- Since September 1, 2006, the Czech Republic has changed the rules for the stay of persons holding Schengen visas on its territory. Please tell us in more detail, what visas are we talking about?
- For now, I can only say definitively about transit through the Czech Republic. Having a Schengen visa type "B" or "C", a visa type "B" or "C" from one of the European Union countries not in Schengen, or a long-term visa type "D" from one of the EU countries, Iceland, or Norway, you can transit through the Czech Republic without obtaining a Czech transit visa. However, it should be noted that at the time of crossing our border, this main visa in the passport must already be valid, and also that a period of five days is set for crossing all new transit EU countries. The conditions for stay in the Czech Republic for persons holding a residence permit in Schengen countries or one of the EU countries, as well as family members of citizens of any EU country, must still be clarified with the consular department on a case-by-case basis.
- Do tourists traveling by train through the territory of the Czech Republic to Austria or another Schengen country need to obtain a Czech transit visa? Will such tourists, who do not have a visa of the Czech Republic, be able to stop for a couple of days in Prague or another city?
- Yes, transit travelers can stop in the Czech Republic for a few days if they stay within the five-day period provided for transit through all countries.
- Besides a passport with a visa from one of the Schengen countries, what documents must citizens present to enter the Czech Republic and stay there for no more than five days? Will tickets or a car rental agreement be sufficient?
- Apart from a Czech or Schengen visa, the documents are the same as before September 1 of this year: if it is transit, then tickets to the final destination, a medical insurance policy for the Czech Republic, and financial means. A document such as a car rental agreement does not play any significant role in this case.
- How many transits through the territory of the Czech Republic can be made with a single-entry Schengen visa?
- If the passport contains a single-entry Schengen visa, then, naturally, you can only travel through the Czech Republic there and back within the validity of that visa.
- Do you expect an increase in the number of tourists to your country due to the innovation?
- I think yes, because many holders of Schengen visas who for various reasons did not obtain a Czech visa but would like to drop by the Czech Republic for a few days will now have that opportunity.