From January 1, 2026, Czechia will begin punishing individuals who promote communism with prison terms of up to five years, following a change to the Criminal Code signed by President Petr Pavel on July 17.

The legislation aligns the punishment for advocating communism with that for promoting Nazism, which has long been criminalized in the country.

The amendment, supported by lawmakers Martin Dlouhý (TOP 09), Marek Benda (ODS), and Šimon Heller (KDU-ČSL), specifies that any movement promoting the suppression of rights and freedoms—explicitly including “Nazi, communist, or other” movements—can lead to criminal prosecution.

Although the previous law already allowed for punishment of such movements, it did not name specific ideologies.

While the Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (KSČM) labeled the change as “discriminatory” and “purposeful,” its representatives say they do not fear for the party’s survival. “The amendment is an attempt to silence opponents of the system by restricting constitutional rights and freedoms,” said KSČM spokesperson Roman Roun.

The law targets individuals, not historical artifacts. For example, buildings with hammer and sickle reliefs are exempt, but selling merchandise with communist symbols—such as T-shirts—will become illegal.

More severe penalties of three to five years in prison will apply in cases involving organized groups, or when such promotion occurs online or via broadcast.

Still, legal experts warn that the real implications will depend heavily on how courts interpret the law. Constitutional lawyer Jan Kysela told Novinky that while the KSČM’s legal existence may not be at risk, the actions of its members could be.

The amendment is part of a broader overhaul of the Criminal Code.

Other changes include relaxed penalties for cannabis possession, harsher punishments for producing deepfake content and child pornography, and the introduction of “child certificates”—a new record-keeping measure for individuals working with minors.

Would you like us to write about your business? Find out more