European Union website, the official EU website
Czech Republic
Czech Republic
Overview:
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe and became a separate state in 1993 after Czechoslovakia split into two countries.
The most important sectors of the Czech Republic’s economy in 2015 were industry (32.1 %), wholesale and retail trade, transport, accommodation and food services (18.4 %) and public administration, defence, education, human health and social work activities (14.9 %).
The Czech Republic’s main export partners are Germany, Slovakia and Poland, while its main import partners are Germany, Poland and China.
Capital:
Prague
Geographical size:
78 868 km²
Population:
10 538 275 (2015)
Population as % of total EU:
2.1 % (2015)
Gross domestic product (GDP):
€ 163.947 billion (2015)
Official EU language(s):
Czech
Political system:
parliamentary republic
EU member country since:
1 May 2004
Seats in the European Parliament:
21
Currency:
Czech koruna (CZK)
Schengen area member?:
Yes, Schengen Area member since 21 December 2007.
Presidency of the Council:
the Czech Republic has held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU once in 2009.
Read more:
The Czech Republic in the EU
European Parliament
There are 21 members of the European Parliament from the Czech Republic. Find out who these MEPs are.
European Parliament office in the Czech Republic
Council of the EU
In the Council of the EU, national ministers meet regularly to adopt EU laws and coordinate policies. Council meetings are regularly attended by representatives from the Czech Republic's government, depending on the policy area being addressed.
Presidency of the Council of the EU
The Council of the EU doesn't have a permanent, single-person president (like e.g. the Commission or Parliament). Instead, its work is led by the country holding the Council presidency, which rotates every 6 months.
During these 6 months, ministers from that country's government chair and help determine the agenda of Council meetings in each policy area, and facilitate dialogue with the other EU institutions.
Dates of the Czech Republic’s presidencies:
Jan-Jun 2009
More on the current presidency of the Council of the EU
European Commission
The Commissioner nominated by the Czech Republic to the European Commission is Vĕra Jourová, who is responsible for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality.
The Commission is represented in each EU country by a local office, called a "representation".
Commission representation in the Czech Republic
European Economic & Social Committee
The Czech Republic has 12 representatives on the European Economic and Social Committee. This advisory body – representing employers, workers and other interest groups – is consulted on proposed laws, to get a better idea of the possible changes to work and social situations in member countries.
Committee of the Regions
The Czech Republic has 12 representatives on the Committee of the Regions, the EU's assembly of regional and local representatives. This advisory body is consulted on proposed laws, to ensure these laws take account of the perspective from each region of the EU.
Permanent representation to the EU
The Czech Republic also communicates with the EU institutions through its permanent representation in Brussels. As Czech Republic's "embassy to the EU", its main task is to ensure that the country's interests and policies are pursued as effectively as possible in the EU.
Budgets and Funding
How much does the Czech Republic contribute and receive?
Member countries' financial contributions to the EU budget are shared fairly, according to means. The larger your country's economy, the more it pays – and vice versa. The EU budget doesn't aim to redistribute wealth, but rather to focus on the needs of all Europeans as a whole.
Breakdown of the Czech Republic's finances with the EU in 2015:
- Total EU spending in the Czech Republic: € 7.075 billion
- Total EU spending as % of the Czech Republic’s gross national income (GNI): 4.67 %
- Total Czech contribution to the EU budget: € 1.315 billion
- Czech contribution to the EU budget as % of its GNI: 0.87 %
More figures on the EU budget, revenue and spending:
EU-funded projects in the Czech Republic
The money paid into the EU budget by Czech Republic helps fund programmes and projects in all EU countries - like building roads, subsidising researchers and protecting the environment.
Find out more about how the Czech Republic benefits from EU funding