Student accommodation in the Czech Republic faces a critical capacity shortage, with nearly three students competing for every available bed in Prague, according to analysis by real estate consultancy Cushman & Wakefield.
The Czech Republic currently has over 315,000 university students, including more than 56,000 international students. Despite student numbers growing by only 1% annually over the past five years, demand for accommodation far exceeds supply, particularly in major cities.
In 2024, there were 165 facilities providing student accommodation across the country, with a total capacity of 67,863 beds. The public sector offers 60,219 beds, while private providers have 7,644 beds (about 11%). Prague has the largest capacity with 28,067 beds, followed by Brno with 13,672 and Olomouc with 4,907.
"The Czech student housing market is facing a critical capacity shortage. Universities currently offer fewer than 68,000 beds, while there are over 315,000 students," said Kamila Breen, Head of Research at Cushman & Wakefield. "However, this situation also presents a major opportunity for investors."
Prices vary significantly by region and provider type. In Prague, public sector accommodation averages 6,030 CZK per bed per month, while private sector prices reach up to 12,710 CZK. Regional prices are lower, with public accommodation averaging 4,610 CZK and private accommodation 8,790 CZK per month. Alina Cazachevici, Head of Valuation & Advisory, noted that "part of the current offering is outdated and requires significant capital investment, creating opportunities for investors to capture demand for modern, high-quality student accommodation."
