Czech Self-employment for Expats!
Tradelicense.cz - by the founder of Alexio.cz Expat Accountant
You may be used to calling it self-employment, independent worker, sole proprietor, one-man business, freelancer, external contractor, sole trader, private or individual entrepreneur, remote worker, remote employee or LLC, but in Czech Republic this is known as Živnostenský List (Živno for short) or a Trade License, which makes you an Osoba Samostatně Výdělečně Činná - OSVČ (An independently earning person).
If you're new to the concept of Trade License see What is a Trade License?
a complete registration package including:
- the Trade License itself
- all Registrations at Tax Office*, Social Security, Public Health Care* (if eligible, conditions apply)
- a Consultation before registration (see below)
- Registration / Public Notary fees
- optional: Virtual Office
- optional: VAT registration
- optional: help with visa / residence permit documents
- optional: second Consultation about invoicing, foreign clients, VAT, Income Tax Return
Consultations before or after you register a Trade License
One of the best ways to confidently start/run a Self-Employed business in Czech Republic is with a no-nonsense consultation so you fully understand the following common issues:- 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 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 / Entrepreneur / Digital Nomad visa
- how to apply for a Czech Republic Residence Permit
- how to set up and use the Datova Schranka for Digital Correspondence
- and most of all: what not to do!
You can also just book a single consultation first before ordering the entire registration package here: Book a Consultation
You don't want to book an entire consultation? Only a few quick questions? I have a solution! Here: Quick Questions.
Our typical client
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.Not only hundreds of Trade Licenses registered since 2008 - we'll also 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.
Business Visa / Entrepreneur Visa / Digital Nomad Visa
Czech Republic only recently announced a special digital nomad visa, limited to only a few nationalities - however, the current business visa is not bad at all! (Many people overlook this possibility). It quite easy to get a business visa based on a zivnostensky list - Read HERE about the details of a business visa and Read HERE about the steps of the entire Trade License / Visa process
VAT Registration / Filing VAT Returns
Confused about VAT? Do you need to register or not? HERE is an explantion about Full VAT and VAT Light. And HERE is a handy VAT Evaluation Form .
Filing VAT Returns is made super-easy with the online VAT RETURN Filing system
The TL Advantage: Tax Expertise, not just Registration
TL is not just a registration agent - the core business since 2008 is Consultancy, Accounting, Taxes, VAT services
I offer excellent 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.
I am an Expat myself, with over 17 years of Czech Republic. I've seen it all. I deserve a medal 😀
Legislation can be quite complex. But once explained & understood, you'll be a better entrepreneur and easier customer to work with.
Tax Planning & Optimization
I have programmed a model for Tax Planning / Tax optimization. It calculates exactly, even if your income is a mix of (Foreign) Employment, Self-Employment, Rental Income, Investments and Dividends.The model can even can handle 1 vs 2 Trade Licenses, Trade License vs SRO / US LLC / Foreign Company.The model produces pdfs specific to your income situation during the consultation, even several different scenarios.
About this website and its Services
Tradelicense.cz (TL) is operated by Alexio Consultancy LLC, local registration and accounting / tax services are either provided directly by ing. R.A v/d Munt (owner) or by Alexio Consultancy sro (Czech limited company) .
TL specializes in services for foreign entrepreneurs and private individuals in Czech Republic.
TLs core business is Expat Registration of Self-Employment in Czech Republic and Accounting & Tax services (Personal Income Tax Returns, Czech / EU VAT Returns, interaction with Social- and Health authorities) for these independent contractors.
Next to these, TL offers related services such as Virtual Offices, Visa / Residence Permits - everything you need to work and live in Czech Republic as sole proprietor.
I am able to answer complex questions about Business abroad, Foreign clients / income, US LLCs and other foreign entities, Tax Residency (the 183-day rule), DTAs (Tax Treaties for the avoidance of double taxation between CZ and another country) and much more. Just book a 1-hour Consultation by ZOOM, Skype or Whatsapp to get clear answers.
Having helped 1000s of foreigners in Czech Republic since 2008, I am here to help your business start, grow and prosper.
ing. Roald A van de Munt,
Owner / Senior Consultant
Alexio Consultancy LLC
Alexio Consultancy sro