Prague, Czech Republic: 2006 Crime and Safety Report

Crime & Safety

Europe - Czech Republic
25 Apr 2006

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Overall Crime and Safety Situation

The Czech Republic is a parliamentary democracy in Central Europe. A member of NATO since 1999, the Czech Republic views NATO as the central pillar of its security policy. In a referendum held in June 2003, the Czech public supported European Union accession with over 77% of the vote and the Czech Republic became a full member of the EU on May 1, 2004.

Joining the European Monetary union and adopting the Euro is a more distant proposition, as most experts agree the Czechs will not meet the strict criteria until at least 2010.

Tourist facilities in Prague are at the standard of those found in most Western European countries. Outside Prague, these facilities are not as developed, and some goods and services taken for granted in other European countries may not yet be available. 

A valid passport is required for entry into the Czech Republic, but a visa is not necessary for U.S. citizens for tourism, short study or business visits up to 90 days. Visas are required for longer stays and for any gainful activity. 

Main roads in the Czech Republic generally meet Western European standards. However, on side roads, drivers should be prepared to encounter uneven surfaces, irregular lane markings and unclear sign placements. U.S. drivers should pay special attention to driving on cobblestone and among streetcars in historic city centers. Speed limits are 50 km/h in towns and 120 km/h on highways. An international driving permit, available from AAA in the United States, must accompany a U.S. driver's license.

Prague is rated a low crime threat post by the Department of State. Violent and/or confrontational crime is rare. The type of crime most Americans or foreigners are likely face is petty street crime. Residents and visitors alike are advised to be wary of Prague's famously efficient pickpockets. Special caution is warranted in and around train stations and when boarding and exiting trams. Tourist areas, such as Charles Bridge, and the areas around Wenceslas and Old Town squares are also favored haunts of pickpockets and scam artists. The skilled, professional pickpocket rings can have as many as six to eight members on the street operating against the same target or group of targets. In many cases, the pickpocket rings are family affairs, with members varying in age and gender.

Czech criminals rarely use violence or the threat of violence to carry out their crime. Most times, the victim is distracted on the street or jostled on the crowded trams while their wallet or valuables are lifted. Most victims of pickpockets report being unaware of the incident taking place and realize it only after the fact, although there are some reports of purse snatchings in which the criminal grabs a handbag or backpack and runs. Rural areas of the Czech Republic are quite safe. 

Newcomers are advised to change money only at banks or legitimate exchange houses. Automated teller machines are also widely available throughout Prague. Almost all have multilingual instructions and allow you to access U.S. bank accounts. Visitors are advised to avoid individuals who approach them on the street offering to change money. These people frequently take advantage of unwary visitors. In a common scenario, the scam artist approaches the victim and offers to change money. Immediately after the approach, an accomplice will appear and identify himself as an "undercover police officer" investigating illegal money changing. The "police officer" will threaten the money changer with arrest and demand to see the victim's money in order to examine it for counterfeit. During the examination, the "undercover officer" deftly palms some of the bills and returns the rest with a verbal warning to avoid changing money on the streets.

In this and similar situations, the traveler should ask to contact the foreign police or be taken to the nearest police station before complying with orders to produce money for examination.

Car theft and vehicle break-ins are not uncommon in Prague. The recovery rate of stolen vehicles, as with most stolen property, is extremely low. The International Association of Auto Theft Investigators says that half of all stolen cars make their way back into the Czech economy, usually with the help of an altered identification number. They estimate that 16% of newly sold vehicles in the country are stolen cars. The remaining stolen vehicles will either be dismantled for parts or sent abroad. The Czech Republic also serves as a transit route for stolen cars from Western Europe heading east. 

Taxis in Prague are clearly marked and can either be hailed on the street or ordered by telephone. Visitors should be alert to the potential for substantial overcharging by taxis, particularly in areas frequented by tourists. Some taxi drivers charge unsuspecting foreigners two or three times the standard rate. It is recommended that you call for a taxi and agree on an estimated fare with the driver in advance.

Political Violence 

While residents and visitors to the Czech Republic are not especially at risk at this time, the Department of State has issued a number of recent Public Announcements cautioning Americans worldwide to maintain a level of vigilance against potential terrorist incidents. All visitors are advised to be continually aware of their surroundings and be alert to suspicious activities or individuals. 

Civil disorder in the Czech Republic is rare, although strikes and demonstrations do occasionally occur. Public protests are generally nonviolent and issue centered. During hostilities with Iraq in early 2003, there were weekly anti-war demonstrations at the U.S. Embassy, but their numbers never exceeded 800 demonstrators and there was no property damage. The police were well prepared, kept control of the situation, and handled the demonstrations in a professional and competent manner.

Post-Specific Concerns

Leaving the scene of a traffic accident, even a minor one, is against the law in the Czech Republic. If you are involved in a fender-bender, do not move the vehicles until the police arrive. Traffic infractions can result in the assessment of a fine on the spot. 

Persons driving into the Czech Republic should be aware that a road usage tax sticker is required to drive on major highways. Signs stating this requirement are posted near the border, but they are easy to miss. The stickers are available at gasoline stations on the highways. Persons hiring rental cars, especially from neighboring countries, should check for the highway toll sticker and purchase one at the border. The fine for failing to display a motorways toll sticker is assessed on the spot.

Public transportation operates on an honor system but the municipal transportation inspectors make random valid ticket inspections. Failure to have a ticket can result in a fine on the spot. 

Illegal narcotics are imported to, manufactured in, and consumed in the Czech Republic. Marijuana, both imported and to a much lesser extent grown locally, is used more than any other drug. The popularity of Ecstasy (MDMA) is also growing, especially among the young and "dance scene" visitors, who consider it a recreational drug. The level of cocaine use remains very low. Tobacco and alcohol consumption is very high. The Czech Republic is a producer of ephedrine, a precursor for amphetamine-type stimulants and a producer of ingredients used in the production of LSD.

Several factors make the Czech Republic an attractive country for groups in the drug trade. These factors include its central location, the closure of most of the traditional customs posts along the nation's borders as part of EU accession in 2004, low detection rates for laundered drug money, low risk of asset confiscation, and relatively short sentences for drug-related crimes. 

Although not an important regional financial center, both geographic and economic factors make the Czech Republic vulnerable to money laundering. Narcotics trafficking, smuggling, auto theft, arms trafficking, tax fraud, embezzlement, racketeering, prostitution and trafficking in illegal aliens are the major sources of funds that are laundered in the Czech Republic.

Domestic and foreign organized crime groups target Czech financial institutions for money laundering activities. Banks, currency exchanges, casinos, investment companies and real estate agencies have all been used to launder criminal proceeds.

Police Response

Tourism is a major industry and source of hard currency for the Czech Republic. Authorities attempt to be responsive to foreign residents and visitors in need; however, the lack of adequate resources and manpower hampers proactive police measures in most areas, including areas frequented by foreigners. Police efforts to be responsive to the needs of tourists include placement of multilingual officers at several police stations throughout the city.

Incidents of police harassment or unwarranted detention are quite rare. 

The police emergency operations center can be reached by calling 112, a 24-hour toll-free number where callers can report emergencies or request emergency assistance in English from Czech ambulance services, the fire department and the police.

Medical Emergencies

Prague has good western-style medical clinics and English-speaking doctors and dentists. However, medical facilities are more limited outside of Prague. Doctors and hospitals often expect cash payment for health services. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost thousands of dollars or more.

Emergency contact numbers: 

Ambulance (24-hour emergency number) 112
Canadian Medical Center 235-360-133
Cardiac problems: Na Homolce Hospital 257-272-146
Motol Hospital, Foreigners Dept. 
    Adult emergencies: 224-433-681 
    Child emergencies: 224-433-690

Tips On How to Avoid Becoming a Victim

As indicated above, visitors and residents alike should be alert to pickpockets and purse-snatchers on trams, metros and in the tourist areas of Prague, mainly around Charles Bridge and Old Town square. 

It is recommended that visitors carry only the amount of cash that they need for that day's transactions and maintain a low profile.

Changing money on the street is illegal. Money may be exchanged at exchange kiosks located throughout tourist areas, at major hotels and banks. Most reputable establishments in Prague accept major credit cards and their use is relatively safe. Automated 24-hour teller machines are also widely available. 

Never leave anything of value inside a car that is visible from outside the car. This can result in a broken window or forced and damaged door lock, and theft of the item. 

For the business community, a number of private security companies are located in Prague. The larger ones generally have good reputations in the Czech Republic. 

There are no areas of Prague that are high crime threat areas but all travelers are advised to exercise a heightened awareness when frequenting night clubs and using public transportation at late hours. 

Exercising common sense precautions, as one would in any large city that is a tourist destination, will enable most travelers to avoid becoming victims of crime in Prague.

For Further Information

Country Code: 420

Consular section/American Citizen services: 257-530-663, x2404
Foreign Commercial Service: 257-530-663, x2434
Regional Security Office: 257-530-663, x2308
After hours Embassy Emergency: 257-532-716 

Americans living in or visiting the Czech Republic are encouraged to register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in the Czech Republic and obtain updated information on travel and security within the Czech Republic. 

Information is also available on the Embassy's web site at http://www.usembassy.cz.

An OSAC Country Council is active in the Czech Republic.  For more information, you can call the Regional Security Office in Prague or OSAC's Eastern Europe Regional Coordinator in Washington.  More information may also be found at http://prague.osac.gov.