Foreign visitors in Prague
ENTERING THE CZECH REPUBLIC
There is visa-free entry for citizens of most European countries, Australia, Canada and the United States. If necessary, visas are issued by diplomatic missions of the Czech Republic in a given country. Czech Republic is a member of the Schengen area. Inhabitants of contractual states are allowed to cross borders between states within this area without undergoing border controls. Still, inhabitants of these states have the obligation to carry a passport or an identity card with them.
More information: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
LANGUAGE
The official language is Czech. The majority of inhabitants have a basic, or possibly higher level of fluency in English and German. In hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, places of historical interest and many shops and services it is possible to make oneself understood in English or German and exceptionally also in French.
CLIMATE
The Czech Republic has a temperate continental climate with four seasons. Winters are quite mild (the average temperature in January is -0.9 °C) and summers are not too hot (the average temperature in July is 19 °C).
IMPORTANT TELEPHONE NUMBERS
The most important institutions have three-digit telephone numbers that you can reach even without a SIM card inserted in your mobile phone. The service is free.
The Czech Republic's country code: +420
- Emergency call 112
- Ambulance service phone 155
- Police phone 158
- Fire emergency phone 150
- Municipal police phone 156
- Emergency road service phone 1230, 1240
- General information phone 221 714 444
TOURIST INFORMATION
The Prague Information Service provides tourist information and assistance to tourists.
CUSTOMS REGULATIONS
Foreign visitors to the Czech Republic are allowed to export non-commercial goods without permission and the character and quantity of which indicate that such goods are for personal use or gifts. If special generally binding regulations apply to the exported goods (e.g. regulations on protection of cultural monuments, objects of museum value and the like), customs officials require export permission.
More information at: Customs Administration of the Czech Republic
CURRENCY
Legal tender - crown (Kč), international abbreviation CZK
- Coins: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 Kč
- Banknotes: 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000 Kč
ATMs AND PAYMENT CARDS
There is a dense network of ATMs in Prague that accept all common types of international payment cards. It is also possible to pay with credit cards in the majority of shops, restaurants and accommodation facilities.
Reporting the loss of a payment card
- American Express - tel. 222 800 222
- Visa and Eurocard/Mastercard - tel. 272 771 111
- Diners Club - tel. 267 197 450
POST OFFICE
The main post office - Praha 1, Jindřišská 14, tel. 221 131 445, open daily except for a break from midnight till 2 a.m. Regular opening hours for post offices in the Czech Republic are Mon-Fri 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Czech Post information, including postage rates: http://www.ceskaposta.cz/en/
HOLIDAYS AND WORK-FREE DAYS
State offices and banks are closed on Saturdays, Sundays and on state holidays. On Sundays and state holidays, regular shops are closed as well, while supermarkets and hypermarkets often operate without restrictions.
HEALTH CARE
Providers of health care in the EU accept patients with European health insurance cards. It is recommended that non-EU citizens purchase commercial health insurance in their home country before arriving in the Czech Republic. In case of acute illness or injury, the patient will be provided treatment in any hospital, emergency facility or the department for foreign patients in the Na Homolce and Motol hospitals.
TIPPING
Tips usually make for 10% of the total price. However, it depends on your satisfaction with the staff and service provided.
SMOKING
A law restricting smoking is in force in the Czech Republic. A smoking ban applies to public spaces (public transportation platforms - stops, railway and bus stations, means of public transport, cultural facilities, health care facilities). Smoking is limited in restaurants, although it is not strictly prohibited. Smoking and non-smoking areas are usually designated and separate.
ELECTRICAL VOLTAGE
The electrical network in the Czech Republic has the voltage of 230V.
EMBASSIES
Assistance in a difficult situation can be obtained at the embassy of your country.
For further information have a look here.
