Practical information
1. Arriving in the Czech Republic
Citizens of EU countries, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland may stay temporarily within the territory of the Czech Republic without any permit whatsoever on the basis of a travel document or ID card.
A notification obligation does however apply for this group for stays longer than 3 months. You must notify the pertinent inspectorate of the foreign police service.
All citizens of countries with which an agreement on visa-less relations has been concluded require is a passport. A list of these countries can be found here.
Citizens of certain countries need to arrange a visa to enter the Czech Republic. A list of countries with a visa liability can be found here.
2. Embassies and consulates
In the event of any problems or in complicated situations, you can get help from your country’s embassy. If your country does not have any representation or an embassy here, contact the consulate. A list of embassies and consulates can be found on the following website: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic.
3. Money
The official currency used in the Czech Republic is the Czech crown which has the international abbreviation CZK. You can pay for goods and services in the Czech Republic with cash and cards. There are also places in the country where payment can be made in euros – in most retail chains, electronics shops, at petrol stations and in restaurants.
4. Telephones
The international dialling code for the Czech Republic is +420 (or 00 420). When calling from abroad this must be dialled first, followed by the 9-digit number.
5. Important telephone numbers
The most important emergency services have three-digit numbers which you should have with you at all times in case you should need them. These numbers can be called free of charge from mobiles even without a SIM card inserted.
112 – General emergency number
155 – Ambulance
158 – Police
156 – Municipal Police
150 – Fire brigade
6. Rules of the road
Rules of the road in the Czech Republic are very similar to those in other European countries. The main rules
* Drive on the right.
* Seatbelts must be used.
* Headlights must be switched on all day, year round.
* Children (smaller than 150 cm and weighing less than 36 kg) must be placed in a child seat at all times.
* Cyclist younger than 18 must wear a helmet.
Speed limits
In the Czech Republic different speed limits apply in different environments (built-up areas, roads outside built-up areas and motorways). Unless stated otherwise, the following speed limits apply in these areas: 130 kmph on the motorway, 50 kmph in built up areas, 90 kmph outside built-up areas.
Motorways and tolls
If you wish to travel along motorways in your own car, you’ll need to have a special vignette stuck to the front windscreen. These can be purchased at petrol stations and post offices.
7. Business hours
In small towns most shops are open Mon – Fri, from 8 or 9am until 6pm, and only in the morning on Saturdays. In big cities shops may stay open until 9pm. Only a few small shops have a lunch break, usually between 12 and 1pm. Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays mean most banks and offices will be closed. Ordinary shops also close on Sundays and public holidays, while supermarkets and shopping centres often stay open.
8. Health insurance
Health insurance for citizens of EU member states
On the other hand, the insured party of one EU member country is only entitled to essential medical care within the territory of another member country with a view taken to the nature of the illness and expected length of stay. On the basis of this card, the insurance company will not pay for anything above the framework of essential care and will not even settle the excess stipulated by the local laws. This excess is payable at the following levels in the Czech Republic (simplified list):
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Visit to a GP – CZK 30,
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Emergency treatment – CZK 90,
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A day in hospital – CZK 60,
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Item on a prescription – CZK 30.
Health insurance for citizens of countries not in the EU
Citizens of countries outside of the EU should take out health insurance before leaving home. If they fail to do so, they are liable to pay for treatment at the point of delivery.
You will find more information on health insurance in the Czech Republic on the Centre for International reimbursements website (www.cmu.cz).
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