More Parents in the Czech Republic Use Enforcement Proceedings to Recover Unpaid Child Maintenance

More and more parents in the Czech Republic are turning to the courts to recover unpaid child maintenance for their children. The number of enforcement proceedings has increased by around 30 per cent within a year.

Since the beginning of the year, significantly more parents in the Czech Republic have taken legal action to recover unpaid child maintenance for their children. According to the Chamber of Executors, the number of enforcement proceedings initiated during the first five months of the year increased by around 30 per cent compared with the same period last year.

While around 1,600 proceedings over unpaid child maintenance were initiated by the end of May last year, the figure had already exceeded 2,100 during the same period this year, according to broadcaster ČT24.

The Association of Single-Parent Families (Asociace neúplných rodin) has also reported a significant increase in enquiries. According to the organisation, the number of consultations provided through its free helpline rose by around 20 per cent. The number of parents seeking assistance in initiating enforcement proceedings increased by around 16 per cent compared with the average for the years 2023 to 2025.

One reason for this development is likely to be a change in the law that came into force in January. Failure to pay child maintenance is generally no longer a criminal offence in the Czech Republic – unless it directly places the child in a situation of hardship. As a result, many affected parents who previously filed criminal complaints are now seeking civil law options to recover outstanding maintenance payments.

According to the association, the introduction of the new so-called Superdávka (social benefit) has also played an important role. The scheme combines several welfare benefits into a single payment. However, court-awarded child maintenance is still counted as income when calculating entitlement – even if those payments are not actually being made.

New Rules Lead to More Enforcement Proceedings

Anyone wishing to claim the state child maintenance advance payment must first prove that active steps are being taken to recover the unpaid maintenance. According to the organisation, this requirement has prompted many parents in recent months to initiate enforcement proceedings for the first time.

Parents are also taking action more quickly than before. While in 2023 parents contacted the advice service only after an average of 14.3 months without receiving child maintenance payments, during the first half of 2026 that period had fallen to an average of 11.3 months.

Meanwhile, failure to pay child maintenance in the Czech Republic could once again become a criminal offence in the future. A corresponding bill proposed by the governing coalition is currently in its second reading in the Chamber of Deputies.