COVID-19 travel: where can you go from the Czech Republic? (August 24 update with map)

Our updated map, using information provided by the Czech Ministry of the Interior, details European travel restrictions from the Czech Republic

Jason Pirodsky

Written by Jason Pirodsky Published on 24.08.2020 16:22:08 (updated on 24.08.2020) Reading time: 4 minutes

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.

New from August 24: the Czech Republic has put Spain on its list of high-risk countries, which requires residents returning from the country to provide a negative COVID-19 test upon return or undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine (which will become a 10-day quarantine from September 1). Additionally, Ukraine has upgraded the Czech Republic to its list of low-risk countries, allowing Czech residents to enter without restriction; those returning to Czech Republic must still present a negative test or quarantine, however.

In general, travel between EU member states is open with some exceptions in place as each country assesses potential risks in travel from areas of increased COVID-19 cases; most states have a list of countries from which travel is restricted in some way.

In the Czech Republic, the only two “high risk” countries currently are Romania and Spain; Czech residents can travel to these countries without restriction, but will need to provide a negative COVID-19 test of quarantine when returning.

Elsewhere in the EU, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Lithuania, Norway, and Slovenia have all placed the Czech Republic on their list of risk areas, restricting travel from the country to some degree. This can mean barring tourist traffic, or requiring a negative COVID-19 test or quarantine.

Outside of the EU, restrictions vary by country; in general, a negative COVID-19 test or quarantine will be required when returning from locales in Eastern Europe (and elsewhere around the world).

The following information is intended only as an general overview; specific details on restrictions will vary by each individual country.

For full details, 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.

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*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.

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

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Negative COVID-19 test 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: Travelers from the Czech Republic required to submit a negative COVID-19 test, no older than three days, upon entry.

Estonia: From August 21, mandatory 14-day quarantine upon entry to Estonia; 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. Full details here.

France: No current restrictions.

Greece: No current restrictions. Tourists required to fill out a Passenger Locator Form before entry.

Germany: No current restrictions.

Hungary: No current restrictions.

Iceland: Mandatory quarantine or negative COVID-19 test required on arrival. No restrictions on return.

Ireland: Mandatory 14-day quarantine upon arrival. No restrictions on return.

Italy: No current restrictions.

Kosovo: No current restrictions.

Latvia: Latvia requires a mandatory 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: As of August 17, 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.

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

Moldava: General (tourist) travel from the Czech Republic is prohibited.

*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. No restrictions on return.

Poland: No current restrictions.

Romania: On the “red” Czech list; a negative COVID-19 test or quarantine required upon return to the Czech Republic.

Russia: General (tourist) travel from the Czech Republic is prohibited.

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.

Slovakia: No current restrictions.

Spain: On the “red” Czech list; a negative COVID-19 test or quarantine required upon return to the Czech Republic, except from the Canary Islands.

Sweden: No current restrictions.

Switzerland: No current restrictions.

*Tunisia: Travel is possible without restriction, but only when booked through a tour provider; individual travel is prohibited.

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

Ukraine: Negative COVID-19 test or quarantine required upon return to the Czech Republic. Czech Republic no longer on Ukraine’s “red” list.

United Kingdom: No current restrictions.

*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.

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