Prague police crack down on foreign taxi drivers: One in four cited

Prague police checked more than 200 foreign drivers during a targeted operation earlier this week, finding dozens of traffic and residency violations and three people suspected of working illegally in Czechia.

The operation, carried out Wednesday with foreign police, traffic officers, labor inspectors, customs officials and Prague authorities, focused on taxi and rideshare drivers. Officers checked both their authorization to work and the documents required for legal residence in Czechia.

The checks come as Prague continues targeted enforcement involving foreign nationals, following similar police operations last year that found foreigners without valid residence documents and raised questions for international residents about what they must carry when stopped.

During several hours of inspections, officers checked more than 200 foreigners and 220 vehicles. They identified 52 violations involving traffic rules and foreigners’ residence status.

Police dealt with 24 cases on the spot, issuing fines totaling nearly CZK 66,000. Another 28 cases were referred to the relevant administrative authorities for further action.

Three foreigners were detained on suspicion of illegal employment. Police subsequently began proceedings that could lead to their expulsion from Czechia, according to Prague police.

The operation involved the Foreign Police, Prague Traffic Inspectorate, the Prague branch of the Labor Inspectorate, Customs Administration, Prague City Hall’s transportation department and municipal police officers from the city’s Taxi Team.

For foreigners working in Prague’s taxi and rideshare sector, the checks highlight the importance of having the necessary professional and immigration documentation in order. The latest operation specifically examined drivers’ authorization to perform the job as well as documents confirming their right to stay in Czechia.

A separate police operation took place at the same time under the name Prostor, focusing on street and drug-related crime, public order and underage alcohol sales.

Officers checked more than 440 people, 270 vehicles and 19 businesses around Anděl, Smíchov, Zličín, the Hořejší and Rašín embankments and Karlovo náměstí. They recorded 45 traffic and public-order violations, issuing CZK 30,000 in fines, while another 51 cases were referred to administrative authorities.

Police also dealt with a driver who did not have a valid license and detained another driver suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol.

The latest checks follow a similar Prague operation in July 2025, when police detained 19 foreigners who could not demonstrate valid residence permits. At that time, authorities also issued nearly 40 fines and found problems with the registration of foreigners at several accommodation providers.

Police said Wednesday’s operations will not be the last of the year, with further checks planned in Prague.