Deadline Day: Non-Biometric Czech ID Cards Are No Longer Valid for EU Travel
As of 3 August 2026, Czech identity cards issued before 2000 that lack a machine-readable zone have ceased to be valid for international travel, in line with EU Regulation 2019/1157. Travellers must now present the newer biometric ID or a passport, and airlines as well as border guards have begun enforcing the rule. Employers and mobility managers need to verify that employees on assignment carry compliant documents, while Czech municipal offices are dealing with a late rush of renewal applications. The change closes a major security loophole and aligns Czechia with EU-wide document-security standards.
Aug 4, 2026
