Back to destinationsCzech Republic
General Information
- Capital City:
- Prague
- Population:
- 10.51 million
- Area:
- 30,450 square miles
- Language:
- Czech, some German, English, Slovak & Russian
- Electricity:
- 220V AC 50Hz
- Direct Dial:
- 420
- Driving:
- Driving is on the right. National photocard licence required (for a stay up to 180 days, EU nationals - no limit) or International Driving Licence
- Currency:
- Czech Koruna (CZK 1 = 100 Haleru)
Business Hours
- Bank:
- 0800-1700 Mon-Fri
- Office:
- 0800-1600 Mon-Fri
- Shops:
- 0800-1800 Mon-Fri, 0800-1200 Sat (some shops open on Sun & shopping centres till 2200)
- Public Holidays:
- <b>2012</b> 01 Jan : New Year's Day 09 Apr : Easter Monday 01 May : May Day 08 May : Liberation Day 05 Jul : Day of the Apostles St Cyril and St Methodius 06 Jul : Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Jan Hus 28 Sep : Czech Statehood Day 28 Oct : Independence Day 17 Nov : Freedom and Democracy Day 25 Dec : Christmas
Business and social hints
- General:
- Business is conducted in Czech, many executives speak a second language. Very strict laws against drinking and driving apply. On social occasions, eg invitation to restaurants, punctuality appreciated. Dress as for business meetings unless otherwise indicated. The minimum drinking age is 18 years
- Tipping:
- Around 5-10% is customary
- Clothing:
- Generally mediumweights with heavy topcoat for winter. Lightweights for summer. Rainwear required all year round
- Emergency Services:
- Police: 158. Fire: 150. Ambulance: 155 (Prague)
- Hotel Classification:
- The vast majority of hotels in the Czech Republic are privately owned with only a few still left in state hands. Accommodation is classified in accordance with the internationally acknowledged rating system of 1-star up to 5-star.
Prague
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum Temperature °C | 0 | 1 | 7 | 12 | 18 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 18 | 12 | 5 | 1 |
| Minimum Temperature °C | -5 | -4 | -1 | 3 | 8 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 9 | 5 | 1 | -3 |
| Average Humidity (mornings) % | 84 | 83 | 82 | 77 | 75 | 74 | 78 | 80 | 84 | 87 | 86 | 86 |
| Average Humidity (afternoons) % | 73 | 67 | 55 | 47 | 45 | 46 | 50 | 47 | 50 | 59 | 72 | 77 |
| Average Rainfall | 16 | 17 | 18 | 26 | 48 | 53 | 67 | 55 | 30 | 32 | 20 | 20 |
- Import Allowances:
- For persons of 17 years of age or older: 1) Travellers entering from non-EU countries (including Canary Islands, Channel Islands & Gibraltar): a) 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250gr of tobacco b) 1 lit of spirits of more than 22� proof or 2 lit of up to 22� proof c) 2 lit of still wines d) 50gr of perfume & 0.25 lit of eau de toilette e) Other goods to the value of EUR 175 (EUR 90 for travellers under 15 years) 2) Travellers entering from EU countries (goods obtained duty & tax paid - guidance levels): a) 800 cigarettes, 400 cigarillos, 200 cigars & 1 kg of tobacco b) 10 lit of spirits, 20 lit of fortified wine, 90 lit of wine (of which, a max of 60 lit of sparkling wine) & 110 lit of beer
- Contraband:
- All Meat and dairy products
Participant of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC scheme) which allows visitors on short-term stays to other member countries to use the public health care sector for free or reduced-cost medical treatment and emergency care. EHIC replaces the E111 form. <b>Please note:</b> The EHIC scheme is not an alternative to travel insurance. It will <b>not</b> cover any private medical healthcare or the cost of things such as mountain rescue in ski resorts repatriation to the UK lost or stolen property etc. For full details on eligibility and how to apply for a card visit www.nhs.uk or click<a href="https://www.ehic.org.uk/Internet/home.do"> here</a>
- Compulsary Vaccinations
- None.
- Recommended Immunisations
- None required, however for those travelling to the Czech Republic frequently or intending to spend extended time there, Hepatitis A & Tick-Borne Encephalitis should be considered.
- Risks
- None. <b>GENERAL INFO FOR ALL TRAVELLERS:</b> Details listed can occasionally change at very short notice and it's recommended that all travellers seek advice from their Practice Nurse, GP or Travel Clinic when planning a visit to the Czech Republic. It should be noted that some vaccinations and treatments may require one or more visits and should be planned well in advance of travel. Primary courses and boosters should always be up to date as recommended for life in the UK. This should include vaccines given to special groups due to complications or risk exposure such as Hepatitis B for health care workers, influenza and pneumococcal vaccines for the elderly etc.
The following DO NOT require a visa: 1) Nationals of Czech Rep. 2) For an unrestricted length of stay by: a) Nationals of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland (Rep of), Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden & Switzerland. b) Holders of British passports endorsed "British Citizen" c) Holders of Identity Cards issued by Gibraltar endorsed "Validated for EU travel purposes under the authority of the United Kingdom" d) Holders of a residence permit issued by the Czech Rep. 3) For stays up to 90 days by: a) Nationals of Andorra, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Guatemala, Israel, Korea (South), Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, Nicaragua, Panama, San Marino, Uruguay, Vatican City & Venezuela. b) Irrespective of nationality, holding a residence permit issued by Monaco or a Schengen Member State. 4) For stays of up to 90 days in any 6 month period by: a) Nationals of Antigua & Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Brunei, Canada, El Salvador, Honduras, Hong Kong (SAR China passports) Japan, Macao (SAR China passports) Mauritius, New Zealand, Paraguay, Seychelles, Singapore, St. Kitts-Nevis & the USA. b) Holders of British passports endorsed "British National (Overseas)" c) Holders of British passports endorsed "British Overseas Territories Citizen" or "British Subject" containing a Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode issued by the UK. d) Holders of Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) passports providing the passport includes an ID card number. e) Holders of biometric passports issued to nationals of Albania, Bosnia Herzegovina, Macedonia (FYROM) & Montenegro. f) Holders of biometric passports issued to nationals of Serbia providing the passport is not issued by the Coordination Directorate (Koordinaciona uprava).
Entry requirements may change from time to time and should be checked with the Czech Embassy or Consulate.
Embassy
Embassy of Czech Republic Visa Section 26-30 Kensington Palace Gardens London, W8 4QY tel: +44 20 7243 1115, 0906 910 1060* (visa enq) fax: +44 20 7727 9654 e-mail: london@embassy.mzv.cz visa.london@embassy.mzv.cz website: www.czechembassy.org.uk www.czech.org.uk hours: 0900-1100 (Mon-Fri) lodging, 1315-1500 (Mon-Fri) collection * calls cost �1 per minute
Airports
- Brno
- Prague Ruzyne