Low risk countries ("green countries")

• No specific obligations for entry into the territory of the Czech Republic

Medium risk countries ("orange countries")

• When entering the Czech Republic, have a negative result of the antigen test (max. 24 hours old) or PCR test (max. 72 hours old)

High risk countries ("red countries")

• When entering the Czech Republic, have a negative result of the antigen test (max. 24 hours old) or PCR test (max. 72 hours old)

• Within 5 days of arrival, pass the PCR test and submit the result to the Regional Hygiene Station

• Be self-isolating until the test result is submitted

Countries with very high risk ("dark red countries")

• When entering Czechia, carry a negative PCR test (not older than 72 hours); a negative antigen test (not older than 48 hours) is sufficient for a citizen or foreigner with permanent residence in Czechia traveling by public transport; a citizen or foreigner with permanent residence in Czechia traveling by individual transport upon entering the country does not have to have a negative test

• Take a PCR test at the earliest after 5 days and at the latest within 14 days of arrival

• Self-isolate until the test result is submitted

Countries with extremely high risk ("black countries")

• When entering Czechia, carry a negative PCR test (not older than 72 hours); a negative antigen test (not older than 48 hours) is sufficient for a citizen or foreigner with permanent residence in Czechia

• Take a PCR test within 24 hours after arrival and no earlier than the 10th day after arrival

• Self-isolate until the test result is submitted

Passengers are obliged to fill in the Arrival form before arriving in Czechia (and have a confirmation of completion with them when arriving), inform the employer of the country from which they are returning, and wear an FFP2 respirator in the workplace for 10 days after arrival.

Countries are categorised by the Ministry of Health through the List of Countries, which it regularly updates. A country that is not on the list is a country with a very high risk of infection.

Obligations of employers

Employers may not admit an employee who has returned from abroad until the employee has submitted a negative test result to the employer.

During the period of self-isolation, it is possible to agree with the employee on work from home, or to agree or order the use of leave. If this is not possible and the employee is not incapacitated for work or quarantined, the next steps depend on the reason for the employee's trip abroad.

Business trip

The period of self-isolation is an excused absence, and employees are entitled to compensation of wages of 100% of average earnings for this period.

The employer is also obliged to reimburse the employee for all costs incurred in connection with the tests and for secondary expenses in connection with the business trip.

Personal reasons

The period of self-isolation is an excused absence, but the employee is not entitled to compensation for wages or reimbursement of testing costs (but the employer may provide them voluntarily).

Recommendations to employers

• Inform employees of their responsibilities listed in the table above

• Set up processes to check the employee's right to enter the workplace (e.g. checking a negative test result)

• Set up processes for the period of self-isolation, for example setting the rules for work from home and reporting the period of self-isolation as periods with or without compensation

More information here:

Return of employees from abroad

• Radek Matouš
• Principal Associate
• +420 255 706 554
• Ondřej Beneš
• Senior Associate
• +420 255 706 541