Entry/Exit Requirements

The Czech Republic is a party to the Schengen Borders Agreement.  This means that U.S. citizens may enter the Czech Republic for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes without a visa.  Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period of stay.  You need sufficient funds and a return airline ticket. For additional details about travel into and within Schengen countries, please see our Schengen fact sheet.

Countries  neighboring the Czech Republic may require visitors’ passports to have six months of validity. We recommend that your passport be valid for at least six months whenever you travel abroad to avoid unintended travel disruptions.

Immigration officers at the port of entry have the right to determine whether your planned activities are consistent with business or tourism. You should check with the Embassy or Consulate of the country to which you are traveling if you have questions about whether your proposed trip qualifies for visa-free travel. U.S. Embassies cannot intervene on behalf of U.S. citizens who are denied entry into a foreign country.

Note: Although European Union regulations require that non-European Union visitors obtain a stamp in their passports upon initial entry to a Schengen country, many borders are not staffed with officers carrying out this function. You should request a stamp in your passport at an official point of entry to ensure that your entry is properly documented. Under local law, travelers without a stamp in their passports may be questioned and asked to document the length of their stay in Schengen countries at the time of departure or at any other point during their visit, and could face possible fines or other repercussions if unable to do so.

You will need a visa for longer stays or to work or study in the Czech Republic. When a visa is required, it is important that you submit your application to the Embassy of the Czech Republic or the nearest Czech Consulate at least 3-4 months in advance of traveling to the Czech Republic. The Embassy of the Czech Republic’s website provides the most current information on applying for a Czech visa.

When a visa is required, we do not recommend departing for the Czech Republic without a valid visa. Please be aware that the U.S. Embassy is not able to expedite or help with the issuance of Czech visas in any way. The Czech Government requires travelers to the Czech Republic to have proof of finances to pay for their stay.

All foreigners seeking entry into the Czech Republic must also carry proof of a medical insurance policy contracted for payment of all costs for hospitalization and medical treatment while in the Czech Republic. According to the Czech Government, if you have a health insurance card or an internationally recognized credit card with health insurance included, it will generally be accepted as proof of insurance to enter the country.

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for U.S. citizen visitors or U.S. citizen foreign residents in the Czech Republic.

Information about dual nationality and prevention of international child abduction can be found at these links. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information page.