Attention Freelancers: Big Changes for Czech Self-Employed (Živnost) You Need to Know Now!
If you’re a freelancer, contractor, or self-employed business owner in the Czech Republic (commonly known as živnostníci), 2025-2026 are bringing significant changes — and they will affect your paperwork, insurance, and monthly planning.
Some of these updates are not just minor adjustments — they fundamentally change how you file, pay insurance, and plan your year. Whether you’ve already been running a trade trade license for years or are thinking about starting one, read this guide — it may save you a lot of stress (and money).
1. 🚨 New Rule: Electronic Filing is Mandatory — No More Paper Submissions
Starting this year, sole traders (OSVČ / živnostníci) in Czechia must submit key filings electronically, via your data box. There’s no longer an option to turn in forms in paper format.
This applies in particular to:
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annual tax returns,
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social security reports/declarations,
- health care reports/declarations,
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evidence of income,
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and other mandatory submissions related to your trade license.
❗ Important: If you are not comfortable with electronic portals or digital submissions, you must get assistance — e.g., with your Move To Prague Immigration Specialist, an accountant or adviser. Late or incorrect electronic filings can lead to fines and administrative issues.
👉 Learn more: What Exact Filings Must be Electronic (VZP, in Czech only)
2. 📅 Social Security Advances (OSVČ / Živnost) — Higher Payments From 2026
Major news for every self-employed person: your social security contributions (zálohy na sociální pojištění) are increasing as of 2026.
According to the Czech Social Security Administration (ČSSZ):
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The base for calculating your advances will be higher.
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If your net profit is above the threshold, you’ll pay more every month.
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The system is designed to align OSVČ contributions with wage increases in the economy.
The minimum monthly payments for trade license holders (if trade license is your main activity) will be 5 720 CZK a month effective from January 2026. If you pay less than this amount, make sure you increase your monthly payments accordingly.
The minimum monthly payment for trade license holders (if trade license is your secondary activity) will be 1 574 CZK a month, effective from January 2026.
👉 Official info: Social Insurance Changes for OSVČ in 2026(CSSZ, in Czech only).
3. 🏥 Health Insurance Changes (VZP + OZP & Others) — What to Expect
If you are part of the public health care system as a freelancer, your monthly deposits increase from January 2026 as well.
If the trade license is your main activity, new monthly contributions are 3 306 CZK. If you pay less than this amount, make sure you increase the payments accordingly.
👉 Read the official updates: OZP Health Insurance Info for Self-Payers(OZP, in Czech only).
🧠 What You Can Do Now
A. Review your monthly payments and adjust accordingly
If you pay more than the new 2026 minimums, you do not have to do anything right now. Your monthly contributions will very likely increase as well but only after you submit your 2025 tax return and respective social security and health care reports.
A good idea would be to start setting a part of your income aside to cover the expected increase.
B. Get your submissions set up online
Make sure you know how to use the data box and online portals for:
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Health insurance reporting – OZP Vitakarta or VZP Moje VZP.
If these platforms feel confusing, remember — you’re not alone. We’ll be happy to assist you with everything, just get in touch with your Immigration Specialist or through our general contacts.
C. Consider whether now is the right time for a change
If advances and obligations suddenly feel too heavy — especially if you’ve been thinking of reducing your workload or restructuring your business — now might be the time to think strategically. And that brings us to the topic of pausing or cancelling your trade license.
👉 For details on how to pause or cancel your trade license, see: Thinking of Pausing or Cancelling Your Czech Trade License? Best Time Is Now!
💡 Move To Prague Can Help You Navigate These Changes
Changes for self-employed people are real, significant, and affect your monthly budgeting and administrative workload. But you don’t have to manage this alone. At Move To Prague we offer:
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Assessment of upcoming obligations (social insurance, health insurance, tax advances)
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Support with all electronic filings and portals
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Strategy planning for your business and visa path
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Guidance on pausing, cancelling, or restructuring your živnost
📩 Contact us if you have any questions or concerns, happy to guide you 🙂
Move To Prague – AMAZING EXPERIENCE. EVERY TIME.
