Advice levels
What does this mean?Overview
Safety
- 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. Never leave your belongings unattended in public places or on transportation.
- 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. Avoid demonstrations and crowds.
- Terrorism is a threat worldwide. Be alert, especially in places known to be possible targets.
Full travel advice: Safety
Health
- The standard of medical facilities in Australia is similar. However, even in an emergency, you may need to pay for healthcare upfront.
Full travel advice: Health
Local laws
- 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
Travel
- The Czech Republic is part of the Schengen area, meaning you can enter without a visa in some cases. In other situations, you'll need to get a visa.
- The new European Entry/Exit System (EES) for all non-EU nationals, including Australians, travelling in or out of the Schengen Area is expected to start in October 2025.
- Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the nearest embassy or consulate of the Czech Republic for more details.
Full travel advice: Travel
Local contacts
- 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.
- To stay up to date with local information, follow the Australian Embassy, Warsaw social media accounts.
Full travel advice: Local contacts
Full advice
Safety
Crime
Petty crime
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. Do not leave your bags unattended while on public transport.
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 ID, for example, 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
- keep your bags, wallets and passports safe
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. You can also get a police report from the police station at the airport.
Every lamppost in Prague has a 6-digit number posted at eye level. These codes will help you tell the police where you are if you can't give an exact address.
Scams and fraud
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 think 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
Cyber security
You may be at risk of cyber-based threats during overseas travel to any country. Digital identity theft is a growing concern. Your devices and personal data can be compromised, especially if you're connecting to Wi-Fi, using or connecting to shared or public computers, or to Bluetooth.
Social media can also be risky in destinations where there are social or political tensions or laws that may seem unreasonable by Australian standards. Travellers have been arrested for things they have said on social media. Don't comment on local or political events on your social media.
More information:
Civil unrest and political tension
Demonstrations and protests
Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.
To protect yourself during periods of unrest:
- monitor local media and other sources
- avoid crowds, protests and demonstrations
- follow the advice of local authorities
More information:
Terrorism
While there have been no recent terrorist attacks in the Czech Republic, they can still happen.
Terrorism is a threat worldwide. Attacks have occurred in some European cities.
More information:
Climate and natural disasters
If there's flooding or severe weather:
- follow the advice of local authorities
- monitor the media and other local sources
Other natural disasters are rare but could happen.
Register with the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System to receive alerts on major disasters.
Health
Travel insurance
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
Physical and mental health
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.
If you have immediate concerns for your welfare, or the welfare of another Australian, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or contact your nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate to discuss counselling hotlines and services available in your location.
More information:
- General health advice
- Healthy holiday tips (Healthdirect Australia)
Medications
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
- your required dosage
- that it's for personal use
More information:
Health risks
Ticks are common in country areas. They're active from March to November.
If you're in forest or country areas, you're at risk of tick-borne diseases, such as tick-borne encephalitis (World Health Organization).
More information:
Other health risks
Outbreaks of foodborne and other infectious diseases can occur. These include:
To reduce your risk of illness:
- practice good hygiene
- avoid contaminated food or water
- make sure your vaccinations are up to date
Medical care
Medical facilities 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.
Local laws
Local law
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.
Drugs
Penalties for drug offences are severe and may include long jail terms
More information:
Surrogacy
It is a criminal offence in the Czech Republic to place a child into the hands of another for profit or gain. Seek independent legal advice.
The Australian Embassy can't provide:
- legal advice about surrogacy
- information on clinics
More information:
Other laws
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.
Australian laws
Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.
More information:
Dual nationality
Travel
Visas and border measures
Visitor visas
Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice.
The Czech Republic is a part of the Schengen Area, along with many other European countries. This may allow you to enter the Czech Republic without a visa in some situations, such as short tourism stays.
Contact the nearest embassy or consulate of the Czech Republic for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.
See the Ministry of the Interior Immigration Portal for information on entering and staying in the Czech Republic.
Border measures
Since 16 September 2024, Germany and Austria have temporarily put in place border checks on their land borders, including with the Czech Republic.
More information:
- Immigration portal (Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic)
European Entry/Exit System (ESS)
The new European Entry/Exit System (EES) for all non-EU nationals, including Australians, travelling in or out of the Schengen Area is expected to start in October 2025.
The EES is a digital border system that registers non-EU visitors travelling into the Schengen Area. When entering the Schengen Area, you'll need to have your fingerprints and photo taken. This creates a digital record that registers your biometric details.
You'll need to do this on your first visit to the EU after the EES is introduced. If you visit the Schengen Area again within 3 years of creating your digital record, you'll only need to provide either your fingerprint or photograph at the border on entry and exit.
This process should only take a few minutes per person, however you may experience longer queues at borders when the new system starts.
Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the nearest embassy or consulate of the Czech Republic for the latest details on entry requirements before you travel.
Other formalities
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.
Contact the nearest embassy or consulate of the Czech Republic for more information.
Registering accommodation
If you're staying in private accommodation for more than 3 days, you must register with the local Foreigner's Police Branch. If you don't register, you could be fined.
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.
Passport
Validity
Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 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. You could receive conflicting advice from different sources.
You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 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.
Lost or stolen 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.
Passport with 'X' gender identifier
Although Australian passports comply with international standards for sex and gender, we can't guarantee that a passport showing 'X' in the sex field will be accepted for entry or transit by another country. Contact the nearest embassy, high commission or consulate of your destination before you arrive at the border to confirm if authorities will accept passports with 'X' gender markers.
More information:
Money
The currency of the Czech Republic is the Koruna (CZK). Payments by card are common and accepted in most places.
Change money at official marked exchange offices such as banks and exchange bureaus.
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.
Local travel
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
Driving permit
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 Transportation (Czech).
Road travel
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 (vignette) for your car to travel on major highways. You can buy the sticker at petrol stations.
It's illegal to drive under the influence of any alcohol or drugs in the Czech Republic.
More information:
Motorcycles
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.
Taxis
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.
Public transport
Keep your ticket until the end of your journey. Show it to the inspector if asked.
More information:
Rail travel
You must buy a ticket that is valid for your whole journey. Tickets can be purchased online or at the stations. If you board without a ticket, you may be fined.
Air travel
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:
Local contacts
Emergencies
Depending on what you need, contact your:
- family and friends
- travel agent
- insurance provider
- employer
- airline
Fire and rescue services
Call 112.
Medical emergencies
Call 112.
Police
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.
Consular contacts
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 consular and limited passport services by appointment.
The consulate cannot issue emergency passports. If you lose your passport in the Czech Republic, contact the Consulate in Prague to discuss your options.
Australian Consulate, Prague
Klimentska 10
110 00 Prague 1, Czech Republic
Phone: (+420) 221 729 260
Fax: (+420) 296 578 352
Website: https://www.austrade.gov.au/cs/consulate-en
Email: prague@austrade.gov.au
Australian Embassy, Warsaw, Poland
Rondo ONZ 1
8th floor
00-124 Warsaw, Poland
Phone: +48 22 521 3443
Fax: +48 22 627 3500
Website: poland.embassy.gov.au
Email: ambasada.australia@dfat.gov.au
Facebook: Australia in Poland, Czech Republic and Lithuania
X: @AusAmbPoland
Check the Embassy website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.
24-hour Consular Emergency Centre
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