SELECTION OF LEGAL UPDATES
New Strategy for the EU Single Market
At the initiative of the European Council, the European Commission presented the Single Market Strategy on May 21, aimed at creating a simpler, smoother, and stronger European domestic market. The strategy contains bold measures to reduce existing barriers to trade and investment within the EU and to assist small and medium‑sized enterprises in expanding.
The strategy focuses primarily on the following issues:
- Establishing and operating businesses
- EU rules
- Responsibilities of Member States
- Recognition of professional qualifications
- Common standards
- Packaging rules
- Product compliance with regulations
- Fragmented national regulation of services
- Rules for posting workers in low‑risk sectors
- Territorial restrictions on supply causing high prices for consumers
- Sector‑specific regulation (construction, financial, and postal services, etc.)
Lobbying Regulation Act
As of July 1, 2025, a new Lobbying Regulation Act, published under No. 168/2025 Coll., enters into force.
This law regulates the conditions for lobbying and sets out the duties of both lobbyists and those being lobbied. It also defines the competencies of public authorities in the area of lobbying.
The purpose of this regulation is to establish rules for lobbying as a standard activity associated with the legislative process. It aims to increase the transparency of lobbying activities and to reduce socially undesirable phenomena linked to lobbying, such as corruption or conflicts of interest
Chamber of Deputies Approved Mandatory Corporate Pension Savings for Certain Demanding Professions
In recent years, the European Union has increasingly sought to protect not only consumers as the weaker contracting party, Employers may be required, as of January 2026, to contribute to retirement savings for workers in certain demanding professions classified under the third‑risk category. These are jobs such as welders, housekeepers, butchers, and foresters — positions exceeding hygiene limits that frequently lead to occupational diseases.
The contribution will apply to employees who, under the government’s pension reform, lost their eligibility for early retirement without a reduction in pension amount. Employer‑contributed savings should allow them to take pre‑retirement without lowering their future old‑age pension. Under the approved measure, employers will allocate 4 % of the assessment base, starting after three completed shifts.
The purpose of the amendment is to enable these employees to accumulate sufficient funds in their III. pension pillar products, which they can use to cover their living expenses in the years before reaching retirement age.
However, inorder to be eligible for early retirement, the person concerned must meet the required savings period of 120 months. For contracts concluded before December 31, 2023, only 60 months of participation are required.
Payment of Television and Radio License Fees
As of May 1, 2025, the rules follow the amendment to the Radio and Television License Fees Act (No. 348/2005 Coll.).
What changes does this amendment bring?
Definition
The amendment changes the definition of devices subject to the television license fee. everyone who owns, possesses, or uses a television receiver is now required to pay the fee, which includes not only traditional televisions but also mobile phone,tablet, or computer connected to the internet, if technically capable of receiving TV broadcasts.
Increase in the TV license fee
The fee increases to CZK 150. It is still paid once per household, regardless of the number of household members, devices, or properties owned or used.
Calculation of the fee for legal entities
The fee for legal entities and self‑employed persons is now based on the converted number of full‑time employees. Employers with fewer than 25 employees must register but do not pay the fee.
Notification duty for legal entities
Legal entities and self‑employed persons already paying the fee before May 1, 2025, must notify Czech Television of the number of employees by June 30, 2025. Until then, they pay under the previous rules.
Vehicle rental companies
Organizations renting vehicles equipped with a TV receiver (e.g., an internet‑connected control panel) must pay a fee for each such vehicle in addition to the fee based on their employee count.
Accessibility Act Entered into Force
The European AccessibilityAct, which entered into force on June 28, introduced key changes to improve access to products and services for people with disabilities.
These changes, which will make everyday life easier for disadvantaged populations, required adjustments from a wide range of goods and service providers, such as financial service providers, desktop computer manufacturers, and e‑shops.
You can find more details about this law in our Legal Alert specifically dedicated to this legislation.
If you have any questions or need consultation, please do not hesitate to contact us via email at info@sirokyzrzavecky.cz
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