Prague Entry Requirements
Visa, immigration, and customs information
Visa Requirements
Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.
As a Schengen Area member, the Czech Republic follows unified visa policies. Citizens of many countries can visit visa-free for short stays, while others require a Schengen visa or will soon need ETIAS authorization.
Citizens of EU/EEA countries and Switzerland have unlimited right of entry and stay
Only a valid national ID card or passport required. No visa or registration needed for stays under 30 days; registration at local Foreign Police required for stays exceeding 30 days.
Citizens of approximately 60 countries can enter the Schengen Area without a visa for short stays
Passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond intended departure from Schengen Area. The 90/180 rule applies to the entire Schengen Area, not just Czech Republic. Must not engage in paid employment.
Starting in 2025, visa-exempt nationals will need ETIAS pre-authorization before entering Schengen Area
Cost: €7 for adults (free for under 18 and over 70)
ETIAS is not a visa but a travel authorization. Implementation expected in 2025 - check official EU sources for exact launch date. EU/EEA/Swiss citizens exempt.
Citizens of countries not on the visa-exemption list must obtain a Schengen visa before travel
Common countries requiring visas include: China, India, Russia, Turkey (as of 2024), South Africa, Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Egypt, and most African and Asian nations. Processing time typically 15 calendar days, can extend to 30-60 days in some cases. Visa fee approximately €80 for adults, €40 for children 6-12, free for children under 6.
Arrival Process
Arriving in Prague typically means landing at Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG), though you can also enter by train, bus, or car from neighboring Schengen countries. The entry process varies depending on whether you're arriving from within or outside the Schengen Area.
Documents to Have Ready
Tips for Smooth Entry
Customs & Duty-Free
Czech customs regulations align with EU standards. When arriving from non-EU countries, you must pass through customs control. Travelers from EU countries generally don't face customs checks but must still comply with allowance limits. Be honest in declarations to avoid penalties.
Prohibited Items
- Illegal drugs and narcotics - strictly prohibited with severe criminal penalties
- Counterfeit goods - including fake designer items, pirated media, and knockoff products
- Weapons and ammunition - without proper permits and declarations
- Endangered species products - items made from protected animals/plants (ivory, certain furs, exotic wood) under CITES regulations
- Meat and dairy products from non-EU countries - with few exceptions, to prevent disease transmission
- Plants and plant products from non-EU countries - without phytosanitary certificates
- Offensive materials - child pornography, materials promoting terrorism or extreme violence
Restricted Items
- Prescription medications - bring only necessary amounts with prescription or doctor's letter. Some medications legal elsewhere may be controlled in Czech Republic
- Firearms for hunting or sport - require advance permit from Czech police and must be declared. EU Firearms Pass accepted for EU citizens
- Cultural artifacts and antiques - items over 50 years old may require export permits to leave Czech Republic
- Drones and radio equipment - certain frequencies restricted; commercial drone use requires permits
- Large amounts of cash - while legal if declared, amounts over €10,000 require customs declaration form
- Professional equipment - video/photography equipment for commercial use may require temporary import documentation (ATA Carnet)
- Certain food products - honey, eggs, and some processed foods from non-EU countries have restrictions
Health Requirements
The Czech Republic has no routine vaccination requirements for entry, but health precautions are recommended. EU citizens should bring their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). All travelers should verify current requirements, especially regarding COVID-19 or other emerging health concerns.
Required Vaccinations
- No vaccinations are mandatory for entry to Czech Republic from most countries
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate required only if arriving from yellow fever endemic areas within 6 days of potential exposure
Recommended Vaccinations
- Routine vaccinations: MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis), influenza
- Hepatitis A - recommended for most travelers, especially if visiting smaller towns or rural areas
- Hepatitis B - for travelers who might have contact with blood or body fluids, or plan extended stays
- Rabies - for travelers with significant outdoor/animal exposure, especially in rural areas
- Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) - highly recommended for hiking/camping in forests during spring-autumn, as TBE is present in Czech Republic
Health Insurance
Travel health insurance strongly recommended for non-EU visitors, as medical costs must be paid upfront without insurance. EU/EEA/Swiss citizens should bring European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) for reciprocal healthcare coverage, though supplementary travel insurance still advised. Schengen visa applicants must have insurance covering minimum €30,000 for medical emergencies, hospitalization, and repatriation, valid throughout Schengen Area. Verify your policy covers Czech Republic and adventure activities if planned.
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Special Situations
Additional requirements for specific circumstances.
Children must have their own passport (included on parent's passport no longer accepted for most travel). Minors (under 18) traveling without both parents should carry notarized parental consent letter in English and Czech, including: child's details, parent/guardian details, travel dates, destination, accompanying adult information, and parent signatures. Letter should be notarized and may need to be apostilled depending on origin country. Divorced parents should carry custody documents if traveling without other parent. Unaccompanied minors have specific airline requirements. Birth certificates recommended as proof of relationship.
Pets from EU countries: must have EU pet passport, microchip (ISO 11784/11785 compliant), valid rabies vaccination (at least 21 days before travel), and tapeworm treatment for dogs (1-5 days before entry). Pets from non-EU countries: must have microchip, rabies vaccination certificate, health certificate issued by official veterinarian within 10 days of travel, and rabies antibody test for countries not on approved list (test must be done 30+ days after vaccination, 3+ months before travel). Maximum 5 pets per person for non-commercial travel. Dangerous dog breeds face restrictions. Commercial pet travel requires different documentation. Birds and exotic animals have additional requirements - check State Veterinary Administration (SVS) website.
Tourist stays limited to 90 days per 180-day period in Schengen Area. For longer stays, you need appropriate visa/permit: EU/EEA/Swiss citizens can stay indefinitely but must register at Foreign Police if staying over 30 days. Non-EU citizens need long-stay visa (over 90 days) or residence permit. Common categories: work permit, student visa, family reunification, business, or retirement. Apply at Czech embassy/consulate in home country before travel - cannot switch from tourist to long-stay status inside Czech Republic. Requirements include: purpose documentation, accommodation proof, financial means, health insurance, clean criminal record, and sometimes Czech language proficiency. Processing takes 60-90+ days. Digital nomad/freelancer visas available through business visa category (živnostenský list). Consult Czech embassy for specific requirements for your situation.
Business visitors on short stays (under 90 days) typically use tourist visa/visa-free entry but cannot engage in paid employment in Czech Republic. Permitted activities: meetings, conferences, negotiations, training. Carry invitation letter from Czech business partner, proof of employer relationship, and business registration documents. For paid work or contracts, you need work permit and long-stay visa. EU/EEA/Swiss citizens can work freely without permits. Some nationalities have bilateral agreements allowing limited business activities - check with Czech embassy.
Short courses under 90 days may use tourist visa/visa-free entry. Academic programs over 90 days require long-stay student visa. Apply with: university acceptance letter, proof of accommodation, financial means (approximately 90,000 CZK/€3,600 per year), health insurance, and clean criminal record. Some programs require Czech language proficiency proof. Student visa allows part-time work (limited hours). Must register at Foreign Police within 3 days of arrival. Visa valid for study duration, can be extended.
Medical tourists can enter on tourist visa/visa-free entry for procedures under 90 days. Carry documentation: appointment confirmations, doctor letters explaining treatment, proof of payment/insurance coverage, and accommodation details. For longer treatment requiring over 90-day stay, apply for long-stay visa for medical reasons with supporting medical documentation. Ensure health insurance covers procedures or have proof of payment ability. Some medical facilities assist with visa documentation.
If you hold both EU and non-EU citizenship, use your EU passport for easiest entry to Czech Republic. Czech Republic recognizes dual citizenship. If holding Czech citizenship plus another, you must enter/exit Czech Republic on Czech passport per Czech law. Dual citizens of two non-EU countries should use passport with better visa-free access to Schengen Area.