Czechia passes string of laws that may affect your daily life: Here's what to know

Czechia’s lawmakers have passed three major bills that could affect large swathes of the expat and local population nationwide. The laws, which still need to be officially ratified, will make it more expensive to watch TV, aim to help people with housing, and also restrict the sales of energy drinks. 

The Czech Chamber of Deputies passed an amendment to raise public television and radio license fees, expand the number of payers, and allow future increases based on inflation. Despite opposition, the amendment moves to the Senate for debate.

Fees will rise to 150 CZK per month for Czech TV and 55 CZK for Czech Radio. Households must now pay for all devices capable of receiving broadcasts, including smartphones, tablets, and computers, rather than just traditional TVs and radios. Future fees will be indexed by 6 percent if cumulative inflation exceeds that threshold. 

For businesses, payments will be based on employee count rather than the number of receivers. The law also exempts certain organizations with disabled workers, removes requirements for broadcasters to support anti-disinformation efforts, and limits ads on Czech Radio. Originally planned for January, the law is now expected to take effect in May.

On Wednesday, members of the Czech Chamber of Deputies passed the country’s new Housing Support Act to the final state of approval. It aims to assist approximately 160,000 people at risk of housing poverty, whose household income is up to 1.43 times the subsistence minimum. It facilitates access to municipal, cooperative, or private housing by integrating existing apartments into a structured system. 

The act introduces a voluntary guarantee system for private landlords, ensuring rent payments if tenants default, and offers financial incentives for municipalities renting to those in need. 

Local contact points will provide housing assistance, helping tenants maintain their homes and minimizing risks for landlords and neighbors. To qualify, landlords must prove they have no debts to homeowners' associations. The bill includes provisions for transitional support after the initial two-year aid period. 

Labor offices will assess applicants’ financial eligibility, while amendments propose prioritizing single mothers and pregnant women without partners. The act is part of the broader Housing for Life reform, which promotes affordable housing investments.

Politicians also supported a ban on serving and selling energy drinks to children under 15, addressing concerns over their harmful effects on young consumers. 

Lawmakers from all parliamentary parties support the measure, citing risks such as obesity, high blood pressure, tooth decay, depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders. Proponents argue that the high consumption of these beverages poses serious health risks, making regulation necessary. 

Critics, such as MP Karel Haas, believe the issue should be managed through personal and family responsibility rather than legal restrictions. Some opponents mocked the ban, suggesting it could lead to excessive regulation of other products. Supporters, however, dismissed these arguments, comparing the regulation to existing restrictions on alcohol and cigarettes. 

Supporting politicians emphasized that self-regulation by the market would be preferable but has proven ineffective. The ban aims to protect children's health by preventing early exposure to high-caffeine, high-sugar drinks.