Overview

• The government’s decision blocks Russian diplomatic and service passport holders who are not accredited with Prague’s Foreign Ministry.
• The measure is enforced at international airports, targeting arrivals from outside the Schengen area.
• Prague will push for EU action to limit Russian diplomats’ movement within Schengen, with options ranging from confining travel to the state of accreditation to advance‑notification rules reported by Reuters.
• Czech media note the step may be largely symbolic because travelers with Schengen visas issued by other states can still enter from within the bloc.
• Since 2022, Czechia has largely stopped issuing visas to Russian citizens and has barred entry to holders of ordinary Russian passports, and an election on Oct. 3–4 could influence future policy.