Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš's government plans to significantly tighten regulations on the sale of kratom and other psychoactive substances. Under new rules, purchases will be restricted to individuals over 21 years old; online sales are set to end entirely; products must now pay consumption tax and carry mandatory excise stamps. The Czech Cabinet approved this amendment to the Act on Narcotic Drugs along with eight related laws at its meeting held on Monday, September 14, 2026.
These changes respond among other things to findings from a comprehensive inspection operation named KORUND, which revealed widespread violations of existing regulations according to the Czech government. The rationale for tightening rules also includes cases of intoxication in children and adolescents following ingestion of products containing kratom.
The minimum age limit for purchasing kratom is set to increase from 18 to 21 years old. The Czech Government simultaneously proposes a complete end to online sales and stricter regulations for specialized retail stores. Stricter requirements will also apply to the composition, quality, and testing of products themselves.
“By declaring war on kratom, imports in this year compared to the same period last year have decreased by 246 tonnes within eight months,” stated Prime Minister Andrej Babiš. “We are also monitoring the black market. The Police Force, Customs Administration and Anti-Drug Unit will fight hard against this substance that should never be here. We continue what we said and promised,” declared the head of the Czech Government.
Kratom faces consumption tax and higher VAT
Products containing kratom must now pay consumption tax based on their concentration of active ingredients. For regular kratom, rates will start at two crowns per gram or milliliter. Rates up to 20 crowns per gram or milliliter may apply to illegally sold products lacking proper excise stamps.
Kratom is also set to move from the reduced VAT rate of 12 percent to the standard rate of 21 percent. The Czech Government presents these changes as part of measures aimed at substances that, according to them, pose risks especially for children and adolescents.
The Czech government simultaneously supported a parliamentary proposal amending the Act on the Police Force of the Czech Republic, signed by leaders of all three coalition parties. This will allow the Czech police force to temporarily close an establishment if it deals with products posing serious threats to human life or health.
Under this proposal, operations may be closed for up to 14 days. The relevant supervisory authority would then have 48 hours to confirm or refute suspicions of selling hazardous substances.
Czech Government also addressed Holašovice and construction law
At the same meeting, the Czech government approved a proposal to expand the heritage zone in the village of Holašovice, which is inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List thanks to its well-preserved rural architecture.
The Ministry of Culture concluded after long-term research that stricter protection is also needed for other lands, roads and communications forming part of the historical urbanism of the municipality, especially on its eastern side.
The Czech government decided to establish an Expert Panel for Implementation of Construction Law (GRIP) and approved its charter. The panel will function as a supervisory and coordinating body focused on implementing construction law reform.
It will focus primarily on preparing and coordinating legislative measures, and organizational changes associated with transitioning staff into the unified state construction administration. GRIP's chairperson will be the government commissioner for implementation of construction law; other members will include experts from relevant public authorities.
Changes in criminal policy and emission permits
捷克政府还审议了基于其纲领性声明的刑事政策优先事项。重点将放在刑事司法的实际运作、加强犯罪者的责任承担、判处相称刑罚、对待罪犯以及尊重“最后手段”原则（ultima ratio）上。根据捷克政府的说法，其中一些变化需要修改法律或采取其他非立法措施。
在捷克政府会议之前举行了欧盟委员会层面的工作组会议。其成员讨论了捷克对欧洲委员会提出的排放交易体系修订建议的立场。
安德烈·巴比什领导的捷克政府在支持经济方面主张做出更多让步，而这一提议来自欧洲委员会。
“我们将呼吁我们的欧盟伙伴，并要求欧盟采取激进的决定。当我们看到天然气价格以及一切如何朝着不利于欧洲的方向发展时，这确实是一个大问题。” 捷克政府主席表示。
gnews.cz - Jaroslav Holý