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Good to know

Language

The official language of the Conference is English.

Transportation in Prague

All participants registered to the Conference will receive a free 3-day public transportation pass for unlimited free travel on the metro, trams and buses within the city limits.
The ticket will be valid for the 3 days of the Conference starting Thursday, September 22 – Saturday, September 24, 2016, inclusive. Delegates will need to have the ticket with them when using the public transportation.

Climate

After July and August – the hottest months of the year for Prague, Czech Republic – the weather begins to cool down in September, when summer is merging into autumn. At this time of year, the average temperature for the city starts off at 16°C, created by highs of 21°C during the daytime and lows of 11°C after dark.
 

Current Weather in Prague

Liability and Insurance

The Conference Secretariat and Organizers cannot accept liability for personal accidents or loss of or damage to private property of participants. Participants are advised to take out their own personal travel and health insurance for their trip.

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 Conference. Please see part Registration for detailed information.

Currency & Banking

Czech crown (CZK) is the official currency of the Czech Republic. Exchange of foreign currency is available at Prague international Airport and at most hotels, banks and exchange offices throughout the city. International credit cards are accepted for payments in hotels, restaurants and shops. 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 at https://www.cnb.cz/

Electricity

he Czech Republic uses a 230 volt 50 Hz system. Sockets follow the standard used also in France, Belgium, Denmark, Poland, Greece, Italy, Ireland and some other countries, and have a grounding pin sticking out of the power socket. Information for proficients: type E socket. 

Shopping

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

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.
 

Current Time in Prague

 

 

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.

Important Telephone Numbers

112: General Emergency for Europe
150: Fire
155: Ambulance
156: Prague Police
158: Police

Passport & Visa Requirements

Invitation letters for visa purposes can only be issued to people who have completed the registration process and paid the registration fee.
Visitors from non-EU countries must possess a passport valid for at least three months longer than the planned date of departure from the Czech Republic. Participants requiring a visa should apply immediately to the consular office or embassy of the Czech Republic in their home country in order to avoid inconvenience. See the list of countries whose citizens require a Visa here. 
Please note that the visa application process can take up to 6 weeks.
For more detailed information please see the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic.

The Conference Secretariat assists delegates by processing the official invitations on request. These letters do not commit the Local Organiser to any financial obligation.

Before your appointment, please contact the embassy and ask which of the following documents they require to issue a visa for you: Official invitation by the Conference Organiser or Official invitation by the Foreigners´ Department of the Czech Police.

Official invitation by Congress Organiser – required information:
  • Your full name
  • Date of birth
  • Place of birth
  • Country of citizenship (country which issued your passport)
  • Passport number
  • Date of expiry of your passport
Conditions for the issuance of the invitation letter by the Congress Organiser is as follows:
  • Payment of registration fee
In case the embassy requires the original invitation letter, we can arrange two delivery methods:
 
1) Regular post – free of charge, however the delivery cannot be guaranteed as there is no way to track the delivery. The organisers shall not be held responsible or liable for any delay or failure in delivery.
2) Express delivery service (FedEx, DHL) – the fee shall be covered by the participant in advance, together with the congress fee. The express delivery fee is 30 – 60 EUR, depending on country of delivery. The organiser strongly recommends using the letter as it is faster and enables the delivery to be tracked (using a tracking number).

The invitation letter should be presented at the Czech embassy in your country in order to receive Visa for the Congress. 

Official invitation by the Foreigners’ Department of the Czech Police –required information:
  • Your full name
  • Date of birth
  • Place of birth
  • Country of citizenship (country which issued your passport)
  • Passport number
  • Date of issue of your passport
  • Date of expiry of your passport
  • Permanent address
Conditions for the issuance of the invitation letter by the Foreigners’ Department of the Czech Police is as follows:
  • Payment of registration fee
  • Payment of accommodation
The fee for the official invitation by the Foreigners’ Department of the Czech Police is 65 EUR plus express delivery service (price may vary depending on country of delivery, usually 30-60 Eur). 
As soon as the required data are received and the registration and accommodation fees are paid, the Congress Secretariat will start the process of issuing the official invitation for you. This process usually takes a few weeks. When the official invitation is ready, it will be sent to you by express delivery service. You shall then present it at the Czech Embassy in your country in order to receive a visa for the Congress.
We strongly advise you to apply for a visa at least one month prior the congress.