As of May 1, 2025, an amendment to the Act on Television and Radio License Fees has come into force, bringing changes to the funding system of public service media. These changes affect not only households but also companies and business entities. In addition to an increase in the fees, businesses must now comply with newly defined obligations.
New calculation rules for TV and radio fees for companies and households
The main and long-discussed change is an increase in both television and radio license fees. The new fees are CZK 150 for television and CZK 55 for radio. This represents an increase of CZK 15 for TV and CZK 10 for radio. The fee amounts are the same for individuals and legal entities.
Additionally, the definition of devices subject to the fee has been broadened. Newly included are devices capable of receiving broadcasts via the internet—such as computers, tablets, and smartphones. It no longer matters whether the device has an antenna or receives traditional broadcasts.
For individuals, the change is simple—they pay the updated fee amount. Every household with internet access is now obliged to pay the fee, applying the principle “1 household = 1 fee,” even if the household owns multiple properties (e.g., an apartment and a cottage).
New calculation method for businesses
For companies, a completely new obligation has been introduced. Instead of basing the fee on the number of receivers, as in the past, fees are now calculated according to the number of employees. This change affects legal entities and self-employed individuals (OSVČ). An exception applies to companies renting vehicles equipped with radio or television receivers—in their case, the fee is based on the number of such vehicles.
It is important to note that agreements to complete a job and agreements to perform work are not included in the calculation. Part-time employees are converted to a full-time equivalent.
How to pay TV and radio fees in 2025
The fee amount is divided into 6 categories based on the number of employees. The base rate remains the same as for households—CZK 150 for TV and CZK 55 for radio.
- 25–49 employees: 5× base rate
- 50–99 employees: 10× base rate
- 100–199 employees: 20× base rate
- 200–249 employees: 30× base rate
- 250–499 employees: 70× base rate
- 500 or more employees: 100× base rate
Example: A company with 56 employees falls into the 50–99 category and thus pays 10 times the base rate: CZK 1,500 for TV and CZK 550 for radio, totaling CZK 2,050 per month. If a company employs 25 full-time staff and 2 on one-third FTE, the equivalent is 25.6 employees. This is mathematically rounded to the nearest whole number, i.e., 26 employees.
Small businesses and other entities exempt from fees
A positive development is the exemption granted to smaller businesses. All legal entities with 24 or fewer employees are now completely exempt from both television and radio license fees. This aims to support small enterprises and reduce administrative burden.
The following are also fully exempt from paying:
- Schools registered in the official education registry
- Associations under § 214 of Act No. 89/2012, Civil Code
- Employers with more than 50% of employees with disabilities
- Holders of broadcasting licenses
- The Council for Radio and Television Broadcasting
- Statutory public broadcasters
Businesses must report the number of employees
Companies and entrepreneurs must report their number of employees to Czech Television and Czech Radio by June 30, 2025. (As noted above, businesses in the transport sector renting vehicles with receivers must also report the number of such vehicles.) The notification can be submitted via the online account, registration form, data mailbox, email, or regular mail.
Along with the employee count, businesses must also provide:
- Business name
- Legal form
- Registered office
- Company ID (IČO)
- Business activity
These details are used to calculate the applicable fee. If there are changes (e.g., a drop in the number of employees below the threshold, or a change in the number of vehicles with receivers), the company must de-register within 15 days. Failure to do so may result in a CZK 1,000 fine.
Impacts and recommendations for businesses
The amendment reflects technological shifts and modern media consumption habits. We recommend that businesses and entrepreneurs carefully monitor their obligations and register for the new license fee system in a timely manner to avoid penalties. If a company fails to report or falsely reports the number of employees, Czech Television may request back payment along with a surcharge.
Should you need assistance with the administration related to the new fees and obligations, our team is ready to help. Please don’t hesitate to contact us.
