Rules for traveling between the Czech Republic and Britain change in January

Conditions on traveling between the Czech Republic and Britain will change as of January, the Czech Foreign Ministry announced in a press release.

Visas will not be required for up to six-month tourist trips to Britain, but they will be mandatory for business trips and study stays longer than six months. Even though ID cards will be sufficient for Czechs to enter the country and passports will be required as of the end of September, the Czech Foreign Ministry recommends traveling with passport already since January.

Roaming tariff rates for countries outside the EU will apply to mobile phones.

Britain left the EU in late January. Until Thursday midnight when the transition period expires, the country must follow the EU rules. On Dec. 24, London and Brussels reached the agreement concerning their future relations after Jan. 1.

The document of more than 1,200 pages secures trouble-free trading across the English Channel without any duty burden. Moreover, the deal regulates bilateral relations in fishery, energy industry and transport, as well as police and judicial cooperation.

Short-term stays, such as family visits, business trips and attendance at conferences and cultural events will not require visas.

They will not be mandatory for study stays of up to six months fully covered by the students either. However, longer stays will be conditioned by at least 70-point score in the British immigration system based on financial background of the applicants, their level of English and education, the ministry noted.

As of January, British citizens in the Czech Republic will be considered as citizens of third countries. The same status will apply to the EU citizens in Britain who will be subjected to the immigration system evaluating their wealth, education and language proficiency.

Czechs permanently living in Britain will enjoy the current rules if they are granted settled status for which they can apply until June.