POLL: Have You Ever Paid Extra for English-Speaking Service In Prague?

The issue comes up frequently in our Facebook groups: From banks to taxis, doctor’s offices and restaurants, foreign customers are often charged a fee for English-speaking service.

But while the practice may be prevalent is it permissible by law?

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Jiří Fröhlich a spokesperson for the Czech Trade Inspection Authority (CTIA), a consumer advocacy group, told the publication:

“If no special service is associated with a higher price (such as a foreign language tour), the price increase cannot be considered as legitimate. In order to provide a special service associated with a higher price to meet the requirement of good moral conduct, it is necessary that the additional service is provided in a certain quality. For example, communicating with a customer in a foreign language only at the basic level on the border of understanding cannot be considered as an above-standard service.” 

In 2017, the Czech Trade Inspection Authority (CTIA) published the results of an investigation into Prague dining establishments where English-speakers were charged substantially more than Czech-speaking customers, confirming multiple cases of discrimination against foreigners.

Fröhlich: “Different behavior towards one group of consumers is usually considered discriminative in the area of the sale of goods and provision of service.”

So what to can you do when faced with a similar situation, i.e. being ripped off?

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