A volcano erupted on White Island, New Zealand on 9 December 2019. Follow the instructions of local authorities. Updates are available from the New Zealand Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management.
Call 112.
Call 112.
Call 112.
Exercise normal safety precautions in the Czech Republic.
Use common sense and look out for suspicious behaviour, as you would in Australia.
Petty crime is common in Prague, including passport theft. Be wary of strangers who offer help or ask to see your passport. Only use ATMs in secure places, such as banks, shops and shopping centres.
Drink spiking can happen. Keep an eye on your food and drink. Stay with people you trust in bars and nightclubs.
Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent. Monitor the media for possible unrest. Avoid demonstrations and crowds.
Terrorist attacks have occurred in some European cities. Be alert, especially in places known to be possible targets.
Full travel advice: Safety
Ticks are common in forest and country areas from spring to autumn. They can cause disease, such as tick-borne encephalitis. Check your body for ticks and remove them quickly.
The standard of medical facilities is similar to Australia. However, you may need to pay for healthcare upfront, even in an emergency.
Full travel advice: Health
Penalties for drug offences are severe and may include long prison sentences.
It's illegal to photograph some buildings, including indoor shopping centres. If in doubt, ask local authorities before you take a photo.
Full travel advice: Local laws
The Czech Republic is a part of the Schengen area. In some cases you can enter without a visa. Contact the nearest embassy or consulate of the Czech Republic for details.
Children under the age of 18 travelling alone must have a letter of consent from a parent.
You need travel insurance with health cover to enter the Czech Republic.
If you're staying for more than three days, you must register with the local Foreigner's Police Branch. It's usually part of the check-in process for paid accommodation. Make sure your host registers you.
Border crossings can be strictly controlled. Carry your passport when crossing borders, even within the Schengen area.
You need a motorway sticker on your car to travel on major highways. Buy the sticker at petrol stations.
Full travel advice: Travel
The Consular Services Charter tells you what the Australian Government can and can't do to help when you're overseas.
For consular help, contact the Australian Consulate in Prague.
You can also get consular assistance from the Australian Embassy in Warsaw, Poland.
Full travel advice: Local contacts
Pickpocketing is common in Prague. It happens on the road to Prague Castle, at tourist sites and on public transport.
Passport and car theft is also common, particularly during the summer, from June to August.
Travellers have been robbed in nightclubs, bars and restaurants. This includes fast-food shops in the centre of Prague.
Be careful of strangers who offer help. Travellers have had bags stolen at Prague's main railway station.
Travellers have been robbed or assaulted after drinking a spiked drink.
Only use ATMs in secure places, such as banks, shops and shopping centres.
Always carry your European Union ID document or a copy of your Australian passport.
To stay safe in the Czech Republic:
keep an eye on your food and drink - never accept them from strangers
stay with people you trust in bars and nightclubs
be wary of strangers who offer to help you
Criminals using fake police ID may ask to check the authenticity of your foreign currency and passport. These criminals often operate near ATMs. However real police officers can ask for ID at any time.
If you suspect you're dealing with a criminal posing as a police officer, either:
offer to go with them to the nearest police station
call the police on 112 to confirm their identity
Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.
To stay safe during periods of unrest:
monitor local media and other sources
avoid crowds, protests and demonstrations
follow the advice of local authorities
More information:
While there have been no recent terrorist attacks in the Czech Republic, they can still happen.
Attacks have occurred in some European cities.
Terrorist targets include:
public transport
transport hubs
places popular with tourists
European security services have disrupted some planned attacks.
If you're visiting the Czech Republic:
be alert, especially in places known to be possible terrorist targets
report any suspicious activity or items to police
check the media for possible threats
take official warnings seriously
If there is a terrorist attack:
follow the instructions of local authorities
leave the affected area as soon as it's safe
stay away from the area in case of secondary attacks
Terrorism is a threat worldwide.
More information:
Flooding happens, especially in spring, from March to May.
Other natural disasters are rare.
If there's a natural disaster or severe weather:
follow the advice of local authorities
monitor the media and other local sources
Register with the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System to receive alerts on major disasters.
Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave. Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.
If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.
If you're not insured, you may have to pay many thousands of dollars up-front for medical care.
Confirm:
what activities and care your policy covers
that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away
Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition.
See your doctor or travel clinic to:
have a basic health check-up
ask if your travel plans may affect your health
plan any vaccinations you need
Do this at least eight weeks before you leave.
More information:
International travel and health (World Health Organization)
Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.
If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in the Czech Republic. Take enough legal medication for your trip.
Carry a letter from your doctor stating:
what the medication is
how much you'll take
that it's for personal use
More information:
Ticks are common in country areas. They're active from spring to autumn.
If you're in forest or country areas, you're at risk of tick-borne diseases, such as tick-borne encephalitis (World Health Organization).
Measles cases can routinely occur in Czech Republic, with the country currently experiencing an increase in measles activity. Make sure your vaccinations are up-to-date before you travel.
More information:
Medical facilties are of Western standards. The quality of care in the Czech Republic is generally good, with private facilities usually being of a higher standard than public ones.
Healthcare providers often request payment in advance for services, including emergency care.
You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.
If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter. But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
Penalties for drug offences are severe and may include long jail terms
More information:
It's illegal to photograph some buildings, including indoor shopping centres.
These buildings usually have signs banning photos.
If in doubt, ask local authorities before you take a photo.
Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.
More information:
Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders.
Make sure you meet all entry and exit conditions. If you don't, the Australian Government can't help you.
The Czech Republic is a part of the Schengen area, along with many other European states. This may allow you to enter the Czech Republic without a visa in some situations, such as short tourism stays.
Otherwise, you'll need to get a visa before you travel.
Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the nearest embassy or consulate of the Czech Republic for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.
Children travelling alone must have a letter of consent from a parent. If a child is travelling with one of their parents, a letter of consent isn't needed.
You must have travel insurance with health cover to enter the Czech Republic.
Contact the nearest embassy or consulate of the Czech Republic for more information.
If you're staying in private accommodation for more than three days, you must register with the local Foreigner's Police Branch.
To register, take your:
passport
evidence of your health insurance
completed Registration of Accommodation form (Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic)
Check if registration is part of the check-in process at your paid accommodation.
Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for six months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you're just transiting or stopping over.
Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.
You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than six months.
The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport.
Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.
Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.
If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:
In Australia, contact the Australian Passport Information Service.
If you're overseas, contact the nearest Australian embassy or consulate.
The currency of the Czech Republic is the Koruna (CZK).
Only change money at banks or exchange bureaus. Avoid money changers on the street.
Declare any foreign currency valued at 10,000 euros or more if you're travelling between the Czech Republic and any non-EU country. This covers all forms of currency, not only cash.
If you don't declare, or if you give wrong information, authorities will fine you.
You should check with local authorities in the countries you are leaving, entering or passing through whether you must declare higher amounts of currency.
Since 2015, the movement of asylum seekers has put pressures on border controls in Europe.
Carry your passport when crossing borders, even within the Schengen area.
To stay up to date on border conditions:
check local media
ask transport providers
You need to be at least 18 years old to drive.
To drive, you'll need either:
a local or EU driver's licence
an International Driving Permit (IDP)
Check if your licence is valid with the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic.
Speed is the main cause of road accidents and road deaths.
Roads in rural areas may be poorly maintained.
Always keep car headlights on.
You need a motorway sticker on your car to travel on major highways. You can buy the sticker at petrol stations.
The Czech Republic has a zero-tolerance policy for drivers under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
More information:
Always wear a helmet.
Only use a motorbike if you have a motorcycle licence.
Check with your travel insurer to see if your policy covers motorcycles.
Some taxi drivers refuse to use taxi meters and can overcharge.
Don't hail taxis on the street.
Use a Fair Place Taxi stand or call for an official taxi. Confirm with the driver that the taxi meter is running.
Keep your ticket until the end of your journey. Show it to the inspector if asked.
More information:
You need to book Super City trains. If you board without a reservation, you may be fined.
DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.
Check the Czech Republic's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.
More information:
Depending on what you need, contact your:
family and friends
travel agent
insurance provider
employer
airline
Call 112.
Call 112.
Call 112.
Always get a police report when reporting a crime.
Emergency operators will often speak English and other languages.
Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.
Contact your provider with any complaints about tourist services or products.
Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.
Australia has a consulate in the Czech Republic, headed by an Honorary Consul. The consulate provides essential consular and passport services by appointment.
Unit 6/3
Solitaire Office Building
Klimentska 10
110 00 Prague 1, Czech Republic
Phone: (+420) 221 729 260
Fax: (+420) 296 578 352
Website: austrade.gov.au/local-sites/czech-republic/consulate-english
Email: prague@austrade.gov.au
3rd Floor
Nautilus Building
ul. Nowogrodzka 11
Warsaw, Poland
Phone: +48 22 521 3444
Fax: +48 22 627 3500
Website: poland.embassy.gov.au
Email: ambasada.australia@dfat.gov.au
Facebook: Australia in Poland, Czech Republic and Lithuania
Check the Embassy website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.
In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:
+61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
1300 555 135 in Australia
Be the first to know official government advice when travelling.