Europe

There is a low threat from terrorism.  But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public places, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.

 

For more general information see Terrorism Abroad. 

Prague City Police advises visitors to Prague of the following:

Petty theft is a problem, especially in major tourist areas in Prague.  Pickpocketing is common at the main railway station and on public transport, particularly those routes to and from Prague Castle and other major tourist sites and on the buses to/from the airport.  Try to avoid the especially busy carriages on the metro and trams, which are favoured by pickpockets. There have also been cases of theft on the tram and metro involving gangs of up to nine or ten people surrounding their victims and even threatening violence.  Take extra care when travelling on public transport and be aware of the people around you. There is also a risk of pick-pocketing on flights from the UK.  It is best to keep your passport and valuables with you before and during your flight.

Make sure you know where your belongings are at all times, particularly while at restaurants, bars and nightclubs. Use the cloakroom if available. There have been several cases of theft from hotel rooms and even safes.

 

Beware of bogus plain-clothes policemen, who may ask to see your foreign currency and passport.   If approached, decline to show your money, but offer instead to go with them to the nearest police station.  If you suspect that you are dealing with a bogus police officer, you can call 158 or 112 to check their identity.  No police officer in the Czech Republic has the right to check your money or its authenticity.

 

Theft of property should be reported in person to the Czech police within 24 hours to obtain a Police Report Crime Number.  It is also possible to obtain this later once you are in the UK by sending a letter (in English) describing the event to the following address: Policejni prezidium – podatelna, Strojnicka 27, 170 89 Praha 7, Czech Republic.  If you lose your passport you will need to obtain a police report before a replacement can be issued.

 

Never leave drinks or food unattended, or accept drinks from strangers, however attractive the offer might seem.  There have been a small number of incidents involving drinks being spiked and visitors having their valuables stolen whilst intoxicated.

For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.

For reasons of safety and economy, you are advised to use major taxi companies, such as AAA (23311 3311) or Profitaxi (26131 4151).  These companies are usually able to tell you the type, number and colour of the car in advance.  If you do pick up a taxi in the street, always check the per kilometre price before getting in.  Some taxis operating in areas frequented by tourists can charge highly inflated prices.  Taxi rates per kilometre must be clearly marked on the side of the taxi.

 

In August 2007 the City of Prague introduced the ‘Taxi Fare Place’ scheme.  Taxi companies operating from stands displaying the ‘Taxi Fare Place’ can charge a maximum of 28 Crowns per kilometre.  In case of dispute, always ask for a receipt from the taxi-metre displaying the price, rate, registration number and name of the driver.  Complaints should be sent to the relevant taxi-company directly and should also be copied to taxi@cityofprague.cz for investigation by the City of Prague.  

If your passport, wallet or other items are lost or stolen, you should report the incident immediately to the nearest police station (‘Policie’) and obtain a police report (‘Policejni zprava’).

 

Foreigner’s Police Station in Prague:

Jungmanovo namesti 9

Prague 1

(nearest metro stop is Mustek).

 

This police station is open 24 hours.  English translators are provided.

 

To apply for a replacement passport please contact the Consular Section of the British Embassy in Prague.  The passport application forms are available online from the embassy website and you will need to obtain a police report before a replacement passport can be issued.

Czech Republic Country Profile

Public transport tickets must be purchased before travelling.  The ticket tariffs were increased on 01 January 2007.  Tickets must be validated at the start of the journey, at the yellow machines at the entrance to metro stations or on board buses and trams, including before boarding the funicular tram at Petrin.  You will be fined on the spot if you are travelling with an invalid ticket. The fine, usually 500 crowns (around £16.00), is paid directly to the ticket inspector and a receipt should be issued.  Ticket inspectors will not normally excuse passengers who claim not to have known that tickets must be validated before travel.  If you cannot pay the fine on the spot, ticket inspectors will often call the Police and you may be arrested.  The fine increases to 950 Crowns (around £30.00) if you do not pay immediately. Tickets can be bought at most large hotels, metro stations and at many newspaper stands (‘Trafika’) and convenience stores. More information, in English, on the Prague public transport system is available at the DPP website as is a map of the network.

 

Each year there are a number of accidents to British nationals involving trams.  Please take extra care when in the vicinity of tram tracks and make sure you look both ways.  The trams cannot stop quickly nor can they avoid you if you are on the track.

 

Seasonal flooding (normally during the Spring) occurs occasionally in the Czech Republic.  Prague was seriously affected by flooding in 2006. You should consult the Ministry of Agriculture website for more information. By selecting 'vstupte' you will view a map of the country which shows, using a traffic light system, where flood warnings are in place on major rivers.

You can drive in the Czech Republic on a UK Driving licence.

 

In 2007 there were 1,222 road deaths in the Czech Republic (source: DfT).  This equates to 11.9 road deaths per 100,000 of population and compares to the UK average of 5.0 road deaths per 100,000 of population in 2007.

 

If you are planning to drive to the Czech Republic, you may like to consult a local motoring hotline, available in Czech and English on (tel: 00 420 1230). You should check arrangements for driving on motorways in the Czech Republic. A user tax vignette must normally be purchased for motorway driving. These can be purchased from most Post Offices, petrol stations and from some bureaux de change and other outlets at the border. Failure to display a valid vignette can result in a fine.

 

Since July 2006 new rules have been in force concerning driving in the Czech Republic. You should familiarise yourself with local motoring regulations and the penalty point system in advance of driving in the Czech Republic.

 

Drivers should be aware that there is a zero-tolerance policy in the Czech Republic for drivers under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.

You must have your headlights on dipped beam when driving anywhere in the Czech Republic, at any time.

 

It is a requirement under Czech law that all private cars, including those of foreign visitors, carry the following items:

 

1 x Fluorescent Green High Visibility Safety Jacket

1 x First Aid Kit

1 x Spare pair of prescription glasses (if necessary) - kept in the glove compartment

1 x Warning triangle

1 x Complete set of spare bulbs

 

For more general information see Driving Abroad. 

The revised EU-wide security measures that came into effect for all passengers departing from UK airports in November 2006 are also being implemented in the Czech Republic.  
 

If you buy duty-free or duty-paid products from Prague Airport and intend to transit another airport before arriving at your final destination, be sure to ensure that any liquids you purchase are properly packed by the shop assistant in a properly sealed clear bag.  Ensure you retain the receipt and do not open the seal on the bag until you arrive at your final destination.  Failure to do this may mean that your purchases are confiscated by security control checkpoints at your transit airport.  If you transit an airport outside of the European Union you may not be able to carry liquids even if properly packaged.  Check with the airport concerned.

For more general information see Airline Security.