Czech Republic: entry and exit regulations
Formalities, visas
The Schengen Agreement came into force in the Czech Republic on December 21, 2007. Together with Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia and Malta, from this point on, you can also enter these countries without border controls. For example, a Spaniard can get to Estonia without any controls and a Finn via Estonia to Portugal. As of December 21, 2007, a total of 24 states belong to the Schengen area.
In the Moselle town of Schengen in Luxembourg, it was decided in 1985 to gradually abolish border controls in the participating countries, but to increase controls at the external borders.
Pets (dogs, cats) can be brought to the Czech Republic. However, an EU vaccination card with proof of a valid rabies vaccination must be presented. It is not necessary to adhere to a quarantine. When entering the Czech Republic with your own car, you must present the “green insurance card” (can be applied for from the vehicle insurance company without paying a fee) and a valid motorway vignette. In addition, the international country code must be clearly visible on the car.
Issuing visas in Germany
In cases where a visa is still required, you can obtain it from the Latvian embassy. All questions about entry, residence or working and study conditions are also answered here.
Visa Department of the Embassy of the Czech Republic Wilhelmstr. 44D-10117 BerlinTel: 0049 – (0) 30 – 226 38 – 0Fax: 0049 – (0) 30 – 229 40 33Email: berlin@embassy.mzv.de www.mfa.cz/berlin
Issuing of visas in Austria and Switzerland
See under Representations of the Czech Republic in Austria and Representations of the Czech Republic in Switzerland. Import and export of foreign currency
- Local currencyThe import and export of Czech currency is limited to a maximum of CZK 200,000.
- Foreigncurrencies Foreign currency can be imported and exported without restriction.
Departure fee
There is no fee for leaving the Czech Republic.
Import and export of goods
After the CR joined the EU, no goods controls in the sense of customs controls are carried out outside of the international airports. However, random checks according to current EU regulations must be expected.
The following may be imported into Germany duty-free:
200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos or 10 cigars or 50g smoking tobacco in
addition to the petrol in the car tank, max. 20 liters,
10 liters of spirits, 20 liters of liqueur or vermouth, 90 liters of wine and 110 liters of beer.
In addition, the import of items for personal use and gifts up to a total value of 6,000 CK is duty-free.
The import and export of weapons, ammunition or explosives as well as unauthorized fireworks is strictly prohibited, the import of hunting weapons is possible with a corresponding special permit from the responsible Czech diplomatic mission in Germany. Restrictions and bans also apply to the areas of drugs and narcotics (possession of drugs even in the smallest quantities is punishable), attack dogs, food, unconstitutional literature, counterfeit goods and pornography. In addition, the import and export of plants and animals protected under the Washington Species Protection Act is prohibited. Violation can result in severe penalties.
An export permit is required to export antiques from the Czech Republic.
Entry with pets
The EU Pet
Ordinance of October 1, 2004 applies to entry into the Czech Republic with pets: For entry into the Czech Republic, the owners of the animals in accordance with this ordinance require an EU pet passport. This can be issued by any resident veterinarian. In addition, the pets must be clearly identifiable. This can be guaranteed either by an implanted microchip or by a tattoo. From 2011, however, the animal must be chipped.
All pets must be vaccinated against rabies when they enter the Czech Republic. In order to be vaccinated against rabies, the animals must be at least three months old. The rabies vaccination must be at least 21 days prior to entry and must not be older than twelve months. However, it is also possible to enter the Czech Republic with animals that are younger than three months and therefore not vaccinated against rabies. For this, an EU pet passport must be carried for the animal, it must have a chip or a tattoo and it must be ensured that the animal has been kept in the same place since its birth where it must not have come into contact with wild animals.
In some cities and towns in the Czech Republic, you are generally required to wear a leash and a muzzle. This can be requested directly from the cities and municipalities. It is recommended to always have a leash and muzzle with you.
Czech Republic: arrival and transport
How do you get to the Czech Republic?
The Czech Republic has a satisfactory tourist infrastructure, with well-developed transport routes. The direct proximity to Germany and the low gasoline prices make traveling by car lucrative, especially since since December 21, 2007, there have been no more regular controls at the borders in accordance with the Schengen Agreement. If you decide to drive your own car, however, the following points must be observed:
- Take the green insurance card with you.
- You have to drive with lights on during the day too
- At least one reflective protective vest must be carried in the car
- An international license plate should be attached to the car.
- The motorway toll sticker (“dalnicni znamka”) should be attached to the windscreen. It is available at border crossing points, most petrol stations and post offices
The international airport is located about 20 km outside of Prague. There are good rail connections from Germany to the Czech Republic with the Euro/ Intercity from Berlin, Leipzig, Dresden, Nuremberg and Munich. The train takes around 4.5 hours for the Berlin-Prague route. Eurolines buses also go to the Czech Republic.
Travel in the country
Air connections The Czech airline is the Cesk Aeroline (CSA). It connects Prague with the cities of Ostrava, Brno, Karlovy Vary and Pardubice.
Railway
The Czech railway (Cesk Drahy) connects Prague with all major cities in the country. The fares are relatively cheap, there are surcharges for express trains. On some routes it is worth reserving seats in good time.
Bus
All places that are not connected to the railway network can be reached by bus.
Roads
The roads and especially highways are usually well developed.
Car traffic in the Czech Republic is rapid, the speed limits are often exceeded and it is common to drive close to the motorway. Although the number of car thefts has decreased slightly, it is advisable to park the car in a garage or in a guarded parking lot if you are staying for a longer period of time.
Rental
cars Rental cars can be booked from all major car rental companies, on site or from Germany.
Taxis
Taxi driving is relatively cheap. There is a surcharge at night. But attention should be paid to the fare. In Prague in particular, tourists repeatedly complain about extremely inflated prices.
Ferry connections
Excursion boats operate on the Elbe and Vltava. For example, Prague, Hrensko, Litomerice, Usti nad Labem and Decin are served.
Traffic rules
To avoid trouble with the police or even the courts, drivers should strictly adhere to the traffic regulations in force in the country. Regardless of the information given here, it is advisable to obtain more detailed information from ADAC, AvD or the Czech Republic’s traffic clubs. The police control the speeds especially on the motorways. Overruns can be quite expensive.
Top speeds
- Urban: In built-up areas there is a speed limit of 50 km/h.
- Country roads: There is a speed limit of 90 km/h on country roads.
- Motorways: The speed limit on motorways is 130 km/h.
In addition, it is of course necessary to pay attention to the current local speed limits, which are indicated by traffic signs.
Special regulations
In the Czech Republic, seatbelts are compulsory for drivers and passengers. Cars and motorcycles must also drive with dipped headlights during the day. Mobile phones may only be used with a hands-free system while driving. Helmets are compulsory for motorcyclists and their passengers.
Blood alcohol limit
The official blood alcohol limit in the Czech Republic for drivers of motor vehicles is 0.0.
Emergency
In case of an accident or other problems with the car or motorbike to reach information and assistance at the following numbers:
Tel.: 261 10 43 51
Mobile: 0042-02 – 61 10 43 51
The ADAC can be reached 24 hours in Munich under the following number:
0049 – (0) 89 – 22 22 22
International license plate
According to Abbreviationfinder, the international license plate of the Czech Republic is:
CZ |
Tourist office
Czech National Tourist Board in Germany
Grosse Friedberger Str. 6
60313 Frankfurt am Main
Tel: 0049 – (0) 69 – 21 99 85 87
Fax: 0049 – (0) 69 – 21 99 85 88
E-Mail: roncak@czechtourism.com
Web: www.CzechTourism.com
Information center
Wilhelmstrasse 44
10117 Berlin
Tel: 0049 – (0) 30 – 204 47 70
E-Mail: info1-de@czechtourism.com
Czech Agency for Tourism in Austria
Herrengasse 17
1010 Vienna
Tel: 0043 – (0) 1 – 533 219 33
Fax: 0043 – (0) 1 – 533 219 34
E-Mail: info-at@czechtourism.com
Web: www.CzechTourism.com
Czech National Tourist Board in Switzerland
Wildenstr. 9
8049 Zurich
Email: info-ch@czechtourism.com
Web: www.czechtourism.com
Czech Republic: travel medicine, risks
Infectious Diseases
Infectious diseases that do not also occur in Germany, Austria or Switzerland are not to be expected in the Czech Republic. However, you should be particularly careful:
- rabies
- Lyme disease is transmitted through tick bites
- Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is transmitted through tick bites
Vaccination recommendations When traveling to the Czech Republic, the same vaccinations are recommended as in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Compulsory vaccination
Vaccination regulations
There are no vaccination regulations when entering or staying in the Czech Republic.
Hazards/current warning notices
Foreign Office (AA) of the Federal Republic of Germany
Citizens’ Service
Telephone: 0049 – (0) 30 – 5000 – 2000
Fax: 0049 – (0) 30 – 5000 – 51000
Current warning notices from the AA:
www.auswaertiges-amt.de
Currency, shopping and exchange rate
The national currency of the Czech Republic is the Czech crown (CZK) = 100 Heller.
The following banknotes are valid and in circulation in the country:
- 100
- 200
- 500
- 1000
- 2000
- 5000 CZK
We strongly advise against street currency exchanges, which are offered to travelers at seemingly cheaper rates. It is not uncommon for the allegedly Czech banknotes to be obsolete Bulgarian or Polish currency.
Banks and hotels accept all trading currencies, traveler checks and the following credit cards:
Visa, Europe/Master Card, American Express.
Bank opening times
The ATMs, which work the same way as in Germany, are available around the clock and can also be operated in German. You can find them in all major shopping centers and in most banks. Travelers only need a bank or credit card with a valid PIN and immediately receive the Czech currency and a receipt for the payment.
The opening times of the banks vary – in larger cities they are usually open longer, in smaller cities there are often no banks at all.
- Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. or 6 p.m.
- Saturday and Sunday: closed
Shop
Shop opening times
Most shops in the Czech Republic have the following opening hours:
- Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. or 6 p.m.
- Saturday: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Sunday: closed
As in many other areas, Prague is an exception when it comes to shop opening times. Most shops in Prague are open Monday to Friday from 9 or 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., in the city center even until 10 p.m. In the tourist center of Prague you hardly notice whether it is a work day or a weekend. In fact, many shops here are open on Saturday and Sunday, some until noon, others all day. Large supermarkets (Kaufland, Interspar, Carfour) are open until midnight, the largest (e.g. Tesco in Letnany) even around the clock (including public holidays and Sundays).
The Czech post office is open between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. The main post office in Prague is located on Jindrisska street. 14 and is open around the clock, but with limited service at certain times.
Cheap or country-specific goods, souvenirs
The Czech Republic is known for glass – especially high-quality crystal glass – and porcelain. Probably the most beautiful glass and porcelain shop is the Moser shop in the “Na Prikopech” street below Wenceslas Square in Prague, and its interior is worth a visit. Certain goods here cost as much as a small German car.
The world-famous jewelry shop (Jymbolx) is also one of the popular souvenirs from the Czech Republic. Leather goods from Czech manufacturers, especially shoes and bags (e.g. the “Bata” store chain with its flag store at the foot of Wenceslas Square), are cheaper than the products available in Germany, but of comparable quality. The handmade paper from the Zerotin paper mill is considered a Czech treasure and is mainly used worldwide for state representational purposes.
Czech Republic: embassies, consulates
Visit Countryaah for a full list of Czech Republic embassies and consulates in each country around the world.
Representations of the Czech Republic in Germany
The embassy of the Czech Republic on Wilhelmstrasse and Mohrenstrasse – near Leipziger Strasse – dates back to the times of the former GDR.
The monumental-looking building consists of brown glass, steel and concrete and was built between 1974 and 1978 in the style of French brutalism by the Czech-Slovak architect couple Věra and Vladimír Machonin and the German Klaus Pätzmann and his GDR collective. Incidentally, today’s Wilhelmstrasse was called Otto-Grotewohl-Strasse at the time. The building has hardly been changed until today and is increasingly attracting the interest of people interested in architecture.
Embassy of the Czech Republic in Berlin
Wilhelmstr. 44
10117 Berlin
Tel: 0049 – (0) 30 – 22 63 80
Fax: 0049 – (0) 30 – 22 94 033
Email: berlin@embassy.mzv.cz
www.mzv.cz/berlin or www.czech.cz
Consulate General of the Czech Republic in Dresden
Erna Berger Str. 1
012097 Dresden
Tel: 0049 – (0) 351 – 65 567- 0
Fax: 0049 – (0) 351 – 803 25 00
Email: dresden@embassy.mzv.de
Web: www.mfa.cz/dresden
Consulate General of the Czech Republic in Munich
Libellenstr. 1
80939 Munich
Tel: 0049 – (0) 89 – 958 37 232
Fax: 0049 – (0) 89 – 950 36 88
Email: munich@embassy.mzv.de
Web: www.mfa.cz/munich
You can find further honorary consulates in:
Dortmund, Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg, Nuremberg, Rostock and Stuttgart.
German representations in the Czech Republic
Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Prague
Vlašská 19, Malá Strana
Prague 1
Tel: 00420 – 2 – 57 11 31 11
Fax: 00420 – 2 – 57 53 40 56
Email: info@prag.diplo.de
Web: www.prag.diplo. de
Austrian representations in the Czech Republic
Austrian Embassy in Prague
Viktora Huga 10
15115 Prague
Tel: 00420 – (0) 257 – 09 05 11
Fax: 00420 – (0) 257 – 31 60 45
Email: prag-ob@bmaa.gv.at
Web: www.aussenministerium. at/prague
Austrian Honorary Consulate
Botanicka 834/56
602 00 Brno
Tel: 00420 – (0) 541 – 55 42 40
Fax: 00420 – (0) 541 – 55 42 09
E-Mail: rakousky.konzulat@poyry.com
Austrian Honorary Consulate named
Premysla Otakara II c. 13
370 63 Ceske Budejovice
Tel: 00420 – (0) 38 – 63 50 318
Fax: 00420 – (0) 38 – 6 707 463
E-Mail: oest.kons.budweis@seznam.cz
Representations of the Czech Republic in Austria
Embassy of the Czech Republic
Penzingerstrasse 11-13
1140 Vienna
Tel: 0043 – (0) 1 – 899 580
Fax: 0043 – (0) 1 – 894 12 00
E-Mail: vienna@embassy.mzv.cz
Web: www.mzv. cz/vienna
Consulates
Honorary Consulate of the Czech Republic Bahnhofgürtel
59
8020 Graz
Tel: 0043 – (0) 316 – 6070 – 200
Fax: 0043 – (0) 316 – 6070 – 202
E-Mail: cz.konsulat@pewag.com
Honorary Consulate of the Czech Republic
Bergerbräuhofstraße 27
5021 Salzburg
Tel: 0043 – (0) 662 – 87 96 24
Fax: 0043 – (0) 662 – 889 80 30
Honorary Consulate of the Czech Republic
Universitätsstrasse 7; Hotel Grauer Bär
6020 Innsbruck
Tel: 0043 – (0) 664 – 141 92 88
Fax: 0043 – (0) 512 – 574 535
E-Mail: innsbruck@konzulat.at
Web: www.konzulat.at
Honorary Consulate of the Czech Republic
Europaplatz 1a
4021 Linz
Tel: 0043 – (0) 732 – 659 6 – 0
Fax: 0043 – (0) 732 – 6596 – 3111
E-mail: linz@honorar4.mzv.cz
Honorary Consulate of the Czech Republic
Pierlstrasse 33
9020 Klagenfurt
Tel: 0043 – (0) 463 – 574 80
Fax: 0043 – (0) 463 – 553 65
E-Mail: gert.seeber@aon.at
Swiss representations in the Czech Republic
Swiss Embassy in Prague
Pevnostní 7
162 01 Prague 6
Tel: 00420 – (0) 220 – 40 06 11
Fax: 00420 – (0) 224 – 31 13 12
E-Mail: pra.vertretung@eda.admin.ch
Web: www.eda.admin.ch/prague
Representations of the Czech Republic in Switzerland
Embassy of the Czech Republic in Bern
Muristrasse 53
3000 Bern 31
Tel: 0041 – (0) 31 – 350 40 74
Fax: 0041 – (0) 31 – 350 40 98
Email: bern@embassy.mzv.cz
Consulates
Consulate of the Czech Republic
Gerbergasse 1
4001 Basel
Tel: 0041 – (0) 61 – 269 50 70
Fax: 0041 – (0) 61 – 269 50 50
Consulate of the Czech Republic
Via Luigi Canonica 8
6901 Lugano
Tel: 0041 – (0) 91 – 922 85 75
Fax: 0041 – (0) 91 – 922 85 76
Consulate of the Czech Republic
Dufourstrasse 22
8024 Zurich
Tel: 0041 – (0) 1 – 256 73 98
Fax: 0041 – (0) 1 – 256 73 99
Email: zurich@honorary.mzv.cz
Web: www.tschechien-schweiz.ch