10 Strange Laws you should be aware of in Czech Republic

Drinking glass beer photo by Teo Do Rio Unsplash

10 Strange Laws you should be aware of in the Czech Republic

Prague, the historic center of which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the Czech Republic’s claim to fame. In the Czech Republic, there are hundreds of castles, chateaus, and mansions. Many tourists to Prague mistakenly believe that laws and regulations are not as severely enforced as in other nations, or that they are not familiar with. Here are 10 Strange Laws you should be aware of in the Czech Republic.

1. The Daytime exercise of light 

All motor vehicles on the move must turn on headlights throughout the day throughout the year.  If a running vehicle is outfitted with low beams, this is particularly significant at night. This is odd, particularly on bright days, but it does influence motorists to be alert of vehicles nearby. Breaching this law attracts a fine of 2000CZK (forty euros). 

2. Bicycle Riding is forbidden around the city center of Prague

Aman riding a bicycle photo by Tony Pham Unsplash

There is a traffic sign installed all around the city center of Prague which prohibits cyclists from riding with a bicycle that is wider than 1.2meters. This was meant to give pedestrians an advantage in pedestrian zones and avoid pedestrian and cyclist conflicts.

Also, read about the Best place to Ride your Bike in Prague  &  Five routes you can do on your own in Prague

3. It’s against the law and punishable by up to a year in jail to write on the John Lennon wall

The wall stands for the youth of the Czech Republic’s nonviolent resistance and right to free speech. 1980 saw the start of the wall, shortly after John Lennon’s passing. Although John Lennon never visited the wall’s location, the young people of Prague created it as a symbolic graveyard.

Young Czechs scrawled their objections on the wall, which led to fights between security officers and a large number of students. Therefore, they gave it a fresh coat of paint and suggested that it be used as an outdoor gallery with a designated writing area. Unfortunately, nobody knows the “region,” thus the cops can detain you for writing on the wall. According to Czech legislation, it entails a jail sentence of up to a year.

4. The “Transfer of the Hluboka nad Vltavou branch of the House of Schwarzenberg to the Land of Bohemia” statute is directed at Adolf Schwarzenberg in particular

His branch of the Schwarzenberg family owned vast holdings in South Bohemia. Despite his heroic efforts against the Nazis, some people sought to petition for Benes Decrees against his property because they believed he was German. All of his possessions in Austria, Germany, the Protectorate of Moravia and Bohemia, and Austria were stolen by the Gestapo in 1940.

Throughout the War, he lived in exile in the US. The truth is that the vast estate owned by his family, its financial success, and his interactions with individuals he worked with and lived on his land presented a challenge to the communist way of thinking. When the Act was forcedly passed against Schwarzenberg and the State’s wishes and all prior agreements, they were already talking about transferring the land to the State.

5. There is a fee for radio and television

A Photo of a radio photo by Eric Nopanen Unsplash

As long as you own a device that can pick up any radio or TV station, you must pay this fee. Only for the possibility that you could, not for the service you have already received, are you being charged. Everyone must pay it unless they qualify for one of a select few exceptions, such as those who are deaf and unable to listen to the radio or those who are blind and unable to watch television.

Television is subject to a 135 CZK monthly tax while the radio is only subject to a 45 CZK monthly tax. Even if it’s not much, there could be serious repercussions if you don’t pay them on time. The fine for paying the TV tax rate is greater than 10,000 CZK.

6. Public drinking is prohibited

Drinking glass beer photo by Teo Do Rio Unsplash 

Many tourists to Prague think it’s acceptable to drink in public. Unfortunately, that is not entirely true. More than 831 locations forbid the consumption of alcoholic beverages, including beer and wine. Ironically, alcohol is easily accessible for purchase despite the fact that it is forbidden in several locations, including Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square. The local ordinance does take this into account by permitting drinking close to the bartender who served you the alcohol. It is advised for visitors/tourists to drink in a pub/with a local.

Also read about the 15 Best places to Drink the Best Amazing Beer in Prague 

7. The constitution contains the Benes decrees

The Czechoslovak government-in-exile produced a number of laws known as the Bene decrees while the Czechoslovak parliament was not in session during the German occupation of Czechoslovakia in World War II. The president’s orders and the Slovak National Council’s ordinances dealing to the status of ethnic Hungarians, Germans, and others in postwar Czechoslovakia served as the legal foundation for the expulsion of Germans from that nation in political and journalism history.

Members of the German and Hungarian ethnic communities in Czech may have their private property seized in compliance with the Benes Decrees. Since it has no place in a democratic society in the twenty-first century, it is an unfair practice that warrants the attention and concern of the global community. In response to Hungary’s formal request, the Slovaks repealed the article from the Slovak Constitution. Despite the proposal, Czechs rejected changing the constitution, arguing that it is unimportant because it is never enforced.

8. Unless you are employing your own child without paying them, child labor is illegal.

It might seem unusual, but if you run a family business, like a shop, you can legally force your kids to work for you. You cannot, however, pay them.

9. Producing or distributing fake goods is illegal

Illegal/ Legal photo by Fathromi Ramdlon Pixaby

You’re probably wondering, “What’s unusual about this?” I guess nothing. However, you might find it strange that downloading or streaming any illegal content is permitted. Therefore, when you lawfully download music, movies, etc., as long as you use it only for yourself, you are not breaking any laws.

10. Registration of partnerships for same-sex couples is permitted

In 2006, it became lawful for same-sex couples to register their partnerships. Prior to its dissolution for the 2021 Czech parliamentary elections, the Czech Parliament was debating a measure to legalize same-sex marriage that had failed at the committee level. As a result, Czech law does not recognize same-sex unions. Although Prague’s city is well recognized and renowned for having a vibrant LGBT community, showing affection in public may bring unwanted attention.