Vaping In The Czech Republic In 2024: Everything You Need To Know
Czechia or as it is more widely known, The Czech Republic, is one of the top destinations for Brits looking for an affordable city break. Not surprising when you consider famous cities like Prague, which boast stunning architecture, vibrant nightlife, rich culture and unbelievably affordable pints.
This is made all the better for travelling vapers thanks to the fact Czechia is one of the most vape-friendly places to visit in Europe - read on as we explain everything you need to know when planning your next getaway.
Is It Legal To Vape In The Czech Republic?
It is absolutely legal to vape in the Czech Republic. The country has very similar rules around vaping to the UK, which means it's an effortless transition for travelling Brits. You can freely walk the streets while enjoying your e-cigarette, and will have access to plenty of vape retailers once you arrive making Czechia very accommodating for any and all travel-vapers.
In the Czech Republic e-cigarettes and vaping products are not classified as tobacco products. In Czech law they have their own dedicated set of e-cigarette regulations since 2017, which is a particularly progressive approach to vaping when compared to many other nations who lump them in with traditional cigarettes and other tobacco-based consumer goods.
What this means for travelling vapers is that Czechia is particularly easy-going. The rules are nearly identical to those in the UK, which means you can freely bring vapes with you into the country so long as they comply with standard TPD restrictions such as a nicotine cap of 20mg/ml, and e-liquid refils being no bigger than 10ml in volume. The only other restrictions on what you can bring will be dictated by your airline providers individual policies, which you can learn more about in our complete vape travel guide.
Keep an eye out for no smoking signs whiel in Czechia however - anywhere smoking is not permitted also applies to your vape. Follow the same vaping etiquette as you would here in the UK and you will be just fine while visiting the Czech Republic.
Can I Bring Disposable Vapes To The Czech Republic?
Like any other vaping device, disposable vapes like Elf Bars are legal in the Czech Republic. So long as they comply with the country's restirctions of containing no more than 2ml of e-liquid per device and no higher nicotine strength than 20mg/ml, then you can bring a disposable vape with you to Czechia.
The Czech Republic has no individual restrictions on disposable vapes beyond those that aply to all vaping products. Larger "big-puff" devices have become very popular amongst UK vapers despite being illegal in Britain. This is because they exceed to 2ml volume limit and often come in strengths higher than 20mg/ml. Even if you happen to use these kits domestically, do not attempot to bring them to The Czech Republic - they are just as illegal there as they are in the UK.
Stick to TPD compliant circa 600 puff models that are 20mg or under, and you won't have any issues - just remember to note your airline of choice's individual policies before flying, as some impose a limit on how many you can bring in luggage.
Can You Vape In Czech Airports?
While some smaller czech airports may operate slightly differently, Prague's Václav Havel has been a no smoking or vaping airport since 2018. Where previously there were smoking booths located within the terminal buildings, there are now 14 outdoor smoking/vaping areas which you must use while visiting. They are all located directly outside the front doors to each major building and are clearly signposted.
The biggest and most likely airport of arrival when visiting The Czech Republic is Václav Havel, located just outside Prague. Previously this airport had dedicated smoking 'booths' dotted throughout it's interiors, however in a bid to catch up to the global standard and at the behest of customer feedabck, the airport banned smoking and vaping in 2018. There are now 14 dedicated smoking/vaping areas located in front of the entrances to all major buildings/terminals. Prague's airport is not the biggest, so you shouldn't have to travel far to find one of these smoking areas should you need a vape while visiting.
Having travelled to Prague on multiple occasions with my vape in tow, your humble author can confirm that the smoking/vaping areas are very easy to spot - just look out for the yellow signs like the one below. If for any reason you are struggling to find them, staff at the airport can guide you, and there are handy maps available online.
Vape Regulations in The Czech Republic
The Czech Republic enforces almost identical regulations for vaping products as the UK. If you are already familiar with 2017's TPD rules, then you will be well prepared for travelling to Czechia as a vaper. just make sure your devices can contain no more than 2ml of vape liquid, and theliquid is no stronger than 20mg/ml.
Decree No. 37/2017 is the ruling decree regarding vaping products in The Czech Republic. similarly to how UK manufacturers/importers must get Medicines and Healthcare product Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approval before a vaping product can be legally sold, Czech equivalents must be submitted to the Ministry of Health. This means if you are buying a vape while in Czechia, you can be assured that a baseline of safety standards has been adhered to. Notification requires compliance with a range of product specifications including on-pack warnings so you can vape safely while on holiday.
Czech Republic vape regulations include:
- You must be 18 years of age or above to vape
- Nicotine content of e-liquid must be less than or equal to 20mg/ml
- Single use e-cigarettes as well as e-cigarette tanks must not exceed 2ml
- The volume of e-liquid refill bottles must not exceed 10ml
- E-liquid should not contain certain additives, and only high quality ingredients should be used in their manufacture
- Except for nicotine, only ingredients that do not pose a risk to human health in heated or unheated form can be used in the nicotine-containing e-liquid
- E-cigarettes must be able to deliver a dose of nicotine at a consistent level under normal conditions of use
- E-cigarettes and refill containers should be child- and tamper-proof, protected against breakage and leakage, and have a mechanism that ensures filling without leakage
- Product packaging must contain health warnings and constituent information as specified in the law
- The warning “Tento výrobek obsahuje nikotin, který je vysoce návykovou látkou. Jeho užití nekuřáky se nedoporučuje.” (“This product contains nicotine which is a highly addictive substance. It is not recommended for use by nonsmokers”) must appear on 30% of each of the two largest surfaces of the unit packaging and any other packaging
- E-cigarettes must be able to deliver a dose of nicotine at a consistent level under normal conditions of use
Where Can You Buy Vapes In The Czech Republic?
You will be spoilt for choice when it comes to buying e-liquids, vape kits and replacement pods and coils when in The Czech Republic. Vape retail is booming in the country, with Prague's central zones boasting at least 19 dedicated vape stores. In addition, many convenience retailers and supermarkets also carry vaping products, which is very handy if you get caught short mid-holiday. You can even find our own EDGE e-liquids for sale on shelves in Czechia, albeit with Czech language on the packaging.
Getting hold of good quality vaping products in Czechia is a very simple task. There is no shortage of retailers offering selections of vapingproducts from plenty of well-established brands.
You can even find our own EDGE Vaping e-liquids as we supply one of the biggest vaping distributors in the Czech Republic!
You can find vaping products on your travels in strores, but if you are staying for a while you can also explore a huge range of online vape stores offering even more products that can be delivered to your accommodation.
If you want to plan ahead then check out Yelp.com's top ten vape stores in Prague for some inspiration. Of course it's always easiest to bring along the vaping products you know and love to make sure you don't run out while on holiday, but should the worst happen, you won't be short of options to help you keep vaping comfortably.
To help you get stated, here are the names, addresses and contact numbers for some of the highest rated vape stores in Prague on Google (most have multiple locations and are open quite late into the evening so cater to those looking to indulge in local nightlife):
- Vape Shop N1 - Husitská 68/122 - +420 602 625 501
- Vape Shop N1 - Maiselova 14/1 - +420 601 367 989
- Vape Shop N1 - Anglická 8 - +420 702 116 450
- Vape Shop N1 - Vinohradská 86/111 - +420 702 124 257
- Vaprio e-cig store - Vladislavova 13 - +420 732 416 306
- Mixvape.cz - Ječná 2031/13 - +420 777 993 320
- Electronic Cigarette Prague 1: Vapestyle.cz - Hybernská 24 - +420 774 429 003
- Vape in Czech - Na Poříčí 1/1068 - +420 732 315 319
- Shop Vaprio - Korunní 127 - +420 727 837 186
- Eliquidpraha - Zlatnická 1130/12 - +420 724 211 450
Where Can You Vape in The Czech Republic?
The Czech Republic is very accepting of vaping, so you can freely vape in any open-air public spaces unless otherwise signposted. simply avoid vaping in places where you would not in the UK and you will be fine. Avoid vaping in buildings, on public transport, and anywhere smoking is also prohibited. Everywhere else is fair game, so you can happily explore the streets of Prague with your vape in-hand.
Vaping in the Czech Republic couldn't be easier for UK tourists, as they follow near identical rules to ourselves. Simply keep your eyes peeled for easily recognisable no-smoking signs to make sure you don't wander into a smoke-free zone and you will be able to vape without getting into any trouble.
Generally vaping is permitted anywhere outdoors in open-air spaces like streets, parks and indeed anywhere outside unless otherwise specified.
Vaping is not permitted in the following locations in Czechia:
- Official Government buildings
- Enclosed public places such as hospitals, restaurants, schools and other educational buildings.
- Childrens' parks or play areas. Even if not signposted you should be far enough away from these if you want to use your e-cigarette
- Any form of public transport such as buses, trams or trains. The same rules apply to taxis.
Vaping is allowed in the following locations in Czechia:
- Open public spaces or streets unless signposted
- Private property
- Hotel rooms that also allow smoking
- Designated smoking areas
Other Blogs In Our Travel Series
Still deciding where to go on your next holiday? we've covered lots of the most popular destinations for UK holidaymakers in our travel blog series, so be sure to check them out if you want to lear the rules around vaping in other countries too. If you have general questions about taking vapes on holiday you can chek out our comprehensive travel guide here, or explore our essential pre-flight tips for travelling vapers.