Can I collect rainwater in Czechia?
Yes — collecting rainwater is fully legal, permit-free, and the state even pays you for it. Barrels and underground tanks for garden watering go in freely; the Dešťovka programme (New Green Savings) covers up to ~50 % of costs in three tiers: tanks for irrigation, systems for toilet flushing, and treated greywater reuse. Applications run online, no expert report required anymore. A quirk worth knowing: since 2021 new builds must manage rainwater on site (soakaway/tank) — no rainwater concept, no building permit. The one neighbourly rule: your gutters may not discharge onto the neighbour's land.
📋 The rules
- Rainwater harvesting: no permit, no limits (barrels, tanks, soakaways)
- Dešťovka/NZÚ: subsidies up to ~50 % (irrigation / WC / greywater)
- New builds: mandatory on-site rainwater management (since 2021)
- Roof water must not drain onto the neighbour's plot (Civil Code § 1019)
- Untreated rainwater isn't potable — service water only
🔓 Exceptions
- Flushing with rainwater in apartment buildings: technical conditions and a project
- Discharging surplus to sewers: per operator conditions (charged)
⚠️ Penalties & fines
None for collecting. Gutters aimed at the neighbour: a neighbour dispute with a duty to remedy. New builds without rainwater management: no permit issued.
📎 Official sources
- State Environmental Fund · Dešťovka programme (CS) →
- Zakra · Watering with rainwater (CS) →
- Dešťové nádrže · Dešťovka 2025 conditions (CS) →
❓ Frequently asked
Do I need a permit for a tank?
No — above-ground and underground rainwater tanks are permit-free (mind earthworks rules for very large buried tanks).
How much is the subsidy?
By system: irrigation from ~CZK 27,000, flushing and greywater substantially more — up to ~CZK 105,000, scaled by tank volume.
Can I flush toilets with rainwater?
Yes, with separate plumbing and filtration — exactly what the higher subsidy tier funds.
Is rainwater drinkable?
Not untreated — use it as service water (garden, flushing, laundry with treatment).
What's the new-build duty?
Since 2021 projects must retain rainwater on site (soakaway, tank) — it's a permit condition.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “rainwater harvesting czech republic”
- “destovka subsidy english”
- “rainwater tank czechia rules”
- “collect rainwater legal czech”
- “new build rainwater czech law”