(Last updated: 3 Mar 2012)

Visiting

Business hours

Offices are generally open from 8.30am–5.00pm.

Shops, and post offices stay open until 6.00pm. On Saturdays shops and some post offices are open from 8.00am–midday.

Banks are usually open from 9.00am–5.00pm Monday-Friday and are closed on holidays.

Supermarkets are open on Sunday.

Many companies shut down during the summer holidays in July and August, and also during Christmas and New Year (24 December to 2 January).

Public holidays

January 1 – New Year’s Day
May 1 – Labour Day
May 8 – Liberation Day
July 5 – Cyril and Methodius, Slavic Missionaries’ Day
July 6 – Jan Hus’s Day
September 28 – St. Wenceslaw’s Day
October 28 – Founding of Czechoslovak Republic, 1918
November 17 – Students’ Day, Velvet Revolution, 1989
December 24-26 – Christmas

Climate

The Czech Republic is a country of four seasons in the temperate climate zone of Central Europe, which makes for pleasantly mild weather with moderate amounts of precipitation. Air pollution is often experienced in mid-winter due to traffic emissions in large cities.

For weather details in the Czech Republic, please visit the World Meteorological Organization.

Currency

Oanda currency converter

The Czech monetary system consists of the Crown (‘Koruna’), comprising in 100 Hellers (‘haler’). Coins are issued in 10, 20, 50 Heller pieces, and one, two, five, 10, 20 and 50 Crown pieces. Notes in circulation are of 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000 and 5000 Crown denominations.

Time zones and time differences

The Czech Republic is 10 hours behind Australian Eastern Standard Time from October to March and eight hours behind from November to February.

To find out the current time in Prague, view the World Clock.

Dialling codes

The Czech Republic's country code is 420.

For calls to the Czech Republic from Australia dial: 0011 + 420 + area code + telephone number.

For calls from the Czech Republic to Australia dial: 00 + 61 + area code + telephone number.

For further information (eg. area codes) please visit the White Pages - international dialling codes.

Electricity and water

The Czech Republic's power supply is 220 volts, 50Hz; 1, 3 phase, 2, 3, 4 wires. Plugs are the standard European configuration – two round prongs earthed.

Links and resources

Travel and tourism

Czech Tourism – www.czechtourism.com

Please note: this list of websites and resources is not definitive. Inclusion in this list does not imply endorsement by Austrade. The information provided is a guide only.

Top Business Risks

• Bribery of Foreign Officials
• Tariffs and regulations
• Doing business in Czech Republic

OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises

Multinational Enterprises should be aware of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises that provide voluntary principles and standards for responsible business behaviour in a variety of areas, consistent with applicable domestic laws. These Guidelines are endorsed and promoted by the Australian Government. For more information, go to the AusNCP website.

Bilateral agreements

Australia has social security agreements with several countries that address the issue of 'double super coverage' for employees sent to work overseas. To take advantage of these agreements, Australian employers sending employees overseas to work must apply to the Tax Office for a Certificate of coverage.

For more details, please visit the Australian Taxation Office website.