Published: December 18, 2024
This report is intended to supplement the U.S. Department of State Czech Republic Travel Advisory and Czech Republic Country Information Page.
Embassy & Consulate Contact Information
U.S. Embassy Prague
Tržiště 15, 118 01 Praha 1 – Malá Strana.
Tel: +420-257-022-000 (24/7)
Regular hours: 0800 – 1630, Monday – Friday.
OSAC Country Chapter
There is no OSAC Country Chapter in the Czech Republic.
Contact OSAC’s Europe team with any questions.
Czech Republic Travel Advisory
The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses that travelers should exercise normal precautions for travel to the Czech Republic.
Crime
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Prague as being a MEDIUM-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Crime “C” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for the Czech Republic.
The most common crimes are theft and other economically motivated offenses. Visitors are most likely to face petty street crime, particularly pickpocketing and ATM card skimming. These incidents frequently occur in crowded tourist locations or on public transportation such as buses, trains, subways, and trams.
Pickpockets may operate in groups or as individuals. Members of these rings can vary in age, gender, and appearance. For example, there are reports of pickpockets operating while dressed in business attire, posing as panhandlers, carrying babies, and as tourists. Mobile phones are an attractive target for thieves. Handbag and purse snatching are common at restaurants, cafes, and bars when left on the back of chairs or on the sidewalk.
On trains, there have been reports of surreptitious thefts of bags and valuables from luggage bins and those left unattended, including when the owner is asleep. Criminal gangs will target a particular route, such as Prague to Vienna; when police increase enforcement efforts on that route, they move to another station/routing. A common tactic is for a thief to enter the train car, take a bag, and then exit right before the train departs the station. Distracted travelers have reported their bags snatched while waiting on the platform.
Violent or confrontational crime is rare in the Czech Republic. Criminals rarely use violence or the threat of violence to perpetrate a crime, but since they could arm themselves with simple weapons such as knives, avoid direct confrontation.
ATMs are widely available throughout major cities in the Czech Republic. Change money only at banks, legitimate businesses, or ATMs. An offer to change money by an unknown person on the street is most likely a scam. Almost all ATMs have multilingual instructions and allow access to U.S. bank accounts. Criminal groups can illegally obtain ATM card numbers and PINs by “skimming” the information from cards at public ATMs. Use machines at more secure or heavily traveled and monitored locations, including commercial banks, large hotels, and the airport. Attempt to use a different card to open lobby doors than the one you use inside. Many door-access devices will permit entry with any card that has a magnetic strip (e.g. gift cards).
Some ATMs have a green translucent security device at the card input. Be sure to inspect the machine for anything installed over/around the PIN pad. Look for signs of tampering, including a loose, detached, or flexible card slot, or glue or tape around card slot. Many times, criminals hastily install these skimming devices and intend to remove them quickly. Cover the keypad while typing your PIN and be alert for suspicious individuals loitering in the area.
Credit card fraud and identification theft are no less prevalent in the Czech Republic than most other European locations. It is a good standard practice to shred ATM/bank receipts/statements (or refuse them altogether) to reduce opportunities for ID theft. Do not give your credit card number over the telephone unless you initiated the call. When providing a credit card at point of sale, ensure it remains in line of sight throughout the transaction. Restaurants that permit payment by credit card use hand-held, mobile payment machines that allow completion of the transaction at the table. Check accounts regularly and notify the bank of discrepancies immediately. Keep a list of telephone numbers to call to report the loss or theft of wallet or credit cards.
Generally, auto thefts and break-ins have declined over the last decade; however, they do occur infrequently, especially in major cities such as Prague. Use parking garages and an anti-theft device, if possible. Keep personal belongings, to include recharging cords, out of plain sight. U.S. passports are commonly stolen; protect them no differently than you would a wallet. Criminals steal vehicles for resale or for dismantlement and sale of parts locally or abroad. The recovery rate of stolen vehicles, as with most stolen property, is extremely low.
Residential burglaries occur but are more frequent when a home is unoccupied. Keep valuables and important documents in a safe. Use residential alarms where available. Czech police report that many break-ins are thwarted when an alarm activates. In many residential neighborhoods in Prague, vagrants commonly panhandle or beg for gratuities, especially during December and January. Do not open your door to vagrants. Avoid pulling out wallets or purses to give money to panhandlers on the street. Grocery delivery services are widely available and popular with the expatriate community; do not leave delivery personnel unattended in your home, even for a moment in the lobby.
No areas of the Czech Republic are off limits to U.S. Embassy staff. Pickpockets and scam artists favor some of the more popular tourist spots such as the Charles Bridge (Karlův most) area, Wenceslas Square (Václavské náměstí), Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí), and Prague Castle district (Hradčany).
Czech bars and dance clubs are generally safe, but drugs tend to be prevalent in these locations. Although enforcement may vary, commerce in illegal substances is against the law. Security personnel at nightclubs could respond more forcefully than at similar venues in the United States. Avoid altercations with bar personnel or other patrons. Exercise caution around the many bars/restaurants, strip clubs, and casinos off Wenceslas Square and at Karlovy Lázně nightclub near the Charles Bridge.
Use of “date rape” drugs such as Rohypnol has occurred at local bars and clubs frequented by tourists, often reportedly to disable victims for robbery and/or sexual assault. Do not leave drinks unattended or accept drinks from anyone other than a server or bartender. A common practice is for someone to ask an unsuspecting bar patron to “taste” their mixed drink, which is spiked with some type of drug.
Gaming establishments are prevalent. Casinos are government-regulated, but there is a high likelihood they either are attractive business opportunities for organized crime or already have affiliations with organized crime elements.
Kidnapping Threat
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Kidnapping “K” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for the Czech Republic.
Terrorism
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Prague as being a LOW-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Terrorism “T” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for the Czech Republic.
Credible information indicates terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Europe. The Czech Republic is part of the Schengen Zone, which has virtually eliminated travel checks between the 26 European member states. Despite the relatively low threat, widely reported incidents across the region demonstrate that terrorist organizations can plan and execute attacks in Europe. While local governments continue counterterrorism operations, the degrading of the centralized ISIS command structure has given rise to more independent or “lone actor” style attacks. There is still a possibility that returning (terrorist-affiliated) foreign fighters, terrorist sympathizers, self-radicalized extremists, or opportunity-driven malcontents may conduct attacks with little or no warning.
Extremists continue to focus on locations where large numbers of people gather, including tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities. Hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, high-profile events, educational institutions, airports, and other soft targets remain priority locations for possible attacks. Those who plan to visit these locations should remain aware of their surroundings, have an exit plan, and think about where they may find cover if an incident were to occur unexpectedly.
Terrorists persist in employing a variety of tactics, including firearms, explosives, ramming vehicles, and edged weapons that are difficult to detect prior to an attack.
- On December 21, 2023, 14 people were killed and 22 injured in the deadliest mass murder in the Czech Republic in the main Faculty of Arts building of Charles University in Prague. The perpetrator was a 24-year-old postgraduate student who committed suicide after the attack.
- In June 2024, a Colombian national attempted to set fire to a public bus depot in Prague. After burning three unoccupied buses in which there were no injuries, Czech investigators discovered that his phone was configured in Russian, his hotel room reservation was made in Russian, and Russia-based accounts paid for his stay. The Czech Prime Minister went on television to say that the suspect would be charged with terrorism and made specific mention of the suspicion that this was a Russian-sponsored covert action. The political climate in Czechia allows the Prime Minister to call this act an act of hybrid war, similar to other Russian inspired or directed actions across the rest of Europe.
Political Violence and Civil Unrest
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Prague as being a MEDIUM-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Civil Unrest “U” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for the Czech Republic. Civil unrest can develop quickly without prior notice, often interrupting logistics and services. Avoid demonstration activity, as even those planned to remain peaceful have the potential to turn violent.
Elections/Political Stability
In January 2023, the Czech Republic elected a president for a five-year term in two rounds of voting. The Organization for Security Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) expressed “full confidence” in the professionalism and impartiality of the administration of elections. ODIHR observers noted that elections and campaigns were free and fair, and fundamental freedoms were respected. Parliamentary elections in the Czech Republic are scheduled for October 2025.
Protests & Demonstrations
Civil disorder is rare, although strikes and demonstrations do occur. Depending on the number of people, protests could affect traffic flow and pedestrian movements around gathering points. Demonstration organizers must notify Prague City Hall in advance, allowing police to prepare for these events. Unless demonstrators are breaking laws or causing an excessive disturbance, authorities are disinclined to disband a peaceable protest.
When large protests do occur, they gather at Wenceslas Square and Letna Park. These demonstrations can attract people from all over the Czech Republic. Even with large numbers, events remain peaceful.
Protests also occur on Malostranské náměstí, the main square of Prague's Malá Strana district, across the street from the Parliament building.
Soccer matches are well-attended in Prague and other locations around the country. Rival matches have resulted in disorderly conduct, arrests, and injuries to bystanders. Authorities prepare for the possibility of violence and/or disruptive behavior during these matches. It is common to see a large police presence near soccer stadiums during games. Confrontations between rival groups of fans and rowdy pre- and post-match celebrations may occur. Even events intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence. Avoid areas of unruly gatherings, and exercise caution if near any such events.
Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment
Anti-U.S. sentiment is not a concern in the Czech Republic.
Law Enforcement
The national police (Policie) report to the Interior Ministry and are responsible for enforcing the law and maintaining public order, including protecting the border and enforcing immigration law. The Police post updates regularly to their twitter account: @PolicieCZ. The Prague Fire Brigade posts updates to their twitter account: @HasiciPraha.
Local city police forces (Městská Policie) have municipal responsibilities.
The General Inspection of Security Forces (GIBS) reports to the Office of the Prime Minister and is responsible for investigating allegations of misconduct involving police, customs officials, fire fighters, and the prison service.
The Defense Ministry oversees the Armed Forces of the Czech Republic. Civilian authorities maintain effective control over the security forces.
Police Response
The emergency line in the Czech Republic is 112. English-speaking operators are available 24/7. For local first responders, refer to the Embassy’s Emergency Assistance page.
Travelers with Special Considerations
For specific traveler concerns in the Czech Republic, review the local laws and circumstances on the Department of State’s Country Information Page.
Rule of Law, Arbitrary Detention, Official Harassment, Corruption, & Transparency
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Risk of Wrongful Detention “D” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for the Czech Republic.
The law prohibits arbitrary arrest and detention and provides for the right of any person to challenge the lawfulness of their arrest or detention in court. The government generally observes these requirements. If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately.
Corruption is a problem among law enforcement bodies and at various levels of bureaucracy. The most common forms of corruption include leaking information for payments; the unauthorized use of law enforcement databases, typically to search for derogatory information; acceptance of bribes in connection with criminal proceedings and other procedures (e.g., issuance of permits); and unlawful influencing of law enforcement procedures.
Cybersecurity
Czech law provides a roadmap for the development of cyber capability. The National Cyber and Information Security Agency (NÚKIB) is the central administrative body for cyber security, including the protection of classified information, critical infrastructure, and networks. NÚKIB publishes cyber security articles online and hosts events related to cybersecurity issues.
Import/Export Restrictions
There are no restrictions on the import or use of satellite phones or other satellite devices in the Czech Republic.
A country-specific listing of items/goods prohibited from being exported to the country or that are otherwise restricted is available from the U.S. International Trade Agency website.
Additional resources and reports can be found in the OSAC Traveler Toolkit.
