Genvisec advises that all business and leisure travel should continue. All travellers should read the travel advice before departure.

 

Crime

We advise visitors to Prague of the following:

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

Don’t buy drugs on the street as sale and distribution 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

Never leave drinks or food unattended, or accept drinks from strangers. There have been a small number of incidents involving drinks being spiked and visitors having their valuables stolen while intoxicated.

 

Only buy alcohol from legitimate places like supermarkets or bottle shops. Make sure the bottle has an original, untouched seal around the cork or cap. 

 

Petty theft is a problem, especially in major tourist areas in Prague. Pickpocketing is common at the main railway station and on public transport, particularly the routes to and from Prague Castle and other major tourist sites, and on the buses to/from the airport. 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 your home destination to the Czech Republic. It is best to keep your passport and valuables with you before and during your flight.

 

There have also been cases of theft on the tram and metro involving gangs of people surrounding their victims and even threatening violence. Take extra care and be aware of the people around you. 

 

Make sure you know where your belongings are at all times, particularly while at restaurants, bars and nightclubs. Use a cloakroom if available. There have been several cases of theft from hotel rooms and even safes.

 

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. Foreigner’s Police Station in Prague:

 

Jungmanovo namesti 9,  

Prague 1,  

(nearest metro stop is Mustek).

 

This police station is open 24 hours. English translators are provided. If you lose your passport you will need to obtain a police report before a replacement can be issued.

 

It is possible to obtain a reference number for a crime related incident by reporting it to a police station in your home country, but it is much better to report the crime in the Czech Republic. There is a police station at the airport where you can get a police report.

 

If you lose your passport you will need to obtain a police report before a replacement can be issued.

 

If you are 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.

 

Local travel

 

If you are 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.

 

If you travel on public transport you must buy a ticket and validate it before you travel. You will be fined on the spot if you are travelling with a ticket that has not been validated. The fine, usually 800 crowns (around £26.00), is paid directly to the ticket inspector. You should get a receipt. If you can’t pay the fine you may be arrested. You can buy tickets at most large hotels, metro stations and at many newspaper stands (‘Trafika’) and convenience stores.

 

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. If you require detailed flood warning information contact Genvisec.

 

Taxis

 

It is 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

 

You can drive using an EU Driving licence.

 

In 2012 there were 738 road deaths in the Czech Republic (source: DfT). This equates to 7.0 road deaths per 100,000 of population compared to the UK average of 2.8 road deaths per 100,000 of population in 2012.

 

If you are planning to drive to the Czech Republic, you may like to consult a local motoring hotline, available in Czech and English (telephone: 00 420 1230).

 

To drive on motorways you will 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. 

 

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 and - spare wheel or special tyres repair set

 

Health

Contact your doctor around 8 weeks before your trip to check whether you need any vaccinations or other preventive measures. 

 

If you’re visiting Czech Republic you should get a free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK. The EHIC won’t cover medical repatriation, ongoing medical treatment or non-urgent treatment, so you should make sure you have adequate travel insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment and repatriation.

 

If you intend to settle permanently in the Czech Republic you need to either obtain Form S1 (previously E106), which indicates that you have made full National Insurance contributions in the our home country, or to arrange health insurance with a commercial company on arrival. 

 

In January 2012, there were reports of an increase in cases of seasonal influenza.

 

If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 112 and ask for an ambulance. If you are referred to a medical facility for treatment you should contact your insurance/medical assistance company immediately.

 

 

Money

 

You can exchange travellers’ cheques in the main cities. If you are using local foreign exchange offices check before completing the transaction that you are content with the exchange rate offered and the commission charges. Rates and commission charges can vary substantially between offices.

 

Local laws and customs

 

Some bars and restaurants in the city centre 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.

 

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.

 

You should carry your passport with you at all times for identification.

 

Consular assistance

 

British Citizens

 

British Embassy Prague

Thunovska 14 

118 00

Prague 1 

Czech Republic

 

Email

ukinczechrepublic@fco.gov.uk

 

Telephone

+420 257 40 2111

 

Fax

+420 257 40 2296

 

Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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