Friday, 19 June 2026
The Czech Republic’s current account balance recorded a surplus of CZK 70.5 billion in the first quarter of 2026, according to preliminary data released by the Czech National Bank (CNB). While remaining firmly in positive territory, the result was lower than the CZK 113.5 billion surplus reported in the same period of 2025.
The surplus was primarily supported by the balance of goods and services, which reached CZK 149.1 billion during the first three months of the year. This represented a year-on-year decline of CZK 13.3 billion. The trade balance in goods generated a surplus of CZK 114.1 billion, down CZK 12.7 billion compared with the first quarter of last year, while the services balance posted a surplus of CZK 35 billion, slightly below the previous year’s level.
The primary income balance remained in deficit, reaching CZK 58.9 billion. According to the CNB, the year-on-year deterioration of CZK 14.3 billion was largely driven by higher reinvested earnings attributed to foreign direct investors. Reinvested profits totalled CZK 79.9 billion during the quarter, an increase of CZK 9.5 billion compared with a year earlier.
The secondary income balance also recorded a deficit, amounting to CZK 19.8 billion. This represented a year-on-year deterioration of CZK 15.4 billion, mainly due to lower net receipts from the European Union budget.
On the financial account, the Czech economy recorded a net capital outflow of CZK 66.4 billion, reflecting a stronger increase in foreign assets than in foreign liabilities. Meanwhile, the capital account ended the quarter with a surplus of CZK 26.7 billion, improving by CZK 7.9 billion compared with the first quarter of 2025.
Monthly data indicate that the Czech current account has remained in surplus throughout 2026. In April, the surplus reached CZK 1.2 billion, supported by a positive balance of goods and services amounting to CZK 28 billion.
The latest figures suggest that while external trade continues to provide strong support for the Czech economy, higher profit repatriation by foreign investors and lower inflows from the EU budget weighed on the overall current account balance during the first quarter.
Source: CTK
