Latest news: Croatia, Netherlands and San Marino placed on COVID-19 high-risk list (SVI, 24.05.2021). Fully vaccinated Czech nationals permitted to travel to neighboring countries without having to quarantine beginning 15 May (English.radio.cz, 10.05.2021). Israel nationals will be permitted to enter Czech Republic without COVID-19 test or quarantine; Czechia's travel listing for other countries also reported (Schengen Visa Info, 10.05.2021).
International Restrictions:
*From within the EU:
Czechia adopts its own national classification of risk areas, hence travel restrictions for Czechia are not based on the common "EU Traffic Lights" map.
Non-essential travel to Czechia is banned, regardless of the country of origin. People working, studying and visiting their families in Czechia are exempted from the travel ban, as well as people travelling to health and social facilities, weddings and funerals.
Travelling for tourism or to visit friends is not possible.
Is a coronavirus test required?
All travellers who spent longer than 12 hours in the last 14 days in a territory classified as "Orange", "Red", "Dark Red" or "Grey" are subject to the requirement for a pre-departure negative COVID-19 test.
The test must be taken within 72 hours prior to arrival (PCR), or within 24 hours prior to arrival (rapid antigen test). Travellers from "Dark Red" and "Grey" countries must present a PCR test. Furthermore, travellers from "Grey" countries must also undergo another PCR test within 24 hours from the arrival.
Additionally, all travellers from "Orange", "Red", "Dark Red" and "Grey" countries must wear an FFP2 respirator for 14 days after the arrival.
Further information can be found at covid.gov.cz
Is a quarantine required?
Travellers from "Red", "Dark Red" and "Grey" areas must self-isolate until a second negative test result is provided. For travellers from "Red" areas, the test must be taken within 5 days after the arrival. For travellers from "Dark Red" areas, the test must be taken no earlier than on the 5th of the mandatory self-isolation, and finally, for travellers from "Grey" areas, the test must be taken no earlier than on the 10th of the mandatory self-isolation.
Mandatory Travel Documentation
A Passenger Locator Form is mandatory for travellers arriving from "Orange", "Red" and "Dark Red" countries.
A Medical Certificate is required for people who suffered Covid-19 disease in the past.
Other:
For citizens of the Czech Republic (including their family members) and EU/foreign citizens with a permanent residence permit, specific rules apply according to the means of transport they use (private or public).
Find out more:
List of countries according to the level of risk
Restrictions on the entry of foreigners
Protective measure
Travelling abroad
Contact point for the Czech Republic:
+420 974 801 801
Mo – Th: 8.00 – 16.00 and Fr: 8.00 – 12.00
(The telephone hotline provides information in Czech and English)
For inquiries related to the entry, you can send an email to cestovani.covid19@mvcr.cz
Documents you need to travel in Europe
Health cover for temporary stays *Transit:
As a general rule, passengers in transit in the EU+ area are exempted from temporary travel restriction. EU citizens entering the EU from a third country, as well as their family members, irrespective of their nationality, are exempted from the travel restrictions regardless of whether or not they are returning to their country of nationality or residence.
Passengers travelling from a non-EU country to another non-EU country may transit through the international transit area of airports located in the Schengen area. Rules regarding airport transit visa requirements continue to apply.
Additionally, for the Czech Republic, the following rules apply:
Transit from low-risk countries is allowed without any restrictions in place. For other countries, the transit is allowed only to return to the home country, and a diplomatic note with information on the date and place of entry and exit is needed.
As of 27 April, transit from the following countries through the Czech Republic is not permitted:
- Botswana
- Brazil
- Eswatini (Swaziland)
- India
- South Africa
- Kenya
- Colombia
- Lesotho
- Malawi
- Mozambique
- Peru
- Tanzania (including the island of Zanzibar and Pemba)
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Find out more:
koronavirus.mzcr.cz
Travel to the Czech Republic is possible only for essential reasons. Travelling for the purpose of tourism, or to visit friends, is not possible. All citizens of third countries that are not on the list of countries with a low risk of transmission of COVID-19, as well as third-country nationals who have temporary or permanent residence in such third countries, are prohibited from entering the territory of the Czech Republic, with some exceptions, as specified in the decree on Protective Measures.
Entry without restrictions is allowed from Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand.
As of 27 April, entry from the following countries is not permitted:
- Botswana
- Brazil
- Eswatini (Swaziland)
- India
- South Africa
- Kenya
- Colombia
- Lesotho
- Malawi
- Mozambique
- Peru
- Tanzania (including the island of Zanzibar and Pemba)
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Czech citizens, persons with residency in the Czech Republic and their family members have an exception from the entry ban.
Is a coronavirus test required?
All travellers who spent longer than 12 hours in the last 14 days in a territory classified as "Orange", "Red", "Dark Red" or "Grey" are subject to the requirement for a pre-departure negative COVID-19 test.
The test must be taken within 72 hours prior to arrival (PCR), or within 24 hours prior to arrival (rapid antigen test). Travellers from "Dark Red" and "Grey" countries must present a PCR test. Furthermore, travellers from "Grey" countries must also undergo another PCR test within 24 hours from the arrival.
Additionally, all travellers from "Orange", "Red", "Dark Red" and "Grey" countries must wear an FFP2 respirator for 14 days after the arrival.
Further information can be found at covid.gov.cz
Is a quarantine required?
Travellers from "Red", "Dark Red" and "Grey" areas must self-isolate until a second negative test result is provided. For travellers from "Red" areas, the test must be taken within 5 days after the arrival. For travellers from "Dark Red" areas, the test must be taken no earlier than on the 5th of the mandatory self-isolation, and finally, for travellers from "Grey" areas, the test must be taken no earlier than on the 10th of the mandatory self-isolation.
Mandatory Travel Documentation
A Passenger Locator Form is mandatory for all travellers arriving from "orange", "red" and "dark red" countries. A Medical Certificate is required for people who suffered Covid-19 disease in the past.
Other:
For citizens of the Czech Republic (including their family members) and EU/foreign citizens with a permanent residence permit, specific rules apply according to the means of transport they use (private or public).
Find out more:
Restrictions on the entry of foreigners
Protective measure
Travelling abroad
*Travel in the Czech Republic: There are various measures in place to control the spread of coronavirus. The details of these measures can be found in the sections below.
*Public spaces and services: It is mandatory to cover your mouth and nose with a face covering in all indoor public spaces and on public transport (including the stops and stations). You don’t have to wear a face covering outside when keeping a two-meter distance from others or if you are in the group of 2 people from different households (with the exception of people from the same household). The Czech government advises that people adhere to social distancing of 2m where possible when in public. Up to 2 people from different households are allowed to meet indoors and outdoors. Some shops and services are open and operating with social distancing measures in place. Indoor restaurants and bars are closed, but some offer a takeaway service. Restaurant gardens are open with restrictive measures in place. Theatres and cinemas are closed. Museums, galleries and landmarks are open to visitors, with hygiene measures in place. Zoos and botanical gardens are open. Full details of all restrictive measures in place including rules on operation of shops, services and restaurant gardens can be found in English on the Czech government Covid portal. Schools are open for some age groups.