Packing list for the Czech Republic, insurance for the Czech Republic and taking your belongings

What to take to the Czech Republic: brief

To pack and check

• Documents and money: a valid identity card or passport is sufficient for travelers from the EU; people from outside the EU will need a passport with at least 6 months of validity and possibly a visa. Although the Czech Republic is part of the Schengen Area, it does not use the euro. You pay with the Czech crown (CZK). You can use your debit card almost everywhere, but cash is handy for smaller cafes, markets, or mountain huts.
• Clothing: bring clothing that suits the season. Summers can be hot (above 30°C), while it can freeze significantly in winter. A layering system is also essential in spring and autumn, especially if you visit both cities and nature reserves.
• Shoes: comfortable walking shoes or sturdy sneakers for the historic city centers with their cobblestones. If you head into nature, proper hiking boots with good grip are important.
• Personal care and hygiene: sunscreen is not an unnecessary luxury, even in Central Europe. UV radiation can be quite strong in the mountains.
• Packing and protection: a compact raincoat or umbrella and a rain cover for your backpack. Insects and animals: mosquito repellent is pleasant during the summer, especially around lakes, rivers, and campsites. A tick remover is also important if you intend to do a lot of hiking; ticks are common in the Czech Republic and can transmit tick-borne encephalitis.
• Sleeping and sleeping: no special equipment, except possibly a sleeping bag liner for some hostels or mountain huts.
• Medicines and travel first-aid kit: a small first-aid kit with plasters, blister plasters, painkillers, oral rehydration solution (ORS), and personal medication.
• Outdoors and handy items: a reusable water bottle, sunglasses, and a small daypack. Tap water is safe to drink almost everywhere.
• Technology and equipment: a universal plug for type C and E sockets.

To consider

• Swimwear for natural lakes, spas, or thermal baths.
• Binoculars for national parks. A thermos flask for hikes in the colder months.
• Offline maps when following remote hiking trails.
• An empty bag for some souvenir Czech crystal and local beer.

Are there mosquitoes in the Czech Republic?

• During the warmer months, quite a few mosquitoes can occur, especially around rivers, lakes, and marshlands.
• For most travelers, they are mainly annoying. Mosquito-borne tropical diseases hardly play a role in the Czech Republic.
• More about protection against mosquitoes and insects.

Are there sandflies in the Czech Republic?

• Sandflies are not a relevant problem for travelers in the Czech Republic.
• More about sandflies and sand fleas.

Can you buy DEET, or other mosquito repellents, in the Czech Republic?

• DEET, picaridine, and other insect repellents can be found at drugstores, pharmacies, and larger supermarkets.
• So you don't need to pack it in advance. Visit a large supermarket, local pharmacy, or one of the drugstores like DM and Rossmann, and you will have a huge selection.
• See also DEET anti-mosquito repellents and the percentages.

Can you buy a joint or weed in the Czech Republic, or bring it into the Czech Republic?

• Czech legislation regarding cannabis is more lenient than in many other European countries and has a long history of tolerance.
• Since 2026, personal possession, growth, and use of cannabis plants up to a certain amount is legal for adults over the age of 21.
• Commercial sales and trade, however, remain illegal, and there are no shops that sell weed legally.
• Bringing cannabis across the border is not allowed.