Power of attorney Czech Republic: free template 2026

Q: What is the difference between a general and a special power of attorney?

A special power of attorney (speciální plná moc) authorises one concrete matter, such as a single office procedure or one contract. A general power of attorney (generální plná moc) covers all legal acts on your behalf and must be in writing. A general power is riskier, and it still cannot cover acts for which the law requires a special form.

Q: How much does signature verification cost and where do I get it?

Signature verification (legalizace) costs 50 Kč per signature. You can obtain it at any CzechPOINT counter (post offices and municipal offices), at a notary, or at a registry office (matrika). For use abroad the signature must instead be verified by a notary, so that it can later carry an apostille.

PLNÁ MOC Zmocnitel: [DOPLŇTE: jméno a příjmení], nar. [DOPLŇTE: datum narození], trvale bytem [DOPLŇTE: adresa trvalého pobytu] (dále jen „zmocnitel“). Zmocněnec: [DOPLŇTE: jméno a příjmení], nar. [DOPLŇTE: datum narození], trvale bytem [DOPLŇTE: adresa] (dále jen „zmocněnec“). Zmocnitel uděluje zmocněnci podle § 441 a násl. zákona č. 89/2012 Sb., občanský zákoník, ve znění pozdějších předpisů, plnou moc, aby jej zastupoval a jeho jménem činil právní jednání v tomto rozsahu: [DOPLŇTE: co nejkonkrétnější vymezení rozsahu — např. „k zastupování ve věci [popis záležitosti] před [označení úřadu / protistrany], včetně podávání a přebírání písemností a všech úkonů s tím spojených“. Pro zastoupení ve všech věcech uveďte „ke všem právním jednáním“ (generální plná moc)]. Zmocněnec je oprávněn jednat samostatně. [VOLITELNĚ: Zmocněnec je / není oprávněn udělit plnou moc k zastupování další osobě (substituce podle § 438 občanského zákoníku)]. Tato plná moc se uděluje na dobu [DOPLŇTE: určitou do (datum) / neurčitou]. Zmocnitel je oprávněn tuto plnou moc kdykoli odvolat. V [DOPLŇTE: místo] dne [DOPLŇTE: datum]. ........................................... [DOPLŇTE: jméno], zmocnitel [Vyžaduje-li instituce úředně ověřený podpis (např. katastr nemovitostí, registr vozidel), podepište až před ověřující osobou na CzechPOINTu, u notáře nebo na matrice.] Plnou moc v uvedeném rozsahu přijímám. V [DOPLŇTE: místo] dne [DOPLŇTE: datum]. ........................................... [DOPLŇTE: jméno], zmocněnec

What this template gives you: a ready-to-use Czech power of attorney (plná moc), governed by §§ 441–449 of the Civil Code (Act No. 89/2012 Coll.), that you complete and download in minutes. Under Czech law a power of attorney must name the principal (zmocnitel) and the agent (zmocněnec), state the scope of authority, and carry the principal's dated signature. Plain written form is enough for most matters in 2026; an officially verified signature (50 Kč at any CzechPOINT) is needed only where the law demands it, such as cadastre or vehicle-registry filings.

How to use this power of attorney template

Complete the parties and the scope, download the letter in Word or as a PDF, then print and sign it. Written form is required whenever the authority is not for a single one-off act (§ 441 odst. 2 of the Civil Code); the principal must sign, but the agent's signature is not a condition of validity. Keep the scope as narrow as the task allows.

Under § 441 of the Civil Code, the person granting the authority must set out the scope of the agent's authority, and written form is mandatory whenever the representation is not limited to a single specific act. The principal signs; the agent's countersignature is not a legal condition, though some offices still expect it, so the template includes an acceptance line for the agent.

A plain signature is enough for everyday use. An officially verified signature (úředně ověřený podpis, also called legalizace) is required only where the law demands it, typically for filings entered in a public register such as the cadastre (katastr nemovitostí) for property or the vehicle registry. You obtain it at any CzechPOINT counter, a notary, or a registry office (matrika) for 50 Kč per signature. Submitting an unverified signature where a verified one is required is the costliest mistake here: the office rejects the filing and a deadline can lapse.

One widespread belief is wrong. A power of attorney for a property sale does not itself have to be a notarial deed. The Ministry of Justice expert group confirmed that a written power of attorney with an officially verified signature is enough, even where the underlying act requires the public-deed form (§ 441 odst. 2). The practical lesson runs against instinct: a broad "for everything" power feels safer but is the weaker choice. Offices refuse an over-broad scope on a special power of attorney, and a general power still cannot reach acts that need a special form.

By default the agent cannot pass the authority to someone else. The agent may appoint a substitute only if you agree to it in the document or it is strictly necessary (§ 438). Before the tax authority there is a further limit: only a tax adviser or an attorney may sub-delegate, whatever the document says (§ 29 odst. 2 of the Tax Code).

You can revoke the power of attorney at any time, and you cannot waive that right in advance (§ 442). Revocation takes effect against the agent only once the agent learns of it, and against a third party you had told about the authority only if that party was notified before the agent acted (§ 448, § 444).

In a residence-permit or other administrative procedure, once you file the power of attorney every document, including the decision, is delivered only to your agent. The appeal deadline then runs from that delivery, not from the day you personally collect the decision (§ 34 odst. 2 of the Administrative Procedure Code). For use abroad, the signature must be verified by a notary and then carry an apostille for states in the Hague Apostille Convention, or superlegalization for other states. Since 1 October 2021 the Czech Notary Chamber can issue the apostille directly.

What a Czech power of attorney must contain

A valid Czech power of attorney must identify both parties (full name, date of birth, address), state the scope of authority, be in written form for anything beyond a one-off act, and carry the principal's dated signature (§ 441 of the Civil Code). An officially verified signature and a substitution clause are needed only in specific cases.

Mandatory and conditional elements of a Czech power of attorney (plná moc), Act No. 89/2012 Coll.
Element	Governing law	Source
Identification of the principal (zmocnitel): name, date of birth, address	§ 441 Civil Code; § 37 odst. 2 správního řádu	IPC.gov.cz
Identification of the agent (zmocněnec): name, date of birth, address	§ 441 Civil Code	§ 441 Civil Code
Scope of authority (rozsah zmocnění)	§ 441 odst. 2 Civil Code	§ 441 Civil Code
Written form (písemná forma) for anything beyond a one-off act	§ 441 odst. 2 Civil Code	Ministry of Justice
Date and signature of the principal (agent's signature not required)	§ 441 Civil Code	IPC.gov.cz
Officially verified signature — only where the law requires it (cadastre, vehicle registry, public-deed acts)	§ 441 odst. 2 Civil Code	Ministry of Justice
Substitution clause — only if agreed or strictly necessary; stricter before the tax authority	§ 438 Civil Code; § 29 odst. 2 daňového řádu	§ 438 Civil Code
Agent's acceptance — recommended, not a condition of validity	§ 441 Civil Code	IPC.gov.cz

This article does not replace professional legal advice.

Frequently asked questions

Does the signature on a Czech power of attorney have to be officially verified?

Only when the law requires it. For everyday use a plain written signature is enough. An officially verified signature (legalizace) is required mainly for filings entered in a public register, such as the cadastre (katastr nemovitostí) or the vehicle registry. It costs 50 Kč per signature at any CzechPOINT, a notary, or a registry office.

What is the difference between a general and a special power of attorney?

A special power of attorney (speciální plná moc) authorises one concrete matter, such as a single office procedure or one contract. A general power of attorney (generální plná moc) covers all legal acts on your behalf and must be in writing. A general power is riskier, and it still cannot cover acts for which the law requires a special form.

How long is a power of attorney valid and how do I revoke it?

A power of attorney lasts until the task is done, until a fixed end date you set, or until you revoke it; it also ends on the death of either party (§ 448). You may revoke it at any time and cannot give up that right in advance (§ 442). Revocation binds the agent only once the agent learns of it.

Can my agent authorise someone else to act (substitution)?

Not by default. The agent may authorise a further person only if you allow it in the document or it is strictly necessary (§ 438). Before the tax authority there is a stricter rule: only a tax adviser or an attorney may sub-delegate, whatever the document says (§ 29 odst. 2 of the Tax Code).

How much does signature verification cost and where do I get it?

Signature verification (legalizace) costs 50 Kč per signature. You can obtain it at any CzechPOINT counter (post offices and municipal offices), at a notary, or at a registry office (matrika). For use abroad the signature must instead be verified by a notary, so that it can later carry an apostille.

Can a Czech power of attorney be used abroad?

Yes, with extra steps. The signature must be verified by a notary, then carry higher verification: an apostille for states in the Hague Apostille Convention, or superlegalization for other states. Since 1 October 2021 the Czech Notary Chamber can issue the apostille directly. A certified translation into the destination language is usually also needed.

Fact-checked against Czech consolidated law · facts verified on 20/09/2026 · TrendBite EN Legal-QC

How to use this power of attorney template

What a Czech power of attorney must contain

Frequently asked questions

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