops that you’ll need to visit to set up your SIM card. This usually means going to a shop, taking a number and waiting in line until you speak to a staffer. Most of them will be helpful and provide you with some reasonable tariffs (essentially plans of which fees will you pay and for what), or you can decide to buy a SIM card without a surcharge, at which point you will need to top off your credit now and then.

After that, you only need to sign a contract (in Czech) saying you will not use your SIM card for illegal purposes, pay the initial fee, and you’re done. To buy a SIM card, you will need an unlocked phone with a SIM card slot (or more than one slot in your phone), or you will need to purchase a new phone. Most large operators offer phones as either part of their tariffs or separately.

The staff will unpack the phone for you and set up the SIM card if you purchase a phone with the operator, so you shouldn’t have problems getting it all up and running. One thing that bears mentioning is the price of tariffs in the Czech Republic. If you’ve travelled Central Europe a bit, you will notice that the costs of SIM cards and the plans attached to them are significantly higher and more restrictive in what they provide for you than in other countries.

Sadly, the current landscape is such that this is normal. You will find the same prices at most large operators and even at a few smaller ones. This is true even if you have a SIM card that needs topping off with credit as the prices per called minute or sent message will be pretty steep.

Most people agree that the best operator for visitors to the Czech Republic is Vodafone (though many also recommend prepaid cards from O2). They tend to be cheap and have a few plans attached if you want to have more unlimited calls or perhaps more data at your disposal. The good thing is that you can top off your credit on your SIM card just about anywhere.

Newsagents and some shops with the Vodafone sticker in their shop windows all let you pay money either in cash or via card to top off your credit. Alternatively, you can go to Vodafone’s website and use your credit card to top off your credit that way. Either way, you will always stay connected in the Czech Republic.