A practical guide to trade licences, self-employment and business in Czechia

Online procedure

How to set up a trade licence online

No need to visit an office — manage it all from your phone or computer via the Trade Licensing Portal (rzp.gov.cz) and save 20 % on the fee at the same time.

~20 minutes 800 Kč no office visit
I'd rather go to the office in person

What you will need

  • An electronic identity credential — bank identity (BankID), the eGovernment Mobile Key, NIA ID or eObčanka (electronic ID card),
  • or a data box (datová schránka), through which you submit the Single Registration Form (JRF) to the office,
  • details of your business activity and business address (sídlo),
  • for a craft trade, regulated trade or permit (concession) trade, documents proving your professional qualification.

Bank identity is offered free of charge to their clients by most major Czech banks (for example Česká spořitelna, ČSOB, Komerční banka, Moneta) — you simply log in as you would to internet banking. The eGovernment Mobile Key is set up in the app after verification at a Czech POINT or a municipal office. If you have none of these identities and don't want to set one up, the remaining option is filing in person at the trade licensing office.

Online procedure step by step

  1. Log in with Citizen Identity (Identita občana) at rzp.gov.cz bank identity (BankID), the eGovernment Mobile Key, NIA ID or eObčanka
  2. Open the service "Trade notification or change" (Ohlášení živnosti nebo změny)
  3. Fill in the Single Registration Form (JRF) business activity, business address, personal details
  4. Pay the administrative fee of 800 Kč via the payment gateway — a 20 % discount applies for electronic submission
  5. Submit the filing you will receive the extract and your IČO (business ID) within 5 working days

No need to worry about the data box

After you are registered in the Trade Register, the state will automatically create a data box (datová schránka) for you. Simply set up access to it and keep an eye on it.

When online filing isn't the right choice

Electronic filing is quick for an unqualified trade (živnost volná), where filling in the form is enough. For a craft, regulated, or permit (concession) trade, you also upload scans of your professional qualification documents online — if you are not sure whether your documents are sufficient, it can be easier to consult an official in person. The same applies if you are a foreign national without any of the recognised electronic identities — in that case, choose filing in person instead.

What happens after you submit

After you submit the form and pay successfully, the trade licensing office issues the extract with your assigned IČO (business ID) within 5 working days — it will send it to your email or your data box (datová schránka), if you already have one. The trade authorisation, however, arises on the day of the notification, not on the day the extract is issued.

Frequently asked questions about online setup

What identity credentials do I need for an online notification?
Bank identity (BankID), the eGovernment Mobile Key, NIA ID or eObčanka will suffice. Alternatively, you can submit the Single Registration Form (JRF) via a data box (datová schránka).
How much does online notification cost?
800 Kč — for electronic submission the 1,000 Kč fee is reduced by 20 %.
Can it also be done via the Citizen Portal (Portál občana)?
Yes, from obcan.portal.gov.cz the system guides you all the way to the RŽP form. It works the same as logging in directly at rzp.gov.cz.
Do I have to upload scans of documents for online filing?
Usually not for an unqualified trade (živnost volná); yes for a craft, regulated, or permit (concession) trade — you upload your professional qualification documents as an attachment to the form.
What if I don't have any of the listed electronic identities?
Choose in-person filing at any municipal trade licensing office, where an official will help you with the form.
When does my trade authorisation arise?
On the day of the notification, not on the day the extract with your IČO is issued — you will receive that within 5 working days, but you may start trading from the day you file.

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