Job Discussion Forums

[canucmeee]

Anyone have experience with Citibank or HSBC? I would like to find a bank that I can access from both in the US and in the Czech Republic. Also, what would you recommend with moving to Prague, money wise? Do what I am thinking about doing, or, just finding a good Czech bank once I am there? I'd like my family to have access from the US which is why I am curious about those two banks.

Also, how are the pharmacies in Prague and the surrounding cities?

Thanks!

[spiral78]

I use a Czech bank, but it's definitely not accessible by relatives from abroad - I think you will definitely be better with an international bank. Whatever language school employs you may well have a bank where they will help you to open an account, and through which they'll pay you - this might be your best option, but you'll find out when you get here (I'm assuming you're still in the US).

If I were you, I'd expect a few weeks to get things like this set up, as you'll need local info.

Pharmacies are plentiful (I'm assuming you mean the ones that provide prescription medications, which are separate stores here from 'drug' stores that sell shampoos and cleaning stuff and etc).

However, I'd be very doubtful that they would honor a prescription from a doctor in the US.

The good news is that international doctors are also plentiful, and it should be a relatively simple matter to take your US prescription(s) to a doctor here and have it issued from the CR (and probably in Czech) so that the pharmacies will honor it. This may be a bit easier to accomplish in Prague or other large cities, such as Plzn or Brno or Ceske Budejovice.

It's probably not the worst idea to establish yourself with a local doctor in any case, just in case:)

I'd bring enough medication to get you through a couple of months, to be on the safe side, while you get the above chores accomplished.

[ITTP]

[canucmeee]

Thank you, yes I am still in the US trying to sort out what I can before I leave. I will definitely have to get to know a doctor there since my autoimmune problem may act up with the transitional stress, lifestyle changes, et cetera. It's good to hear that there are plenty of international/English speaking doctors. You know what a typical doctor's visit would be in Prague? For someone without health insurance/coverage?

The bank websites for Citi and HSBC are pretty confusing to me.
Would it be easiest for me to just set up an account there and then wire what I need from my US account?

[spiral78]

Yes, I would say your banking arrangements are best done from here.

[ITTP]

[Glenlivet]

[ITTP]

[canucmeee]

Thank you, this was all very helpful!

[ITTP]

Just wanted to add that we are receiving continued very positive reports about mbanka:
http://www.mbanka.cz
( http://www.mbank.cz/mbank/english.html ).

Hezky den!/Lovely day!

Neville

ITTP Prague
Jungmannova 32
Prague 1

[jade_bear]

[spiral78]

No, you won't automatically be covered just with a work permit. Your employer should help you with coverage - it's not terribly expensive, and you would always be treated in case of emergency, but you could be liable for payments.

If you can get good insurance for the year at a decent price, it's not a bad option - though a good school should get you coverage, so you may not need it long term.

[jade_bear]

Thanks spiral78. I will look into how much my own insurance would be, but also make sure I consider medical coverage when I am looking at job offers.

cheers
Deb