No. Squatting is illegal in the Czech Republic under the Penal Code (Section 215), criminalizing unauthorized occupation of property, with penalties including fines or imprisonment. Civil remedies under the Civil Code (Section 1058) allow property owners to evict squatters via court orders, while the 2026 amendment to the Act on Housing (No. 17/1992 Sb.) tightens enforcement by expediting eviction procedures for vacant properties.
Key Regulations for Squatting in Czech Republic
- Penal Code (Section 215): Classifies squatting as a criminal offense punishable by up to 2 years imprisonment or fines, applicable even to abandoned or neglected properties.
- Civil Code (Section 1058): Grants property owners immediate legal grounds to file eviction claims, with courts prioritizing such cases under the 2026 Housing Act amendments.
- Act on Housing (No. 17/1992 Sb.): Mandates municipalities to track vacant properties and collaborate with police to prevent illegal occupation, with penalties for negligent owners.
Enforcement is coordinated by the Czech Police (Policie České republiky) and local land registry offices (Katastrální úřad), which cross-reference property statuses. Squatters occupying residential or commercial spaces face accelerated eviction under the 2026 reforms, reducing procedural delays. Exceptions apply only to adverse possession claims under strict 10-year occupancy requirements (Civil Code, Section 1046), rarely applicable in urban contexts.