
The right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion as a fundamental human right has its place and justification in the broader context of human rights and freedoms. During the coronavirus pandemic, restrictions by the legislative and executive powers on worship, prayer and participation in religious rites in places designated for this purpose met with protests from many believers. Also, they resulted in applications to ombudsman and courts. The author indicates the essence of religious freedom and gives examples of its restriction at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in selected European Union countries. He considers whether the actions of public authorities had a legal basis and, in particular, whether they complied with the principle of proportionality.