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Summary information about visa-free regime

Short-term stays and relevant legislation

The rules for short-term stays - entry, stay, visa requirement, visa requirement exemption, and procedures and conditions concerning the granting of short-term visas - are, apart from some exceptions, dictated by European legislation, specifically.

For the purposes of short-term stays, a distinction must be made between states applying a common visa policy, i.e. states for whom the aforementioned Council Regulation No. 1806/2018 is binding, specifically the section thereof containing a list of third countries whose citizens must hold a short-term visa when crossing internal borders (Annex I to the Regulation), and a list of third countries whose nationals are exempt from this requirement (Annex II of the Regulation). The states applying a common visa policy are all the Schengen Area statesand also Bulgaria, Romania and Cyprus.

As of January 1^st, 2023 Croatia became a part of the Schengen area, thus abolishing border controls for entry into Croatia within the Schengen area by land. The abolition of border controls for entry via airports into Croatia took place on March 26^th, 2023.

The rules for entry, stay and granting of short-term visas laid down by the aforementioned Schengen Borders and Visa Code are binding for all member states of the Schengen Area. Bulgaria, Romania and Cyprus are not yet part of the Schengen Area; please contact the appropriate authorities of those countries for conditions of entry, stay, granting visas as well as recognition of a Schengen visa for entry to their territory. (information correct at February 2023: Bulgaria, Romania and Cyprus all allow entry to their territories to the holders of a valid Schengen visa, and also to holders of long-term visas or residence permits issued by Schengen states. For the latest information concerning entry to the territory of those countries, in particular information concerning the conditions that a specific Schengen visa, long-term visa or residence permit must satisfy, please contact the appropriate authorities of those countries directly. The Czech Republic cannot guarantee entry to the territory of another state).
 

Basic information and rules for short-term stays - with visa requirement / visa-free

A short-term stay is a stay of a maximum of 90 days during any 180-day period, which means a period of 180 immediately preceding each day of stay (note: the length of stay is calculated according to the entry and exit stamps entered into the relevant travel document at the border-crossing point). For the purposes of such short-term stays, European legislation divides third countries into those whose citizens must hold a visa, and those whose citizens are exempt of such conditions for entry and short-term stay in the territories of the states applying a common visa policy.

The rule of a maximum duration of a short-term stay in the Schengen Area of 90 days in any 180-day period applies for both of the above categories. In the case of third country nationals with the requirement to hold a visa, a short-term stay is governed by the further conditions of the visa granted, i.e. the number of entries (visas for one, two or multiple entries), territorial validity (visas valid for the entire Schengen Area or a visa with limited territorial validity for selected member states) and also the visa expiry date and the length of permitted stay for which the consulate has granted according to the intended trip.

In addition to the general 90/180 rule, third country nationals who are required to hold a visa must behave according to what the specific visa that they hold permits them. Third country nationals of those countries that are exempt from the requirement to hold a visa may stay in the territory of the Schengen Area for a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period. Before exceeding this max. permitted period, they must leave the Schengen Area. Third country nationals are not permitted to enter again until they satisfy the stipulated conditions, i.e. that upon entering they do not breach the aforementioned rule of maximum duration of short-term stay (90/180).

We recommend using the "Schengen calculator", a useful tool for checking that you are not breaking this rule (to redirect to the European Commission website, please click on this link):

Exemption from the requirement to hold a visa for short-term stays does not apply to third country nationals who intend to perform gainful activities in the territory of the Czech Republic. For a stay exceeding 90 days, a national long-term visa or residence permit issued by a certain Schengen state (according to the state in which such long-term stay is to take place).

The mere fact that a third country national has made an application for a visa or a residence permit, does not entitle him/her to exceed the aforementioned time limit.

For the purpose of identification outside the Czech Republic, a third country national who is staying in the Czech Republic on a residence permit must hold both a valid travel document and a valid biometric residence card. A residence card is not a travel document.
 

Combination of long-term and short-term stay

Third country national may stay in the territory of the Czech Republic without a visa for a period not exceeding 90 days in any 180-day period on condition that they hold a valid travel document and a residence card issued by another Schengen state, or long-term visa issued by another Schengen state. In the same way, a third country national may stay in the territory of other Schengen states for a period not exceeding 90 days in any 180-day period on condition that he/she holds a valid travel document and a residence card or long-term visa issued by the Czech Republic.

Before expiry of a long-term visa / residence card the holder must leave the Schengen Area; this does not apply to third country nationals who are exempt from the requirement to hold a short-term visa. After their long-term visa or residence card expires, such persons may begin their short-term, visa-free stay within the Schengen Area for a max. period of 90 days in any 180-day period and only afterwards they must leave the Schengen Area.
 

Stay on the basis of bilateral visa exemption agreements

If a bilateral visa exemption agreement exists between the Czech Republic and the third country national’s country of origin, he / she is allowed to stay in the territory of the Czech Republic for longer than the Schengen rules for short-term stays (90/180). You can find information about bilateral visa exemption agreements between the Czech Republic and third countries and the rules for implementing them here.

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Travelling in the EU / Schengen - Non-EU citizens

The Schengen area is a joint territory of countries that do not carry out border controls on people crossing their common borders. Closing the border posts is compensated for by enhanced cooperation and joint rules for protecting the external borders, police and judicial cooperation, protecting personal data, issuing visas and data sharing within the Schengen information system.

The Schengen area is made up of these countries:

Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lichtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden and Switzerland.

Other EU or EEA Member States, i.e. Bulgaria, Ireland, Cyprus, Romania and Great Britain, are not members of the Schengen area.

IMPORTANT: Residence permits issued by Andorra, San Marino or Vatican do not allow their holders access to other Schengen states. Contrarily, residence permits issued by Monaco do.

After an expiration of validity visa for a stay of over 90 days (long-term) / residence permit it is necessary to leave the Schengen area. It does not apply for countries of Third-country citizens which are free from visa requerement for short-term residence. In that case they are allowed to start their short-term residence in Schengen area after an expiration of validity of their visa for a stay over 90 days (long-term)/ residence permit. They are allowed to stay 90 days (maximum) during every 180 days and then they have to leave the Schengen area.  

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Travelling around the Schengen Area exempt from visa requirements

Third country nationals exempt from visa requirements may stay in the territory of Schengen states for the maximum length of time stipulated for short-term stays. A short-term stay is a stay with a maximum duration of 90 days in any 180-day period, which means a period of 180 days immediately preceding each day of stay (note: the length of stay is dictated by entry and exit stamps entered in the relevant travel document at the border crossing point).

WARNING: The fact that a certain third country national has made an application for a visa or residence permit does not entitle him/her to exceed the aforementioned time limit.

For the purposes of short-term stays, one must differentiate between states that apply a common visa policy, i.e. all member states of the Schengen Area as well as Bulgaria, Romania and Cyprus, and states that do not apply such common visa policy, i.e. the United Kingdom and Ireland. States that apply a common visa policy recognise a common list of third countries with visa requirement and a list of third countries that are exempt from this requirement. For current information on the possibilities of entry to and stay in Ireland, please contact the relevant authorities of Ireland directly.

In order to prove their identity when travelling in the Schengen Area outside the territory of the Czech Republic, third country nationals staying in the Czech Republic on a residence permit or long-term visa must also have both their valid travel document and their valid biometric residence card with them at all times. The residence card is not a travel document.

WARNING: Residence permits issued by Andorra, San Marino or the Vatican do not entitle the holder to entry to other Schengen states. Conversely, residence permits issued by Monaco entitle the holder to entry to other Schengen states.
 

Combination of long-term and short-term stay

Third country national may stay in the territory of the Czech Republic without a visa for a period not exceeding 90 days in any 180-day period on condition that they hold a valid travel document and a residence card issued by another Schengen state, or long-term visa issued by another Schengen state. In the same way, a third country national may stay in the territory of other Schengen states for a period not exceeding 90 days in any 180-day period on condition that he/she holds a valid travel document and a residence card or long-term visa issued by the Czech Republic.

Before expiry of a long-term visa / residence card the holder must leave the Schengen Area; this does not apply to third country nationals who are exempt from the requirement to hold a short-term visa. After their long-term visa or residence card expires, such persons may begin their short-term, visa-free stay within the Schengen Area for a max. period of 90 days in any 180-day period and only afterwards they must leave the Schengen Area.  

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Nationals of third countries with visa requirement

Rules for short-term stays

The rule of a maximum duration of a short-term stay in the Schengen Area of 90 days in any 180-day period is the common rule for short-term stays. In the case of nationals of third countries with visa requirement the stay itself is governed by the further conditions of the visa granted, i.e. the number of entries (visas for one, two or multiple entries), territorial validity (visas valid for the entire Schengen Area or a visa with limited territorial validity for selected member states) and also the visa expiry date and the length of permitted stay for which the consulate has granted according to the intended trip.

Application of visa/visa-free requirements is binding for those member states that apply the common visa policy, i.e. that recognise a common list of third countries with a visa requirement and a list of third countries that are exempt of a visa requirement. Bulgaria, Romania and Cyprus are countries that apply the common visa policy while not being part of the Schengen Area. For short-term stays, these countries issue their own national short-term visa, and also at a national level they decide whether or not to admit the holders of short-term Schengen visas into their territory without holding the relevant national short-term visa (as of February 2023: Bulgaria, Romania and Cyprus all allow entry to their territories to the holders of a valid Schengen visa, and also to holders of long-term visas or residence permits issued by Schengen states. For the latest information concerning entry to the territory of those countries, in particular information concerning the conditions that a specific Schengen visa, long-term visa or residence permit must satisfy to be valid for entry, please contact the appropriate authorities of those countries directly. The Czech Republic cannot guarantee entry to the territory of another state).

Ireland does not apply a common visa policy or rules for entry, stay nor for the granting of short-term visas. Ireland does not recognise a valid Schengen visa for entry or stay in its territory. For the latest information concerning conditions for entry and stay in Ireland, please contact the relevant Irish authorities.

Third country national may stay in the territory of the Czech Republic without a visa for a period not exceeding 90 days in any 180-day period on condition that they hold a valid travel document and a residence card issued by another Schengen state, or long-term visa issued by another Schengen state. In the same way, a third country national may stay in the territory of other Schengen states for a period not exceeding 90 days in any 180-day period on condition that he/she holds a valid travel document and a residence card or long-term visa issued by the Czech Republic.

Before expiry of a long-term visa / residence card the holder must leave the Schengen Area; this does not apply to third country nationals who are exempt from the requirement to hold a short-term visa. After their long-term visa or residence card expires, such persons may begin their short-term, visa-free stay within the Schengen Area for a max. period of 90 days in any 180-day period and only afterwards they must leave the Schengen Area.  

If a third country national holds a valid travel document and residence permit or long-term visa issued by a different Schengen state, he/she may stay in the Czech Republic without a visa for a period not exceeding 90 days in any 180-day period. In the same way, a third country national may stay in the territory of other Schengen states for a period not exceeding 90 days in any 180-day period, under condition that he/she holds a valid residence card or long-term visa issued by the Czech Republic, in combination with a valid travel document. The foreign national must leave the Schengen Area before expiry of the long-term visa / residence card.

A residence card issued by the Czech Republic or other member state does not constitute a travel document for the purpose of travel around the EU/Schengen Area. Such residence card must be used in combination with a valid travel document in all cases.

WARNING: Residence permits issued by Andorra, San Marino or the Vatican do not entitle the holder to entry to other Schengen states. Conversely, residence permits issued by Monaco entitle the holder to entry to other Schengen states.

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Children and school trips

Generally, for children (i.e. minors), the basic rule is for them to travel on their own passport and - if they are subject to visa requirements – a visa. The visa can be replaced by a valid residence permit issued by the CR or another Schengen state.

Some states allow children to travel without their own document, under the condition that they travel with a parent in whose passport they are entered. We recommend, however, checking this fact at the embassy of the state you wish to travel to before your journey.

In some EU states, it is not necessary for resident children to have their own travel document and/or visa when travelling on school trips to other EU states and they are entered on a list of pupils issued by the school on a common format form. For children that are citizens of non-EU countries with visa requirements and who have a residence permit in the CR, two situations can arise:

1. the pupil / student has his/her own travel document with a residence permit. In this case, the list serves as a visa.

2. the pupil / student does not have his/her own travel document with a residence permit, he/she is entered into a parent’s travel document. In this case, the list of travellers serves as both a visa and a travel document. It must have a photograph of the foreign national.
    

Procedure before departure: 

• the school representative or student or his/her legal representative picks up the “List of Travellers” form at the MOI office.

• the form is filled in and confirmed by the school; foreign nationals without their own documents provide photographs.

• a foreign national, his/her legal representative or the school representative with power of attorney for this purpose reports to the MOI office with the completed List of Travellers form, where it will be confirmed by the MOI. If the foreign national is over 15, he/she signs the power of attorney, the legal representative signs for a younger foreign national.
  
  

If a foreign national does not have his/her own travel document and the residence permit is in the parent’s document, the List of Travellers will also serve as a travel document for these foreign nationals.

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Travelling with a Departure Order

A Departure Order is a document issued ex officio by:

1. the Foreign Police, after the annulment or expiry of a short-term visa, after the termination of a temporary residence in the territory or inside a transit area of an international airport in cases where a visa is not required, or in association with administrative expulsion,

2. the Ministry of the Interior, after the annulment or expiry of a long-term visa, after a denial of an application for a long-term or permanent residence permit, if the current visa had expired, or after a revocation or expiry of a long-term or permanent residence permit.
    

A DepartureOrder entitles its holder to temporary residence in the Czech Republic for a period necessary for addressing pressing matters and leaving the territory.

The period entitling its holder to remain in the Czech Republic must not exceed 60 days. This period is established and marked in the DepartureOrder by the Foreign Police or the Ministry of Interior.

A Departure Order has the form of a passport sticker but may also be issued outside of a travel document.

Foreigners with avisa requirement in the Schengen, who were issued a Departure Order, should take note of the following:

Leaving by plane - It is not possible to transit through other Schengen countries with a DepartureOrder. It is necessary to take a direct flight out of the Schengen. If a holder of a DepartureOrder was to make a transfer in another Schengen country, and he/she is not exempt from a visa requirement, he/she must obtain the respective visa from the embassy of the country in question prior to his/her departure. An attempt to enter or the entry into another Schengen state without a visa/with a DepartureOrder may result in the following:

• the foreigner may not be allowed to board the plane in the Czech Republic,

• the foreigner may be detained when arriving in the other Schengen state,

• the foreigner may be issued administrative expulsion by the Schengen state in question,

• administrative expulsion by one member state may lead to a denial to enter the entire Schengen area in the future.
   

Leaving by ground - Given the fact that it is not possible to transit through other Schengen countries with a DepartureOrder, it is possible to take advantage of a special mechanism allowing for a transit by ground through other Schengen countries (i.e. by car, bus, train etc.). If you intend to use this mechanism, turn to the nearest Foreign Police office (not the Ministry of Interior office!) at least 10 days prior to your scheduled departure. Bring your travel document and the original decision, based on which you are to depart the Czech Republic / EU. You should also have an idea of the approximate date and route of your travel.

You may also request to use this mechanism after the end of an appellate procedure, termination of a law-suit or a cassation complaint (in case of international protection proceedings), if you were issued a DepartureOrder and you truly intend to depart from the Czech Republic.

The possibility of transit by ground is not arranged on the spot, and you should expect to make at least one more visit to the relevant Foreign Police office to collect special forms that you will need to carry out your journey.

Prevent the loss the travel forms!

More information may be provided by any Foreign Police office.