laws

Burning Leaves in the Garden Is No Longer Allowed in Czechia

Since 1 March 2025, burning garden waste is banned across the Czech Republic, and even notifying the fire brigade does not make it legal. Here’s what is still allowed, what fines you risk, and what to do if smoke from a neighbour is bothering you.

5 min read

Cutting Down Thuja Has Rules Even on Your Own Property

Before you take a saw to an ageing thuja hedge, check whether you need a permit. If you misjudge the trunk-girth or area limits, the fine can run into the tens of thousands.

5 min read

Fighting moles tempts you into a quick fix that can put you on the wrong side of the law

Fresh molehills can ruin a lawn, but the common mole is a protected species and lethal control can be illegal. Learn how to tell a mole from a vole and which lawful, effective methods actually encourage it to move on.

5 min read

The inconspicuous garden beauty that’s long been banned and can land you a fine

Some seemingly harmless plants in the Czech countryside are non-native and spread far faster than local species. Himalayan balsam is one of the best-known examples, and in many European countries its cultivation and spread are tightly restricted.

5 min read

Switzerland has banned a plant Czechs love in their gardens

Cherry laurel is prized for fast, evergreen screening, but Switzerland now treats it as a risk to nature and has banned its import, sale and even gifting from September 2024.

5 min read

Picking fruit in your garden could end with a hefty state fine

Harvesting fruit from branches that overhang your garden can land you in a legal dispute with your neighbour. In some cases, taking a few apples without permission may even be treated as theft.

5 min read

🌿

From August you can build more in the garden without a permit

From August 2026, small garden structures will often be easier to build without a permit or notification, with a higher area limit than before. Wells and domestic wastewater treatment systems, however, will face stricter requirements and tighter oversight.

5 min read

Invasive Plants That Can Land You in Trouble with the Authorities

Invasive plants are turning up more and more often in gardens and along fences, where they quickly crowd out native species and can be hard to eliminate. Some are also hazardous to people and animals, and certain species are monitored and controlled very strictly.

5 min read

Picking Fruit in the Garden Has Rules and Can Lead to Hefty Fines

A fruit tree heavy with apples or plums is a joy—until branches overhang the fence and questions arise about who may harvest. In some cases, picking without permission can be treated as an offence and result in a substantial fine.

5 min read

Pre-emption rights on agricultural land could reshape the market and strengthen big players

The Czech debate over a statutory pre-emption right on farmland is back, and it could significantly change who gets to buy land and on what terms. Supporters see protection from speculators, while critics warn it may ultimately favour the largest farming businesses already leasing most of the land.

5 min read

June brings an invasion of a banned plant into gardens reporting it can save you from a fine

Giant hogweed is one of the most dangerous invasive plants, spreading fast and suppressing everything around it. In June the risk rises, and if it turns up on your land, reporting and prompt control can help you avoid penalties.

5 min read