Child Car Seat Rules in Czechia, Germany, Austria, Poland and Slovakia

Travelling with children from Prague often means crossing a border, and the child seat rules are not identical in every country. In Czechia the main test is height and weight. In Germany and Austria age also matters. This guide summarises the rules in the five countries most families drive to from Prague, so you can plan the right seat before you pick up the car.

150 cm

the height limit in Czechia and Germany

36 kg

weight limit in Czechia

Free

child seats with CarLove

cross-border fee in the EU

Child car seat fitted in the back seat of a car

Child seat rules at a glance

This table is a traveller's summary of the rules reported in 2026. Check the official site of each country before you go, as rules can change.

Country	Who needs a child seat	Good to know
Czechia	Children under 150 cm and under 36 kg	A rear-facing seat in the front needs the front airbag switched off
Germany	Children under 12 and shorter than 150 cm	A rear-facing seat is not allowed in front of an active airbag
Austria	Children under 14 and shorter than 135 cm	The limit is 135 cm, not 150 cm. A rear-facing seat in front needs the airbag off
Poland	Reported as under 150 cm, please confirm on the official site	We could not confirm the details from an official source, so check before you go
Slovakia	Reported as under 150 cm, please confirm on the official site	Weight and front-seat details not confirmed from an official source, so check before you go

Checked on 9 November 2026 against the Czech Road Traffic Act (§ 6), ADAC for Germany and ÖAMTC for Austria. Poland and Slovakia could not be confirmed from an official source.

The rules in Czechia

A child who is under 150 cm and under 36 kg must be secured in a suitable child seat. A child who is over 150 cm or over 36 kg may use the normal seat belt. The law makes no exception for short trips, so the seat is needed even for a ride across town.

Front seat

Rear-facing seats

A rear-facing seat in the front is only allowed with the front airbag switched off. Otherwise the back seat is the safest place.

Taxis

No front seat

Children may not sit next to the driver in a taxi. They ride in the back with a seat or a normal belt.

Three in the back

Narrow exception

If two seats already fill the back and a third child cannot be fitted, a child over 3 years old and under 150 cm may use a seat belt only.

Driving to Germany, Austria, Poland or Slovakia

Germany and Dresden trips

The rule covers children under 12 who are shorter than 150 cm. See our Prague to Dresden road trip if you plan a day in Saxony.

Austria and Vienna trips

Austria requires a restraint for children under 14 who are shorter than 135 cm. Read our Prague to Vienna guide for the motorway vignette and parking.

Poland and Slovakia

Both are usually quoted with a 150 cm limit, but we could not confirm the detail from an official source. Check the official pages before a longer trip.

Rules for adults too

Seat belts are compulsory for everyone, and each country has its own limits and habits. See driving in Europe by country.

View from the back seat of a car looking at the road ahead

Which seat to choose

CarLove provides child seats free of charge in three types: a carrier (cradle) for babies, a seat for toddlers and a booster for older children. When you book, tell us your child's age, height and weight and we will prepare the right type. Our guide how to choose a child car seat for your rental explains the stages in more detail, and the page car rental with a baby seat in Prague covers booking. For families we suggest a roomy estate or SUV such as the Volvo V60, the Renault Austral or the Renault Espace with 7 seats. Cars are under 2 years old, and the Czech motorway vignette is included. For cross-border trips there is no fee within the EU: just tell the team in advance. Before a winter trip, read our winter car rental guide.

Frequently asked questions

Do children need a car seat in Czechia?

Yes. In Czechia a child who is under 150 cm and under 36 kg must travel in a suitable child seat. A child who is over 150 cm or over 36 kg may use the normal seat belt.

Can a child sit in the front seat in Czechia?

Yes, if the child is in a suitable seat. A rear-facing seat can be used in front only with the front airbag switched off. In a taxi, children may not sit next to the driver.

Are the rules the same in Germany and Austria?

Not exactly. Germany requires a child seat for children who are under 12 and shorter than 150 cm. Austria requires a restraint for children under 14 who are shorter than 135 cm. Always follow the rule of the country you drive in.

Do I need to bring my own child seat to rent a car in Prague?

No. CarLove provides child seats free of charge: a booster, a carrier (cradle) or a seat. Tell us your child's age, height and weight when you book and we will prepare the right type.

What happens if I travel without a child seat?

Fines apply in all the countries in this guide, and the amounts change. In Germany a missing seat costs 60 euros and a penalty point, and in Austria fines can reach 10,000 euros. More importantly, a seat is the best protection in a crash even on short trips.

Where can I check the current rules?

Use the official transport ministry or road safety authority of each country, because rules can change. This guide is a summary for travellers and is not legal advice.

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