Mushroom Map of Czechia — Where Mushrooms Grow

Mushrooms and the law: what actually applies in Czechia

A lot of rules about mushroom picking get repeated that appear nowhere in the law. Here is what Czech law really says — every rule comes with its section number so you can check it. This is not legal advice; the binding text is the statute itself.

May you pick mushrooms? Yes, and you need not ask anyone

The right to pick mushrooms comes straight from the law. You need no permit, no licence and no consent from the owner. The Forest Act puts it in a single sentence: „Everyone has the right to enter the forest at their own risk, and to gather there, for their own needs, forest fruits and dry deadwood lying on the ground.“ (§ 19 (1) of the Forest Act)

How many mushrooms may you take? As many as you like

There is no limit. Not ten kilos, not one basket, not anything else.

The only boundary is what you pick them for. The law says „for their own needs“ — that means for yourself, your family, for drying, for freezing, for giving to neighbours. When you go picking for yourself, there is no threshold you could cross, because none exists.

What you must respect whatever the amount: do not damage the forest, do not disturb the forest environment, and follow the owner's instructions.

Which forests may you enter? Every one

It makes no difference whether the forest belongs to the state, a municipality, a church or your neighbour. The owner cannot bar you. The law even expressly forbids fencing a forest merely because you own it. (§ 32 (8)) Only fencing that serves a purpose is lawful — a tree nursery, a seed orchard, a fence against browsing deer, a game park.

A forest can be closed temporarily only by a public authority, and for no more than three months (§ 19 (4)) — usually after a windstorm or during major logging.

No cars in the forest. Not even on forest roads

This is the fine mushroom pickers get most often. Driving and parking a motor vehicle in the forest is prohibited. (§ 20 (1)(g))

The ban applies by itself. It needs no sign and no barrier — the absence of a sign permits nothing.

And yes, it covers forest roads too. A forest road is legally part of the forest, so „but I only drove on the road“ will not help you. Neither will „it is a service road, so traffic law applies“ — the Roads Act itself refers to the Forest Act and leaves its restrictions in force. (§ 7 (1) of Act No. 13/1997 Coll.)

A parked car in the forest is a breach in its own right, even if you drive it nowhere.

Some things that are forbidden in the forest

• Smoking and lighting fires. The smoking ban in the forest is absolute, whatever the weather or season. Fires are also banned within fifty metres of the forest edge.
• Entering fenced areas and anywhere entry is barred by a sign.
• Gathering forest fruits in a way that damages the forest.
• Damaging trees and shrubs. Breaking off even a dry branch from a standing tree counts. You may only collect deadwood lying on the ground.

This summary reflects the law as amended on 1 January 2026. It is informative only; the binding text is the statute.