Have you decided to start your own business? Or are you just changing jobs, and your new employer would prefer you to invoice for your work? This is not entirely legal, but it is a very common arrangement in practice. We will tell you where to get a trade licence and exactly what to do in a few simple steps to make the process as easy as possible.
What is a trade licence?
A trade licence (živnostenský list) entitles you to carry out a trade in the field you choose, either as a legal entity or as a natural person. There are several fields, but first it is important to know that trades are divided into 4 basic categories. Each category has different conditions that must be met.
Categories of trades
- unqualified
- craft
- professional
- licensed
1) Unqualified trades
This category covers trades for which you do not need to provide any documents. You simply activate them. These trades have no special requirements: legal capacity and a clean criminal record are enough. For unqualified trades, you also choose individual fields, of which there are 82 in total. You can choose one or all 82.
2) Craft trades
Here you need a so-called responsible representative, or guarantor, which is a person with education or experience in the field of the trade. Education is proven by presenting the original or a certified copy of an apprenticeship certificate, a secondary school leaving certificate (maturita), a university diploma or a retraining certificate. Any experience can typically be proven with a confirmation of employment issued by the employer.
3) Professional trades
Professional trades differ from craft trades in that the responsible representative is usually required to have both education and experience.
4) Licensed trades
For licensed trades, permission is issued directly by a specific authority or ministry. The application is submitted through the trade licensing office (živnostenský úřad) together with all the required documents. For some trades, this may also include, for example, business insurance, a clean record for the responsible representative or employees, or approval of the business premises.
What a trade licence in the Czech Republic means in practice
With a trade licence, you work for yourself rather than as an employee. Instead of receiving a salary, you send invoices to your clients for the work you have done. For example, if you agree with a client on 2,000 USD for a project, you issue an invoice for that amount, and the client pays you directly. You are then responsible for your own tax and insurance obligations, which an employer would normally handle for you.
- Advantages: more freedom over when, where and for whom you work, and the option to have several clients at once.
- Disadvantages: no paid holiday or sick pay from an employer, irregular income and more paperwork that you have to manage yourself.
How do you get a trade licence?
In a few simple steps, we will explain the general procedure once you have definitely decided to get a trade licence.
- Submit an application to the trade licensing office (electronically or in person)
- Provide the relevant documents (bring them with you or upload them with the electronic application)
- Pay the fee
Submitting the application
You can submit the application electronically in two ways: either through the Single Registration Form (Jednotný registrační formulář), or to the data box (datová schránka) of the relevant trade licensing office. If you apply in person, simply choose the trade licensing office nearest to you. It does not have to be based on your place of permanent residence.
Providing documents
To run any trade, you must meet the general conditions: you must have full legal capacity and a clean record. In addition, the following conditions apply to the individual types of trades.
For notifiable trades
- unqualified: this trade includes 82 fields of activity, and when you register, you choose the fields you will carry out;
- craft: the condition is an apprenticeship certificate, a secondary school leaving certificate (maturita) in the field, higher vocational education, university education, retraining or six years of experience in the field. Craft trades are listed in Annex No. 1 of the Trade Licensing Act (živnostenský zákon);
- professional: professional qualifications are governed by special legislation listed in Annex No. 2 of the Trade Licensing Act (živnostenský zákon).
For licensed trades
- in addition to meeting the professional qualifications, the condition is usually also a positive opinion from the relevant state authority. Licensed trades are listed in Annex No. 3 of the Trade Licensing Act (živnostenský zákon).
Paying the fee
As proof of payment of the fee, if you apply electronically, a confirmation of the completed payment will be enough. In this case, the fee is 800 CZK (about 37 USD), and each further trade or licence notification costs 400 CZK (about 18 USD). If you go to the office in person, have 1,000 CZK (about 46 USD) ready.
Common mistakes when applying for a Czech trade licence
- Choosing the wrong category. Check whether your activity is an unqualified trade or whether it needs education, experience or a permit. If you pick the wrong one, your application may be delayed.
- Working outside your chosen fields. Your licence covers only the fields you registered. If your work changes, add the new field before you start.
- Bringing copies that are not certified. Where documents prove your education or experience, you need originals or certified copies.
Frequently asked questions about the trade licence in the Czech Republic
What is živnostenský list?
Živnostenský list is the Czech term for a trade licence. It is the document that allows you to carry out a trade in the fields you have registered. You need it if you want to work as a self-employed person and invoice clients for your work.
How do you get a trade licence in the Czech Republic?
You submit an application to a trade licensing office, either electronically or in person. You attach the documents required for your type of trade and pay the fee. For unqualified trades, legal capacity and a clean record are usually enough.
Is a trade licence the same as setting up a company?
No, not necessarily. As a natural person, a trade licence lets you do business under your own name without creating a separate company. A legal entity can also hold a trade licence, but setting one up is a different and usually more complex process.
USD amounts are approximate, converted at the Czech National Bank rate of 21.83 CZK per USD on 27 October 2026.
