Travel

For specific and up to date information on traveling to UK please visit Czech embassy in London.

The Ministry of Transport also published a comprehensive summarizing article on transport.

Urgent News - Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA):

From 2 April 2025, citizens of the Czech Republic and all other EU Member States (except of the Republic of Ireland) are required to register digitally with the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system before entering the UK. ETA applies to short stays of up to 6 months in the UK for tourism, visiting family or friends, or for business and study purposes. If EU nationals plan to stay in the UK for more than 6 months or plan to travel to the UK for a purpose not covered by ETA (e.g. employment or self-employment), they must apply for a standard visa.

The ETA is not a visa and does not replace a visa in any way; instead, the digital registration obligation applies to citizens of countries that have visa-free travel with the UK. The system is similar to, for example, the US ESTA digital registration system. For citizens of selected third countries, the system was already put into operation in January 2025. Citizens of EU, including the Czech Republic, are be required to register digitally from 2 April 2025, and have been able to apply for registration since 5 March 2025.

Registration for the ETA system is exclusively digital, via a mobile app or website. During the registration process, citizens provide personal and contact details (including a photo), as well as travel document details and answer a few questions (e.g. on security). Citizens are to receive an approval of their registration to the email address provided in the registration, under usual circumstances within three working days.

ETA registration is valid for two years or until the expiry date of the travel document (passport) indicated at registration (if it expires within two years of the confirmation of registration) – after which a new registration must be submitted. There is a £16 fee for registering with ETA. During the period of validity of the registration, Czech and EU citizens may travel to the UK repeatedly provided none of the individual stays does exceeds 6 months.

More information is available on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic or on the website of the Ministry of the Interior of the UK.

 

Urgent News - Entry/Exit System (EES):

 

From 12 October 2025, the Czech Republic is among the countries applying the Entry/Exit System (EES), a new digital system for registering third-country travellers entering the EU for short stays (covering both short-stay visa holders and non-visa holders) – see the Information Portal for Foreigners. The EES will register a person's name, type of travel document, biometric data (fingerprints and facial images), date and place of entry/exit. The system will also allow travellers to check the remaining number of days of their authorised stay online via this link. This system has different consequences depending on whether you are a beneficiary of the Withdrawal Agreement or not.

 

UK nationals who are beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement (legally residing in the EU before 1 January 2021) will be exempted from registration with the EES provided they have a biometric residence card. This has previously not been a requirement as Czechia has opted to grandfather UK citizens according to the Withdrawal Agreement without the need for specific new identification. The introduction of the EES will however newly require a biometric identification card. If you still do not have one, please apply for one as soon as possible – the Ministry of the Interior has been issuing documents with biometric data since 2 August 2021. In the first few months after the EES launch, you can expect a longer time to complete border checks, both on entry and exit. The first entry/exit after the EES is implemented will involve registration of data, while subsequent entries will only require their verification, which will make border checks more efficient.

 

More details can be found in the guide-UK’s Living in the Czech Republic, and on the European Commission website (including the attached document).

 

Since 1 January 2021 fundamental changes occurred despite concluded Trade and Cooperation agreement. The free movement of persons, goods and services between the United Kingdom (UK) and EU was concluded as the uK left single market and customs union.

Travelers to and from the UK should be prepared for changes regarding border controls, visa requirements, driving licenses and roaming charges or travel documents for pets. Companies providing travel services should be aware of these changes and adapt their practices accordingly.

Checks on persons and visas

From 1 January 2021, UK nationals traveling to the EU and the Schengen area are treated as third country travelers, ie border checks, the need to comply with the entry conditions for third-country nationals and the duration of their intended stay in the EU Member States may not exceed 90 days in any 180-day period.

The British can continue to travel to the European Union for short stays (maximum 90 days during any 180-day period). This visa waiver does not establish the right to work in the EU. Short-term visa-free stay in the EU is subject to reciprocal visa-free stay rules in the UK.

As from 1 January 2021, UK nationals and British citizens benefitting from the Withdrawal Agreement may not undergo border checks at the designated EU/EEA/CH checkpoints. They may neither use the easyGO system for automatic border control.

 

Also, take into account the ban on imports of meat, meat products, milk and milk products for personal consumption in personal baggage.

 

Driving license

From 1 January 2021, driving licenses are no longer automatically mutually recognized. The recognition of driving licenses issued in the UK will be regulated at Member State level. The responsible authority of the Member State concerned should be consulted for further information.
More detailed information in Ministry of transport article on exchange of driving licences or in road transport notice of the European Commission.

Roaming

Since 1 January 2021, the "standard EU roaming tariffs" are no longer guaranteed to EU citizens in UK. Local operators may therefore charge an extra fee to roaming customers.

Passenger rights

From 1 January 2021, the level of protection of passengers in air, rail, bus, coach and ship transport is affected, including assistance to passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility between the EU and the UK. Depending on the mean of transport, passengers traveling to or from the UK may no longer be covered by the protection of passengers' rights in the EU.

Traveling with pets

From 1 January 2021, the EU pet travel document issued to UK pet owners ceased to be a valid travel document with animals to any of the EU Member States. The requirements for pet animals accompanying persons from the UK will be determined by the EU.

Sources of information

• Communication on readiness at the end of the transition period HERE

Author: Legislative, legal and analytical department, Chamber of Commerce