Czech households turn to mortgages, garages and stocks as property costs surge

Czech mortgage lending surged 50 % year‑on‑year in 2025, reaching 442 billion CZK – the second‑largest volume in the country's history – as rising home prices force families to rely on inter‑generational gifts, savings and building‑savings accounts. Over the past 15 years, Czech property values have risen more than 160 %, with average apartment prices in Prague now about 173 000 CZK per square metre.

At the same time, garage prices have jumped 19 % in the last year, with Prague parking spaces averaging 65 000 CZK per square metre. The rise reflects a structural shortage of parking capacity, a rapid increase in car ownership (949 cars per 1 000 residents in Prague) and limited new construction.

Investor behaviour is also shifting. A Generali Investments CEE survey shows 56 % of Czech adults now invest – the highest rate among Visegrád countries – with a strong bias toward stocks (65 % of Czech investors hold equities) and online platforms (45 % use digital tools). Real‑estate remains popular, featuring in 28 % of portfolios.

Meanwhile, Petr Koblic, CEO of the Prague Stock Exchange, warns that households keep large sums in low‑yield cash accounts, which he calls “long‑term inefficient.” He urges more retail investors to allocate funds to equities and bonds, arguing that broader participation would bolster Czech companies and the domestic capital market.