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Cars 4 Rental Information on Czech Republic

General

Area: 78,866 sq km (30,450 sq miles).

Population: 10,203,269 (2002).

Population Density: 129.4 per sq km.

Capital: Prague. Population: 1,161,938 (2002).

GEOGRAPHY: The Czech Republic is situated in central Europe, sharing frontiers with Germany, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Austria. Only about one-quarter of the size of the British Isles, the republic is hilly and picturesque, with historic castles, romantic valleys and lakes, as well as excellent facilities to ‘take the waters’ at one of the famous spas or to ski and hike in the mountains. Among the most beautiful areas are the river valleys of the Vltava (Moldau) and Labe (Elbe), the hilly landscape and rocky mountains. Bohemia, to the west, is one of two main regions. Besides Prague, the Czech capital, tourists are drawn to the spa towns of Karlovy Vary and Marinsk Lzne, and to the very beautiful region of south Bohemia. The Elbe flows through eastern Bohemia from the Krkonose/Giant mountains, one of the most popular skiing regions. The eastern part, the rich agricultural area of Moravia offers a variety of wooded highlands, vineyards, folk art and castles. There are many historic towns such as Olomouc, Kromerz and Telc. Brno is Moravia’s administrative and cultural centre.

Government: Republic since 1993. Head of State: President Vclav Klaus since 2003. Head of Government: Prime Minister Stanislav Gross since 2004.

Language: The official language is Czech. English and German are also spoken.

Religion: Mostly Roman Catholic and some Protestant, including churches such as the Reformed, Lutheran, Methodist, Unity of Czech Brothers and Baptist. There is a small community of Jews, mainly in Prague. According to the March 2001 national Census, 60 per cent of the population profess no religious beliefs.

Time: GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 during the European/continental summertime).

Electricity: Generally 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Most major hotels have standard international two-pin razor plugs. Lamp fittings are normally of the screw type.

Telephone

Full IDD is available. Country code: 420. Outgoing international code: 00. There are public telephone booths, including special kiosks for international calls. Surcharges can be quite high on long-distance calls from hotels. Most of the public telephone boxes take phonecards, which can be purchased at all Telecom points of sale and at newsagent and tobacconist shops.

Mobile telephone

GSM 900/1800. Network operators include Cesky Mobil (website: www.oskarmobil.cz), Eurotel (website: www.eurotel.cz) and T Mobile (website: www.t-mobile.cz). Coverage extends all over the country.

Fax

Services are available in most hotels and offices and some shops.

Internet

There are Internet cafes in Prague. Local ISPs include Tiscali (website: www.tiscali.cz). Roaming agreements exist.

Telegram

Facilities are available at all main towns and hotels.

Post

There is a 24-hour service at the main post office in Prague at 14 Jindrissk Street, Prague 1. Poste Restante services are available throughout the country. Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1800.

Press

The Prague Post and Prague Wochenblatt (both weekly) are published in English. The main Czech dailies include Mlad Fronta Dnes, Moravskoslezsk den, Prvo and Veernk Praha.

Radio: BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.

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Money

Currency: Koruna (Kc) or Crown = 100 haler. Notes are in denominations of Kc5000, 2000, 1000, 500, 200, 100, 50 and 20. Coins are in denominations of Kc50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1, and 50, 20 and 10 hellers.

Currency exchange: Foreign currency (including travellers cheques) can be exchanged at all bank branches and at authorised exchange offices, main hotels and road border crossings.

Credit & debit cards: Major cards such as American Express, Diners Club, Discover, Visa, MasterCard and others may be used to exchange currency and are also accepted in some hotels, restaurants and shops. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.

Travellers cheques: These are widely accepted. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in US Dollars, Euros or Pounds Sterling.

Currency restrictions: The import and export of local currency is limited to Kc200,000 or 10 golden coins. The import and export of foreign currency is unlimited.

Exchange rate indicators
The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Koruna against Sterling and the US Dollar:

Date Nov ’03 Feb ’04 May ’04 Aug ’04
£1.00= 46.76 48.81 48.30 46.91
$1.00= 27.55 26.82 27.04 25.46

Banking hours: Generally Mon-Fri 0800-1800. Some banks close early on Fridays.

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Health

Special Precautions Certificate Required
Yellow Fever No No
Cholera No No
Typhoid and Polio No No
Malaria No No

Food & drink: Mains water is normally chlorinated and, whilst relatively safe, may cause mild abdominal upsets. Bottled water is available and advised. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat.

Other risks: Tick-borne encephalitis exists in rural forested areas during summer months. Immunisation against hepatitis A and B is sometimes advised.
Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For further information, consult the Health appendix.

Health care: There is a reciprocal health agreement with the UK. On production of a UK passport, hospital and other medical care will be provided free of charge in case of illness or accident. Prescribed medicine and dental treatment will be charged for. Other international agreements exist for free health care and visitors are advised to check with their national health authorities. Medical insurance is advised in all other cases.

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Climate

The weather is quite unsettled, with generally cold winters and mild summers. Spring and summer have the highest rainfall.

Required clothing: Mediumweights, heavy topcoat and overshoes for winter; lightweights for summer.

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Passport

Passport Required Visa Required Return Ticket Required
British Yes No No
Australian Yes No/2 No
Canadian Yes No/2 No
USA Yes No/2 No
OtherEU 1 No No
Japanese Yes No/2 No

PASSPORTS: Passport valid for 90 days from issue date of visa for visas up to 90 days, at least 455 days for visas over 90 days. For nationals who do not require a visa, passport must be valid for 90 days beyond the expected length of stay except for:
1. EU and EEA nationals with valid national ID cards.

Note: Minors are allowed to travel on their parents' passports up until aged 15 years.

VISAS: Required by all except the following:
(a) nationals listed in the chart above (including French Overseas Territories for stays of up to 90 days);
(b) 2. nationals of Andorra, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong (SAR), Israel, Korea (Rep), Macau (SAR), Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, San Marino, Switzerland, Uruguay, Vatican City and Venezuela for up to 90 days;
(c) nationals of Bulgaria, Romania and Singapore for up to 30 days;
(d) transit passengers continuing their journey within 24 hours and not leaving the airport, providing holding onward tickets and relevant travel documentation. *Airport Transit/Transit visas are, however, always required for nationals of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Congo (Dem Rep), Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Sri Lanka and the Syrian Arab Republic;
(e) holders of a UN laissez-passer for as long as is necessary.

Note: (a) *Nationals of these countries who hold visas or residencies in other countries may be exempt; check with Embassy for further information. (b) EU and EEA nationals, whose stay will exceed 30 days, must register with the Alien and Border Police within 30 days of arrival. All other nationals must register with the Alien and Border Police within three days of arrival, regardless of intended length of stay. Generally, accommodation providers will arrange this for their guests. (c) British Overseas Citizens require visas as do holders of British Travel Documents (blue) under the 1951 Geneva Convention, and holders of British Travel Documents (brown) for tourism and business trips, and must apply in person.

Types of visa and cost: Single-entry, Multiple-entry, Single-transit, Double-transit, Multiple-transit and Airport-transit. Prices vary according to the nationality of the applicant and according to currency rates. For UK nationals, single-entry visas cost £17, multiple-entry visas cost £63, for stays not exceeding 90 days. Single-transit: £17; double-transit: £25. There are no visa fees for nationals of Albania, Ecuador, Japan, Seychelles and South Africa, or for children under 15 years of age.

Validity: Single- and Multiple-entry: Six months from date of issue for a visit of a specified period not exceeding 90 days. Transit: Six months from date of issue for a visit of a specified period not exceeding five days.

Application to: Consulate (or Consular section at the Embassy); see Contact Addresses section for details. Please note that some nationals must apply in person for a visa and submit slightly different application requirements (see below). Check with the Embassy for further details.

Application requirements: (a) One original application form. (b) One recent passport-size photo. (c) Passport valid for at least 90 days beyond the requested length of visa, with at least one blank page and a photocopy of the data page. (d) Fee (payable in cash, by banker’s draft or by postal order only). (e) Proof of sufficient funds (eg recent bank statement or letter from host or sponsor). (f) Postal applications should be accompanied by a self-addressed envelope pre-paid for special delivery. Business: (a)-(f) and, (g) Letter from employer or invitation letter from company in the Czech Republic. Student: (a)-(f) and, (g) Letter from school or college confirming that you are a student and confirmation of available accommodation.

Note: All documents must be submitted in both original form, plus one photocopy.

Working days required: Seven (in person); 14 (by post); maximum 30.

TEMPORARY RESIDENCE: EU citizens may apply if intending to stay longer than three months, filed with the Alien & Border Police in the Czech Republic. The process will take about 60 to 180 days.

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