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How to file a criminal complaint with the Czech police: step by step, with a free template

Who can file a criminal complaint and where, what to prepare, oral, written and electronic filing, what the complaint must contain, what to ask for when filing, and a free template to download (in Czech and with a translation).

Has someone stolen your money, cheated you online, threatened or attacked you? A criminal complaint (trestní oznámení) is how you hand the matter to the police. You need neither a lawyer nor a special form. You only need to know where to go, what to say and what to prepare.

1. Who can file a complaint and where

Both the police and the public prosecutor are obliged to accept a report of facts suggesting that a crime has been committed (Section 158(2) of Act No. 141/1961 Coll., the Code of Criminal Procedure). According to the Czech Police, anyone can file a complaint, not only the victim, at any police station, ideally where the crime took place. It can also be filed with the public prosecutor's office or orally at a court. There is no mandatory form: the law only sets out what the complaint must contain (point 4).

2. Crime or misdemeanour? You do not have to decide

Whether it is a crime or only a misdemeanour (přestupek) is for the police to assess. If there is no suspicion of a crime, they shelve the case and may pass it to the body that deals with misdemeanours (Act No. 141/1961 Coll., Section 159a(1)(a)). Your job is to describe what happened as precisely as you can.

3. What to prepare

• Proof of identity (ID card, passport or residence card).
• A description of events in order: date, time, place, who did and said what.
• Evidence: photos, screenshots, messages, bank statement, medical report, details of nearby cameras.
• Witnesses: names and contact details.
• The amount of damage and documents supporting it. If, as the injured party, you want the court to decide on compensation, you must prove the grounds and the amount (Section 43(3) of Act No. 141/1961 Coll.).

4. Three ways to file and what the complaint must contain

• Orally for the record: you go to a police station and an officer writes everything down with you (Section 59(1) of Act No. 141/1961 Coll. and Section 59(2) of Act No. 141/1961 Coll.). For most people this is the easiest way.
• In writing: the Czech Police recommend sending the complaint by registered post, or having receipt confirmed if you hand it in.
• Electronically: according to the Czech Police, by e-mail with a recognised electronic signature (uznávaný elektronický podpis) or through a data box (datová schránka).

A written complaint must make clear which authority it is addressed to, who is filing it, which matter it concerns and what it seeks, and it must be signed and dated (Section 59(3) of Act No. 141/1961 Coll.). According to the Czech Police, the complaint should also contain the date of birth and address of the person filing, a detailed description of the act (when, where, how), details of the suspect, evidence, the amount of damage and any claim for compensation.

5. Criminal complaint template to download

6. What to ask for when filing

• To be informed: if you ask, the police or the public prosecutor must inform you of the measures taken within one month of the complaint (Section 158(2) of Act No. 141/1961 Coll.). Make sure the request is written into the record.
• For confirmation: if you are a victim, the police must confirm in writing that they received your complaint; a copy of the record also counts as confirmation (Section 8(3) of Act No. 45/2013 Coll., on Victims of Crime).
• For information about your rights: a victim receives it even without asking, in writing, including where to find free help (Section 8(1) of Act No. 45/2013 Coll. and Section 8(2) of Act No. 45/2013 Coll.).
• Note the date, the police station, the officer's name and the reference number (číslo jednací). The police will warn you about liability for knowingly false statements (Section 158(2) of Act No. 141/1961 Coll.), so say only what you know.

7. You do not speak Czech?

Anyone who declares that they do not speak Czech may use their mother tongue or another language they speak (Section 2(14) of Act No. 141/1961 Coll.). If a statement or document needs interpreting, an interpreter is brought in (Section 28(1) of Act No. 141/1961 Coll.) and the costs necessary for the proceedings are borne by the state (Section 151(1) of Act No. 141/1961 Coll.). A victim receives the information under Section 8(1) of Act No. 45/2013 Coll. in a language they declare they understand, or in the official language of their country (Section 12(1) of Act No. 45/2013 Coll.). Do not sign the record until its content has been interpreted to you.

8. What happens next

The police usually have two, three or six months to look into a complaint, depending on how serious the case is (Section 159(1) of Act No. 141/1961 Coll.). If you hear nothing for a long time, start by asking to be informed. The next steps, including a request to the public prosecutor, are covered in a separate article in this series.

9. Sources

• Act No. 141/1961 Coll., the Code of Criminal Procedure, current version.
• Act No. 45/2013 Coll., on Victims of Crime, current version.
• Czech Police: “Trestní oznámení – základní informace”, policie.gov.cz (as of 30 October 2026).

This article is general information, not legal advice for a specific case. Updated 30 Oct 2026 in line with the laws in force. — 777 PRODUCTION s.r.o.