Reading time: 2 minutes 
A significant majority of Czech company executives now strongly support adopting the euro, viewing it as a strategic move to enhance business stability and reduce operational costs. The recent CEO Survey 2025 by major accounting firm PwC highlights this shift in sentiment, which indicates renewed optimism among Czech business leaders regarding the nation's economic trajectory.
Why the euro is good for business
The survey reveals that 70 percent of CEOs perceive the potential adoption of the euro positively, with only one in 10 expressing concerns. A mere 2 percent view the move negatively. This marks a notable change in perspective, as previous years saw a more cautious approach toward joining the eurozone.
"We observe a growing interest among companies in the euro, whether it's for lending—where more than half of the loans provided by Czech banks are in euros—or for accounting and payroll purposes," said Olga Cilečková, PwC's partner for CFO agenda and financial risk management.
"Conversely, remaining with the Czech crown has led to high volatility in recent years, complicating planning and incurring additional costs to cover exchange rate risks and more expensive loans,” she explains.
The push for euro adoption is accompanied by a broader sense of economic optimism. The survey indicates that over one-third of CEOs believe the Czech economy will grow this year, a significant increase from 16 percent last year.
"After five challenging years, Czech bosses are seeking fresh momentum," commented PwC Managing Partner Jiří Moser. "They are planning growth, preparing new acquisitions, expanding operations, and launching new products."
Despite the optimistic domestic outlook, Czech executives remain cautious about the global economy. While 72 percent of German business leaders predict global growth, only four in 10 Czech CEOs share this sentiment. Concerns about potential recessions in foreign markets and persistent labor shortages are prominent. According to PwC, senior business executives in Czechia would be more optimistic overall if Czechia used the euro.
Czechia remains confused—and split
The Czech government's stance on euro adoption has evolved over time. The ruling coalition is split over the topic: Prime Minister Petr Fiala said last year that Czechia must first strengthen its public finances before considering euro adoption, stressing the need for significant internal reforms.
Finance Minister Zbyněk Stanjura also has a lukewarm stance—in late 2024 he said that any decision on the euro must be based on political agreement or wide public support. He also argued that joining the exchange-rate mechanism—a system to stabilize currencies—should be brief and linked to a set eurozone entry date.
On the other hand, Minister of Labor Marian Jurečka backs euro adoption, stating that Czechia would meet the Maastricht criteria (the conditions for adopting the euro) "by the end of the decade." President Petr Pavel is another strong advocate for the euro, stating that without it, Czechia cannot be considered a leading country in Europe.
The National Economic Council (NERV) warned that adopting the euro would strip Czechia of control over interest rates and monetary policy, limiting its ability to tackle domestic economic issues. It could also expose taxpayers to financial risks from weaker eurozone members.
However, NERV highlights benefits such as lower inflation, increased market competition, and easier price comparisons, which could drive prices down.
