3. 10. 2025
3. 10.
2025
Compensation for victims of communist regime’s protective surveillance
From 1 September 2025, people who for political reasons were subjected to the communist regime’s protective surveillance can apply for a one-off compensation payment of CZK 100,000. Applications must be submitted by 31 December 2026.
What was protective surveillance?
Protective surveillance was a criminal law concept introduced by Act No. 44/1973 Coll. Originally, it was intended to keep a close eye on recidivists but in practice was often abused for political persecution. People who were subjected to protective surveillance had to report regularly to the public security authorities (police), comply with set restrictions on movement, and submit to other measures. For many people, this surveillance had serious and long-lasting psychological and social consequences that persisted even after the fall of the totalitarian regime.
Eligible persons
Natural persons are entitled to a one-off compensation payment if:
- they are citizens of the Czech Republic on the date of application
- they were placed under protective surveillance during the communist regime, which they served in full or in part
- the protective surveillance was imposed in connection with:
- a criminal offence for which the person was later rehabilitated
- a criminal offence referred to in Section 2 or Section 4 of Act No. 119/1990 Coll., if their conviction was subsequently overturned (e.g. in a retrial, based on a complaint alleging the violation of the law or under the Act on the Illegality of the Communist Regime)
- a criminal offence referred to in Section 11 of the Act on the Participants in Anti-Communist Opposition and Resistance if their conviction was subsequently overturned based on this act.
Should an eligible person submit the application on time but die before the decision is issued or the compensation is paid, their claim passes to their heirs.
How to apply
Applications should be submitted to the Ministry of Justice, which should decide within 30 days.
An application must include the applicant's name, date of birth, permanent address (or other address for delivery), signature, and a description of the matters to which the application relates and what the applicant is proposing. It is also necessary to provide a bank account number if the amount is to be paid by bank transfer and to attach documents proving that the conditions laid down by law have been met (e.g. a decision on rehabilitation or a decision on protective surveillance). Once the decision becomes final, a one-off payment of CZK 100,000 will be made within 30 days.
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