Lawyer in Prague — Employment Dispute

Quick answers

Do I have to bring my claim before a Czech court?

Usually yes, since the courts of the place of habitual work generally have jurisdiction, but the exact options depend on the facts and the contract.

What law governs my employment contract in Prague?

Generally the law of the place where the work is habitually performed — Czech law, if you work in Prague — even if the contract names a different law, since worker-protective rules of the place of work typically still apply.

What you can do now

1. 1

   Write down what you are owed

   List the months that were not paid, the agreed wage and the hours you worked. Keep payslips, timesheets, your contract and all messages with the employer.

2. 2

   Ask for payment in writing

   Send your employer — or the agency that employs you — a short written demand by e-mail with the amounts and a deadline. A written request is the first piece of evidence if it goes further.

3. 3

   Working through an agency? Check its permit

   Agencies that supply workers to other companies must hold a permit from the Czech Labour Office. The list of permitted agencies is public on the Ministry of Labour's website.

4. 4

   Report it to the Labour Inspectorate

   The State Labour Inspection Office and its regional offices accept complaints free of charge and can fine an employer who does not pay wages.

5. 5

   Still unpaid 15 days after the due date? You can quit immediately

   Wages are due at the latest by the end of the month after the month you worked. If they are not paid within 15 days after that, you can end your employment immediately and claim compensation equal to your wage for the notice period.

6. 6

   Dismissed and you disagree? Mind the two months

   If you believe your dismissal was unlawful, you must challenge it in court within two months of the day your employment was meant to end.

Deadlines and money

Unpaid wages can be claimed for three years, but the two-month deadline for challenging a dismissal in court is strict — waiting for an employer or agency to 'sort it out' can cost you that deadline. A complaint to the Labour Inspectorate is free. A lawyer's demand letter is usually a fixed fee; ask for the price in advance.

Can you handle it yourself, or do you need a lawyer?

A written demand together with a complaint to the Labour Inspectorate often gets wages paid. Get a lawyer when the employer or agency refuses or disappears, when you were dismissed and want to challenge it, after an injury at work, or when your residence permit depends on this job.

Czech labour law sets specific, often short deadlines for challenging a termination — if you receive notice from a Czech employer, it is worth acting quickly and confirming the applicable deadline with a lawyer.

Where to get help in Prague

• Residence and visas

  The Ministry of the Interior's OAMP office — book an appointment through the Information Portal for Foreigners or on +420 974 801 801.

  Ministerstvo vnitra — Odbor azylové a migrační politiky (OAMP)

• Free advice for foreigners

  The regional integration centre gives free advice in several languages and helps with offices.

  Integrační centrum Praha

• Wages and working conditions

  The regional labour inspectorate takes complaints against employers free of charge.

  Oblastní inspektorát práce pro hlavní město Prahu

• Court

  The district court for civil disputes such as deposits, wages or divorce.

  Obvodní soud podle městské části, kde bydlíte

Documents to Prepare

• •Employment contract
• •The termination notice or other document ending the employment
• •Payslips for the last few months
• •Written communication with the employer

Legal background

Applicable law for an employment contract with an international element is determined by the Rome I Regulation — generally the law of the country where the employee habitually works (Czech law, if the work is performed in Prague), even where the parties chose a different law, if that choice would deprive the employee of protections under the law of the place of work. Jurisdiction is governed by the Brussels I bis Regulation, which typically lets an employee sue where they habitually work.

Verified Sources

• Labour Code (Act No. 262/2006 Coll.) — Zákony pro lidi
• Employment agencies with a permit — Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs
• State Labour Inspection Office — Státní úřad inspekce práce

Last reviewed: 2026-10-14

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