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Czech Republic Register Travel insurance Destinations

Last updated: November 17, 2015 12:55 ET Still valid: December 1, 2015 02:10 ET Latest updates: The Entry/Exit Requirements tab was updated - Schengen area.

Advisories

Advisories

Czech Republic - Exercise normal security precautions

There is no nationwide advisory in effect for the Czech Republic. Exercise normal security precautions.

Security

Security

The decision to travel is your responsibility. You are also responsible for your personal safety abroad. The purpose of this Travel Advice is to provide up-to-date information to enable you to make well-informed decisions.

Crime

Violent crime is low, but the number of incidents is rising. Petty crime (pick-pocketing, purse snatching) is common, particularly in Prague. Be vigilant in and around popular tourist attractions, major hotels and the main railway station (Praha Hlavni nadrazi), especially after dark.

Be very cautious when travelling on public transport. Gangs of thieves target subway stations, especially Muzeum, Můstek, Staromĕstsk and Malostransk , as well as tram route 22 that runs to and from Prague Castle. Thieves may use jostling and swarming techniques to rob their victims.

Road safety

Rural roads may be uneven, under construction or poorly marked.

Dial 00 420 1230 for information on road conditions.

Public transportation

Use only officially marked taxis, such as Profitaxi, Cititaxi or AAA Radiotaxi (but not taxis marked AAA Taxi that charge excessive prices).

Tickets are required for public transport and these may be purchased at newspaper kiosks, metro stations and most hotel reception desks. Anyone caught riding without a valid ticket is subject to fines.

Czech railways provide clean, efficient train service to almost every part of the country. Exercise caution on overnight trains from Poland to the Czech Republic as robberies have occurred. Store your valuables in a safe place and do not leave your compartment unattended. Ensure that the door is secured from the inside.

Express buses are often faster and more convenient than trains.

Air travel

The Government of Canada does not assess foreign domestic airlines compliance with international aviation safety standards. See Foreign domestic airlines for more information.

Scams

Individuals posing as plainclothes police officers may ask you to see your foreign currency and passports. Politely decline to cooperate, but offer to go to the nearest police station.

See our Overseas Fraud page for more information on scams abroad.

Spiked food and drinks

Never leave food or drinks unattended or in the care of strangers. Be wary of accepting snacks, beverages, gum, or cigarettes from new acquaintances, as they may contain drugs that could put you at risk of sexual assault and robbery.

General safety measures

Exercise normal safety precautions. Do not show signs of affluence, and ensure that personal belongings, passports and other travel documents are secure at all times.

Emergency services

Dial 112 for emergency assistance.

Entry/exit requirements

Entry/exit requirements

It is the sole prerogative of every country or territory to determine who is allowed to enter or exit. Canadian consular officials cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet entry or exit requirements. The following information has been obtained from the Czech authorities and is subject to change at any time. The country- or territory-specific entry/exit requirements are provided on this page for information purposes only. While every effort is made to provide accurate information, information contained here is provided on an "as is" basis without warranty of any kind, express or implied. The Government of Canada assumes no responsibility, and shall not be liable for any damages in connection to the information provided. It is your responsibility to check with the Embassy of the Czech Republic or one of its consulates for up-to-date information.

Official (special and diplomatic) passport holders must consult the Official Travel page, as they may be subject to different entry requirements.

Passport

Canadians must present a passport to visit Czech Republic, which must be valid for at least three months beyond the date of expected departure from that country. Prior to travelling, ask your transportation company about its requirements related to passport validity, which may be more stringent than the country's entry rules.

A valid travel health insurance policy with minimum coverage of 30,000 is required to enter the Czech Republic. Customs officials may also ask you to show them proof of pre-arranged accommodations and proof of sufficient funds for your stay.

If you are planning to stay in private accommodations for longer than 30 days, you must register at the local Foreigners Police branch within three working days of your arrival.

Visas

Tourist visa: Not required for stays up to 90 days*

Business visa: Required

Student visa: Not required for stays up to 90 days*

Work visa: Required

* The 90 days begin upon initial entry into any country of the Schengen area.

Schengen area

The following 26 countries comprise the Schengen Area: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

The Schengen area has common rules regarding visas and controls at external borders.

You do not need visas for short-term visits of up to 90 days within a six-month period. Your stays are cumulative, and include visits to any country within the Schengen area. Some countries require that you register with local authorities within three working days of your arrival.

It is important to get your passport stamped when entering the Schengen area. The absence of an entry stamp from the initial Schengen port of entry could create difficulties during subsequent encounters with local police or other authorities throughout the Schengen area.

After 90 days of stay in the Schengen area, you must leave for another 90 days before you can re-enter.

If you overstay the permitted 90 days in the Schengen area, you may be fined or deported. To visit for longer than 90 days, you must obtain a long-stay national visa.

The Schengen Borders Code allows member states to temporarily reintroduce internal border controls in the event that a serious threat to public policy or internal security has been established. Canadians wishing to enter a Schengen area member state that has reintroduced internal border controls could be required to present a passport, valid for at least three months from the time of expected departure from that country.

For additional information, visit the European Commission s Temporary Reintroduction of Border Control .

Children and travel

Children need special documentation to visit certain countries. See Children for more information.

Yellow fever

See Health to obtain information on this country s vaccination requirements.