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Visa for study

EU Students

Students from European Union countries, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Switzerland and certain other states do not need a visa to come and study in the Czech Republic. To enter the Czech Republic, EU students only need a valid passport or national ID card. EU citizens must apply for a temporary residence permit if they intend to stay in the Czech Republic for more than three months. The following must be enclosed with an application:

• A copy of the applicant’s passport
• A photograph
• A document certifying the purpose of the stay
• A health-insurance policy certificate
• A sworn statement that he/she will not claim social benefits during his/her stay in the Czech Republic

Temporary residence permit certificates are issued for various periods of validity depending on the purpose for which the temporary residence permit is issued. The validity of the permit may be repeatedly extended.

Non-EU Students

Students from other countries (non-EU) are required to have a valid visa for their stay in the Czech Republic. It is no longer possible to apply for a visa on the territory of the Czech Republic. The application has to be submitted to the Czech embassy or consulate in the student's home country. It is necessary to apply for a visa as soon as one receives a letter of acceptance. The procedure can take up to 60 days. The regulations for obtaining visas change from time to time. In addition, embassies in individual countries are given a certain leeway in applying them. This means that the regulations listed below should be considered guidelines only. Students should consult the local Czech embassy or consulate for the latest information regarding visa requirements, and the particular local requirements that are in force.

The basic documents required for a visa for a stay of less than 90 days are as follows:

• A valid passport (valid for at least half a year beyond the expiry of the visa)
• A passport-size photograph
• Confirmation of accommodation in the Czech Republic
• A financial contract or other documents corroborating financial support for your stay in the Czech Republic
• Further documents certifying the information given in the visa-application form

The basic documents required for a visa for a stay of more than 90 days are as follows:

• An original visa-application form
• A letter of acceptance
• A valid passport (valid for at least half a year beyond the expiry of the visa)
• 2 passport-size photographs
• Confirmation of accommodation in the Czech Republic
• A financial contract or other documents corroborating financial support for your stay in the Czech Republic (e.g. a valid internationally recognized credit card, your bank statement showing that you have sufficient funds at your disposal during your stay in the Czech Republic, travellers’ cheques bearing your name)
• An official extract from the Criminal Register of the Czech Republic confirming that you have not been prosecuted and punished for crimes in the Czech Republic

For more information go to: 
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Ministry of the Interior

Medical Insurance

As a result of the Czech Republic's accession to the European Union, students from EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland are entitled to the provision of necessary and urgent health care free-of-charge. It is only necessary that they have a certified E 128 form from their home country or a European Health Insurance Card, which replaces the paper forms needed. It is recommended, however, that students have supplementary travel insurance from their own country.

Students from non-EU countries should check whether their insurance company is accredited for insurance abroad based on the reciprocal provision of necessary and urgent healthcare free-of-charge. Insurance has to be arranged for a sum of at least 30,000 EUR. A list of these insurance companies is available at Czech consulates.

Please note that only care that is “necessary and urgent” is provided. This does not include routine dentistry work, for example. The standard of medical and dental care is good in the Czech Republic, and charges for “non-urgent” care are very reasonable.

Transport and Travelling

By Air

The Czech Republic’s main international airport is Prague Ruzyně International Airport (PRG), which has daily connections to/from major European cities. Passengers going to/from other destinations will have to change planes in Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam or Paris. Ruzyně airport is located on the northwest edge of Prague, about 15 km from the city centre. There are other airports in Brno and Ostrava. People flying into Moravia usually use the airports in Vienna or Bratislava.

By Bus

Bus travel is the cheapest mode of transport inside Europe. There are ample bus connections between the major cities of the Czech Republic and other European cities. Most international buses arrive at Florenc Bus Station, the main bus station in Prague, where there are schedules, ticket offices and some travel agencies. Černý most, Zličín and Želivského metro stations are the final stops for some bus routes. In other Czech towns, buses connecting with European cities usually arrive at the main bus station.

By Train

It is easy to travel to the Czech Republic from all major European cities by train. In summer, the international trains tend to be full and one should book seats at least a week in advance. Most trains arrive at and depart from Praha Hlavní nádraží (Prague’s Main Railway Station, abbreviated as Praha Hl. n.). A few of them arrive at other railway stations: Praha-Holešovice, Praha-Smíchov or Praha-Masarykovo nádraží. Each of these stations has its own easily accessible underground metro station. In other Czech towns, international trains usually stop at the main station.

For the best transport connections go to www.idos.cz.

By Car

The Czech Republic has a network of motorways and roads that are moderately well sign-posted. It is necessary to buy and display a mandatory motorway vignette when driving on Czech highways. Vignettes can be purchased at post offices, border crossings and selected petrol stations. Czech traffic regulations are similar to those in effect in other EU member states. A few basic rules are:

• The maximum permissible speed in towns and villages is 50 km/h
• The maximum permissible speed for cars and buses weighing up to 3,500 kg is 90 km/h on roads and 130 km/h on highways
• The maximum permissible speed for motorcycles is 90 km/h
• No consumption of alcohol at all is allowed before driving or while driving
• Seat belts must be fastened during the entire journey
• Motorcyclists and their pillion passengers must wear a helmet

Public Transport

Trams, buses and trolley buses are used for public transportation in Czech towns. Three underground (metro) lines operate in Prague only. Each town has its own tariff. Tickets can be obtained at vending machines, at newsagents and tobacconists. It is always cheaper to buy a monthly or seasonal ticket. Passengers should buy a ticket before getting on to a bus, trolley bus or tram. The ticket must be validated (franked) as soon as you get on to the vehicle. A ticket inspector may check the validity of tickets at any time during the journey, and is authorised to ask the passenger to present a valid ticket. Inspectors will confiscate invalid tickets and collect a fine if they find anyone travelling without a valid ticket.

For more information about Prague public transport go to www.dpp.cz/en.

Taxis

Unfortunately, Czech taxi drivers, especially Prague taxi drivers, have a very bad reputation. Taxi fares differ from place to place. The rate per kilometre must be displayed inside and outside of the taxi. Every taxi driver is obliged to issue a receipt for the fare paid. Passengers should require information on fares in advance. If one wants to hire a taxi in Prague, it is highly advisable to call one of the reliable telephone taxi services. You can speak English, but must explain where you want to be picked up.

Shops and Services

Shops

The opening hours of Czech shops vary, but they are generally open from 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. on working days and from 9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. on Saturday. Increasing numbers of shops are now open seven days a week. Hypermarkets and large shopping centres are open daily, usually from around 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Tipping

A tip of 5-10% is appreciated in any restaurant with table service. The usual system is that the waiter or waitress announces the amount as he or she hands over the bill and customers announce how much they wish to pay with the tip included while settling their tab. It is also customary to tip hairdressers, barbers and people providing other services.

Banks and Currency

The Czech unit of currency is the Czech crown (koruna, abbreviated as Kč, or as CZK in English) = 100 h (Hellers). The Czech crown is a convertible currency and therefore it is not necessary to exchange foreign currency with unauthorised people in the streets. Street currency traders are fraudsters. Do not use them. Most banks remain open from 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. on working days. Bureau de Change offices have even longer opening hours and are usually open on weekends. Money can also be changed by foreign exchange dealers in hotels, petrol stations, travel agencies, shopping centres and information centres authorised for this purpose. You will get the best exchange rate from a bank or from an ATM. MasterCard, Visa and American Express are widely accepted and there is a dense network of ATMs throughout the country. Students with travellers' cheques may redeem them either in banks or in places authorised to exchange foreign currencies.