March 2024: Everything you need to know this month in Czechia

This is the final due date for submitting student applications for eight-year, six-year, and four-year gymnasiums, specialized high schools, and vocational school programs. Applications are accepted by post or in person between Feb. 1 and March 1. Read more here.

WhatsApp, designated as a Gatekeeper under the Digital Markets Act, will stop supporting Android devices below version 5.0 and iPhones below iOS 12 from March 1, complying with EU regulations on interoperability with apps like Telegram and Viber. Users with unsupported devices must update to avoid incompatibility messages.

Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC), a cannabis-derived substance, is officially banned from next week following the European Commission’s approval. Possession now incurs fines and potential jail time. Read more here.

The annual highway pass in Czechia increases from CZK 1,500 to CZK 2,300 on March 1. However, the monthly stamp decreases by CZK 10 (from CZK 440 to CZK 430), and the 10-day pass drops from CZK 310 to CZK 270. The transport ministry will launch a one-day highway stamp priced at CZK 100. Read more here.

Spring brings more farmer's markets to Prague, offering fresh produce and international food. Prague 6's Kulaťák market starts March 2, Jiřího z Poděbrady market opened on Wednesday, and Tylovo náměstí markets in Prague 2 open on March 11. Read more here.

On March 6, a special trolleybus service from Nádraží Veleslavín to Václav Havel Airport Prague will start. The new 59 line will replace Prague’s airport-bound bus line 119. This trolleybus, touted as the longest in the Czech Republic, will enhance transport capacity by roughly a third compared to the current line of buses. Read more here.

International Women’s Day, celebrated globally on March 8, initially honored working women in socialist and communist nations. It is now universally observed to acknowledge progress and, in some places, protest existing gender inequality. Several events will take place across Prague. See a list of Prague events here.

The Petřín funicular railway will be out of operation between March 11 and March 27 for regular spring maintenance work.

Easter markets are always one of Prague’s top annual attractions, and the Old Town Square seasonal market will open on March 16 and run until April 7. The traditional Wenceslas Square and Náměstí Republiky markets will run during the same time window.

Ukrainians with a temporary protection visa valid until March 15, 2024, have until the end of this month to extend it by another year. The process involves online registration, followed by a visit to a Ministry of the Interior office to affix the visa sticker.

The U.S. Embassy Prague Consular Section will be under renovation and closed from March 18-28. Regular services should resume on April 2. Those anticipating a need for routine services before these dates are strongly urged to apply now. The consular section will continue to respond to emails as usual and assist people needing emergency services on a case-by-case basis.

The new extended European Sleeper route from Brussels to Prague is set to launch on March 25, and tickets are available for booking. Initially, the service will run twice a week on Mondays and Wednesdays, with plans to operate daily starting from March 2025. The sleeper connects Prague, Amsterdam, Brussels, Berlin, and Dresden. Read more here.

Good Friday falls on March 29 this year, and Easter Monday on April 1. Czech schools typically have Easter holidays from Thursday through Monday. University students also have a break, varying based on individual timetables, typically including Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Good Friday and Easter Monday are public holidays, granting most employees two days off. Read more here.

Spring coincides with the reopening of the Czech Republic’s castles, many of which come to life during the last weekend in March. Some even offer special Easter programs with plenty of folksy fanfare and traditional food.

On Sunday, March 31, the Czech Republic and the EU will transition to Central European Summer Time, pushing clocks one hour forward at 2 a.m. This change will last until the last Sunday of October, with clocks falling back. Night trains and morning appointments may be affected by the time shift.

The primary deadline for filing the 2023 tax return is April 2, 2024. Typically, tax returns are due by April 1, but this year, it coincides with Easter Monday. Therefore, the latest acceptable date for submitting the 2023 tax return is Tuesday, April 2. If you file your tax return electronically, the deadline is extended to May 2, 2024.