Czech Republic

Recommended Vaccinations For Czech Republic

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a significant risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

For Some Travellers

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for infants aged 6 to 11 months.

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., adventure travellers, and cavers) who may have direct contact with bats.

Tick-Borne Encephalitis Vaccine

There is a risk of Tick-Borne Encephalitis in some areas of this country. The transmission season varies, however, ticks are most active during early spring to late autumn. A vaccination is recommended.

Recommended Medications For Czech Republic

There are no recommendations for Czech Republic at this time.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Czech Republic

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk for acquiring hepatitis B in the Czech Republic.

Hepatitis A

There is a significant risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in the Czech Republic through contaminated food or water. Infection can still occur at tourist destinations and resorts.

For Some Travellers

Tuberculosis

Travellers to this country are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the healthcare field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring Hantavirus in this country through the consumption of food and water contaminated by an infected rodent or through rodent bites.

Measles

A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for infants aged 6 to 11 months.

Tick-Borne Encephalitis

**There is a risk of** Tick-borne encephalitis **in all areas of this country. The main affected area is the province of Jihocecky. The transmission season varies, however, ticks are most active during early spring to late autumn.**

Rabies

There is a low risk of exposure to rabies within 50 kilometers of the Polish and Slovakian borders. The remainder of the Czech Republic is not at risk for rabies in animals, although bats may carry rabies-like viruses.

Safety & Security in Czech Republic

Personal Safety

The Czech Republic maintains one of the strongest safety records in Europe, ranking 12th globally among the safest countries for expats in 2025. Prague saw a 6.4% decrease in registered criminal offenses in 2024 compared to the previous year, marking the lowest crime rate on record excluding pandemic years. Violent crime is rare throughout the country, and serious incidents involving visitors are even rarer. The primary risk is petty crime, particularly pickpocketing in tourist areas and on public transport. Organized groups operate at busy metro and bus routes, trams 9 and 22, train stations, and popular tourist sites like Prague Castle and Old Town Square. These groups use distraction techniques to target unsuspecting visitors. Scams have increased in recent years, with common schemes including street money exchanges offering outdated currency, overpriced unofficial taxis, fake police officers requesting to see money, and excessive fees at tourist restaurants. Prague’s main train station becomes seedier at night and should be avoided during late hours if possible. Emergency services are reliable and well-organized, with English-speaking operators available at 112. Car thefts and break-ins are common in major cities, particularly in parking areas. Crime maps are available through the Czech police website for travelers wanting to check specific areas. Drink spiking can occur in bars and clubs, especially around Wenceslas Square and Dlouha Street, where nightlife-related incidents are more common. Prague banned pub crawls to improve safety and curb excessive drinking. Credit card fraud occurs at similar rates to other European destinations, so you should keep cards in sight during transactions. Despite these isolated concerns, the Czech Republic offers a very secure environment for business travelers and tourists alike.

Extreme Violence

Terrorist attacks in the Czech Republic are very rare and have not been reported in recent history. The terrorism index increased to 2.91 points in 2024 from 0 in 2023, though this remains extremely low. The Ministry of the Interior monitors extremism and prejudicial hatred, with reports indicating that hateful content often emerges in online spaces. In 2023, anti-Semitic content appeared more frequently after the Hamas terrorist attack in October, with police initiating criminal proceedings in several cases. Hateful speech also targeted Muslims, Ukrainians, and other communities, though to a lesser extent. Reported hate crimes in 2024 were most often directed against Ukrainians (71 crimes) and Jews (30 crimes), both historically low figures. Cybercrime has increased significantly, with nearly 10,000 virtual crimes reported in recent years, reflecting a near 100% year-on-year increase. The National Center for Combating Terrorism, Extremism, and Cybercrime was established in 2023 to address growing cyber threats, ransomware attacks on hospitals, and state institutions. Pro-Russian hacker groups arranged strikes against Czech targets amid the Ukraine conflict. The Czech Republic actively supports the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh and maintains personnel in Iraq for training purposes. Legislation signed in 2023 gives police authority to order internet service providers to block terrorist content online, though the Ministry of the Interior states that occurrence of terrorist content in the Czech online environment is relatively low. Extremist groups exist but are closely monitored by security forces. The country faces hybrid actions related to its support for Ukraine, with threats of violence occasionally addressed to politicians and alarmist messages becoming subjects of law enforcement interest. Violent crime against tourists is exceptionally rare, and mugging and kidnapping risks are almost nonexistent in Prague and throughout the country. Public places and gatherings carry a heightened theoretical threat of terrorist attacks, as is the case globally, but no credible active threats have been identified.

Political Unrest

The Czech political scene is considered stable in the long term, though occasional demonstrations and protests occur against government policies. Protests are typically peaceful and most often take place in Prague. In September 2022, approximately 70,000 people attended a demonstration at Wenceslas Square expressing dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of the energy crisis and inflation. This marked one of the largest gatherings in recent Czech history. In November 2023, Prague saw its largest protest since the country’s establishment in 1993, as unions staged mass demonstrations and strikes against economic policies including higher taxes on alcohol, medicine, and corporate profits. The protests disrupted schools, universities, state offices, and major companies. Throughout 2022 and 2023, various protests related to high inflation, cost of living, and the government’s stance on Ukraine occurred at regular intervals. These demonstrations called for government resignation but remained largely peaceful despite drawing thousands of participants. In 2024 and 2025, farmer protests emerged across the country as part of broader European demonstrations opposing EU agricultural policies, trade agreements, and environmental regulations. Tractor blockades were staged in Prague and at border crossings. Some protests became controversial due to the presence of far-right and pro-Russian elements, though legitimate grievances were widely acknowledged. Public protests may happen at short notice, and while they have been peaceful, you should take care in crowded places and follow instructions from local authorities. The government’s approach to austerity measures, pension system changes, and support for Ukraine continues to generate political discourse and occasional street demonstrations. The Czech Republic does not share a border with Ukraine, so the conflict has not directly impacted the country beyond the visible presence of Ukrainian refugees. Political stability remains strong overall, with democratic institutions functioning effectively and no signs of widespread civil unrest or breakdown in public order.

Areas To Avoid

The areas requiring extra caution in the Czech Republic are mostly concentrated in Prague’s tourist zones and transport hubs. Josefov, Prague’s Jewish quarter, experiences higher rates of pickpocketing and purse-snatching due to heavy tourist traffic. Smichov becomes rowdy during nighttime hours due to its concentration of bars and clubs. Old Town Square, despite being a popular tourist area, has seen reports of muggings and aggressive scams. Prague’s train stations can be hazardous, particularly at night, with increased risk of petty crime and unwanted encounters. The main train station becomes seedier after dark and should be avoided during late hours if possible. Wenceslas Square and Dlouha Street can attract rowdy crowds, especially on weekends when excessive drinking leads to problems. Night trams, particularly on weekends, can get rowdy with drunk passengers. Currency exchange offices near tourist areas often employ scammers who approach visitors with offers to exchange money on the street, giving outdated Belarusian rubles instead of Czech crowns. Unofficial taxis operating around tourist sites, airports, and train stations charge excessive prices and should be avoided in favor of marked taxis or ride-sharing apps like Bolt and Uber. Restaurants in tourist-heavy areas, particularly around Old Town Square, sometimes add meaningless fees for cutlery or automatically include tips without disclosure. The areas around Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, and other famous monuments see organized pickpocket groups operating during peak hours. Public transport, especially busy metro lines and trams to tourist sites, requires vigilance with personal belongings. Outside Prague, the Czech Republic is remarkably safe. Cities like Brno and Olomouc have low crime rates and are considered very safe despite their size. Rural areas and smaller towns pose minimal risk to visitors. The Moravian-Silesian region experienced flooding damage in September 2024, with some rail lines and roads remaining closed. Heavy rains during spring and summer can cause flooding and landslides, particularly around major rivers. Areas near the Vltava River in Prague are vulnerable to flooding, though the Czech Republic has one of the best flood warning systems in Europe. These weather-related concerns are well-managed by authorities, and visitors receive adequate warning when conditions deteriorate.