COVID-19 travel update: where can you go from the Czech Republic? (September 18 update with map)

All information below comes from the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs along with relevant authorities in other countries.

New from this week:Cyprus has upgraded the Czech Republic to it’s list of high-risk countries, prohibiting general travel; Germany has added the Central Bohemian region to its list of risk regions, in addition to Prague, requiring travelers to have a negative COVID-19 test; the Netherlands has added the Czech Republic to it’s risk list, requiring a 10-day quarantine; Switzerland has added the Czech Republic to its list of risk regions, requiring 10-day quarantine; and Slovakia has add the Czech Republic to its risk list, requiring a negative COVID-19 test or 5-day quarantine.

From September 11: Denmark has placed the Czech Republic on its orange list of “banned” countries, prohibiting travel for Czech residents into the country except for certain reasons including work, family, etc. The new regulation will take effect from Saturday, September 12. Germany and Belgium have added restrictions for travelers coming from Prague, and other states are expected to follow suit given the dramatic rise in COVID-19 in the Czech Republic over the past week. Note that the German requirement for a negative COVID-19 test, and the Belgian requirement for quarantine, applies only for travelers from Prague; the rest of the Czech Republic has not yet made it to elevated risk status in these states.

The following information is intended only as a general overview; specific details on restrictions will vary by each individual country. Before travelling, please consult the website of the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as the relevant authority in any destination country.

*Non-European destination of note. 

Albania: Negative COVID-19 test or quarantine required upon return to the Czech Republic.

*Australia: Entry is generally barred except for citizens, residents, and their family members; travel from Australia or New Zealand to the Czech Republic is possible without restriction.

Austria: No current restrictions. After meeting with counterparts, Czech PM Andrej Babiš announced that free travel between the Czech Republic, Austria, and Slovakia would remain open despite the increase in COVID-19 cases.

Belgium: Prague has made Belgium’s “red” list, requiring a mandatory two-week quarantine. The rest of the Czech Republic is “yellow”, which carries a recommendation but not requirement for quarantine. More info here.

Belarus: No official restrictions on entry, though travelers are “advised” to have a negative COVID-19 test, no older than 48 hours. Negative COVID-19 test or quarantine required upon return to the Czech Republic.

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Negative COVID-19 test, no older than 48 hours, required on arrival. Negative COVID-19 test or quarantine also required on return to the Czech Republic.

Bulgaria: No current restrictions.

*Canada: Entry is generally barred to non-residents, with some exceptions for work, study, and family. Transit through Canadian airports is also possible for those with a valid boarding pass.

Croatia: No current restrictions. Tourists required to fill out a form upon entry.

Cyprus: From September 18, Cyprus has elevated the Czech Republic to its highest list of risk countries, barring general travel from the country. More info here.

Denmark: Denmark has placed the Czech Republic on its list of “banned” countries, prohibiting travel for Czech residents as of September 12 except for reasons of work, family, etc.More info here. NOTE: Czech residents are also currently not permitted entry to Greenland. Entry to Faeroe Islands is only possible with a negative COVID-19 test, which must be performed on arrival.

Estonia: Mandatory 14-day quarantine required upon entry to Estonia; possible to shorten this to a 7-day quarantine with two negative COVID-19 tests after arrival. More info here. Negative COVID-19 test or quarantine required upon return to the Czech Republic.

Finland: General (tourist) travel from the Czech Republic is prohibited, with exceptions made for business, family, and other reasons; 14-day quarantine required in these cases. Full details here.

France: No current restrictions; Czech Foreign Ministry recommends travelling to France only in necessary cases given the high number of COVID-19 cases, however.

Greece: No current restrictions for travelers entering Greece by plane, who must fill out a Passenger Locator Form no later than 24 hours before entry. Entry by land only possible with a negative COVID-19 test, no older than 72 hours.

Germany: Travelers from Prague and the Central Bohemian region, but not the rest of the Czech Republic, are required to provide a negative COVID-19 test if asked. German border police to conduct random checks, fines for violations.

Hungary: Hungary’s borders are currently closed to most travelers, including those from the Czech Republic. Exceptions made for family, business, and other official visits, and for those who have booked a stay in Hungary prior to September 1; negative COVID-19 test required in these cases. More info.

Iceland: Upon arrival, travelers must either submit to a mandatory 14-day quarantine or cover the cost of an initial COVID-19 test, which can shorten the quarantine to 5-6 days until after the results of a (free) second test are known. More info. No restrictions on return.

Ireland: Mandatory 14-day quarantine upon arrival, Passenger Locator Form completed in advance of travel. No restrictions on return.

Italy: No current restrictions, though a form is required and Italy may soon include the Czech Republic on it’s list of countries from which travelers need to submit a negative COVID-19 test. More info.

Kosovo: No current restrictions.

Latvia: Latvia requires a mandatory 14-day quarantine for incoming travelers from countries where the rate of COVID-19 cases is greater than 16 per 100,000 residents over the past two weeks. Currently, the Czech Republic exceeds this number. More info here.

Lithuania: Lithuania has restricted incoming travel from countries where the rate of COVID-19 cases is greater than 25 per 100,000 residents over the past two weeks. Currently, the Czech Republic exceeds this number; travel is only possible following a request for exemption. Full details here.

Luxembourg: No current restrictions. While not required, passengers arriving in Luxembourg by plane are given a free voucher to get tested for COVID-19 at the airport or in one of three laboratories in the country.

Montenegro: Negative COVID-19 test or quarantine required upon return to the Czech Republic.

Moldova: General (tourist) travel from the Czech Republic is prohibited. More info.

Netherlands: As of September 15, Netherlands requires a mandatory 10-day quarantine for travelers coming from the Czech Republic. More info.

*New Zealand: Entry is generally barred except for citizens, residents, and their family members; travel from Australia or New Zealand to the Czech Republic is possible without restriction.

North Macedonia: Negative COVID-19 test or quarantine required upon return to the Czech Republic.

Norway: Mandatory 10-day quarantine on arrival, along with proof of accommodation. No restrictions on return.

Poland: No current restrictions. See gov.pl for updates.

Portugal: No current restrictions. The situation can be monitored at Portugal’s Directorate-General of Health.

Romania: After Romania was downgraded to low-risk status, there are no current restrictions. The Czech Republic is likely to be listed among Romania’s list of risk areas when it is updated later this month, however.

Russia: General (tourist) travel from the Czech Republic is prohibited. More info and exceptions can be found here.

Serbia: Negative COVID-19 test or quarantine required upon return to the Czech Republic.

Slovenia: Two-week quarantine for Czech residents upon arrival; exception made for those travelling through the country (less than 12 hours). No restrictions on return. Some exceptions apply; more info here.

Slovakia: As of September 18, the Czech Republic is on Slovakia’s restricted list, requiring travelers to submit a negative COVID-19 test no older than three days or register using this form and enter a five-day quarantine upon entry, and get tested after the fifth day. More info can be found via Slovakia’s Public Health Office.

Spain: On the “red” Czech list; a negative COVID-19 test or quarantine required upon return to the Czech Republic. Previously exempt, the Canary Islands now fall under this measure as well.

Sweden: No current restrictions.

Switzerland: As of September 14, Switzerland has added the Czech Republic to its list of risk regions, requiring a 10-day quarantine upon entry for travelers coming to Switzerland or Liechtenstein from the Czech Republic. Exceptions and further info here.

*Tunisia: Travel is possible without restriction, but only when booked through a tour provider; individual travel is permitted only with a negative COVID-19 test and 14-day quarantine.

Turkey: The Czech Foreign Ministry recommends consulting with the Turkish Embassy in Prague to determine the eligibility requirements to enter Turkey. A negative COVID-19 test or quarantine is required upon return to the Czech Republic.

Ukraine: The Czech Republic is currently on Ukraine’s “red” list, entry prohibited except for business, family, and some other reasons. More info here.

United Kingdom: Mandatory 14-day quarantine for travelers from the Czech Republic. A form must also be completed prior to travel.

*United States: Czech citizens are barred from entering if they have resided in the Schengen Area (among other locations) during the past 14 days. U.S. citizens and residents may return, but are recommended to quarantine for 14 days. Consult the U.S. Embassy in Prague for further information.