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Czech Republic
Country Specific Information
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February 25, 2009
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION:
The Czech Republic is located in the heart of Europe. Tourist facilities in Prague are at the level of those found in most
European capitals, while travelers can expect lower standards outside of Prague. Travelers are encouraged to be vigilant as
pick-pocketing and petty theft occurs often in crowded tourist areas and restaurants, and on public transportation. More information
can be found in the section on crime. Please read the Department of State Background Notes on the Czech Republic for additional information.
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: The Czech Republic is a party to the Schengen Agreement. As such, U.S. citizens may enter the Czech Republic for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes without a visa. The passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the periods of stay. For further details on travel into and within Schengen counties, please see our Schengen Fact Sheet. All foreigners seeking entry in the Czech Republic must carry proof of a medical insurance policy contracted for payment of all costs for hospitalization and medical treatment in the Czech Republic.
Visas are required for U.S. citizens for longer stays and in order to work in the Czech Republic. In such cases, it is recommended that travelers obtain a visa in advance of going to the Czech Republic. The Embassy of the Czech Republic’s web site provides the most current visa information. The Czech Government requires travelers to the Czech Republic to have proof of finances to pay for their stay and proof of travel/health insurance. Minimum coverage of the insurance has to be at least $35,000.
According to the Czech Government, a health insurance card or an internationally recognized credit card with health insurance included will generally be accepted as proof of insurance to enter the country.
The health insurance requirement does not apply to those who have visas permitting them to work.
Note: Although European Union regulations require that non-EU visitors obtain a stamp in their passports upon initial entry to a Schengen country, many borders are not staffed with officers carrying out this function. If an American citizen wishes to ensure that his or her entry is properly documented, it may be necessary to request a stamp at an official point of entry. Under local law, travelers without a stamp in their passports may be questioned and asked to document the length of their stay in Schengen countries at the time of departure or at any other point during their visit, and could face possible fines or other repercussions if unable to do so.
Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our web site. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information sheet.
SAFETY AND SECURITY: Civil disorder is rare in the Czech Republic, although strikes and demonstrations may occur. U.S. citizens should be vigilant in protecting their security, bearing in mind that even demonstrations meant to be peaceful may turn violent. Americans are advised to avoid street demonstrations.
The Czech Republic remains largely free of terrorist incidents. However, like other countries in the Schengen area, the Czech Republic’s open borders with its Western European neighbors allow the possibility of terrorist groups entering/exiting the country with anonymity.
For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs web site, where the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts, as well as the Worldwide Caution, can be found.
Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. and Canada, or for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays.
The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas. For general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see the Department of State’s A Safe Trip Abroad.
CRIME: The Czech Republic generally has a low rate of crime. However, street crime – particularly pick-pocketing and occasional muggings –is a problem, especially in major tourist areas in Prague. Travelers are encouraged to be especially vigilant in Prague’s restaurants and train stations, and on public transportation around the city center. Incidents of pick-pocketing were reported in significant numbers during 2008, often taking place on trains, trams, or the metro. Pickpocketing rings in the Czech Republic can be professional and highly organized. These rings have been known to have as many as six to eight members operating against the same target or group of targets. Most victims of pickpockets in the Czech Republic report being jostled and distracted in a crowded area, which made them unaware that their wallet or valuables were being stolen. Keep a copy of your passport in a safe place separate from the passport itself; this copy can help you to apply for a new passport if yours is lost or stolen.
Visitors are also advised to change money only at banks or legitimate money kiosks. An offer to change money by an unknown person on the street is most likely a type of scam. Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) are widely available throughout major cities in the Czech Republic. Most Czech ATMs offer instructions in multiple languages and allow access to U.S. bank accounts.
Auto thefts and break-ins are common in the Czech Republic, especially in major cities. To avoid vehicle related crimes, it is recommended that travelers use parking garages and anti-theft devices. U.S. citizens are also advised not to leave valuables in plain sight inside vehicles, as this increase the possibility of theft.
Visitors should be alert to the potential for substantial overcharging by taxis, particularly in areas frequented by tourists. Some taxi drivers charge unsuspecting foreigners two or three times more than the standard rate. It is recommended that you call for a taxi, rather than hail one on the street; otherwise visitors should obtain a taxi at one of the clearly marked “Fair Place” taxi stands regulated by the Prague municipality. All taxis should be clearly marked. It is also advisable to obtain a price estimate in advance, and ensure that the meter is used, to avoid being overcharged.
Incidents of violent crime, while still relatively infrequent, are becoming more common in Prague. Travelers should be aware of the reported use of rohypnol and other “date rape” drugs in the Czech Republic. Caution should be used when accepting open drinks at bars or clubs.
In many countries around the world, counterfeit and pirated goods are widely available. Transactions involving such products may be illegal under local law. In addition, bringing them back to the United States may result in forfeitures and/or fines. More information on this serious problem is available from the U.S. Department of Justice, Computer Crime & Intellectual Property Section.
INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME: The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance. The Embassy or Consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, to contact family members or friends and explain how funds could be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.
The local equivalent to the “911” emergency line in the Czech Republic is 112. English-speaking assistance is not always available from the local police, but the police headquarters at 9 Jungmannovo Namesti in New Town usually has an English-speaker available.
Please see our information for Victims of Crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country’s laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Czech laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Smuggling, possession or use of drugs, even in small amounts, is a crime and may result in severe penalties and arrest. Engaging in illicit sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States.
Please see our information on Criminal Penalties.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: Czech customs authorities enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from the Czech Republic of items such as firearms, antiquities, medications, business equipment, etc. It is advisable to contact the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Washington, D.C. or the Consulate General of the Czech Republic in New York or Los Angeles for specific information regarding customs requirements.
Please see our information on Customs Information.
MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: Prague has adequate Western-style medical clinics with English-speaking doctors and dentists. However, staff members at the majority of Czech medical facilities do not speak English. Doctors and hospitals often expect cash payment for health services, though some facilities do accept credit cards. Hospitalization in the Czech Republic is much more liberal that in the United States; conditions that would be treated on an outpatient basis in the United States are often treated on an inpatient basis in the Czech Republic. Ambulance services are not on a par with U.S. standards. Response time can sometimes be slow, and different ambulances are dispatched depending on the perceived severity of the patient’s condition. Many ambulance companies expect payment at the time of delivery. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost thousands of dollars or more. Please note that because euthanasia is not permitted under Czech law, U.S. living wills providing for no exceptional interventions to prolong life cannot be honored in the Czech Republic.
Travelers who plan to participate in camping or hiking in long grass or woodlands from April-October run the risk of both tick-borne encephalitis and Lyme disease. All travelers should take precautions to prevent tick bites. While there is no vaccine for Lyme disease, visitors may obtain a vaccine for tick-borne encephalitis in a three-shot series. The first two shots are given 2-4 weeks apart, and the last shot 9-12 months after the second.
The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of the Czech Republic.
Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC’s web site. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the World Health Organization’s (WHO) web site. Further health information for travelers is available from the WHO.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation.
Please see our information on medical insurance overseas.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning the Czech Republic is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.
Travelers should note that road fatalities are occurring at an increasing rate in the Czech Republic, placing it amongst the most lethal places to drive in Europe. First-class roads in the Czech Republic generally meet European standards; however, on side roads, drivers should be prepared to encounter uneven surfaces, irregular lane markings, and sign placements that are not clear. Streets in towns are not always in good condition. U.S. drivers should pay special attention to driving on cobblestone and among streetcars in historic city centers. Traffic lights are placed before the intersection and not after as in the United States. Speed limits are 50 km/h in towns, 90 km/h outside of towns and 130 km/h on highways. An International Driving Permit (IDP), available from AAA (in the United States only), must accompany a U.S. driver’s license; failure to have the IDP with a valid license may result in denial of an insurance claim after an accident.
Passengers on public transportation should buy a ticket prior to boarding to avoid being fined. The ticket must be validated at the outset of the trip by inserting it into the yellow box found on trams and buses and in the entry halls of subway stations.
Persons driving into the Czech Republic should be aware that a road usage tax sticker is required to drive legally on major highways. Signs stating this requirement are posted near the border, but they are easy to miss. The stickers are available at gasoline stations. The fine for failing to display a motorways toll sticker is assessed on the spot.
For specific information concerning Czech requirements for driver’s permits, vehicle inspection, road tax and mandatory insurance, please contact the Czech Tourist Authority offices in New York by telephone at (212)288-0830.
Visit the web sites of the Czech Republic’s national tourist office and the Ministry of Transport.
Please refer to our Road Safety page for information.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the government of the Czech Republic’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of the Czech Republic’s air carrier operations.
CHILDREN'S ISSUES: For information see our Office of Children’s Issues web pages on intercountry adoption and international parental child abduction.
REGISTRATION/EMBASSY AND CONSULATE LOCATIONS: Americans living in the Czech Republic are encouraged to register with the Embassy through the State Department’s travel registration web site so that they can obtain updated information on travel and security within the Czech Republic. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the U.S. Embassy. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency. The U.S. Embassy in Prague is located at Trziste 15, 118 01 Prague, Czech Republic; telephone (420) 257 022 000; Consular Section’s fax (420) 257 022 809.
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This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated July 21, 2008 with updated information on Crime and Medical Facilities and Health Information.
