The official currency is the Koruna (CZK), which is divided
into100 haler. Most credit cards including American Express, Diners
Club, Visa and MasterCard are accepted, but it is best to have cash
handy when travelling away from Prague and the main tourist
centres. Travellers cheques and foreign currency can be exchanged
at banks, bureaux de change and some hotels; commission is highest
in hotels. Banks are closed on weekends. ATMs (known as
'bankomats') are becoming more common in Prague and are probably
the best way to obtain local currency at a good rate and without
commission. The Czech Republic is still cheap compared to the rest
of Europe, though the gap is closing.
Currency Exchange Rates
EUR 1.00 =
rate 0.05
rate 0.02
rate 0.05
rate 0.06
rate 0.34
rate 0.04
rate 0.07
Note: These currency exchange rates are not updated daily and should be used as a guideline only.
Language:
Czech is the official language but English and German are
also widely spoken.
Entry requirements for Americans:
US citizens must have a valid passport (must be valid for at
least 90 days beyond period of intended stay). A visa is not
required for stays of up to three months.
Entry requirements for UK nationals:
British citizens must have a passport. No visa is required for
a stay of up to six months for travellers holding a British
Passport endorsed British Citizen or 'holder has the right of abode
in the UK' or 'holder is entitled to re-admission to the UK'. If
passport is endorsed British National (Overseas), then a visa is
not required for a stay of up to three months. In all other cases,
passports must be valid at least 90 days beyond expiry date of the
visa. A visa is required.
Entry requirements for Canadians:
Canadians must have a valid passport (must be valid for at
least 90 days beyond period of intended stay). No visa is required
for a stay of up to three months.
Entry requirements for Australians:
Australian citizens must have a valid passport (must be valid
for at least 90 days beyond period of intended stay) required. A
visa is not required for a stay of up to three months.
Entry requirements for South African:
South Africans require a visa as well as a valid passport (must
be valid for at least 90 days beyond expiry date of the visa).
Entry requirements for Irish nationals:
Irish nationals must have a valid passport or a special
(Emergency) passport. No visa is required for a stay of up to 90
days.
Entry requirements for New Zeland nationals:
New Zealand citizens must have a valid passport (must be valid
for at least 90 days beyond period of intended stay). No visa is
required for a stay of up to three months.
Passport/Visa Note:All visitors must hold an onward or return ticket
and all documents required for onward travel, and proof of
sufficient funds to cover period of intended stay. These must be
produced on request at border crossing points. Visitors must sign a
border-crossing card. Passports of all visitors must be valid at
least 90 days beyond expiry date of the visa or 90 days beyond
period of intended stay for visa exempt nationals.
Embassy or Consulate in US:
Embassy of the Czech Republic, Washington DC, United States: +1
202 274 9100.
Embassy or Consulate in UK:
Embassy of the Czech Republic, London, United Kingdom: +44
(0)20 7243 1115.
Embassy or Consulate in Canada:
Embassy of the Czech Republic, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 562
3875.
Embassy or Consulate in Australia:
Embassy of the Czech Republic, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2
6290 1386.
Embassy or Consulate in South Africa:
Embassy of the Czech Republic, Pretoria, South Africa: +27
(0)12 431 2380.
US Embassy or Consulate:
United States Embassy, Prague: +420 257 022 000.
UK Embassy or Consulate:
British Embassy, Prague: +420 257 402 111.
Canadian Embassy or Consulate
Canadian Embassy, Prague: +420 272 101 800.
Australian Embassy or Consulate:
Australian Consulate, Prague: +420 296 578 350.
South African Embassy or Consulate:
South African Embassy, Prague: +420 267 311 114.
Health:There are no vaccination requirements for international
travellers, and no major health risks are associated with travel to
the Czech Republic. A reciprocal health agreement with the UK
entitles citizens with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to
free emergency health care, however medical insurance is still
advised. Visitors to forested areas should seek medical advice
about immunisation against tick borne encephalitis. In March 2006,
bird flu was discovered in wild birds in southern Bohemia; the risk
to travellers is low, but close contact with live birds should be
avoided and all egg and poultry dishes should be well cooked as a
precaution.
TippingTipping in restaurants is optional and no service charge
is added to bills. Gratuities of 5 to 10% are expected if the
service is good. Taxi drivers are tipped by rounding up the fare at
the end of the journey.
SafetyThe majority of visits to the Czech Republic are
trouble-free, although the country has a risk of indiscriminate
terrorist attacks, which it shares with the rest of the world. On 1
August 2004 an explosive device in the centre of Prague injured 17
people, including tourists. Petty theft is on the increase,
especially in Prague, and visitors should be vigilant about their
belongings particularly on public transport and around the main
tourist sites.
Communications: The international access code for the Czech
Republic is +420. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant
country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). Area codes are not
required. There are high surcharges on international calls from
hotels; it is cheaper to use the public telephone boxes - phone
cards can be bought from newsagents. The local mobile phone
operators use GSM networks and have roaming agreements with all
major international operators. Internet cafes are available in the
main towns.
Duty Free:Travellers to the Czech Republic over 17 years and
entering from the EU do not have to pay customs duty on 800
cigarettes, or 400 cigarillos, or 200 cigars, or 1kg tobacco; 10
litres of spirits with alcohol content over 22%, or 20 litres of
alcoholic beverages with alcohol volume less than 22%, or 90 litres
of wine or 60 litres of sparkling wine, or 110 litres of beer.
Travellers arriving from non-EU countries do not have to pay duty
on 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco,
or a proportional assortment of these; 1 litre spirits or 2 litres
wine; 50g perfume or 250ml eau de toilette; and food, fruits,
medications and flowers for personal use. Other goods to the value
of EUR175 per adult and EUR90 per child under 15 years are allowed.
Guns brought into the country have to be accompanied by a
license.
