Briefing de orientação Tchéquia

At the close of World War I, the Czechs and Slovaks of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire merged to form Czechoslovakia, a parliamentarian democracy. During the interwar years, having rejected a federal system, the new country's predominantly Czech leaders were frequently preoccupied with meeting the increasingly strident demands of other ethnic minorities within the republic, most notably the Slovaks, the Sudeten Germans, and the Ruthenians (Ukrainians). On the eve of World War II, Nazi Germany occupied the territory that today comprises Czechia, and Slovakia became an independent state allied with Germany. After the war, a reunited but truncated Czechoslovakia (less Ruthenia) fell within the Soviet sphere of influence when the pro-Soviet Communist party staged a coup in February 1948. In 1968, an invasion by fellow Warsaw Pact troops ended the efforts of the country's leaders to liberalize communist rule and create "socialism with a human face," ushering in a period of repression known as "normalization." The peaceful "Velvet Revolution" swept the Communist Party from power at the end of 1989 and inaugurated a return to democratic rule and a market economy. On 1 January 1993, the country underwent a nonviolent "velvet divorce" into its two national components, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The Czech Republic joined NATO in 1999 and the European Union in 2004. The country formally added the short-form name Czechia in 2016, while also continuing to use the full form name, the Czech Republic.

Public protests may happen at short notice. These have been peaceful but take care in crowded places and follow the instructions of local authorities.

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: 

• see general advice for women travellers
• read our guide on disability and travel abroad
• see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
• read about safety for solo and independent travel
• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

About FCDO travel advice

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.

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Terrorism

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.     

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.

Terrorism in Czechia

Terrorist attacks in Czechia cannot be ruled out.

You should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public places, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.      

Political situation

Public protests may happen at short notice. These have been peaceful but take care in crowded places and follow the instructions of local authorities.

Crime

If you are victim of crime, immediately call 112 for assistance.

Protecting yourself and your belongings

Petty theft is a problem, especially in major tourist areas in Prague. There is a risk of pickpocketing:

• on busy metro and bus routes from Prague airport to the city centre
• on trams to popular tourist sites like Prague Castle
• in busy tourist areas

Take care of yourself and your belongings in the same way as you would do in the UK. Avoid leaving your belongings unattended.

Report thefts in person to the nearest Czech police station within 24 hours and get a police report crime number for insurance purposes.

Prague police station (Jungmannovo namesti 9, Prague 1, nearest metro stop is Mustek) is open 24 hours a day and would provide English speaking interpreters.

You can also get a police report from the police station at the airport. See Prague police station contact details (in Czech).

Every lamppost in Prague has a 6-digit number posted at eye level. These codes will help you tell the police where you are if you cannot give them an exact address.

Drink spiking

There is a risk of drink spiking in bars and clubs. Be careful not to take drinks from strangers or leave your drinks unattended.

Scams

Beware of criminals pretending to be plainclothes policemen who ask to see your foreign currency and passport. Czech police officers do not have the right to do this. Do not show them your money. Instead, offer to go with them to the nearest police station. You can also call 112 to check their identity.   

Travelling in groups   

If you’re travelling in a group, keep a note of your hotel phone number and address in case you are separated. Leave contact details with a friend or relative in the UK.

Prague safety issues

Prague city police advise visitors to:

• always change money at a currency exchange or bank rather than on the street as this money is often counterfeit
• take care when using cash machines
• avoid contact with sex workers
• be aware of consumption charges in night clubs as they are often high
• be careful with consumption cards, which carry high financial penalties if you lose them before you pay your bill

Laws and cultural differences

Personal ID

It is a legal requirement to carry ID. Always carry your passport. The police may fine or arrest you if you do not. They will normally accept a scan of your passport if you have not committed a crime.

Drunken and offensive behaviour

Stag groups are not allowed to enter some city centre bars and restaurants. You may be arrested or fined for drunken or offensive behaviour. Police may take you to ‘sober-up’ facilities for a temporary period, and you will have to pay for your stay.

Illegal drugs

The possession, sale and distribution of drugs, including cannabis, is illegal, and the drugs are often dangerous counterfeits. Some shops, particularly in Prague, advertise ‘cannabis products’, which contain trace amounts of THC permissible under Czech law.

You should expect severe penalties such as a long jail sentence and heavy fines for possessing, using or smuggling illegal drugs, including when transiting through the airport. Convictions carry sentences of up to 18 years.

Airports in Czechia have excellent technology and security for detecting illegal items. This is also used to scan the baggage of transiting passengers.

LGBT+ travellers

Same-sex relationships and civil partnerships are legal in Czechia, but same-sex marriages are not recognised in Czech law. Registered same-sex partnerships are awaiting presidential approval. Same-sex couples showing affection in public could receive unwanted attention. Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers. 

Surrogacy

It is illegal to earn money from a surrogacy arrangement.

The police may charge you if you are:

• a surrogate mother
• a British national who plans to take a child born through surrogacy
• an agent organising the handover

FCDO advises against making surrogacy arrangements in Czechia or moving surrogacy arrangements from other countries.

You should get specialist legal advice in the UK and Czechia. See surrogacy arrangements in foreign countries.

Transport risks

Road travel

If you are planning to drive in Czechia, see information on driving abroad and check the rules of the road in the RAC’s Czechia guide. The guide lists driving regulations and other legal requirements you need to be aware of.

You can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in Czechia. If you still have a paper driving licence, you may need to update it to a photocard licence or get the correct version of the international driving permit (IDP) as well.

Hire car companies often have stricter requirements for their customers, such as a year of driving experience, a higher minimum age and holding an IDP.

Check if you need a UK sticker to drive your car outside the UK.

If you are visiting Czechia, you may be able to use your Blue Badge in some circumstances. Check local parking rules.

Drink-driving is a serious offence in Czechia. If you are tested and found to have any alcohol or drugs in your system, you may face a fine of up to 50,000 Czech koruna, confiscation of your licence and possible imprisonment. The Czech police can ask any driver to take a breathalyser test on the spot.

Taxis

It’s safer to use a major taxi company than to pick one up in the street. Some taxis charge high prices. Always check the rates on the side of the taxi before getting in.

Beware of drivers pretending to be taxi services but offering rides in unmarked cars and overcharging for journeys. See information on using Uber at Prague airport, including how to book through the app, at a self-service kiosk or at service counters. Booking through a kiosk is usually slightly more expensive.

Buses and trams

See Prague public transport information and journey planner in English.

Be careful near tram tracks and make sure you look both ways as trams cannot stop quickly. Trams have the right of way on zebra crossings.

You may get a fine if you do not cross roads and tram tracks at pedestrian crossings. You can also get a fine if you cross when the pedestrian crossing light is not green.

You must validate your ticket in a ticket machine before starting a journey on public transport. You do not need to validate tickets bought from self-service terminals on trams and buses. Officials patrol public transport and will issue an on-the-spot fine of 1,000 Czech koruna (around £35) if you do not hold a validated ticket. If fined, you should get a receipt. If you cannot pay immediately, the police can get involved and the fine could increase to 1,500 koruna.

The 30 and 90-minute journey adult tickets for bus, tram and metro are not valid on the Petřín Hill funicular railway in Prague. You need a specific 60-koruna ticket from the vending machines at funicular railway stops, or a 24-hour ticket (or longer).

Extreme weather and natural disasters   

Find out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards. 

You can access local forecasts and weather warnings for Czechia.  Follow the instructions of local authorities.

Before you travel check that:

• your destination can provide the healthcare you may need
• you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation

This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.

Emergency medical number

Dial 112 and ask for an ambulance.

Contact your insurance or medical assistance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.

Vaccine recommendations and health risks

At least 8 weeks before your trip:

• check the latest vaccine recommendations for Czechia
• see where to get vaccines and whether you have to pay on the NHS travel vaccinations page

See what health risks you’ll face in Czechia.

Medication

The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.

Read best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.

Healthcare in Czechia

FCDO has a list of medical providers in Czechia where some staff will speak English.

Health insurance cards

To get medically necessary state healthcare in Czechia, you need a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

The NHS’s getting healthcare abroad webpage has details about:  

• how to apply for a GHIC
• how to get temporary cover if you lose your card or it does not arrive in time
• who qualifies for a new EHIC instead of a GHIC
• what treatment counts as medically necessary

A GHIC or EHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance. You may have costs your GHIC or EHIC does not cover, including:  

• changes to travel and accommodation bookings
• additional standard costs for treatment
• medical repatriation to the UK
• treatment that is ruled non-urgent
• private healthcare
• private clinics

There is also guidance on healthcare if you’re living in Czechia.

Travel and mental health

Read FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro.