Last Updated
As of late June 2021, the Czech Republic has finally started allowing tourism to return.
In summer 2020 Czechia reopened for tourism for EU nations, but went into a lockdown lasting far into 2021. They have created new green, orange, red, lists of countries that can visit, along with who needs to bring a PCR test, etc.
The Czech Republic is a major European destination that receives around 20 million tourists every year and is expected to adopt the EU's recommendation for the Digital Green Certificate that will safely allow tourism to restart in summer-2021.
Countries Permitted To Enter the Czech Republic
- EU/EEA/Schengen nations
- The third-party countries of: Albania, Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brunei, Canada, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Korea, Kosovo, Lebanese, Macau, Montenegro, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Qatar, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Taiwan, United States of America
Testing Rules For Entering Czechia
Czechia has different entry rules based on the country the passengers is coming from. The risk of a nation is determined and it's put onto one of four lists; Green, Orange, Red, Dark Red, or Gray.
Vaccination and Recovery exemptions apply.
(Last Updated August 23 2021)
Green & Orange List Entry Rules – Countries on the green and the orange list will have to provide proof of a negative covid test. This could be a 72-hour PCR test or a 24-hour antigen test.
Red List and Dark Red List Entry Rules – Countries on the red list will have to provide proof of two negative covid tests, one prior to travel and one on arrival (or within 24 hours of arrival). PCR only. Then, the traveler will be tested on arrival and asked to self-isolate for 5 days until the negative result from the arrival test is available.
Gray List Entry Rules – Countries on the gray list will have to provide proof of three negative covid tests, one prior to travel and one on arrival (or within 24 hours of arrival), and another on Day 10 of self isolation. The pre-flight test could be a 72-hour PCR test or a 24-hour antigen test. Then, the traveler will be tested on arrival and asked to self-isolate for 10 days, with the requirement of another PCR test to be taken on Day 10.
How can I find out what color my country is?
The country colors change very frequently and the most recent and updated information can be found on Czechia's Ministry of Health page. (As of August 2021, most EU nations are green or orange.)
*Vaccination Exemptions: For Green, Orange, Red and Dark Red Country lists, passengers can show proof of being fully vaccinated (at least 14 days) with an EMA-approved vaccine instead of testing and/or quarantine requirements.
*Proof of Recovery Exemptions: For Green, Orange, Red and Dark Red Country lists, passengers can show proof of being recently recovered from the virus, at least 10 days and no longer than 180 days.
Mandatory Travel Form
All passengers, except those coming from a Green nation, must fill out the passenger locator form prior to entry.
What's Open in Czechia?
On May 28, Health Minister Adam Vojtech announced many things will reopen on June 1, 2021, including: Bars, restaurants, gyms, pools, saunas, bowling alleys, and casinos. Businesses like hotels are expected to follow in June as well.
Face Masks Rules in the Czech Republic?
As of May 29, 2021, face masks are required in all public indoor spaces and on public transit. However, they are not required outdoors when social distancing can be maintained.
Czech Republic and the #LoveIsNotTourism movement
On July 20, the Czech Republic changed the entry rules for un-married couples to finally meet again in the country.
For example: An American with a czech girlfriend or boyfriend who have been separated by the entry ban.
The Czech government states that the couple will need to apply for the exception with the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Applicants can email vo@mzv.cz to start the process.
Sources: Czech Ministry of Health / Ministry of the Interior / Czech Tourism Board
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Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Originally published June 14, 2020 with updates
Mishkat Ullah
Thursday 22nd of October 2020
can a tourist enter to Czech republic from Pakistan nowadays and if yes what are the rules
Kashlee Kucheran
Thursday 22nd of October 2020
No sorry, it's not permitted at this time
goonly2
Wednesday 19th of August 2020
I actually received a formal email back from the Czech Government that was very informative, which I will copy & paste below. Essentially, the official answer is that you must have a Residence Permit from an EU Country in order to meet all of the entry guidelines. If you don't have this they said that it is possible that the airline would refuse to provide a boarding pass (which I believe is totally dependent on which employee checks you in - as none of them really know how to properly follow the complicated guidelines that are always changing). If they do issue the boarding pass at your origination airport in the Schengen Area then it should be no problem to take the flight and actually enter Prague as there is no additional passport control. See email below that I received from the Czech Government:
Dear XXX,
You can freely visit the Czech republic without any restrictions in case you have long-term permission to stay in EU country (Portugal is consider to be country with low risk). There could be some issue on boarding flight so please do have confirmation about your permission to stay in European union.
However, as of July 1st the countries are divided into two groups according to a level of risk - low risk countries and countries that are not on the list of the countries with a low risk. Conditons for entry depends on from which country are you arriving.
Third-countries nationals with a residence permit (long-term or temporary permission) in other EU+ country: Countries with a low risk - after arriving to the CZE the purpose of the stay and duration of the stay will not be checked. It is not necessary to submit a medical certificate on SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing results upon an arrival.
Countries that are not on the list of the countries with a low risk - after an arrival it is necessary to contact the respective hygienic station and submit a PCR test result (that was made in CZE) to them within 72 hours after the arrival. Test result from foreign countries will not be accepted.
Third-countries nationals without a residence permit in CZE or other EU+ country: They cannot enter CZE now.
In case you spent more then 12 hours in the last 14 days in a country that is not on the list of countries with a low risk, you have to follow the same rules as if you were there the whole time of your stay.
The list of countries with a low risk is here: (link) The above-mentioned information describes conditions for entry in CZE. For information regarding entry to other countries, contact the embassies in the countries of destination.
The situation may change so we advise you to follow the website of MoI (link)
Kind regards,
Information Line Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic
Eric
Tuesday 18th of August 2020
Does anyone know with certainty if the requirement to enter the Czech Republic via air is to be a citizen of a “Safe Low Risk Country” or would it be sufficient to simply be flying from a country on that Safe List into the Czech Republic? For example, a US citizen traveling with only a US Passport that has been in the EU for a month who desires to fly to Prague from Madrid.
Kashlee Kucheran
Tuesday 18th of August 2020
Most countries are reluctant to answer the common "If an AMerican in the EU for at least 2 weeks..." question publicly, so we can't get an answer. Some people say yes, some people say no. The only way to know is to ask the consulate and just try going. If you DO go, please let us know what happens
Oleksii
Thursday 16th of July 2020
Looks like Canadians can now go to Czech Republic? It is on the safe country list.