Thomas Smith

Kew, London

Formerly at @TheEIU. Words in @Telegraph, @independent, @thetimes, @Daily_Express, @HuffPost, @theipaper. History and I.R. grad of @UniofExeter Views=own

Articles

Drone taxis and fairly cheap beer: AI predicts how Prague will change by 2050

3 weeks ago | expats.cz | Thomas Smith

In the next 25 years, Prague is on track to become a dynamic metropolis of nearly 2 million residents—many of them from abroad—who will live, work, and thrive in a city reimagined for the future. Curious about what’s in store, Czech media outlet E15.cz asked AI to predict what Prague could look like by 2050. From smart transport to affordable housing, here’s how the future of the Czech capital is shaping up—based on real trends, city plans, and emerging innovations.
The foreigners who stayed: What it's like for expats living in wartime Ukraine

3 weeks ago | expats.cz | Thomas Smith

Walking through the Ukrainian capital, life on the surface looks much like it might be in Prague. But come nightfall, the stark reality emerges: air raids, curfews that either send revelers home early or push them into bomb shelters. For Kyiv’s foreign residents, the threat of bombs mingles with everyday challenges familiar to many expats—language barriers at the post office, unfriendly customer service, and the struggle to feel at home.
Extra leave and flexible work: How Czechia's Labor Code changes will benefit you

3 weeks ago | expats.cz | Thomas Smith

At the start of this month, sweeping changes to the country’s Labor Code came into force, which—above all—aim to bring Czechia closer in line with Western European labor market models. The changes are vital for expats to know and understand: they affect core work-related aspects like notice periods, flexible working, compensation, and parental leave. In short, you’ll almost definitely see the way you work shift due to the new Labor Code.
EXPLAINED: The bitcoin scandal shaking Czech politics-and what's at stake

3 weeks ago | expats.cz | Thomas Smith

Czechia’s government is currently embroiled in a scandal that could significantly impact its chances of winning the next general election, which is just four months away. One justice minister has already resigned, with talk of other senior ministers walking away—or perhaps even the whole government collapsing. An urgent session in the Chamber of Deputies will be held to discuss the next steps on Thursday, June 5.
Moving to Czechia? Here’s how to open a bank account without the stress

1 month ago | expats.cz | Thomas Smith

One of the first—and most important—actions a foreigner should take when moving to Czechia is opening a new bank account. However, many find the process to be challenging, unsure of which banks are available to them, and which documents to bring. Understanding your options and the process will help you avoid unnecessary delays. Whether you're relocating, studying, or working in Czechia, a local bank account can make managing your finances far easier.
Prague's housing chaos: Where can you still find an affordable apartment?

1 month ago | expats.cz | Thomas Smith

Property prices in Prague continue to rise, with apartment rents increasing by around 10 percent over the past year. For anyone planning to move to the city, where can you still find affordable neighborhoods to rent? An analysis by real estate site Sreality.cz examined price trends across 10 city districts—from Prague 1 to Prague to identify where rents remain within reach.
Czechia's suburban shift-learn more about Prague's newest commuter community

1 month ago | expats.cz | Thomas Smith

It’s no secret that rental and purchase prices for properties in Czechia's capital are rising exorbitantly. That’s exactly why thousands of people working in Prague have decided to move to commuter towns on the city’s outskirts and in Central Bohemia—cheaper, more tranquil, and still well-connected to the city. Vysoký Újezd, lying by the Central Bohemian town of Beroun to the southwest of Prague, is a prime example of a flourishing, and extremely attractive, commuter town.
AI use in Czechia triples: What it means for the country's labor force

1 month ago | expats.cz | Thomas Smith

Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the Czech business landscape. According to a recent survey, around four in 10 domestic medium and large companies now use AI—almost triple the number from just a year ago. Information-services firm Asseco Solutions found a rapid acceleration in AI adoption, primarily in automating routine tasks, customer service, document processing, and predictive analytics. An additional 44 percent of companies say they plan to implement AI in the near future.
US-sanctioned Hamas backer owns company and home in Czechia

1 month ago | expats.cz | Thomas Smith

A Yemeni businessman accused by U.S. authorities of financing Hamas has ties to a Czech-based company and owns a lavish villa near the spa town of Teplice (Ústí nad Labem), raising concerns among intelligence agencies in Europe. Hamid Abdullah Hussein al-Ahmar, a former politician in Yemen now in exile in Turkey, was added to the U.S. Treasury’s sanctions list in October for allegedly providing financial and material support to Hamas, which the U.S. and EU classify as a terrorist group.
On the ground in Ukraine: Why war-torn sectors are attracting Czech investment

1 month ago | expats.cz | Thomas Smith

After more than three years of full-scale war, Ukraine’s need for external support remains urgent—not just in humanitarian and military terms, but economically. As the country looks ahead to post-war reconstruction, demand is growing for foreign investment in key sectors like energy, construction, and agriculture. Last week, Expats.cz joined a delegation led by the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Government Envoy for the Reconstruction of Ukraine Tomáš Kopečný.