Legality of so-called “epidemic fees”

Abstract

The article refers to the problem of the so-called "epidemic fees", collected by the entrepreneurs during the epidemic in order to compensate increased costs of running a business in a sanitary regime. The Author analyzes whether collecting of such fees is acceptable in the light of actual legal status. The problem is examined from the civil law point of view, with particular emphasis on the provisions referring to abusive clauses, exploitation and limitations of the freedom of contract due to the principles of social coexistence. The Author also tries to define the requirements that such fees should meet to be considered acceptable, as well as compliance with legal provisions referring to practicing a certain profession (for example a physician, a dentist), as well as the principles of professional ethics, proper and prior informational obligation and adjustment of the fee amount to the real and reasonable costs of running a business in an increased sanitary regime.