Entry Formalities

All foreign visitors to the Czech Republic must possess a passport valid for at least the next three months. Participants requiring visa should apply in advance to consular offices of the Czech Republic or diplomatic missions in their countries in order to avoid delay in travel to the Symposium.

Passport and visa requirements

The visitors from non-EU countries must possess a passport valid for at least three months ahead. Participants requiring a visa should apply immediately to the consular office or embassy of the Czech Republic in their country in order to avoid inconvenience. Please note that the visa application procedure can take up to two months. For more detailed information please see: www.mzv.cz.

Participants who do need a visa for the Czech Republic / Schengen Area should fill the applications at diplomatic missions of the Czech Republic in their country. For a list of diplomatic missions of the Czech Republic click here. We will assists the delegates by processing the official invitations on request. These letters do not commit the Local Organizing Committee to any financial obligation. Contact the embassy and ask which of the following documents they require to issue a visa for you for the congress: Official invitation by congress organizers or Official invitation by the Foreigners' Department of the Czech Police.

To help with processing the invitations, please contact us and provide following information:

Official invitation by congress organizers
- Your full name
- Date of birth Place of birth
- Country of citizenship (country which issued your passport)
- Number of your passport
- Date of expiry of your passport

Official invitation by the Foreigners' Department of the Czech Police (chargeable of fee 95 EUR):
- Your full name
- Date of birth
- Place of birth
- Country of citizenship (country which issued your passport)
- Number of your passport
- Date of issue of your passport
- Date of expiry of your passport
- Permanent address

As soon as the required data are received and the registration and accommodation fees are paid, the Congress Secretariat will start the procedure of issuing the official invitation for you. The procedure usually takes a few weeks. When the official invitation is ready, it will be sent to you by post or express delivery service. You shall then present it at the Czech embassy in your country and get visa for the Congress.

Health Care

Vaccinations are not required to enter the Czech Republic. An individual travel and health insurance is recommended.

Insurance

The organizers can accept no liability for personal injuries or for loss or damage to property belonging to the Conference participants, either during or as a result of the event. Participants are advised to take out proper travel and health insurance before departing from their home country.

Electricity

The Czech Republic uses a 220 volt 50Hz system, sockets have the European standard and plugs are three-prong grounded.

Time zone

The Czech Republic is on Central European Time – Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) plus 1 hour. From April to October is summer time, i.e. GMT + 2 hours.

Currency and Exchange Rates

The official currency of the Czech Republic is the Czech Crown = Česká koruna (CZK = Kč) which is subdivided into 100 hellers (h.). International credit cards are accepted for payment in most hotels, restaurants and shops. Exchange offices and ATM machines are easily available throughout the city and at the Prague International Airport. Payment in cash in EUR is also available in some restaurants and shops, please ask for details on-site. You can find the official exchange rates on the website of the Czech National Bank.

Shopping

Most shops in Prague are open from 9:00 to 18:00, Monday till Saturday. Shops in the city centre are usually open from 9:00 to 20:00, Monday till Sunday.

Tipping

Service is usually included in the bill in bars and restaurants but tips are welcome. If you consider the service good enough to warrant a tip, we suggest about ten percent.