Updated 12 Oct 2026, 5-minute read

How much your employer must pay you in Czechia: minimum wage and extra pay 2026

You cannot always negotiate your pay. But some money your employer must pay you by law, no matter what. Here is what you are entitled to and how to check it on your payslip.

In this article, “what you earn per hour” means how much you normally earn for one hour of work. On a Czech payslip this is called průměrný výdělek (average earnings).

What is the lowest pay my employer can give me?

For full-time work, at least CZK 22,400 gross per month. Take-home that is about CZK 19,000, if you have signed the taxpayer declaration (prohlášení poplatníka) and do not claim the child tax credit.

Per hour it is at least CZK 134.40 gross. This also applies to part-time jobs on an agreement (DPP or DPČ).

If you get less, your employer must pay you the difference.

Is there still a guaranteed wage?

If you work at a school, a state or regional hospital or a public office, you still have a guaranteed salary (zaručený plat). It has four levels, depending on how demanding your work is: CZK 22,400, 26,880, 31,360 or 35,840 per month.

Do I get extra pay for weekends?

Yes. For every hour on Saturday or Sunday, your employer must add at least one tenth of what you earn per hour.

Example: you earn CZK 170 per hour. For one hour at the weekend you get at least CZK 17 extra. For 8 hours that is CZK 136 extra.

This applies even if you work on Saturdays regularly.

And for nights?

Yes. Night is from 22:00 to 6:00. For every hour at night you also get at least one tenth of what you earn per hour extra.

Extra pay adds up. The night from Saturday to Sunday = night extra and weekend extra.

And for public holidays?

For work on a public holiday you get double: your normal pay plus the same amount extra. Instead of the extra money, you can agree with your employer on a day off at another time.

Example: you earn CZK 170 per hour. For 8 hours on a public holiday you get CZK 1,360 extra.

When is it overtime?

Overtime is extra work that is not in your shift schedule. For example, when you are called in for an extra shift or stay longer. For every hour of overtime you get at least one quarter of what you earn per hour extra. Or time off instead.

Example: you earn CZK 170 per hour. For 2 hours of overtime you get at least CZK 85 extra.

Careful: some contracts say that your pay already includes some overtime. Then it is not paid separately. Check your contract.

I work long and short weeks. Is that overtime?

Usually not. In a long week you can have, for example, 60 hours in your schedule. That is not overtime, because in a short week you work less. What counts is the average over a longer time, usually at most half a year.

• Overtime is only what is extra compared to the schedule.
• One shift can be at most 12 hours.
• Your employer must give you the shift schedule at least 2 weeks in advance, unless you agree otherwise.
• You get weekend, night and holiday extra pay in long weeks too.

I work two or three shifts

Then your working week is shorter for the same pay:

• two shifts: 38.75 hours a week, at least CZK 138.80 per hour,
• three shifts or non-stop operation: 37.5 hours a week, at least CZK 143.40 per hour.

There is no legal extra pay for afternoon shifts. Some companies pay it if it is in their collective agreement.

I work with noise, dust or chemicals

Then you may get extra pay of at least CZK 13.44 for every hour. The law calls this difficult working conditions (ztížené pracovní prostředí). The state decides which jobs count. Ask the payroll office if it applies to you.

I work on an agreement (DPP or DPČ). Does this apply to me?

Yes, almost all of it. On an agreement you are entitled to the minimum wage and to extra pay for weekends, nights, public holidays and difficult working conditions. Only overtime is not possible on an agreement.

What should I do?

1. Look at your payslip (výplatní páska). Extra pay should be listed separately, for example “příplatek sobota” (Saturday) or “příplatek noc” (night).
2. If it is missing, ask. In the payroll office or your manager. It is enough to say: “I worked at the weekend, where is the extra pay on my payslip?”
3. If you do not know what to do next, call or write to the labour inspectorate (inspektorát práce) in your region. Their advice is free.

Extra pay is only calculated from the money on your payslip. Cash paid on the side does not count. More in Why it pays to have more on your payslip.