It is awarded to people for service to the Republic in a number of different public areas, including: “the economy, science, technology, culture, arts, sports, enlightenment and education, defense and security of the state and the people”.

The insignia composes of a simple breast ribbon, primarily yellow-gold in color, and a medal.

The medals for all three grades are of identical design, with the official symbol of the Medal of Merit, and the inscription “ZA ZÁSLUHY” (“For Meritorious Service”), on the obverse and the Greater Coat of Arms of the Czech Republic on the reverse.

The Medal of Merit was originally created by the Parliament of the Czechoslovak Federative Republic in 1990.

[2] However, no one was awarded the medal prior to its reauthorization by the Parliament of the Czech Republic.