Czech Self-employment for Expats!
It's not complicated with our help!
Self-employment in Czech Republic is possible with a Živnostenský List (Živno for short) or a Trade License, which makes you an Osoba Samostatně Výdělečně Činná - OSVČ (An independently earning person).You may know this as ZZP, independent worker, sole proprietor, one-man business, freelancer, external contractor, sole trader, private or individual entrepreneur, remote worker, remote employee or LLC in your own country.
In any case a Trade License is not a company / Ltd / GmbH. It is not a separate legal entity. In 95% of the cases, opening a Czech Ltd (SRO) is also really a bad choice - despite what you may have read / heard / been recommended. We'll gladly explain what the difference is and why we believe you really should not open an SRO (in most cases).
Our typical client is a consultant, programmer or IT specialist, most often working from Czech Republic for a foreign company (in the EU or USA) with Revenues between 50.000 and 200.000 Euros (Dollars). Also the last few years we have more and more digital nomads as client.
We are Accounting / Tax Experts for Foreigners in Czech Republic
We are not just registration agents. The core business since 2008 is Consultancy, Accounting, Taxes, VAT services for Expats in Czech Republic.
We offer no-nonsense Business Consultation for ordinary people. No lingo, no hogo-fogo. Just plain & simple answers - but effective, even when dealing with complexities such as DTAs, foreign income, LLCs or other foreign business profits.
The owner of TradeLicense.cz is an Expat himself, with over 17 years of Czech Republic, and several other countries before. He's seen it all.
For Tax Planning / Tax optimization we have a model. It calculates exactly, even if your income is a mix of (Foreign) Employment, Self-Employment, Rental Income, Investments and Dividends. It can handle 1 vs 2 Trade Licenses, Trade License vs SRO / LLC / Foreign Company.
Why a Consultation before Trade License registration?
We've helped 1000s of foreigners becoming self-employed in Czech Republic, and therefore we know what questions you will have.So really, the best ways to confidently start a Self-Employed business in Czech Republic is with a consultation so you fully understand
- The difference between self-employed, sole contractor, sole proprietor and freelancer
- The difference between a Trade License and an SRO Company
- Why a Trade License and not another (foreign) business type
- What you can and can't do with a Trade License
- how much Income Tax / Social Security / Health Insurance you are going to pay,
- Whether you need to register for Full VAT, VAT Light or not at all
- Invoicing abroad in foreign currencies
- what documents are required for registration of a trade license,
- which different steps the registration process has,
- how to apply for a Czech Business / Digital Nomad visa
- how to apply for a Czech Republic Residence Permit
- and most of all: what not to do!
a complete registration package
We've registered literally hundreds of Trade Licenses - and not only that: we'll teach you how to create invoices, how to pay monthly Social- and Health contributions, how to handle foreign payments, how to prepare for a Business Visa extension. It is not rocket science if you follow our advice.
Even (former) employees do not have to be afraid becoming an entrepreneur. We'll help you with everything. No worries.
- the Trade License itself
- all Registrations at Tax Office, Social Security, Public Health Care (if eligible)
- a Consultation before registration
- Registration / Public Notary fees
- optional: Virtual Office
- optional: VAT registration
- optional: translation fees
- optional: help with visa / residence permit documents
- optional: second Consultation about invoicing, foreign clients, VAT, Income Tax Return
Registration Costs
Here is a detailed Cost Calculator/Order Form. Costs depend on the options you select, such as a Virtual Office, Visa guidance, translations, VAT Registration.
Knowledge base - Blog
Everything else you need to know for business in Czech Republic
Self-employment
in Czech Republic
What is a Trade License
TL Registration Steps
TL Required Documents
Business Address
Trade License types
EU NACE Codes
Tax, Social & Health
for a Trade License
Personal Income Tax
Social Charges
Public Health Care
Commercial Health Insurance
IBAN / SWIFT bank Tax / Social / Health
