The Czech housing market is preparing for price increases due to the construction of the VRT
Against the backdrop of transport infrastructure expansion, the Czech housing market is becoming more active. In July 2025, the government approved the first phase of construction of the high-speed railway network (VRT). These lines will enable trains to travel at speeds of up to 320 km/h. Building the track will reduce the environmental impact of transport systems. At the same time, it is stimulating prices in the real estate market. According to experts, the project has the potential to transform demand patterns, particularly in regions that were not previously considered attractive for investment.
Petr Dufek from Creditas states that the launch of new railway routes usually leads to an increase in housing prices. However, it is difficult to predict the exact rate of price increases at this stage. The project faces bureaucratic obstacles, and the approval process is time-consuming.
The VRT construction strategy includes the following stages:
1. The first section will run between Prosenice u Přerova and Ostrava. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2028.
2. By 2050, approximately 767 kilometres of new lines are planned to be laid.
3. The new transport network will significantly reduce travel times between the three largest cities: Prague, Brno, and Ostrava.
4. It is estimated that journeys between these cities will take around an hour.
The fast connections between regions may increase demand for housing near the new stations. Therefore, analysts predict price growth in such areas. However, this trend is not yet beyond general market expectations. Additional growth could be driven by the development of adjacent commercial infrastructure, such as shopping centres, business parks, and logistics hubs.
The potential of new infrastructure in Czech Republic
Experts have assessed the potential impact of the VRT project on the Czech real estate market, drawing on international experience. Research shows that launching high-speed railways can significantly increase housing prices. In China, for instance, property prices in areas covered by the VRT were, on average, 10% higher than in other regions. Similar trends have emerged in Spain and France.
Analysts note that accelerated price growth is usually observed only after the launch of new lines. Additionally, prices are rising rapidly in small towns. This is because such settlements are becoming more attractive places to live.
In the Czech Republic, experts predict that price growth will affect places such as Roudnice nad Labem, Pardubice, and Louny.
Similar dynamics can be observed in the construction of new motorways. Over the past five years, housing near motorways providing fast connections to major cities has increased in price by 30%. The sharpest price increases have been recorded in locations where travel time has been reduced by 10–15 minutes.