Did you know that TV and radio connection is paid for in the Czech Republic?
Information overview on license fees
Suppose you are a long-term resident of the Czech Republic and you own a TV, a radio, or other equipment enabling the transmission of television or radio broadcasts. In this case, you are subject to pay the so-called license fees (koncesionářské poplatky) under Act No. 348/2005 Coll. Is this news for you? Then continue reading this article to find out everything you need to know.
Do foreigners have to pay the license fees?
Yes, additionally to Czech citizens, foreigners also have to pay license fees. This applies to foreigners who possess a long-term or permanent residence permit and who own equipment capable of radio or television broadcasting (see list below) or who borrowed such equipment for a period longer than one month. Foreigners who are blind in both eyes, deaf, or low-income are exempt from this obligation. In cases, where the signal receiver is a part of a public transport equipment, the operator of the transportation mean is the payer of the fee.
How does it work?
If you pay for the electricity supplies, the state automatically counts you as a payer of the TV and radio fees. If you do not pay the fees, you can expect to be called on by Czech Television and Czech Radio to pay the fee. Generally, you must notify Czech Radio or Czech Television within 15 days that you have become the owner of equipment capable of broadcasting. The fee is then paid from the 1st day of the next month.
Only one payer pays the fee for one household. For example, if you live in a family of 5 people, only one person pays. The fee is only paid for one device, even if the payer owns more of them. Similarly, if a taxpayer owns more than one property, they only pay the fee once. In the case of rental housing, the fee is always paid by the tenant, not the property owner. Thus, paying the fee to your landlord is not the correct practice. Unfortunately, the landlords often include the fee in the monthly utility bills.
The fee is paid for owning the specific device. So if, for example, you have a TV that you do not watch or you do not listen to the radio, but you do own a device that enables you to do so, you still have to pay the fee.
If you do not own a device capable of broadcasting, you have to send a sworn declaration within 30 days of receiving the notice from the Czech television / Radio, that you do not own such device, or that you share a household with another payer. Otherwise, you have to start to pay the fee.
If you move houses, you are obligated to report that change to the Czech Radio and Czech Television within 15 days. Do not forget to cancel the fees in case of leaving the Czech Republic.
In cases, where the signal receiver is a part of a public transport equipment, the operator of the transportation mean is the payer of the fee.
Which devices are subject to the RADIO FEE?
Every household that owes a radio receiver is obliged to pay a monthly fee of 45 Czech crowns. The fee is paid to the Czech Radio (Český rozhlas). You will find the list of devices that are considered radio connection receivers:
- radio for analog radio receptors (VHF/FM, SV/AM), for example: portable or desktop radio receiver, radio alarm clock, car radio, motorcycle radio, radio on a boat (a boat, a sailboat, …), mini-tower, micro tower and Hi-Fi audio system, receiver with VHF/FM or DVB-T/T2 tuner;
- radio for digital signal reception (DAB/DAB+), e.g.: portable or table radio receiver, clock radio, car radio, radio on a boat (boat, sailboat, …), mini-system, Hi-Fi tuner;
- TV or multimedia receiver (VHF/FM, DVB-T/T2/S/C, IPTV), e.g.: TV with set-top box, TV with built-in digital tuner, multimedia center with tuner, smart TV;
- desktop computer or laptop with VHF/FM or DVB-T/T2/C tuner (including external USB tuner);
- combined and built-in electronics (combined with a radio receiver), e.g.: refrigerators with built-in radio or TV, sauna baths or whirlpools with radio, etc.
On the contrary, a personal computer without a VHF/FM or DVB-T/T2/C tuner, a mobile phone, a tablet or any of the elements of computer networks (router – router, switch – switcher, hub – hub or ISDN/xDSL/LTE modem is not considered a radio receiver.
ATTENTION: If you have not yet paid the radio license fee even though you are subject to this obligation, you must pay all amounts owed and may be subject to a surcharge of 5.000CZK
More information, including registration, can be found at https://poplatek.rozhlas.cz/.
Which devices are subject to the TELEVISION FEE?
Every household that owns a TV is obliged to pay a monthly fee of 135 Czech crowns. The fee is paid to the Czech Television (Česká Televize). A TV is any device technically capable of receiving a television signal. You are subject to the payments even if you only use a television to watch commercial platforms such as YouTube, Netflix or Apple TV, Amazon Prime, HBO, etc.
You are not subject to the payment if you only watch TV broadcasting from your computer monitor, notebook, or mobile phone.
ATTENTION: If you have not yet paid the television license fee even though you are subject to this obligation, you must pay all amounts owed and may be subject to a surcharge of 10,000CZK.
More information, including registration, can be found at https://poplatky.ceskatelevize.cz/domacnost
The information presented in the article is valid as of 28th October 2024 and can change in the future with correlation to the planned legislation change. We recommend visiting the https://poplatek.rozhlas.cz/ and https://poplatky.ceskatelevize.cz/domacnost websites for up-to-date information or to reserve an appointment for our free legal consultation at +420 252 543 846.
