 | |
 Czech Republic |  United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Diplomatic mission | |
| Czech Republic Embassy, London | British Embassy, Prague |
| Envoy | |
| Ambassador Libor Sečka | AmbassadorMatt Field |
Czech Republic–United Kingdom relations encompass the diplomatic, economic, and historical interactions between theCzech Republic and theUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Both countries established diplomatic relations on 26 October 1918.[1]
Both countries share common membership of theCouncil of Europe, theEuropean Court of Human Rights, theInternational Criminal Court,NATO, theOSCE, theUnited Nations, and theWorld Trade Organization. Bilaterally the two countries have a Double Taxation Convention.[2]
KingJohn of Bohemia waskilled in action in theBattle of Crécy in 1346 aidingFrance againstEngland.[3]
The United Kingdom and Czechoslovakia historically had lukewarm, although not hostile, relations largely due to Britain's lack of involvement incontinental Europe beyondFrance and Czechoslovakia being caught in between the mostly capitalist Allied countries and theSoviet Union.[4] Initially the two nations were allies and trading partners[5] during the years prior toWorld War II. The first Czechoslovak Republic's founder Tomáš Masaryk had lived in London during World War I, where he had met Wickham Steed, a famous Times Journalist and Sir George Clerk. Ex British intelligence officer Robert Bruce was a notable English Czechophile, who would later go on to become commercial secretary and was on friendly terms with Masaryk, the first president of Czechoslovakia.[6] Ties were somewhat strained whenNazi Germany annexed much of the country under the terms of theMunich Agreement (1938), which manyCzechs viewed as the "Munich betrayal" (Czech:Mnichovská zrada). Over 500 Czech pilots, most of whom had fled theNazi occupation to Allied countries, served withRoyal Air Force and gained distinction during theBattle of Britain for their bravery and skills. One such pilot wasJosef František, aDistinguished Flying Medal recipient and one of only two non-Commonwealth nationals among "The Few" who were the top ten leadingaces. Britain was one of several countries Czech Jewish refugees fled to, most notably throughKindertransport.
Britain and France had to choose between war and dishonour. They chose dishonour. They will have war.
— Winston Churchill on theMunich Agreement[7]
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During theCold War, relations again worsened as Britain wasan ally of theUnited States, the "enemy" of theSoviet Union, making Britain and the Socialist-ruled Czechoslovakia "enemies" by association. Since thedissolution of Czechoslovakia, economic relations have largely normalised, although neither countries are priority allies for the other.[8]
Following the Brexit, the UK sought to strengthen its ties with the Czech Republic, proposing a new strategic partnership to enhance cooperation in areas such as education, science, internal security, and trade.[9]
Both governments publicly characterize their bilateral relationship as “excellent” and demonstrate a clear commitment to deepening cooperation, particularly in sectors where the Czech Republic brings distinct value to the United Kingdom. This shared ambition to enhance ties is pursued alongside a mutual dedication to maintaining robust engagement with European partners and institutions, reflecting a strategic alignment that balances national interests with broader regional collaboration.[10][11][9]
In July 2025 the Czech Republic and the UK signed a key agreement to boost cooperation on nuclear energy, focusing on small modular reactors (SMRs). The deal may lead to UK-basedRolls-Royce SMR setting up a factory in the Czech Republic, supporting Czech plans to expand nuclear capacity by 2050. It also covers nuclear fuel, waste management, and regulation, strengthening energy security and UK–Czech ties.[12]
Bilateral trade was worth £6.7 billion in 2011.[13] As of Q4 2024, trade in goods and services reached £10.8 billion, a 1.5% increase demonstrating strong economic ties.[14]
The2001 UK Census recorded 12,220 Czech-born people resident in the UK.[15] TheOffice for National Statistics estimates that, as of October 2010 to September 2011, 24,000 to 40,000 Czech-born people were living in the UK.[16] In 2024 Czech billionaireDaniel Křetínský leader ofThe EP Group boughtRoyal Mail’s parent company.[17]
Queen Elizabeth II paid a state visit to the Czech Republic in March 1996, she visitedPrague andBrno and was received by PresidentVáclav Havel.[18] From 2008 to 2025, they were five visits by Czech Prime ministers to the UK and three presidential visits by PresidentVáclav Klaus.[19] During July 2025 Czech PMPeter Fiala and UK PMKeir Starmer met in London and atDowning Street to discuss energy, trade, and defence issues.[20]
Velká Británie diplomatické styky navázány 26. 10. 1918...
British Czech and Slovak Association
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see also:Foreign relations of Czechoslovakia | ||
