Conditions of entry into the Czech Republic
When planning a visit to the Czech Republic, it is important where you come from. The individual countries are divided by colour according to the degree of risk of infection ("traffic lights" system). If you are traveling from a country that is not part of the European Union, then contact your embassy in the Czech Republic and check whether you are authorized to enter the country.Foreigners (except for travellers from green countries, member states of EU) can come to the Czech Republic only on the grounds of essential reasons, not for tourism or visiting friends.
As of 9 July 2021 the Ministry of Health updated the Protective Measure regarding the conditions of entry into the Czech Republic. The condition for travels from countries with a low and a medium risk and countries with a high and a very high risk are unified.
Persons travelling from the country with a low and medium risk are obliged to fill in the arrival form (the exception have children under the age of 6) and undergo an antigen or PCR test before or within 5 days after arrival.
The exception from testing and self-isolation
(but not filling in the arrival form) is applied to:- Persons who had COVID-19 in the last 180 days (it is necessary to have a written medical certificate from EU+ country where the isolation was completed or a digital EU certificate on it).
- Persons fully vaccinated in the EU+ countries after at least 14 days from the application of the last dose (it is necessary to have a national certificate or a digital EU certificate).
- Czech citizens and EU+ citizens fully vaccinated in a third country with the EMA approved vaccination after at least 14 days from the application of the last dose (it is necessary to have a certificate whose sample is published on the Ministry of Health´s website).
Rules for testing:
Testing before arrival to the Czech Republic:1) PCR not longer than 72 hours before starting the travel
2) antigen not longer than 48 hours
Testing after arrival to the Czech Republic - within 5 days after arrival from countries with low and medium risk and 5th day after the arrival from a country with high or very high risk at the earliest
Self-isolation - until receiving a negative result of the test undergone in Czechia; time periods for undergoing test in Czechia are mentioned above.
From 1st July, the EU Digital COVID certificate for vaccination, testing or covering from COVID-19 will be used exclusively when traveling within the EU. Fully vaccinated citizens of the Czech Republic will have their rules relaxed when traveling throughout the EU.
Detailed information can be found here.
List of low, medium and high risk countries can be found HERE - PDF
For Czech citizens there is an application čTečka (E-reader), where they can save their vaccination certificate, tests or certificate of covering from COVID-19.
- A common list of COVID-19 rapid antigen tests, including those of which their test results are mutually recognised, and a common standardised set of data to be included in COVID-19 test result certificates.
- National Certificates Types
- Step-by-step guide on quarantine measures
In case you need to contact an embassy or a consulate of your country while in the Czech Republic, please see the List of Foreign Missions to the Czech Repulic.
Measures and restrictions
Respirators (FFP2/KN 95) are mandatory in shops and shopping centers, services, on all forms of public transport, at public transport stops, on platforms and in waiting rooms, at airports, in health and social service facilities, inside official buildings, at post offices, in pharmacies, cars (members of more than one household), and in a workplace (unless being alone in a room).
Face masks are obligatory outdoors only if two and more people meet with shorter than a two-meter distance, unless they are from the same household.
Everyone is encouraged to wash hands frequently, avoid crowded spaces and large gatherings, and generally behave in a responsible manner to minimize risks.
Conditions for entering service establishments including accommodation facilities, participation in public events:
- You can either take 7 days before the PCR test or
- 72 hours before the antigen test or
- Be fully vaccinated (at least 14 days after the 2st dose) or
- Prove that you have in the last 180 days underwent covid-19
GATHERINGS
A maximum of 10 people may meet indoors without any restrictions. Up to 75 people indoors and up to 150 people outdoors are allowed to meet under the following conditions: a PCR test (not older than 7 days), an antigen test (not older than 72 hours), having undergone Covid-19, or being vaccinated.
Consumption of alcoholic beverages in public places is prohibited.
SHOPS AND SERVICES
The capacity of shopping centers and retail stores is limited to 1 person per 10 square meters, while maintaining a spacing of 2 meters.
Holding of farmers' markets is allowed.
RESTAURANTS AND OTHER GASTRONOMIC FACILITIES
Interiors of restaurants may open under strict hygienic conditions. At each table, only four guests can be seated. More guests are allowed to be seated at a table with 10 or more seats. Spacing of 1.5 meters between groups is mandatory. Wearing of respirators is required when not eating. Guests have to show either a negative test for coronavirus, a vaccination certificate, or a document on having undergone Covid-19.
HOTELS AND OTHER ACCOMMODATION FACILITIES
Accommodation facilities may accommodate guests who show either a negative test for coronavirus, a vaccination certificate, or a document on having undergone Covid-19.
Guests are allowed to be served in the hotel's restaurants from 6 am until 10 pm.
MUSEUMS, GALLERIES, MONUMENTS
Museums, galleries, heritage sites, exhibition spaces, fairs, castles, chateaux, zoological and botanical gardens may open under strict sanitary conditions. The capacity is limited to 1 person per 15 square meters, while maintaining a spacing of 2 meters.
Guided tours for up to 10 people are allowed. Up to 30 people may join the tour when showing either a negative test for coronavirus, a vaccination certificate, or a document on having undergone Covid-19.
CULTURAL EVENTS
Open-air events are allowed to host up to 5000 people, while indoor events can't exceed more than 2000 people. The capacity of venues is reduced to 75 percent.
Music, game, dance, social clubs and discotheques may open, but dancing is not allowed.
Up to 250 persons may take part in congresses and conferences, provided that maximally half of the capacity of the indoor space is used.
The visitors to all the events and venues mentioned above are required to wear respirators, show either a negative test for coronavirus, a vaccination certificate, or a document on having undergone Covid-19.
AMATEUR AND PROFESSIONAL SPORTS ACTIVITIES
Operation of indoor sports grounds is allowed under a special regime. A limit of one visitor per 15 square meters of indoor sports ground applies.
Amateur athletes under the age of 18, organized by sports associations, can train at outdoor sports grounds, provided that there are no more than 30 of them and the limit of one athlete per 15 m2 of sports ground is met.
Artificial swimming pools, saunas, salt caves, and wellness are open to the public. The capacity may be filled to a maximum of 75 percent.
The visitors to all the facilities mentioned above are required to show either a negative test for coronavirus, a vaccination certificate, or a document on having undergone Covid-19.
Health services
If you have reason to suspect you might be ill with the coronavirus and have flu-like symptoms (dry cough, fever, joint pain), call the coronavirus hotlines:
National Institute of Public Health:
+ 420 724 810 106 or + 420 725 191 367.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic:
+ 420 224 181 111 or + 420 224 182 425
eRouska app
The Ministry of Health recommends that everyone in the Czech Republic download the free eRouska application to their mobile phones. eRouska uses Bluetooth technology and is compatible with Android and iOS operating systems. The application completely anonymously detects which other users of the application you have come into closer contact with and can notify you if you have encountered an infected person and considered voluntary quarantine or if you feel symptoms seek professional help. More information about the application: https://erouska.cz/en.
The application in the English version can be downloaded here.