Getting a trade licence (živnost)

To work as a freelancer or run a small business in your own name you need a trade licence (živnostenské oprávnění). Most people start with an unqualified trade, which needs no proof of qualifications. Afterwards you must register with social security and your health insurer.

A trade licence lets you do business in your own name as a self-employed person (OSVČ). You get a business ID number (IČO) and can invoice clients.

Who can get one depends on your status. Permanent residents and people with international protection, and their family members, are treated like Czech citizens. EU citizens and family members of EU citizens follow the EU rules. Blue card holders, long-term residents of the EU, family members of permanent residents, researchers and students are treated more like EU citizens for this purpose. Other non-EU nationals first need a residence permit or a visa for over 90 days, and the licence only lasts as long as the permitted stay. People with temporary protection can get a licence for the length of their permitted stay.

If your residence permit is for a purpose other than business, such as employment or study, ask the Ministry of the Interior or an integration centre before you start a side business, so you do not put your permit at risk. Third-country nationals who want to live here mainly from business usually need a residence permit for the purpose of doing business.

For most activities, such as consulting, IT services, translation or retail, you make a notification of an unqualified trade (volná živnost) at a trade licensing office (živnostenský úřad). You need ID, a criminal record extract from your home country not older than three months (some groups are exempt), and proof that you can use the address you give as your registered office, such as a lease that allows it or the owner's written consent. Foreign documents must be officially translated into Czech by a court translator, and usually legalised.

The trade office can register you with social security and your health insurer at the same time, using one form. This is free. Social security (ČSSZ) must know within 15 days of starting, and your health insurer within 8 days.

If self-employment is your main activity, you pay monthly advances for health insurance and pension (social) insurance. In 2026 the minimum health insurance advance is CZK 3,306 a month, due by the 8th of the following month. From July 2026 the minimum pension insurance advance for a main activity dropped to CZK 5,005 a month. If you are also employed and self-employment is a side activity, the rules are different and you may not need to pay monthly minimums. Check your own case with ČSSZ and your insurer, as amounts change every year.

Each year you file a tax return and an annual overview (přehled) for ČSSZ and for your health insurer. Once you have a business ID, a data box is set up for you automatically, and offices will contact you through it.

In Brno

In Brno, notifications go to the Trade Licensing Office of Brno City (Živnostenský úřad města Brna), Malinovského nám. 3, 4th floor. You can book an appointment online at en.brno.cz. The fee is CZK 1,000, paid by cash or card at the office.

The Brno office explains that you can file before you have your residence permit. You then get a preliminary extract to attach to your residence application, and must bring the permit within six months. The licence ends with your permitted stay, so you must announce before it expires that you want to continue, with a CZK 100 fee and your new permit.

Step by step

1. Check that your residence status allows you to do business.
2. Get a criminal record extract from your home country and have it translated and legalised if needed.
3. Get written consent or a lease for your business address.
4. Book an appointment at a trade licensing office and file the notification.
5. Register with ČSSZ and your health insurer at the same time, on the single form.
6. Set up monthly insurance advances if this is your main activity.
7. Note the date your licence ends and renew it in time if it is tied to your residence permit.

Last checked 2026-11-11. Open this guide in the app to add the dates to your calendar.