Schengen area
The basic description of Schengen area and the main features of the membership
- General information
- The main features of the Czech Republic´ membership in the Schengen area
The main features of the Czech Republic´ membership in the Schengen area are:
Crossing the land borders without border checks, i.e. without stopping
It should be possible to cross the borders of the Czech Republic with the neighboring states almost at any point and any time, i.e. also outside former border crossing points. However, it is still necessary to respect the rules regarding duty to present a valid ID or passport if needed during stay on the other member states’ territory. Some restrictions may also be imposed e.g. due to nature protection reasons in protected areas or in private owned areas.
New effective tools for combating crime
Schengen has brought a more intensive co-operation with police and judicial authorities of the other member states in prevention and fight against crime. Besides the information exchange via the Schengen Information System (SIS), the co-operation is also supported by joint cooperation centers, deployment of joint police patrols and use of cross-border surveillance and hot pursuit when, under certain circumstances, the national police can continue its activities also on the territory of the neighboring state (e.g. during pursuit of suspected persons).
Use of the Schengen Information System (SIS)
The relevant Czech authorities have access to the SIS since 1st September 2007. Via SIS, they can share the necessary information with other member states authorities in order to ensure the security of the common area. The SIS contains data about persons and objects of specified categories, i.e. about undesirable third-country nationals with denied access to the Schengen area, about wanted persons or objects (e.g. stolen or lost documents, vehicles, fire weapons, forged banknotes, etc.).
Simplified Traveling of Third-Country Nationals
Embassies and consulates of the Czech Republic are issuing short-stay visas in form of the so called uniform Schengen visa, valid in the whole Schengen area. The third-country nationals subject to the visa requirement may travel around the Schengen area with a single visa. Those third-country nationals with a visa requirement, which are holders of a valid residence permit on the territory of the Czech Republic, are not required to have a visa for a short-term (up to 3 months) traveling around Schengen (are only required to have a valid Czech residence permission and a valid passport).