Protected Amount Calculator

Q: How does the thirds system of wage deductions work?

The part of your wage above the protected minimum (the so called seizable part) is rounded down to an amount divisible by three and split into thirds. From the first third, all claims are satisfied in order of priority, whether preferential or non-preferential. From the second third, only preferential claims are satisfied, mainly child support. The third third always stays with the debtor. In practice this means that for a non-preferential claim, one third of the seizable part is deducted, while for a preferential claim, up to two thirds. Anything above the threshold for unlimited deductions (in 2026, net pay of CZK 31,521) is deducted in full.

Q: What is a preferential claim?

Preferential claims are listed in Section 279 of the Czech Code of Civil Procedure. They include in particular child support, compensation for personal injury, compensation for damage caused by an intentional criminal offense, social security and public health insurance contributions, taxes and fees, or overpaid benefits. Most ordinary debts, such as loans, unpaid invoices, or fines, are non-preferential claims.

Q: I have several enforcement proceedings at once, how is the order of deductions determined?

Within the first third of the seizable part of the wage, claims are satisfied in the order in which the enforcement order or other basis was delivered to the wage payer (the employer). Preferential claims additionally have access to the second third, where child support always has the highest priority. If you have four or more enforcement proceedings running at the same time, since 1 October 2024 two thirds of the seizable part are automatically deducted even where these are only non-preferential claims. The bailiff or your employer's payroll department can give you an overview of the order of your enforcement proceedings.

Q: Can I agree with a creditor on a different level of deductions?

Yes, an agreement on wage deductions can also be concluded out of court, signed by the debtor, the creditor and the employer as the wage payer. The protected minimum that must be left to the debtor, however, cannot be bypassed this way, the agreement must respect it just as enforcement does. An agreement gives both sides certainty and can be a faster and cheaper route than enforcement, but it only works where the debtor and creditor trust each other.

Q: What is the difference between enforcement and insolvency (debt relief) for wage deductions?

The protected amount and the threshold for unlimited deductions are calculated the same way under both regimes. The difference lies in who carries out the deductions and how they are distributed: in enforcement, the deducted amount goes to creditors in order of priority; in insolvency, the insolvency trustee receives it each month and distributes it proportionally among all registered creditors. Debt relief also runs for a fixed period (usually 3 years), and once completed, the court discharges the debtor from the remaining debts, which does not happen with plain enforcement.

Find out in a minute how much of your pay you must be left with during enforcement or insolvency, and how large the deduction will be. Calculation under Government Regulation No. 595/2006 Coll., valid for 2026.

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Ing. Mgr. Tomáš Beneš, attorney-at-law

Czech Bar Association reg. no. 20354 · Updated 22 July 2026

Net monthly wage (CZK)

Your wage after tax and contributions, the amount that arrives in your account.

Number of children you pay child support for

If you have more than 5 children, the calculator counts only five. In that case I am happy to work out the exact amount with you individually.

I or my spouse/registered partner receive an old-age pension, a disability pension (level 2 or 3), or an orphan's pension

Only in this case does the protected amount, since 2025, also increase for a spouse or registered partner.

Type of claim being enforced

Ordinary claim (most debts: loans, credit, unpaid invoices, fines)Preferential claim (e.g. child support, compensation for personal injury, social security contributions, see Section 279 of the Czech Code of Civil Procedure)

This calculation is indicative under Government Regulation No. 595/2006 Coll., as effective from 1 January 2026, and Section 279 et seq. of the Czech Code of Civil Procedure (as of 2026). It does not account for multiple simultaneous enforcements, the specific order of claims, or special arrangements (such as a wage deduction agreement). It is general information, not legal advice; using this calculator does not create an attorney-client relationship. Do you have an enforcement or insolvency case and need an exact calculation? Free consultation.

How wage deductions work

The protected amount and its calculation for 2026 are based on Government Regulation No. 595/2006 Coll.:

✓basic protected amount per debtor: 85% of the sum of the subsistence minimum for an individual (CZK 4,860), normative rent (CZK 9,430) and the energy allowance (CZK 2,300), i.e. CZK 14,101.50
✓for each child to whom you pay child support, the protected amount increases by one quarter, i.e. by CZK 3,525.38
✓for a spouse or registered partner, the same quarter has, since 2025, only been added if you or they receive an old-age pension, a 2nd or 3rd degree disability pension, or a survivor’s (orphan’s) pension
✓everything above the threshold of CZK 31,521 net pay (1.9 times the same sum) is deducted without limit, regardless of the type of claim
✓the remaining seizable part of the wage is split into thirds: one third can be deducted for non-preferential claims, up to two thirds for preferential claims (mainly child support)

The same mechanism applies both to enforcement and to deductions in insolvency proceedings (debt relief). If a bailiff or your employer deducted more than they should have, or you are dealing with several enforcement proceedings at once, I will help you check your claim.

Frequently asked questions about the protected amount

How does the thirds system of wage deductions work?

What is a preferential claim?

I have several enforcement proceedings at once, how is the order of deductions determined?

Can I agree with a creditor on a different level of deductions?

What is the difference between enforcement and insolvency (debt relief) for wage deductions?

Who will handle your case

Ing. Mgr. Tomáš Beneš

Attorney registered with the Czech Bar Association, based in Prague.

Law degree from Charles University. I focus on business law, real estate and employment disputes. I handle every case personally, no assistants.

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Stopping enforcement →When enforcement can be stopped or limited Facing enforcement, what now? →A step by step guide to the first moves Severance pay calculator →Indicative amount of statutory severance pay

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