The law replaces the existing integration fund with a new profit reinvestment fund, into which social enterprises will continue to allocate more than half of their achieved profit. The new regulation significantly simplifies administration and abolishes the obligation for unlimited permanent increases to the fund.

The resources from the fund can be used for a broader range of integration activities, not just for investments. When the status of the enterprise is revoked, the rules for transferring the fund to another social enterprise or to the state are clarified.

Existing integration funds will either be dissolved into equity or automatically transferred to the new profit reinvestment fund regime.

The law comprehensively revises the entire area of battery regulation to align with the new EU Regulation 2023/1542, replacing the existing legal framework with a new system of definitions, battery categories, and manufacturer obligations. Manufacturers of portable, industrial, and light transport batteries are now required to operate within collective systems, which have stricter rules for financing, reserve creation, eco-modulation, and equal treatment of individual manufacturers. Additionally, obligations are expanded in areas such as labeling, disclosure of recycling contributions, safe removability, and technical parameters, including requirements for carbon footprint checks, battery lifespan, and digital battery passports.

The law significantly strengthens oversight mechanisms—both the Czech Trade Inspection Authority and customs authorities are granted extensive new powers to protect the market, curb free-riding, and enforce collection and recycling, complemented by an expanded catalog of offenses and sanctions. Legislative amendments also address electrical equipment, tires, and vehicles, resolving interpretative ambiguities and harmonizing rules for take-back systems. Transitional periods are introduced until 2027, allowing manufacturers, distributors, and collective systems to adapt their processes to the new EU requirements.

The practical outcome is more transparent recycling financing, stricter oversight of manufacturers and sellers, including e-shops, and unified procedures for conformity assessment in placing batteries on the market. The tightened rules aim to increase collection and recycling rates, strengthen environmental protection, and ensure fair business conditions in the battery market.

The amendment introduces a new system for mandatory reporting of interruptions or discontinuations in the supply of medical devices by manufacturers, distributors, and healthcare providers, to be done electronically via the Medical Devices Information System. The Institute gains significantly broader powers to investigate the unavailability of devices and can request data from all parts of the supply chain. The Ministry of Health is newly granted the authority to issue rapid general measures, allowing it to temporarily regulate the introduction, distribution, prescription, or use of devices in the event of an impending or actual shortage. Penalties for failing to meet these reporting obligations or violating the conditions set by the measures are significantly tightened, with fines reaching up to CZK 15 million.

The aim of these changes is to enable timely responses to potential shortages of devices and to ensure the availability of healthcare in accordance with new European regulations.

The law introduces obligations for network operators and public entities to report and update data on physical infrastructure (particularly buildings) in digital technical maps and the ZABAGED database, thereby fulfilling the requirements of the new EU regulation on gigabit infrastructure.

The management and provision of data on technical infrastructure are being refined, penalties are being increased to up to CZK 10 million or 5% of turnover, and the Czech Telecommunication Office is now responsible for handling these matters. At the same time, rules for internal communication wiring in buildings are being amended, particularly regarding the conditions for revoking the owner’s consent and the allocation of costs.

Electronic communication connections are being reclassified as minor constructions, administrative fees are being adjusted, and the respective public administration systems must be technically modified to comply with EU requirements.

The law establishes a central digital contact and information point that unifies processes for obtaining information, permits, and coordination of construction work in building gigabit networks, significantly accelerating and reducing the cost of construction. It introduces an obligation for operators and public institutions to record data on existing and planned infrastructure in digital technical maps and other registries, and imposes high penalties of up to 10 million CZK for non-compliance with these obligations. A key change is the automatic approval of a project after 60 days of administrative inactivity, which significantly shortens approval processes and reduces the risk of delays.

The law also adjusts the procedural framework for granting permits directly by law, their subsequent review, and the limitation of appeals. It strengthens the role of the Czech Telecommunication Office (ČTÚ) in resolving disputes over access to physical infrastructure, pricing, and contract modifications, setting fixed deadlines and enabling amicable settlements. At the same time, it expands the obligations of builders regarding the installation of optical infrastructure in buildings and clarifies conditions for registering easements in the land registry, including special exemptions for heritage-protected or security-sensitive properties.

Energy infrastructure is protected through binding opinions from the Energy Regulatory Office, and the law introduces new offenses and fines for violations of the rules. It also repeals the previous legal regulation (Act No. 194/2017 Coll.) and ensures alignment with the European regulation on gigabit infrastructure as well as the ongoing digitalization of construction permitting processes.

The law comprehensively clarifies the rules for environmental claims, prohibits unverified “green” labels, and imposes an obligation on businesses to substantiate the accuracy of information regarding the sustainability, durability, or carbon neutrality of products. Information obligations are significantly expanded, including the requirement to disclose data on repairability, the availability of spare parts, and the duration of software updates, aiming to increase transparency and reduce consumer deception. At the same time, the list of prohibited unfair practices is expanded, particularly those related to “greenwashing” and premature obsolescence of products.

Consumers gain a new right—if they choose to repair an item, the liability for defects is automatically extended to three years, and sellers are required to actively inform them of this option. The Civil Code is also amended, introducing a harmonized notification of rights concerning defective performance and a mandatory warranty label for product lifespan, thereby standardizing regulations across the EU. The law also abolishes rules related to the now-defunct European online dispute resolution platform.

Supervisory authorities are granted broader powers to verify the accuracy and transparency of business claims, though without increased budgets, which may place greater demands on their capacities. For businesses, this means an increase in administrative obligations and the need to adapt marketing and informational practices to the new European harmonization being implemented by the state to avoid EU sanctions.

The law introduces an obligation for selected providers of digital services to establish a branch or appoint a representative to enable the effective delivery and enforcement of orders related to electronic evidence in criminal proceedings within the EU.

This obligation primarily applies to electronic communication services, domain services, and hosting providers that operate cross-border and have a substantial connection to the Czech Republic or another EU member state. Providers must supply contact details, designate a language for communication, and ensure sufficient authorization and resources to fulfill these obligations.

The Czech Telecommunication Office (ČTÚ) will oversee compliance with these obligations, cooperate with authorities in other states, and may impose fines of up to CZK 10 million. The law merely harmonizes European rules and does not apply to service providers operating exclusively within the Czech Republic.

The draft law introduces a narrowly defined exception that will allow the validity of older EIA opinions for first-class local road projects located in metropolitan development areas to be extended up to three times, provided they were issued before January 1, 2024. The aim is to avoid the need for repeated EIA processes for long-term infrastructure projects, such as urban ring roads in Prague, Brno, or Ostrava. The exception explicitly does not apply to opinions whose validity has already expired, ensuring that there is no “revival” of expired opinions or retroactivity. The law is set to take effect on the fifteenth day after its promulgation, enabling the timely extension of key opinions before their expiration.

The amendment is presented as a legislatively clean solution that does not interfere with existing transitional provisions and maintains legal certainty. It does not constitute an infringement on European EIA regulations but merely adjusts the extension regime for already issued opinions in precisely defined cases.

The amendment refines the rules for the use of plant protection products, specifically introducing mandatory electronic record-keeping and submission within 30 days after application, effective from January 1, 2027.

New obligations are introduced regarding the handling of seeds and planting material treated with such products, including record-keeping by the land user. The competencies of the Institute and municipalities are significantly expanded in addressing emergencies caused by harmful organisms, including mandatory publication of measures.

For state administration, the amendment adds the possibility of obtaining professional qualifications through specialized training organized by the Institute. Additionally, the amendment clarifies the scope of individuals with reporting obligations and updates references to European regulations.

The law expands the powers of the Supreme Audit Office, which will now gain constitutional authority to audit the management of Czech Television and Czech Radio. The aim is to enhance the transparency of public service media, which are not connected to state assets and have so far been beyond the audit scope of the Supreme Audit Office.

The change is the result of long-term political and expert consensus and has no financial impact on the state budget or other public budgets. The Supreme Audit Office will continue to issue only audit conclusions without direct authority to enforce corrective measures.

The constitutional amendment will take effect on July 1, 2026.

The Act comprehensively introduces European extradition and preservation orders for electronic evidence, which will allow Czech authorities to directly request data from digital service providers in the EU, while at the same time establishing the obligation of Czech authorities to receive and execute such orders from other countries. This includes a move to mandatory electronic communication through the e-CODEX system, which significantly digitises judicial cooperation and introduces new technical and organisational requirements for police, prosecutors and courts. Service providers must respond to orders within short deadlines, protect the confidentiality of data and may face penalties of up to 2% of global annual turnover in case of non-compliance.

The law details the jurisdiction of Czech authorities, review processes, remedies and grounds for refusing to comply with orders, including situations involving legal barriers or immunities. Of particular importance is the expeditious retention of data by a specialised police unit due to the risk of its rapid loss, as well as the procedures for non-compliance by the provider or for filing objections. The issuing of Czech warrants abroad, the notification of the persons concerned and the reimbursement of costs to the providers are also regulated, which strengthens the uniformity and speed of criminal justice cooperation across the EU.

The Act extends the exceptions for repeated extensions of the validity of the EIA opinion to local class I roads, which have so far been missing from the list. This will allow the preparation and implementation of these transport constructions to continue without the need to re-undergo the entire EIA assessment.

The aim of the change is to prevent significant time delays and the risk of thwarting public funds already spent, which would arise if valid EIA opinions were to lapse. At the same time, the proposal points out that without this amendment, construction would become more expensive, urban development would be blocked and traffic congestion would increase.

The amendment is described as neutral in terms of environmental impacts, EU law, international obligations and the principles of equal treatment.

The amendment changes the rules for the tax deductibility of advertising and promotional gifts in the Income Tax Act and aligns them with the rules for value added tax. It allows wine and now also beer to be included among tax deductible gifts again, provided that their value does not exceed CZK 500 excluding VAT. This removes the selective ban introduced in 2023, which disadvantaged Moravian and Czech winemakers and some other producers. The change does not change the obligations of taxpayers and has no impact on public budgets, but it does increase the options for entrepreneurs when choosing promotional gifts.

The effective date is 1 January 2027.

The law postpones the effectiveness of the so-called divorce amendment by one year, from 1 January 2026 to 1 January 2027, with the exception of two specific points that will come into effect in 2026. The aim is to ensure sufficient time for the preparation of courts, OSPODs, mediators and other experts so that changes in divorce proceedings take place uniformly and without legal uncertainty.

The explanatory memorandum emphasizes that the amendment has not yet resolved highly conflicting disputes and that the postponement will allow for the refinement of methodologies and procedural adjustments. The text removes the original claims about compliance with international treaties and about the impact on security, which indicates a modification of the justification, not a substantive change in the content of the law.

According to the proponents, the postponement has a positive social impact, especially on families with minor children, and does not entail a financial or administrative burden.

The law introduces a five-year freeze on the salary base of state officials at the level of 2025, i.e. CZK 101,364, until the end of 2030.

The aim is to prevent automatic salary growth resulting from the current wage-linked mechanism in the national economy. The freeze applies only to officials, not to judges, for whom such an intervention could be unconstitutional.

The measure is intended to bring savings to the state budget and has no social, business or environmental impacts. The law is due to come into force on January 1, 2026 to prevent salary increases from the beginning of the year.

The amendment to the Act comprehensively regulates the status and powers of associations of municipalities, which are now becoming public authorities capable of exercising the delegated powers of state administration. Their administrative offices with officials remunerated according to the Labour Code are being introduced, and communities of municipalities can receive contributions from the state budget for the performance of administration and for their own activities. Control over their operation will be exercised by regional authorities and the Ministry of the Interior, which will supervise compliance with legal procedures and management.

The law allows communities of municipalities to establish a joint municipal police force with full powers, including holding a firearms licence and dealing with offences, and the decision on its establishment must be published in the Collection of Laws. At the same time, administrative procedures are being modernised – automated decision-making, videoconferencing and electronic communication are being introduced, which will significantly simplify citizens’ contact with the authorities. Communities of municipalities can become contact points of public administration (CzechPOINT) and participate in the creation of transport service plans.

Another part of the law focuses on the area of transport and electronic communication – it sets technical and security standards for carriers, regulates electronic signatures and seals as a full-fledged replacement for officially certified signatures. The Act on the Collection of Laws is amended so that all legal acts are published in an open, machine-readable format, with clear rules for the correction, numbering and publication of decisions of public authorities. The amendment is set to take effect on 1 July 2026, which gives municipalities time to prepare new structures and systems.

The proposed law brings a comprehensive regulation of the rules for concluding financial services contracts at a distance, in particular through an online interface. It introduces new obligations for entrepreneurs, such as a ban on manipulative practices in the online environment (so-called dark patterns), the obligation to provide clear and understandable pre-contractual information, and the possibility for consumers to withdraw from the contract via a special button. Consumers receive more protection, such as the possibility to withdraw from the contract even in cases where not all pre-contractual information has been provided, with a time limit. The law also lays down stricter rules for reimbursement of insurance contracts and introduces limitation periods for exercising the right of withdrawal.

An important part of this is the harmonization of Czech legislation with the European DMFS Directive, with sectoral legislation taking precedence over the general regulation of the Civil Code in key areas such as pre-contractual information and the right of withdrawal. The Czech National Bank and the Czech Trade Inspection Authority are given powers to supervise compliance with these rules. The law also takes into account the needs of persons with disabilities, such as the obligation to provide information in accessible formats.

The law is scheduled to come into force in June 2026, with its impacts on consumers and the financial services market being reviewed after five years. The aim is to increase consumer protection, simplify withdrawal processes and ensure transparency in the provision of financial services at a distance, including out-of-court dispute resolution and the burden of proof for entrepreneurs in disputes.