Travel across Europe is set for major change in 2026. Tourists will face tighter border checks, new digital permits and rising costs. The European Union says the measures are designed to improve security and manage the flow of visitors. New systems and checks The EU finally launched its new Entry/Exit System (EES) on 12 October 2025. The phased rollout is expected to be complete by 10 April 2026. Rather than having their passports stamped, non-EU travellers crossing external Schengen borders will have to provide biometric data – including passport data, fingerprints and a facial image – electronically on entry. The system will cover all EU countries except Ireland and Cyprus, as well as Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. The goal is to identify visa overstayers and combat illegal migration by verifying travellers’ identities, strengthening security checks, and maintaining a register of entries in EU databases. Digital authorizations for visa‑free travel A separate digital permit, the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), is also on the way. Scheduled to take effect at the end of 2026, ETIAS will require travelers from visa‑exempt countries to apply online before visiting the Schengen zone. The fee for ETIAS authorization is set at 20...
A Czech crowdfunding initiative raised over 142 Million CZK million in just five days to purchase generators, heaters, and power banks for Ukraine, organizer Martin Ondracek told Reuters. In recent months, Russia intensified its daily terror drone and missile attacks to focus specifically on Ukraine’s power grid. Amid freezing winter conditions, Russian forces continue to strike power stations, substations, and other electricity infrastructure across the country. Most oblasts of Ukraine are enduring scheduled outages, with some areas receiving only a few hours of power per day. The largest energy crisis has hit Kyiv, where electricity cuts and partial disruptions to heating and water supplies have continued for over two weeks. The Darek pro Putina (Gift for Putin) campaign has been collecting donations for Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. Between 21 January and 26 January, the initiative gathered 126 million crowns, Ondracek said. Another 15 million CZK are expected from donors. “Over the weekend, we ordered two generators—diesel units mounted on trucks—costing 8 million crowns each, which are to be delivered to two small medical facilities,” Ondracek said, according to European Pravda. The initiative works with three foundations in Ukraine to avoid lengthy logistical and customs delays, but is...
A Ukrainian flag displayed on the Charles Bridge over the weekend has drawn sharp criticism from Czech politician Tomio Okamura, who called the event a “provocation against the Czech people”. The Ukrainian Embassy in Prague organized the display to mark Ukraine’s Unity Day. A multi-meter flag was unfurled on the historic bridge, with over a hundred attendees singing both Ukrainian and Czech national anthems, observing a moment of silence for war casualties, and carrying the massive banner across the structure. Participants also chanted slogans in support of a free Ukraine and against Russia’s war. Ukrainian Ambassador Vasyl Zvarych addressed the crowd, thanking Czechs for their support. He highlighted recent fundraising efforts, which raised millions of crowns for generators to help communities affected by attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Okamura, leader of the Socialist Party (SPD) and Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, posted on social media that such public displays on historic Czech landmarks are unnecessary provocations. He argued that the event challenges Czech citizens who are critical of the influx of Ukrainian migrants and emphasized that respect for local symbols must be unconditional. He also mentioned speaking with Foreign Minister Petr Macinka about potentially preventing similar gatherings on historic...
Tram services in Prague’s Letná district were disrupted on Monday morning after a heavily intoxicated driver in a BMW drove into the path of an oncoming tram on Milady Horákové Street. The crash happened at the intersection with Kamenická Street shortly after morning traffic began to build. According to police, the driver attempted to park his car, reversed without control and ended up directly beneath the tram as it approached the junction. A breathalyzer test carried out at the scene showed an alcohol level close to four per mille. Officers found the man slumped over the steering wheel, barely conscious. He had apparently fallen asleep while still seated behind the wheel. The tram driver documented the situation with photos and video before alerting the police. Tram traffic on the busy route was temporarily blocked while officers handled the incident and removed the vehicle. “No one was injured,” police spokesman Jan Daněk said, adding that the case is being treated as a suspected criminal offense involving endangerment under the influence of an addictive substance. Milady Horákové Street is one of the main transport corridors connecting Letná with the city centre, and even short disruptions can affect multiple tram lines during...
Prague Airport handled 17.75 million passengers in 2025, an 8.5 percent increase from the previous year. The growth rate was nearly double the European average, making the airport one of the fastest-growing in the region. Passenger numbers almost matched the pre-pandemic record set in 2019. Despite fewer takeoffs and landings, planes flew fuller than ever. The airport reported 140,545 movements, seven percent fewer than in 2019, but carrying almost the same number of passengers. “With nearly 17.8 million checked-in travelers, we practically matched our operating record,” said Jiří Pos, head of Prague Airport. He noted that carriers faced delays in aircraft deliveries and geopolitical uncertainty, yet Prague continued to grow faster than most European airports. Higher aircraft occupancy helped achieve this growth while also reducing environmental impact. New Destinations Expand Prague’s Reach The airport added 19 new destinations in 2025 and increased capacity on dozens of existing routes. Long-haul connections expanded Prague’s options, including new flights to Abu Dhabi, a seasonal service to Toronto, and a resumed connection to Sharjah. More than 70 existing lines also saw increased frequency, offering the widest network of destinations since the pandemic. London remained the most popular destination, with over 1.3 million passengers. Paris,...
Masopust, a centuries-old Czech carnival, marks the final celebration before the Lenten season. The word itself, meaning “abandonment of meat,” signals the start of Lent, but the festival is about much more than fasting. It celebrates the arrival of spring, human and animal fertility, joy, and community spirit. While Masopust runs for several weeks, the main festivities take place during the last three days. Key dates for 2026 are: Fat Thursday: February 12 Shrove Sunday: February 15 Shrove Monday: February 16 Shrove Tuesday: February 17 Ash Wednesday: February 18 Major Masopust Events in Prague Mardi Gras Celebrations at Little Quarter – 14. 2. 2026 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., beginning in Loretanska street, at Black Ox Inn pub The traditional masopust celebrations at the Little Quarter begin at Loretanske square and finish at Kampa. Participants in masks meet at 1 p.m. – 1.30 p.m. in front of the Black Ox Inn (U Černého vola). Masks will then stop at pubs, restaurants and shops located on Nerudova, Thunovská, Mostecka streets and Malostranske square. The carnival procession will reach Kampa around 4 p.m. Find out more on Facebook Mardi Gras Karlin – Masopust celebrations at Karlin square – 7. 2. 2026...
Alcohol producers in the Czech Republic are reducing the alcohol content of selected spirits, responding to higher excise taxes and a long-term decline in alcohol consumption among younger people. The latest changes follow a five-percent increase in excise duty on alcohol. While the tax rise adds less than five crowns to the price of a half-liter bottle of 40-percent rum, producers say even small increases can affect sales. Rather than raise prices, some distillers have chosen to lower alcohol strength. Several products that previously contained 40 percent alcohol were first reduced to 37 percent. New reductions are now being introduced. Plzeňský Stock has begun bottling certain spirits at 35 percent alcohol. Palírna U Zeleného stromu, based in Prostějov, has made the same adjustment for part of its range. Producers say tax policy is not the only factor behind the move. Drinking habits among younger consumers are changing, with demand shifting toward lower-alcohol beverages. The trend coincides with the growing visibility of Dry February (Suchej únor), a campaign encouraging people to abstain from alcohol for the month of February. The rules of Dry February are simple. Not a drop of alcohol all February. The campaign focuses on the benefits that just...
A business long associated with Prague’s Holešovice Market has reopened in the city center. ShowPark, one of the country’s best-known erotic venues, has begun operating near I. P. Pavlova, one of Prague’s busiest transport hubs. Officially, it now functions as a hotel. The move ends nearly three decades in the Holešovice Market complex, where ShowPark operated for 28 years. According to the company, close to four million visitors passed through the venue during that period. The relocation follows years of legal disputes with the City of Prague over the use of municipal property. The new site is a six-story historic building on Legerova Street, directly opposite the central control center of the Prague Public Transit Company. It stands roughly 100 meters from the General University Hospital and about 600 meters from Prague 2 City Hall. Until the Covid-19 pandemic, a ShowPark branch had already operated in the building. ShowPark’s operator, Eroc, says the departure from Holešovice was unavoidable. According to executive director Zbyněk Matela, the lease expired exactly as originally agreed, and the company accepted the decision of the property owner. He said the core issue was a long-running dispute over whether an erotic business belonged in a municipally owned...
Prague is moving to limit the oldest and most polluting taxis on its streets, a step city officials say is necessary to improve air quality. Taxi operators warn it could also make rides more expensive. The change follows the approval of new rules targeting vehicle emissions in the capital. From mid-2027, all taxis operating in Prague will have to meet the Euro 6d emission standard, which applies to cars first registered from January 2021. A more ambitious plan to require zero-emission taxis from 2030 was ultimately rejected. The debate has focused on the rapid growth of older diesel vehicles in Prague’s taxi fleet, a trend city officials link to the expansion of app-based ride-hailing platforms over the past decade. The approved measure is aimed primarily at cheaper alternative taxi services that rely on older vehicles, some more than 15 years old. City officials argue that taxis play an outsized role in traffic volume and pollution. Data from the Technical Administration of Roads shows taxi services account for roughly 2.5 million vehicle kilometers per day, around 10 percent of all motor traffic in Prague. Based on vehicle registration data and traffic statistics, the city estimates that tightening the rules could cut...
What began as a spontaneous idea between flatmates — filming at-home pizza pickups — has grown into a documentary about pizza, passion, and the pursuit of a personal dream. Frankie’s Way – An Atypical Pizza At-Home Experience will premiere in Prague on January 28 at Kino Pilotů in Prague. The film follows Francesco “Frankie” Gallucci, a self-taught pizza maker, as he brings Neapolitan pizza to the city and builds a community around it, one slice at a time. More information is available via the Facebook event page. “It honestly started as a joke,” Frankie says to Prague Morning. “My flatmate would record people coming to our apartment after finding the Facebook event for Neapolitan-style pizza.” As photos of pizzas such as Margherita and Quattro Formaggi began circulating online, people started asking where they could buy them. That curiosity led to an unusual setup: pizza pickups directly from his home. “Twice a week, I hosted a half-day takeaway from 5 to 8 p.m. People booked in advance through Facebook,” Frankie explains. Guests were welcomed by the smell of fresh dough and ingredients, but also by conversation. People stayed, talked, and watched the pizzas come together. “As more people came, we realised...
TEDxUNYP returns to Prague on Saturday, March 7th, bringing international speakers to the Prague Congress Centre for a one day event focused on how we connect in a changing world. The 2026 edition introduces the theme “Currents of Connection”, focusing on the often unseen forces that shape how people connect — with each other, with technology, and with the systems that influence daily life. Through stories and ideas drawn from leadership, innovation, psychology, education, and public life, the event will explore what connection really means in a world that is constantly shifting. The English-language event will bring international speakers to Prague, including Adam Radcliffe, a British Guinness World Record-holding adventurer whose experiences range from trekking through remote jungles and living with hunter-gatherer communities to rowing 3,500 miles across the North Atlantic. He will be joined by Stephen Oommen, flying in from the United States, a former Managing Director at Microsoft and Accenture, who will share insights on how trust and human relationships shape meaningful professional connections. The programme will also feature voices closer to home. Tereza Hrbková, co-founder and COO of Citymind, will speak about how cities and public institutions can build trust as artificial intelligence becomes part of everyday...
The Czech Republic has received an invitation to join a newly created Peace Council launched by former US president Donald Trump. Czech authorities say no decision has been made and that any response will depend on a detailed review of the council’s structure and obligations. President Petr Pavel said Prague should not comment on possible membership until it fully understands the council’s mandate, powers, and rules. Speaking during a visit to the Olomouc region, Pavel stressed that the proposal raises several open questions that must be answered first. According to the president, long-term participation in the Peace Council would require a financial contribution of one billion US dollars, roughly 21 billion crowns. He also noted that Trump has appointed himself as head of the body, with veto authority over its decisions. “It will be necessary to assess what purpose such a council would serve, under what conditions it would operate, what powers it would have, and how decisions would be made,” Pavel said. Only after that, he added, would it make sense to take a public position. A government spokesperson said the cabinet will wait for an official assessment prepared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before taking any further...
Don’t have an account? Register
[swpm_registration_form level=”6″]
Already have an account? Log In
How Would You Like to Promote Your Business? PR ArticleDisplay bannersVideo productionNewsletter adsJob ListingsInfluencer Marketing
Your Email
We will come back to you within 24 hours with our proporsal
