Czech consumers can claim defective goods without paper receipts

Consumers in the Czech Republic do not lose their right to claim defective goods simply because they have lost a paper receipt. While a receipt is the simplest way to prove a purchase, the law does not mandate it as the sole acceptable form of evidence.

According to the Czech Trade Inspection Authority (ČOI), the essential requirement is to prove that the item was purchased from a specific seller. Alternative methods of proof include bank statements showing the date, merchant, and amount, witness testimony, or internal data from customer loyalty programs and mobile apps.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade notes that requiring an original receipt, warranty card, or original packaging as a strict condition for a claim is a common misconception. If a retailer refuses a claim solely due to the lack of a paper receipt, they may be acting in contradiction to the law. However, experts note that bank statements may not always serve as universal proof if a single transaction covers multiple items or if the amount matches other purchases.