COVID-19 travel update: where can you go from the Czech Republic? (September 25 update with map)

As the situation surrounding travel throughout Europe during continuing COVID-19 measures remains complicated, we’ve put together an updated overview of where residents of the Czech Republic can expect to be able to travel.

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

New from this week: Czech neighbor Germany has added most of the Czech Republic, save for two regions (Ústí and Moravia-Silesia) to its list of risk regions. Previously, only Prague and the Central Bohemian region were on the list. Travelers going to Germany from most Czech regions will now need to enter a mandatory 14-day quarantine; a negative COVID-19 test may suffice as an alternative for entry into some German regions, or for some types of travel; consult the Robert Koch Institute for further specifics.

From Monday, September 28, Austria will add Prague to its list of risk regions, according to Czech Foreign Minister Tomáš Petříček; a negative COVID-19 test will be required to enter Austria, though Petříček said he would try to negotiate exceptions for trips that had been purchased in advance.

Along with the travel restrictions to Slovakia, Poland will be the only Czech neighbor not to have placed restrictions on travel from Prague or the rest of the Czech Republic; however, the country is expected to do so when it updates its list of risk regions at the end of this month.

Additionally, the Netherlands has added all of the Czech Republic to its list of risk regions this week, requiring a 10-day quarantine, and Greece is expected to do the same as of next week, requiring a negative COVID-19 test from travelers.

For the Czech Republic, the only “high risk” country in the EU is currently Spain; Romania was downgraded to low-risk last week. Czech residents can travel to Spain without restriction, but will need to provide a negative COVID-19 test of quarantine when returning. The Czech Foreign Ministry has warned against traveling to France except when necessary, but the country has not yet been elevated to high-risk status.

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

Note that the below information concerns the travel of Czech citizens and residents abroad and back to the Czech Republic, and not travel for citizens and residents of other countries into the Czech Republic.

*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: From Monday, September 28, Austria will add Prague to its list of risk regions, according to Czech Foreign Minister Tomáš Petříček; a negative COVID-19 test will be required to enter Austria, though Petříček said he would try to negotiate exceptions for trips that had been purchased in advance.

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.

Germany has added most of the Czech Republic, save for two regions (Ústí and Moravia-Silesia) to its list of risk regions. Previously, only Prague and the Central Bohemian region were on the list. Travelers going to Germany from most Czech regions will now need to enter a mandatory 14-day quarantine; a negative COVID-19 test may suffice as an alternative for entry into some German regions, or for some types of travel; consult the Robert Koch Institute for further specifics.

Greece: From September 28, all travelers going to Greece from the Czech Republic are expected to be required to provide a negative COVID-19 test; previously, this requirement was only in effect for those traveling by land.

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 22, 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. Watch 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: From September 23, the Czech Republic has been placed in Tunisia's list of risk areas, restricting general travel; however, an exemption on travel when booked through a tour provider is still in effect. More info here.

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.