Customs regulations and required documents
Personal effects import regulations
Czech Republic
Customs regulations
After accession to the European Union, customs controls at the land borders of the Czech Republic were abolished. International airports, of which Prague Ruzyne airport is the largest, are the only external borders controlled by Czech customs authorities.
You should carry your passport with you at all times for identification. The police may fine you or arrest you if you fail to do so.
Some city centre bars and restaurants don’t allow access to stag groups. Drunken or offensive behaviour is dealt with according to Czech law and may result in detention and or fines.
If you travel on public transport you must buy a ticket before you travel and validate it via the machine when you board. You’ll be fined on the spot if you are travelling with a ticket that has not been validated. The fine, usually 800 crowns (around £22.00), is paid directly to the ticket inspector. You should get a receipt. If you can’t pay the fine the police will be called and you may go through identity checks. The fine can be higher if you’re unable to pay on the spot. You can buy tickets at most large hotels, metro stations and at many newspaper stands (‘Trafika’) and convenience stores.
You may be fined if you attempt to cross a road or tram tracks within 50 metres of a designated crossing point (commonly marked by ‘zebra’ style crossing or traffic lights). You may also be fined if you cross at a pedestrian crossing if the green pedestrian crossing light is not lit.
Same-sex relationships and civil partnerships are legal in Czech Republic but same-sex marriages aren’t recognised in Czech law. Public displays of affection may be frowned upon or attract unwanted attention. See our information and advice page for the LGBT community before you travel.
Taking food and drink into the Czech Republic
You cannot take meat, milk or products containing them into EU countries. There are some exceptions for medical reasons, for example certain amounts of powdered infant milk, infant food, or pet food required for medical reasons.
Click here to see : Local laws and customs
Used Household Goods and Personal Effects
Documents Required
- Passport
- Packing list
- Inventory list
- Copy of lease agreement
- Letter of employment
- Original bill of lading (OBL) / air waybill (AWB)
- Czech ID card (instead of a lease agreement for Czech nationals)
- Customs import declaration provided by the local embassy (diplomats)
Specific Information
- Shipments are duty free if documentation requirements are met.
Click here to see : Country guides
Dutiable Items
Free Import when travelling within EU
Although there are no limits on the amount of alcohol and tobacco one can bring in from EU countries, customs officials are more likely to ask you questions if you have more than:
Tobacco products:
- 800 cigarettes;
- 400 cigarillos (max. 3g each);
- 200 cigars;
- 1kg smoking tobacco;
Alcoholic beverages:
- 10 litres of spirits over 22%;
- 20 litres of alcoholic beverages less than 22%;
- 90 litres of wine (though no more than 60 litres of sparkling wine);
- 110 litres of beer.
These quantities can be seized if customs are satisfied that they are of a commercial nature.
Free Import quantities when travelling from outside EU
Alcohol and alcoholic beverages
Over 17 years olds can bring (in personal luggage) the following quantities:
- 1 litre of alcohol that does not exceed 22% volume of alcohol, or un-denatured ethyl alcohol 80% volume and over
- 2 litres of alcohol that does not exceeds 22% volume of alcohol
- 4 litres of still wine
- 16 litres of beer.
The passengers can combine the first two types of alcohol as long the alcohol volume does not exceed 100%.
Over 17 years old that belong to the following categories:
- persons residing in the frontier zone (region beyond the expanding borders of the European Union including: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro)
- frontier-zone workers,
- the crews of means of transport used between third countries and the Community,
may bring (in your personal luggage) alcohol in the following quantities: - 0,5 litre of alcohol exceeding 22% volume, or un-denatured ethyl alcohol of 80% volume and over
- a total of 0,5 litre of alcohol and alcoholic beverages of an alcoholic strength not exceeding 22% volume
- 0,5 litre of still wine
- 2 litres of beer.
The passengers can combine the first two types of alcohol as long the alcohol volume does not exceed 100%.
Note that the consideration of what constitutes frontier countries lies entirely with EU and the list outlined above may change.
Tobacco products
When travelling by air or sea , over 17 years old can bring tobacco products for personal use only the following:
- 200 cigarettes or
- 100 cigarillos or
- 50 cigars or
- 250 g of smoking tobacco.
Each amount specified in above points will amount to 100% of the total allowance for tobacco products.
When travelling by land, over 17 years old can bring tobacco products for personal use only the following:
- 40 cigarettes or
- 20 cigarillos or
- 10 cigars or
- 50 grams of smoking tobacco.
Each amount specified in all the points will amount to 100% of the total allowance for tobacco products.
Other goods
- Medication – for personal use only
- Personal items of non-commercial nature worth up to 430 euro when travelling by air or sea
- Personal items of non-commercial nature worth up to 300 euro when travelling by land
- Personal items of non-commercial nature worth up to 150 euro for travellers under 15 years of age.
Non-commercial item are of an occasional nature and consist exclusively of goods for the personal or family use of the traveller, or of goods intended as presents. The nature and quantity of the goods must not be such as to indicate that they are being imported for commercial reasons.
Click here to view : Airport tax regulations
Prohibited Items
- Meat and milk and any items thereof from non-EU countries with the exception of limited amounts from Andorra, Croatia, the Faeroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland and small amounts of specific products from other countries
- Protected species and products thereof as listed by the CITES (Washington Convention) for example ivory, tortoise shell, coral, reptile skin, wood from Amazonian forests.
The Integrated Tariff of the European Union (Tarif Intégré de la Communauté – TARIC) is designed to show various rules that apply to specific products imported into the customs territory of the EU or, in some cases, when exported from it. To determine whether a product is prohibited or subject to restriction, check the TARIC for the following codes:
- CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species
- PROHI Import Suspension
- RSTR Import Restriction
For information on how to access the TARIC, see the Import Requirements and Documentation Section above.
Click here to view : Prohibited restricted imports
Miscellaneous (Pets, Motors, and others.)
Arms and Ammunition regulations:
Import of sporting guns: special license and gun license, both obtained prior to arrival, required.
Prohibited: It is not allowed to import arms and ammunition from Russian Fed. and Syria
Pets:
Cats and dogs are subject to Regulation (EC) No. 998/2003 and Regulation (EU) 576/2013 . However, echinococcus and ticks treatment are not required. Entry may be refused in case the animal is not in good health or in case of an unfavorable epizootological situation in the country of origin.
Birds are subject to Decision (EC) No. 25/2007.
Pets may enter as passenger’s checked baggage, in the cabin or as cargo. For more detailed information contact a Czech embassy or visit www.svscr.cz
Baggage Clearance regulations:
Baggage is cleared at the first airport of entry in Czechia.
Exempt: baggage of transit passengers continuing to Ostrava (OSR).
Currency
Currency Import regulations:
and Export: local currency (Czech Koruna-CZK) and foreign currencies: no restrictions if arriving from or traveling to another EU Member State .
If arriving directly from or traveling to a country outside the EU: amounts exceeding EUR 10,000.- or more or the equivalent in another currency (incl. banker’s draft and cheques of any kind) must be declared.
Click here to view : Currency airport regulations
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No airport tax is levied on passengers upon embarkation at the airport.
Entry to the Czech Republic
You are only allowed to enter the Czech Republic for essential reasons, such as work, medical treatment or family reunion, or if you hold residency or a valid long-term visa for the Czech Republic. Entry for tourism is not permitted. UK nationals resident in the Czech Republic who applied for a residence permit before 31 December 2020 but haven’t received the Certificate of Residence yet can request a “confirmation for entry” from the website of the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Some flights between the UK and the Czech Republic have been cancelled. You should check with your airline operator before travelling. The RegioJet coach service between the UK and the Czech Republic is not currently operating. Please check on the status of services before you plan to travel.
If you have spent more than 12 hours in the UK during the previous 14 days, you must present a negative RT-PCR test that has been taken in the UK no longer than 72 hours before departure. On arrival in the Czech Republic, you must self-isolate for at least 5 days, before undertaking a further RT-PCR test between 5-7 days after arrival. A negative test result ends this period of self-isolation. If you test negative, you will need to wear a FFP2 standard facemask or higher when you are outdoors (available in Czech pharmacies and known in Czech as “respirátor”) after ending self-isolation up until 14 days after arrival. You are also required to fill in the Passenger Locator Form and present it upon arrival. You should consult your airline operator before travelling.
Details on regulations in place for travellers, permitted reasons for entry, and more information on entry requirements and local restrictions can be found on the website of the Czech Ministry of Interior.
You are allowed to transit the Czech Republic, but you need to present either a negative RT-PCR test result (no older than 72 hours before departure), or a negative antigen test result (no older than 24 hours before departure) upon entry.
If you are legally permitted to travel, check our advice for the country you are visiting and each country that you would transit. Some other countries have closed their border with the Czech Republic in some areas, and may further restrict movement or bring in new rules including testing requirements with little warning.
You should not use the NHS testing service to get a test in order to facilitate your travel to another country. You should arrange to take a private test.
Regular entry requirements
The information on this part of the page covers the most common types of travel and reflects the UK government’s understanding of the rules currently in place. Unless otherwise stated, this information is for travellers using a full ‘British Citizen’ passport.
The authorities in the country or territory you’re travelling to are responsible for setting and enforcing the rules for entry. If you’re unclear about any aspect of the entry requirements, or you need further reassurance, you’ll need to contact the embassy, high commission or consulate of the country or territory you’re travelling to.
You should also consider checking with your transport provider or travel company to make sure your passport and other travel documents meet their requirements.
Visas
The rules for travelling or working in European countries changed on 1 January 2021:
- you can travel to countries in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. This applies if you travel as a tourist, to visit family or friends, to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events, or for short-term studies or training
- if you are travelling to the Czech Republic and other Schengen countries without a visa, make sure your whole visit is within the 90-day limit. Visits to Schengen countries within the previous 180 days before you travel count towards your 90 days
- to stay longer, to work or study, for business or for other reasons, you will need to meet the Czech government’s entry requirements. Check with the Embassy of the Czech Republic what type of visa and/or work permit you may need
- if you stay in the Czech Republic with a visa or permit, this does not count towards your the 90-day visa-free limit
- Any time you spent in the Czech Republic or other Schengen countries before 1 January 2021 does not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit.
At Czech border control, you may need to use separate lanes from EU, EEA and Swiss citizens when queueing. Your passport may be stamped on entry and exit. You may also need to:
- show a return or onward ticket
- show you have enough money for your stay
There are separate requirements for those who are resident in the Czech Republic. If you are resident in the Czech Republic, you should carry proof of residence as well as your valid passport when you travel. For further information on these requirements, see our Living in the Czech Republic guide.
Passport validity
Check your passport is valid for travel before you book your trip, and renew your passport if you do not have enough time left on it.
You must have at least 6 months left on an adult or child passport to travel to most countries in Europe (not including Ireland).
If you renewed your current passport before the previous one expired, extra months may have been added to its expiry date. Any extra months on your passport over 10 years may not count towards the 6 months needed.
UK Emergency Travel Documents
UK Emergency Travel Documents (ETDs) are accepted for entry, airside transit and exit from the Czech Republic.
Crime
Most visitors to the Czech Republic experience no difficulties but you should be aware of street crime and petty theft, particularly in Prague.
Prague city police advise visitors to:
- always exchange currency at a currency exchange office or bank, never on the street as this money is often counterfeit
- avoid contact with women and men acting as street prostitutes as they are often pickpockets
- take care when using cash machines
- the sale and distribution of drugs is illegal and the drugs are often hazardous counterfeits
- be aware of consumption charges in night clubs; they are often high. Be careful with consumption cards, which carry high financial penalties if they are lost before the bill is paid
Take care of yourself and your belongings in the same way as you would do in the UK. Take precautions against pickpockets and bag snatchers and don’t leave your belongings or food / drinks unattended.
Petty theft is a problem, especially in major tourist areas in Prague. Try to avoid busy carriages on the metro and trams, which are favoured by pickpockets. There is also a risk of pick-pocketing on flights from the UK. It is best to keep your passport and valuables with you before and during your flight.
Beware of bogus plain-clothes policemen, who may ask to see your foreign currency and passport. If approached, don’t show your money, but offer instead to go with them to the nearest police station. If you suspect that you are dealing with a bogus police officer, you can call 158 or 112 to check their identity. No police officer in the Czech Republic has the right to check your money or its authenticity.
Report any thefts in person to the Czech police within 24 hours and get a police report crime number. Prague police station (Jungmannovo namesti 9, Prague 1 – nearest metro stop is Mustek) is open 24 hours and has English translators. There’s also a police station at the airport where you can get a police report. It’s possible to obtain a reference number for a crime related incident by reporting it to a police station in the UK, but it’s much better to report the crime in the Czech Republic.
If your passport is lost or stolen you will need to get a police report and apply for an Emergency Travel Document from the British Embassy in Prague.
Every lamppost in Prague has a 6-digit number posted at eye-level. Should you need assistance from the police or emergency services, these codes will help pinpoint your location if you’re unable to offer an exact address.
Local travel
If you’re travelling in a group keep a careful note of your hotel telephone number and address in case you are separated from the rest of your party. Leave contact details of your travelling companions with a friend or relative at home who you can contact if you get separated from your group.
Every year there are accidents involving trams. Take extra care when near tram tracks and make sure you look both ways. Trams can’t stop quickly.
Seasonal flooding (normally during the Spring) occurs occasionally. Check the Ministry of Agriculture website for more information. By selecting ‘Enter’ you’ll see a map of the country which showing any current flood warnings.
Taxis
It’s safer to use a major taxi company like Tick Tack tel: 14 144 or AAA tel: 233 113 311. If you do pick up a taxi in the street, always check the fare per km before getting in. Some taxis can charge highly inflated prices. The rates should be clearly marked on the side of the taxi.
Road travel
In 2019 there were 617 road deaths in the Czech Republic (source: Department for Transport). This equates to 5.8 road deaths per 100,000 of population and compares to the UK average of 2.6 road deaths per 100,000 of population in 2019.
Licences and documents
You can drive using a UK driving licence.
If you’re living in Czech Republic, check the Living in Guide for information on requirements for residents.
Driving standards
In 2018 there were 656 road deaths in Czech Republic (source: Department of Transport). This equates to 6.2 road deaths per 100,000 of population and compares to the UK average of 2.8 road deaths per 100,000 of population in 2018.
Driving regulations
To drive on motorways you’ll need to buy a special vignette (sticker) from a Post Office, petrol station, bureau de change or at the border. Failure to display a valid vignette can result in a fine. More information about vignettes can be found on the website of the Czech Ministry of Transport.
There is a zero-tolerance policy for driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
You must have your headlights on dipped beam when driving anywhere in the Czech Republic, even during the hours of daylight.
All private cars, including those of foreign visitors, must carry the following items by law:
- fluorescent green high visibility safety jacket
- first aid kit, warning triangle
- complete set of spare bulbs
- complete set of electric fuses
- jack
- spanner
- spare wheel or special tyres repair set
You need winter tyres between 1 November and 31 March.
For further information visit the website of the Czech Ministry of Transport and see the European Commission, AA and RAC guides on driving in the Czech Republic.
If you’re planning to drive to the Czech Republic, you may like to consult the green line motoring helpline run by the Czech Central Automobile Club (UAMK), which has information available in Czech and English (telephone: 00 420 1230).
