Starting business in the Czech Republic for foreigners outside the EU

1.5.2016

If you live outside the Czech Republic

If you are foreigner from outside the EU, a realistic opportunity for registration as a self-employed person is to come to the Czech Republic for another purpose (studies, work …). You could than begin your business directly the Czech Republic, and if necessary, you could change the purpose of your long-term residence permission for business purpose.

For establishing a LLC you could come to the Czech Republic on a short-term visa (tourism). When a foreigner outside the EU is a member of a Czech legal entity, he/she may apply for short-term Schengen visas for business trips and participation on the running of the company. Companion of a LLC may also apply for a long-term visa for business purposes in the Czech Republic, but he/she has yet to take into account some interest of the authorities about the business plan and the functioning of the company.

Registering self-employment for foreigners

Because being self-employed is a business of a natural person, the Trade Office requires by registration to prove your stay permission in the Czech Republic. You also need an extract from the penalty register from the country of origin (often could be ordered at your embassy).

The Trade Office allows self-employment for foreigners with the long-term residence only for the duration time of their residence permit. This means that the foreigner has to prolong the self-employed status each year after the receipt of a new visa.

The Trade Office also requires to register the place of business. It can be a place of residence of the foreigner in the Czech Republic, but the property owners must give their consent with their authenticated signature. You can also rent a virtual office by a specialized company.

A foreigner with permanent residence in the Czech Republic has the same conditions as a Czech citizen. He/she doesn’t have to provide the extract from the penalty register. He/she could register the place of business at the address of  the permanent residence without any proof from the property owner.