Mapped: Where fireworks can, and can't, be used under new Czech ban

From Dec. 1, new regulations will restrict where fireworks can be set off in Czechia, and the Ministry of Agriculture has published an interactive map to guide users. The measures aim to improve public safety and protect vulnerable populations, including patients, seniors, and animals.

The changes affect how and where fireworks can be used across the country, with implications for holiday celebrations and public events. Individual municipalities such as Prague may also enforce stricter fireworks regulations during certain timeframes.

Under the new regulations, fireworks will be banned within 250 meters of hospitals, senior homes, care centers, animal shelters, rescue stations, and zoos, except for category F1 fireworks, such as small firecrackers available from age 15.

The Ministry's new map, accessible online, shows restricted zones across the country and will be updated as new facilities are built or existing ones are removed.

Municipalities will also have the authority to impose partial or full bans on their territory. These bans, however, will not apply to professional displays (F4) or theatrical pyrotechnics (T2). In national parks, all recreational fireworks remain prohibited.

The updated Pyrotechnics Act also prohibits the sale of fireworks outside permanent shops, with exceptions for F1 items. Online sales must verify the buyer’s age and, for certain categories, their certified competence.

Authorities may seize fireworks if serious violations occur, and penalties can include temporary bans on business operations of up to three years.

Event organizers planning to use fireworks must submit notices at least seven days in advance for professional displays and five days for public fireworks, notifying local fire services and municipal offices. Regulatory oversight will now be coordinated by the Czech Trade Inspection Authority and the Czech Mining Office.

For some, the rules may require adjusting private celebrations or public gatherings. Awareness of restricted areas is essential to avoid fines, particularly near hospitals, schools, or animal facilities. The interactive map allows users to plan safe fireworks use without inadvertently violating the new law.

Authorities advise users to check the map before planning to use fireworks, as zones may change with new facilities or updates to existing structures. Residents with questions can contact the Ministry of Agriculture or local offices for clarification.

The law also sets new requirements for professional competence in using higher-category fireworks, which will take effect in July 2026. The new amendments to Czechia's laws regulating fireworks are aimed at preventing accidents and ensuring that their use remains both festive and safe across the country.