Restricted entry of foreigners to the Czech Republic in connection with restricted free movement of individuals
On 21 October 2020, the Czech Government adopted Resolution No. 1078, which introduced restrictions on free movement of individuals, with exceptions set out in the Resolution. As a result, arrival of foreigners in the Czech Republic was restricted and is subject to certain requirements outlined below.
Czech Government’s (the “Government”) Resolution No. 1078 restricted free movement of individuals in the Czech Republic from 22 October 2020 6:00 am to 3 November 2020 11:59 pm. Exceptions to this prohibition include, without limitation, trips to work and to carry out business or other similar activities (incl. commuters), necessary trips to family or relatives, trips to the physician, participation in weddings and funerals, or other unavoidable events under the resolution.
Based on this emergency measure, it is not possible to arrive in the Czech Republic to travel or visit friends.
The requirements for entering the territory of the Czech Republic are imposed in the Czech Health Ministry’s protective measure No. MZDR 20599/2020-32/MIN/KAN dated 2 October 2020. The decisive factor for entering the territory of the Czech Republic is whether the country from which the traveller arrives is on the list of countries with a low risk of infection or not (see the Czech Health Ministry’s measures file No. MZDR 20599/2020-33/MIN/KAN). The entry requirements are as follows:
In general, a visitor who arrives in the Czech Republic from a country that is not on the list of low-risk countries and who has stayed there for more than 12 hours in the last 14 days is obliged to (i) complete the electronic arrival form before entering the Czech Republic, (ii) submit proof of completion of the electronic arrival form (notification) at the border check or residence check, (iii) undergo an RT-PCR test for the presence of coronavirus at their own expense within five days of entry into the Czech Republic, and (iv) submit the test result to the local health authorities without delay. This does not apply, without limitation, to international transport workers, if the reason for entry is substantiated by an appropriate document, and to EU citizens and foreigners with a long-term or permanent residence permit in the European Union who are on a 12-hour transit through the Czech Republic.
Details on individual categories of individuals entering the territory of the Czech Republic are available in the Czech Interior Ministry’s guidelines No. MV-2020/10/05-V15.