Applicable law: Zákoník práce (Labor Code No. 262/2006 Sb.), Občanský zákoník (Civil Code No. 89/2012 Sb.).
Currency: Czech Koruna (CZK).
EU context: EU member state. EU Directive 2019/1152 on transparent and predictable working conditions sets the floor; Czech law generally meets or exceeds EU minimums.
| 法源 | 相關條文 | 標籤 |
|---|---|---|
| Zákoník práce (Labor Code) | §33–39 (formation), §34–34a (content), §35–36 (probation), §48–73 (termination) | 🟢 |
| Občanský zákoník (Civil Code) | §1724 et seq. (general contract law, subsidiarily) | 🟢 |
| Flexi-amendment (2025) | Amendments to probation, fixed-term, severance; effective June 1, 2025 | 🟢 |
| Act on Employment (No. 435/2004 Sb.) | Foreign worker permits, employee cards | 🟢 |
| Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs | Interpretive guidance | 🟡 |
| Supreme Court case law | Probation termination, contract validity | 🟡 |
🟢 — Default form of employment under the Labor Code. Unless a fixed term is expressly agreed, the relationship is indefinite.
🟢 — Labor Code §39:
| 限制 | 內容 |
|---|---|
| Maximum single duration | 3 years |
| Renewal limit | Up to 2 renewals (max 3 consecutive periods) |
| Total maximum | 9 years with the same employer |
| Automatic conversion | Exceeding limits → deemed indefinite |
Exceptions: Serious operational reasons or reasons specific to the nature of the work may justify additional renewals, but the employer must document them in writing.
🟠 — Many employers treat 3 x 3-year fixed-term as the standard path before converting to indefinite.
🟢 — Two supplementary work arrangements:
| Type | Czech name | Max hours | Key features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agreement to Perform Work (DPP) | Dohoda o provedení práce | 300 hrs/year per employer | No social/health insurance if monthly pay ≤ CZK 10,500 |
| Agreement to Complete a Job (DPČ) | Dohoda o pracovní činnosti | Half of normal weekly hours | Subject to social/health insurance |
🟢 — Under the flexi-amendment (June 2025), DPP workers gain enhanced scheduling notice rights.
🟢 — §34: Employment contracts must be in writing. Failure to use written form renders the contract voidable (not automatically void).
Mandatory clauses (§34(1)):
🟢 — §37: Employer must inform the employee in writing of additional terms within 7 days of commencement:
EU Directive 2019/1152: Czech law exceeds the EU minimum notification timeline by requiring most information within 7 days.
🟢 — Labor Code §35:
| Category | Before June 2025 | From June 2025 (flexi-amendment) |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary employees | 3 months | 4 months |
| Managerial employees | 6 months | 8 months |
Key rules:
🟠 — Most employers set 3 months for standard roles, reserving longer periods for senior positions.
🟢 — §66:
Restrictions:
🟠 — Employers commonly document performance concerns even during probation to defend against discrimination claims.
🟢 — §39: Maximum 3 consecutive periods, 9 years total. Employee continuing work after expiry without a new agreement → deemed indefinite.
🟡 — Courts hold that inserting brief gaps to circumvent the 3-period rule is ineffective.
🟢 — §310:
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Written agreement | Mandatory |
| Maximum duration | 1 year after employment ends |
| Compensation | At least half of average monthly earnings per month of restriction |
| Scope | Must specify restricted activities |
| Withdrawal | Employer may withdraw only during employment |
🟠 — Common in tech and senior management. Courts void overly broad restrictions.
🟢 — Qualified electronic signatures (per eIDAS Regulation, EU 910/2014) satisfy the written form requirement.
🟠 — Many employers still use paper. The flexi-amendment (2025) clarifies electronic delivery of workplace documents.
🔴 — Whether non-qualified electronic signatures (e.g., DocuSign simple signatures) satisfy the Labor Code's written form requirement remains debated.
The 3-period / 9-year cap balances employer flexibility with worker stability. Czech law is more permissive than many EU peers (e.g., Germany limits to 2 years without objective justification).
Extension from 3/6 to 4/8 months was driven by employer demand in sectors with longer onboarding (IT, engineering). Labor unions opposed the change.
| 比較面向 | 捷克 | 匈牙利 |
|---|---|---|
| Default contract | Indefinite | Indefinite |
| Written contract | Mandatory | Mandatory |
| Probation max (standard) | 4 months (June 2025) | 3 months |
| Probation max (managers) | 8 months (June 2025) | 6 months (CBA) |
| Fixed-term cap | 3 periods / 9 years | 5 years total |
| Non-compete max | 1 year | 2 years |
| Probation termination | No reason, 3-day notice | No reason, immediate |