Because Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic, it is classified as a European destination for the purposes of travel insurance. You’ll need European travel insurance if you’re going to Prague.
Visitors to Prague may easily travel to neighboring countries such as Germany and Austria thanks to its central European location. European travel insurance can provide you with the protection you require.
The Czech Republic has gorgeous scenery with lakes, mountains, national parks, and subterranean caverns, in addition to a plethora of castles and cultural events. The Krkonoe Mountains region is a great place for family skiing vacations, so consider purchasing winter sports insurance to ensure your safety on and off the slopes.
Which countries are covered by European travel insurance?
- Medical coverage – make sure to read your policy carefully because the degree of coverage in ordinary policies varies depending on your circumstances and desired activities. If you’re pregnant, have a pre-existing medical condition, or want particular sports coverage, it’s worth contacting your insurance provider about additional coverage or looking into specialist travel insurance to make sure you’re appropriately protected.
- Check your policy to discover if it covers loss, theft, or damage to your belongings. Make sure the amount is sufficient to cover the cost of assets like your phone or laptop.
- Flight cancellations, canceled flights, and delays are all common travel difficulties. Only genuine causes specified by the insurance provider are covered, so read the terms carefully.
- Personal liability insurance protects you in the event that you injure someone else and they sue you for compensation.
Does EHIC cover Czech Republic?
Check the TravelHealthPro website at least 8 weeks before your journey for the most up-to-date country-specific health advice from the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC). Each country-specific page includes vaccine recommendations, current health hazards or outbreaks, and factsheets on remaining healthy while traveling. NHS (Scotland) advice is also accessible on the FitForTravel website.
The NHS website has general information on travel vaccines as well as a travel health checklist.
You might then want to talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other precautions to take and how to manage any pre-existing medical conditions while you’re away.
While traveling can be enjoyable, it can also be difficult at times. Because there are definite ties between emotional and physical health, it is critical to take care of oneself while traveling and while abroad. Our guide page has information about traveling with mental health concerns. The National Travel Health Network and Centre can also provide additional information (NaTHNaC).
Healthcare
Before leaving the UK, you need obtain a free UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). If you already have an EHIC, it will stay valid for as long as it is current.
The GHIC or EHIC permits you access state-provided medical treatment if you need it while traveling. Any treatment given is on the same terms as that given to Czech citizens. If you don’t have your EHIC with you or have misplaced it, you can request a Provisional Replacement Certificate by calling the NHS Overseas Healthcare Team at +44 191 218 1999.
It’s critical to have the right travel insurance for your needs. A GHIC or EHIC is not a substitute for travel insurance, and you should obtain both before departing. It does not cover all medical expenses, such as medical repatriation, continuous medical treatment, and non-emergency therapy.
If you live in the Czech Republic, see our Living in the Czech Republic article for more information on healthcare for locals.
If you require immediate medical care while traveling, contact 112 and request an ambulance. If you are directed to a medical facility for treatment, contact your insurance or medical aid provider right away.
Does worldwide travel insurance cover Europe?
Whether you require single trip or annual coverage, worldwide travel insurance will cover you practically anywhere in the world.
There are two types of worldwide travel insurance policies: those that cover the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean, and those that do not.
Because healthcare in these nations is typically more expensive than elsewhere in the world, insurance that cover the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean will be more costly.
Is it worth getting travel insurance for Europe?
Yes, insurance is a good idea even when traveling in Europe. The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is another useful piece of travel documentation. The EHIC ‘is not an alternative to travel insurance,’ according to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, who recommends having both an EHIC and separate travel insurance when visiting Europe.
Things have changed since the UK officially exited the EU with a deal in place. You will no longer be able to apply for an EHIC, but if you already have one that was issued before the end of 2020, it will be valid until the expiration date.
The UK government, on the other hand, has produced a successor known as the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). You can apply for a GHIC here if you don’t have an EHIC or if yours has expired. It should arrive within 10 days.
Only emergency medical care in the local equivalent of an NHS hospital is covered by the EHIC/GHIC. If you’re taken to a private hospital, it won’t cover your care.
Will travel insurance go up after Brexit?
The Chartered Insurance Institute polled 114 insurance experts and found that three-quarters (76%) believe the cost of travel insurance will rise if the UK leaves the European Union.
Only 24% of those polled in January indicated they don’t expect the cost of travel insurance to rise in the coming months as a result of Brexit.
“Unaltered transitional provisions will remain in place until at least December 31, 2020, under the wording of the Brexit departure agreement, after which it will depend on what is negotiated in terms of reciprocal medical agreements between the UK and EU member states.”
“However, the common agreement is that the cost of European travel insurance will rise at some point.”
The form of the Brexit deal and whether the UK agrees to reciprocal healthcare agreements with particular nations will determine how much European travel insurance costs.
Customers traveling on a British passport as the UK exits the European Union may be required to have at least six months left on their passport, according to Martin Ashfield, a board member of the CII’s Society of Claims Professionals.
In terms of visas, British passport holders visiting the EU as tourists (for up to 90 days) will not require one.
Customers traveling by automobile or campervan will require a green card and a GB sticker, as well as an international driving permit in some countries (requirements vary by country).
“If the consumer does not have the required documentation, the travel policy will not reply in any scenario.” This isn’t unique to Brexit; policy wordings have always included an exclusion to defend against claims for faulty or missing travel paperwork.”
Mr Ashfield said that as a result of the potential for more security checks at airports, coach and ferry terminals as a result of Brexit, there will be some claims for missing departures and delay compensation.
“While most plans will cover delayed departures (within specific timeframes), if a customer misses a flight, coach, or ferry owing to extra security/border checks, fees for additional travel and/or accommodation will not typically be covered.”
“However, insurers are expected to take a reasonable attitude to claims where it is obvious that the client has given ample time to travel to the airport/coach/ferry terminal,” says the report.
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) situation is less definite and highly dependent on a deal being reached.
“As things stand, the withdrawal agreement specifies a transition period to enable additional time for negotiations on the future UK-EU relationship, which means the EHIC would be valid until the end of 2020.” If the UK departs without an agreement, the EHIC will no longer be valid for UK people.
“While this may not have a direct impact on clients (assuming the policy covers their pre-existing medical issues), it does have a direct impact on insurers due to increasing medical claims expenses.”
Do I need travel insurance for Europe after Brexit?
After Brexit, as long as you have your EHIC/GHIC, you will be able to obtain free or subsidised healthcare in EU nations.
When traveling to Europe, the UK government still advises that you purchase travel insurance, just as you would anywhere else in the world. It will cover you for more than just medical expenditures by, for example, covering you for cancellations or if any of your personal belongings are lost or stolen.
If you have pre-existing health conditions, a travel insurance policy is very crucial since it can provide you with the assistance you need if something goes wrong on your trip, such as if you need to be evacuated home in an emergency.
Do you have to quarantine after flying to Prague?
**NEW** The Czech government will consider COVID-19 vaccinations to be valid for nine months from the date of the second dosage as of February 1, 2022. The validity of the shot can be extended indefinitely using a booster shot. Everyone, even tourists to the Czech Republic, will be subject to the rule.
Foreign nationals going to the Czech Republic will be required to submit a negative PCR test before to travel beginning December 27, 2021.
Vaccinated persons and those who have recovered from COVID-19 during the last six months are subject to this criterion.
Travelers who have received a COVID-19 booster dose, minors under the age of 12, individuals between the ages of 12 and 18 who are completely vaccinated (no booster necessary), and vaccinated travelers with a long-term residency permit for the Czech Republic are exempt from the PCR test requirement.
Travelers who have not been vaccinated or who have not recovered from COVID-19 in the previous six months must also perform a PCR test between the fifth and seventh days after arriving in the Czech Republic.
More information about current COVID-19 preventative measures can be found on the Czech Ministry of Health’s website.
For more information, visit the websites of the US Embassy in Prague and the Czech COVID-19 page.
Please see our FAQs for more information on the requirement for all air passengers arriving in the United States to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test or recovery from COVID-19.
- The CDC issued a Level 4 Travel Health Notice for the Czech Republic because of COVID-19 on November 15, 2021, signifying a very high level of COVID-19 in the country. We advise against visiting the Czech Republic at this time. If you are fully immunized with an FDA-approved vaccine, your chances of catching COVID-19 and having severe symptoms may be reduced. Please check the CDC’s particular advice for fully vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers before planning any foreign travel.
- On November 26, the government declared a 30-day state of emergency, imposing new public health measures such as the closure of Christmas markets, reduced hours for restaurants and pubs, and capacity limits for public events. For the most up-to-date information, go to https://covid.gov.cz/en.
- The Czech government will consider COVID-19 vaccinations to be valid for nine months from the date of the second dosage beginning January 1, 2022. The validity of the shot can be extended indefinitely using a booster shot. Everyone, even tourists to the Czech Republic, will be subject to the rule.
- Travelers entering and leaving the country should bring confirmation of full vaccination, either in the form of an EU digital vaccination app or a CDC vaccination card.
- More information about current COVID-19 preventative measures can be found on the Czech Ministry of Health’s website. Further information is also available on the S. Embassy Prague website and the Czech COVID-19 page.
- According to Czech government guidelines, the United States is on the list of countries with a Very High Risk of COVID transmission. Details about travel requirements can be found on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website.
- If you’ve been vaccinated, all you need is a Personal Locator Form (PLF) and confirmation of immunization.
- Travelers who are unvaccinated are subjected to pre-arrival and post-arrival COVID testing, as well as self-isolation, until a negative test is received.
- Because there are no direct flights from the United States to the Czech Republic at this time, travelers from the United States must be aware of transit travel restrictions and testing requirements. Before you travel, double-check the transit measures for the counties you’ll be passing through.
- When visiting a museum, attending a public event, or checking into a hotel, travelers will still need to show one of the following documents:
- Proof of 22 days after the first dose, during the last 90 days, for double-dose vaccines
- Proof of 22 days after the second dose, within the last nine months, for double-dose vaccines
- We encourage that you follow the guidelines, as failing to do so could result in fines of up to 10,000 Kc ($470).
- Vaccination cards from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are sufficient proof of vaccination.
- Facemask Requirements: KN95 or FFP2 masks (also known as FFP2 masks) are required “Shops, airports, all public transit (including platforms and stops), post offices, taxis or rideshares, and any other location where social distance is not practicable are all required to wear respirators.
- Are PCR and/or antigen tests accessible in the Czech Republic for US citizens?
- YES
- On the UZIS website, you may discover a list of testing centers. There is also a website that lists all of Prague’s testing centers.
- Covid-19 information is available in English from the Czech Ministry of Health here: https://koronavirus.mzcr.cz/en/ Please go to https://covid.gov.cz/en/ for the Czech Republic’s COVID page.
- Visit https://covid.gov.cz/en/situations/infection-and-general-measures/how-get-tested for further information.
- Is it possible for Americans to get immunizations in the Czech Republic?
- YES for Czech Republic residents aged 16 and above who have local insurance and work in specified sectors (https://registrace.mzcr.cz/).
- Please keep an eye on the Czech Covid Portal for any updates.
- In the United States, I was vaccinated.
- What steps do I need to take to get it recognized in the Czech Republic?
- For additional information about immunization certificates, go to the Covid Portal.
- The US government has no plans to deliver COVID-19 immunizations to private Americans living abroad. Please stay up to date on COVID-19 immunization advances and guidelines in the host country.
- To discover more about FDA-approved vaccines in the United States, go to the FDA’s website.
- Visit the Czech Ministry of Interior’s website here for the most up-to-date travel rules in English addressing possible exclusions to foreign nationals entering the Czech Republic, or call +420 704 844 583 for information in English. Please see the PDF table on the Ministry of Interior’s website titled “Conditions for entry of persons into the Czech Republic’s territory…”
- Is a COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) that is negative required for entry? YES, unless you’ve had a COVID-19 booster shot, are a kid under the age of 12, are completely vaccinated (no booster needed), or are a vaccinated traveler with a long-term resident permit in the Czech Republic.
- Are there any health-screening procedures in place at airports and other entry points? YES
- All visitors to the Czech Republic must fill out an online Public Health Passenger Locator Form before entering the country.
- The Czech Ministry of Interior has further information.
- Please visit the MFA website for further information about foreigners’ legal status in the Czech Republic. Visit https://www.mvcr.cz/mvcren/article/immigration.aspx for basic information about visas and residency permits in the Czech Republic.
- Is there a penalty if you don’t follow the rules?
- YES, fines of up to 10,000 Kc ($470) are possible.
Is my EHIC card still valid in Europe?
If your EHIC was obtained in the United Kingdom before January 1, 2021, and it is still valid, you can only use it in EU nations. However, new EHICs are recognized in Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland.
A small number of people are eligible to apply for a new EHIC issued by the UK under the EU Withdrawal Agreement. This includes UK students who began living and studying in the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland prior to January 1, 2021, as well as nationals of these countries who began residing in the UK prior to that date.
Check the government website to see if you’re qualified for a new EHIC.
How much is health insurance in Prague?
Health insurance costs range from roughly 6 000 CZK per year to over 40 thousand CZK per year, depending on the business and coverage you select.