Karlovy Vary is governed by federal Czechia law. Learn more
- Homosexuality
- ⚢✔ Legal
- Gay Marriage
- ⚭✔ Civil unions (marriage rights)
- Censorship
- ✔ No censorship
- Changing Gender
- ✖ Legal, but requires medical diagnosis
- Gender-Affirming Care
- ✔ Legal
- Non-Binary Gender Recognition
- ✖ Not legally recognized
- Hate Crime Protections
- ✔ Sexual orientation and gender identity
- Discrimination
- ✔ Illegal
- Employment Discrimination
- ✔ Sexual orientation and gender identity
- Housing Discrimination
- ✔ Sexual orientation and gender identity
- Adoption
- ✖ Second parent adoption only
- Intersex Infant Surgery
- ✖ Not banned
- Military
- ✔ Legal
- Donating Blood
- ✔ Legal
- Bathroom Access
- ✔ Protected
- Conversion Therapy
- ✖ Not banned
- Age of Consent
- ✔ Equal
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Public Opinion
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Homosexual activity in Karlovy Vary is legal.
Current status
Since Jan 1, 1962
Legal under federal Czechia law
In 1962, provisions against homosexuality were removed from the penal code and homosexuality was decriminalised.
Illegal (imprisonment as punishment)
Under the 1803 Habsburg Penal Code, which went into effect in 1804, homosexuality was punishable by six months to one year in prison, under the crime of "lewdness against nature". Under the 1852 Penal Code, this was raised to one to five years in prison. The 1852 Penal Code remained in effect in the Czech regions of the First and Second Czechoslovak Republics.
In 1938, Nazi Germany annexed the Sudetenland and eventually occupied Czechoslovakia entirely. Section 175 of the German Criminal Code punished homosexuality with up to ten years of hard labor in prison. Thousands were sent to concentration camps. Czechoslovakia would be liberated from Nazi rule in 1945 and the 1852 Penal Code would come back into effect.
Under the 1950 Czechoslovak Criminal Code, homosexuality was punishable by up to 1 year in prison.
In 1938, Nazi Germany annexed the Sudetenland and eventually occupied Czechoslovakia entirely. Section 175 of the German Criminal Code punished homosexuality with up to ten years of hard labor in prison. Thousands were sent to concentration camps. Czechoslovakia would be liberated from Nazi rule in 1945 and the 1852 Penal Code would come back into effect.
Under the 1950 Czechoslovak Criminal Code, homosexuality was punishable by up to 1 year in prison.
Same-sex marriage in Karlovy Vary is civil unions (marriage rights).
Current status
Since Jan 1, 2025
Civil unions (marriage rights) under federal Czechia law
A law that changed the name of gay partnerships from 'registered partnership' to just 'partnership' and gave partnerships the same rights as marriage (without adoption) came into effect in January 2025.
Civil unions (limited rights) under federal Czechia law
The Czech Registered Partnerships have been condemned for not having equal rights to marriage like in some other countries with civil unions. Differences between marriage and registered partnership are: different procedural questions (the ceremony is not the same), no automatic name change, no community property of spouses is created, and no parental rights (no joint-adoption form institutions, no step-parent adoption) etc.
Censorship of LGBT issues in Karlovy Vary is no censorship.
Current status
No censorship under federal Czechia law
In Czech Republic, there are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics.
Right to change legal gender in Karlovy Vary is legal, but requires medical diagnosis.
Current status
Since Jul 1, 2025
Legal, but requires medical diagnosis
The Czech Republic’s Constitutional Court ruled to dismiss part of a law requiring people to undergo gender-affirmation surgery, including sterilization, in order to officially change their gender. Court said the requirements are “unconstitutional” and “in conflict with the fundamental right of trans people to have protected their physical integrity and personal autonomy in connection with their human dignity.”
Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Karlovy Vary is not legally recognized.
Current status
Not legally recognized
Although Czech law does not currently provide non-binary gender markers on official documents, individuals navigating gender identity concerns can, under the guidance of a sexologist, choose gender-neutral first names and surnames. This provision allows for a degree of personal identity recognition that is significant within the regional context.
Hate crime protections in Karlovy Vary is sexual orientation and gender identity.
Current status
Since Jan 1, 2026
Sexual orientation and gender identity
As of January 1, 2026, a new amendment to Czech Criminal Code will come into force. It explicitly includes gender and sexual orientation of the victim as aggravating factors in hate-motivated crimes.
Until Dec 31, 2025
No protections
Czechia did not provide legal protection from hate crimes based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
LGBT discrimination in Karlovy Vary is illegal.
Current status
Since Jun 17, 2009
Illegal
All discrimination (about the LGBT) are banned in Czech Republic
LGBT employment discrimination in Karlovy Vary is sexual orientation and gender identity.
Current status
Since Jun 17, 2009
Sexual orientation and gender identity
Employment discrimination based on sexual orientation is prohibited in the Czech Republic. Section 16 of the Labour Code (Act No. 262/2006 Coll.) guarantees equal treatment of employees and prohibits discrimination, including on the grounds of sexual orientation. In addition, the Anti-Discrimination Act (Act No. 198/2009 Coll.) prohibits direct and indirect discrimination, harassment, and victimisation on the basis of sexual orientation in employment and occupation. The Employment Act (Act No. 435/2004 Coll., Section 4) also prohibits denying access to employment because of sexual orientation.
LGBT housing discrimination in Karlovy Vary is sexual orientation and gender identity.
Current status
Since Jun 17, 2009
Sexual orientation and gender identity
LGBT Housing discrimination are illegal
Same-sex adoption in Karlovy Vary is second parent adoption only.
Current status
Since Jan 1, 2025
Second parent adoption only
The new law on registered partnerships also allows gay couples to adopt their partner’s child.
Until 2014
Illegal
The Czech Republic does not currently allow gay couples to adopt, as adoption is reserved for married couples only and gay couples are not legally able to get married in the country.
Intersex infant surgery in Karlovy Vary is not banned.
Current status
Not banned
There is no ban on unnecessary genital operations in infants in Czechia.
Serving openly in military in Karlovy Vary is legal.
Current status
Legal
According to research by The Palm Center, "homosexuality is not considered a liability for enlistment. All citizens are required to serve, regardless of sexual orientation. Act No. l 218/1999 Coll. (Military Act) stipulates military service 'for all citizens of the Czech Republic, regardless of sexual orientation.'"
Blood donations by MSMs in Karlovy Vary is legal.
Current status
Since Jul 1, 2024
Legal
The Ministry of Health in the Czech Republic is revising its blood donation guidelines for hospitals. They are eliminating the automatic exclusion of men who have sex with men from donating blood. Gender and sexual orientation no longer effect a person's eligibility to donate blood.
Until Jul 1, 2024
Banned (1-year deferral)
Gay and bisexual men are allowed to donate blood in the Czech Republic following a one-year deferral period.
Bathroom access in Karlovy Vary is protected.
Current status
Since Sep 1, 2009
Protected
Transgender individuals in Czechia are legally protected when accessing restrooms matching their gender identity. Under Section 2(4) of the Anti-Discrimination Act (Act No. 198/2009 Coll.), discrimination based on gender identity (pohlavní identifikace) is explicitly classified as sex discrimination and applies to access to all public goods, services, and facilities. Additionally, building and workplace hygiene standards (Government Regulation No. 361/2007 Coll.) regulate sanitary requirements without restricting access based on gender presentation.
Conversion therapy in Karlovy Vary is not banned.
Current status
Not banned
Conversion therapy is not explicitly banned in Czechia. However, it is not recognized as a legitimate medical or psychological practice, and it is firmly rejected by all major professional psychiatric and psychological associations as unethical and harmful. Furthermore, given the secular nature of Czech society, there is no religious or institutional basis for such practices within the healthcare system.
Equal age of consent in Karlovy Vary is equal.
Current status
Since Jul 1, 1990
Equal
The age of consent in Czech Republic is 15 years for both heterosexual and homosexual individuals.
Legal Rights
81 / 100
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Karlovy Vary LGBT Organizations
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