Ahoj, Monday! 5 things you need to know this week in Czechia

The new extended European Sleeper route from Brussels to Prague is set to launch on March 25, and tickets are now available for booking. Initially, the service will run twice a week on Mondays and Wednesdays, with plans to operate daily starting from March 2025. The sleeper connects Prague, Amsterdam, Brussels, Berlin, and Dresden. Read more about the new route here.

Good Friday falls on March 29 this year, and Easter Monday on April 1. Czech schools typically have Easter holidays from Thursday through Monday. University students also have a break, varying based on individual timetables, typically including Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Good Friday and Easter Monday are public holidays, granting most employees two days off. Read more about shop closures, transport disruptions and what to do over the Easter holidays here.

Spring coincides with the reopening of the Czech Republic’s castles, many of which come to life during the last weekend in March. Some even offer special Easter programs with plenty of folksy fanfare and traditional food.

On Sunday, March 31, the Czech Republic and the EU will transition to Central European Summer Time, pushing clocks one hour forward at 2 a.m. This change will last until the last Sunday of October, when clocks fall back. Night trains and morning appointments may be affected by the time shift.

The primary deadline for filing the 2023 tax return is April 2, 2024. Typically, tax returns are due by April 1, but this year, it coincides with Easter Monday. Therefore, the latest acceptable date for submitting the 2023 tax return is Tuesday, April 2. If you file your tax return electronically, the deadline is extended to May 2, 2024.