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Last Updated:
June 21, 2007 14:27
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Still Valid: November 15, 2007 22:46 EST |
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1. INTRODUCTION AND GEOGRAPHY Section 4 has been updated. The Czech Republic (capital: Prague) is located in Central Europe, bordering Austria, Germany, Poland, and Slovakia. Tourist facilities throughout the country are consistent with those in Western Europe. The official language is Czech. BACK TO TOP 2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS There is no Official Warning for this country. OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada offers a registration service for Canadians travelling or residing abroad. Canadians should register with the responsible Canadian government office in this country if they are going to be there for longer than three months. Registration can be done on-line or by calling the responsible Canadian government office abroad to request a registration form. Canadians visiting for less than three months are strongly advised to: (a) leave a detailed travel itinerary and contact information with family or friends in Canada; (b) provide family with the emergency number for Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (1 800 267-6788 or 613-944-6788); and (c) keep the phone number of the responsible Canadian government office on hand (see Section 5 below). BACK TO TOP 3. SAFETY AND SECURITY The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety. The purpose of this Travel Report is to provide Canadians with up-to-date information to enable them to make well-informed decisions. Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching, is a major problem. While the rate of violent crime is low, it is increasing. Remain vigilant, especially after dark in and around popular tourist attractions, major hotels, and the main railway station. Ensure personal belongings, passports, and other travel documents are secure. Do not show signs of affluence. Remain cautious while travelling on public transportation, as gangs of thieves are active and may use jostling and swarming techniques to snatch purses or to pick pockets. Tram route 22, which runs to and from Prague Castle, is especially targeted, as are subway stations, particularly Muzeum, Mustek, Staromestska, and Malostranska. Canadians should exercise caution and maintain a high level of personal security awareness at all times and in all places. Do not accept food or drink from strangers. Travellers have been drugged and subsequently robbed. Individuals posing as plainclothes police officers may ask to see foreign currency and passports. If approached, politely decline to cooperate, but offer to go to the nearest police station. Identification should be carried at all times, preferably a photocopy of your passport. For emergency assistance, call 112. BACK TO TOP 4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the Czech authorities and, to the best of our knowledge, was valid on June 19, 2007. However, entry and exit requirements are subject to change. It is the sole prerogative of each country to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the country or countries to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties. Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada’s Office of Protocol provides contact details for the Embassy of the Czech Republic and its consulates, where you can obtain further information on entry and exit requirements. A Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit the Czech Republic. The passport must be valid for at least three months beyond the date of your expected departure from that country. A valid travel health insurance policy with minimum coverage of 30,000 euros is required to enter the Czech Republic. Travellers must also have proof of prearranged accommodation and sufficient funds for the duration of their stay in the Czech Republic. Travellers staying in private accommodations for longer than 30 days must register at the local Foreigners Police Branch within three working days of their arrival. Tourist Visa: Not required (for stays of less than 90 days) Business Visa: Required Student Visa: Required (for stays over 90 days) Work Visa: Required Schengen Area The member states of the European Union (EU) (not including the United Kingdom and Ireland) along with Norway and Iceland make up the Schengen Area, which aims for common rules regarding visas, asylum rights and controls at the external borders. In the Schengen Area, Canadian travellers do not need visas for short-term visits (up to 90 days), but some countries require you to register with local authorities within three working days of your arrival. It is important to get your passport stamped when entering the Schengen Area. The absence of an entry stamp from the initial Schengen port of entry could create difficulties during subsequent encounters with local police or other authorities. It is important to confirm the up-to-date entry requirements with each embassy and/or high commission of your destination(s) before departure. Countries that have implemented the Schengen Agreement – border controls abolished and one single external frontier Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Sweden, Portugal, Spain, along with Norway and Iceland Countries that are not yet fully part of the Schengen Agreement – visa requirements were adjusted to comply with the EU’s common visa policy, but controls are still in place at the borders as the EU's external frontiers do not include them yet Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Hungary, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia. Note: Although Switzerland signed an association agreement to become part of the Schengen Area in 2004, the principles don’t apply yet. Implementation is expected in 2008. Countries that are not part of the Schengen Area, but might have special arrangements with neighbouring countries Andorra, Holy See, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, San Marino, and the United Kingdom. A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship (CCC) is not a travel document. Airlines are known to refuse boarding to dual national Canadian passengers returning to Canada, travelling on a passport that requires a visa to enter Canada, regardless of whether the passenger presents a valid CCC as proof of Canadian citizenship. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document for the purpose of international travel. It proves your admissibility to enter Canada. Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services. Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify visa requirements for this and other countries, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders. A new EU legislation on the amount of cash that can be carried has been implemented on June 15, 2007. Canadians crossing one of the external border control points of the EU will have to make a declaration to customs upon entry or exit if they have at least 10,000 euros, or the equivalent in other currencies, in cash, cheques, money orders, traveller's cheques, or any other convertible assets in their possession. Failure to report such a sum will be considered an offence. This does not apply to Canadians travelling within the EU or in transit to a non-EU country. The purpose of this legislation is to prevent illegal activities, such as money laundering. For more information on the new EU legislation and links to EU countries' sites, consult http://ec.europa.eu/eucashcontrols. Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order. Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada. BACK TO TOP 5. ASSISTANCE FOR CANADIANS ABROAD You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following address: Czech Republic - PRAGUE, Embassy of Canada Address: Muchova 6, 160 00 Prague 6 Tel.: 420 27210-1800 Fax: 420 27210-1890 E-Mail: prgue@international.gc.ca or AmbCanada2@quick.cz Internet: http://www.canada.cz For emergency assistance after hours, call the Embassy of Canada in Prague and follow the instructions. You may also call collect the Department in Ottawa at 613-996-8885. BACK TO TOP 6. LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons. However, Canada and the Czech Republic are signatories to the European Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons, which enables a Canadian imprisoned in the Czech Republic to request to be transferred to Canada to complete the sentence in a Canadian prison. The transfer requires the agreement of both Canadian and Czech authorities. Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request. The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare. BACK TO TOP 7. LOCAL TRAVEL AND CURRENCY Taxi fares in Prague are unregulated. There is no fixed charge. Use only officially marked taxis, such as AAA or Profitaxi, and pre-negotiate fares, as overcharging is common. Tickets required to use public transit can be purchased at newspaper kiosks, metro stations, and most hotel reception desks. Riders without a valid ticket are subject to fines. Czech Railway provides clean, efficient train service to almost every part of the country, although express buses are often faster and more convenient than trains. On overnight trains from Poland to the Czech Republic, passengers have been robbed while sleeping. Store valuables in a safe place and do not leave the compartment unattended. Ensure that the door is secured from the inside. Rural roads may be uneven, under construction, and poorly marked. A road usage permit is required to drive on all major highways. These permits are available at highway gas stations and border crossings. Permits can be purchased for 10 days, one month, or one year. Failure to display this permit may result in fines. All rental vehicles are provided with valid motorway permits. Headlights must be on at all times during winter and until the time change for the summer period. Information on road conditions is available by calling 00 420 1230. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended. The currency is the Czech koruna (CZK). Credit cards and traveller's cheques are accepted. Use of non-official currency exchange is illegal, and the risk of receiving counterfeit bills is high. Canadian currency and traveller's cheques are not widely accepted worldwide. Check with your bank for information on ATM services in other countries. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ATMs around the world. Your bank can advise if you need a new personal identification number (PIN) for overseas access to your account. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ATMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency. BACK TO TOP 8. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE Heavy showers are frequent in summer, sometimes resulting in local flooding. BACK TO TOP 9. TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Medicine Program Web site. The Public Health Agency of Canada continues to closely monitor and report on occurrences of avian influenza A (H5N1), or "bird flu", in humans and in birds. Further information on avian influenza A (H5N1) and recommendations for travellers can be found on the Public Health Agency of Canada's Travel Medicine Web site as well as on the World Health Organization's Web site. For more information, see our Current Issues on Avian Influenza. The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date. Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage. The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada. BACK TO TOP 10. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION Good medical care is available. However, doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. Tick-borne encephalitis occurs in wooded areas from spring to autumn. If you plan to visit forested areas, you should seek advice regarding inoculations before leaving Canada. BACK TO TOP 11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Returning to Canada Traveller's Checklist Health and Travel Insurance: Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes. See Canada's Health Portal. Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child from another country, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government. BACK TO TOP 12. ANNEX N/A BACK TO TOP |
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