Austria prolongs border checks with Czechia until March 2027
Czech Interior Ministry confirms 21,900 Ukrainian refugees meet criteria for new five-year “Special Long-Term Stay”
German Embassy Updates Travel Advisory for Czechia, Stresses Vigilance Against Petty Crime
Latest News
Germany maintains Czech border checks through mid-March 2027
Germany has prolonged temporary checks at its border with Czechia until 15 March 2027. While average delays are modest, exporters and commuters must continue to carry identification and plan for occasional queues, underscoring lingering migration-security pressures on the Schengen area.
Austria keeps flexible border checks with Czechia; spot controls now notified until March 2027
Austria has extended its “flexible” internal-Schengen border controls with Czechia until at least 15 March 2027. Fixed booths are giving way to roving spot checks, so drivers face fewer queues but more unpredictability. Czech employers should ensure staff and shipments carry full travel documentation and allow extra transit time.
EU quietly drops ETIAS launch window, fuelling talk of 2027 start
The EU has removed the “Q4 2026” ETIAS launch window from its official site, and insiders now expect the travel authorisation to slip to 2027. Prague-bound visitors remain unaffected for now, but airlines and event planners say the lack of a firm timeline complicates IT integration and customer messaging.
Prague I migration office re-opens after 3-day technical shutdown, appointment backlog expected
After a three-day technical outage, the Ministry of the Interior’s Prague I migration office reopened on 9 October 2026. Cancelled appointments are being re-allocated, but advisers expect a short-term backlog. Employers and applicants should reschedule quickly and allow extra processing time.
Prague Ring Road works to disrupt S9 commuter rail line from 12 October
From 12 October to 3 November 2026, Prague’s key S9 commuter rail line will face service cut-backs and replacement buses due to Ring Road construction works. The disruption affects thousands of daily commuters—including many corporate staff—who should expect longer travel times and consult revised timetables.
Czech Industry Minister Leads 50-Company Delegation to India to Deepen Trade and Ease Market Entry
Minister Karel Havlíček will lead the Czech Republic’s biggest trade mission to India since 2018, visiting Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai from 12–15 October 2026. The trip is designed to open doors for Czech suppliers in transport, energy and advanced manufacturing and will pilot a fast-track business-visa day at the Czech Embassy in Delhi. If successful, the initiative could shorten visa wait times for Indian business travellers and expand bilateral investment options, making it directly relevant to corporate mobility programmes.
September labour data signal room for more foreign recruitment as Czech unemployment holds at 5 %
Labour-office figures released on 8 October show Czech unemployment steady at 5 % but vacancies rising to 104,359. The still-tight market, especially in Prague and industrial hubs, means employers will continue to rely on foreign recruitment programmes. Mobility teams should expect stricter labour-market tests but also shorter processing times and new relocation subsidies.
Prague Žukovského Immigration Office Closed 5–8 October 2026 for Emergency Repairs; Clients Redirected to Chodov
Prague’s main immigration branch at Žukovského is shut from 5-8 October 2026 for emergency repairs. All booked appointments are being rescheduled, and urgent cases may go to the Chodov office without an appointment. The closure may delay residence-permit renewals and trigger compliance risks for employers, so HR mobility teams should review pending deadlines.
Key Prague immigration office reopens after four-day closure—expect backlog in residence processing
Prague’s Žukovského immigration office, closed 5–8 October for technical reasons, has reopened but faces a backlog of more than 1,000 appointments. Foreign employees awaiting biometric enrolment or residence-card pickup should expect re-scheduling and potential delays, while employers are urged to monitor deadlines and consider alternative filing options.
SAFEGUARD HMP 2026 Military Exercise to Cause Traffic and Access Restrictions in Prague 7, 9–14 October
From 9–14 October 2026 the SAFEGUARD HMP 2026 exercise will bring military convoys, road closures and restricted access around the Tokovo building in Prague 7. Employers should warn staff of possible delays, reroute deliveries and ensure expatriate contact details are up to date. The drill underscores the need for mobility contingency planning in the Czech capital.
Spain reintroduces border checks with Italy—what it means for Czech business travellers
Spain has temporarily reinstated border checks on arrivals from Italy between 8 and 22 October 2026. Although the controls are bilateral, Czech nationals and residents transiting through Italy into Spain may face passport inspections and longer queues. Businesses should allow extra connection time, brief travelling staff and verify that all passports and residence cards are valid.