How to get a Trade License

We answered the question of "what is a trade license" in our previous blog post. We will now focus on how to get the Trade License. Actually, the process is pretty simple as long as you follow the rules described below.

How to get a Trade License - List of Trades

The first step in the process of getting a Trade License is choosing what trades you want to include in your Trade License.

There are 80 Unqualified Trades that can be included in the Trade License. Most of the trades/job people desire in Prague (English teaching , photography services, guide services, etc.) are within the above 80 trades. Please find a full list of them including descriptions here (opens in a new window).

Another 17 trades (locksmith, watchmaking, goldsmith, etc.) are within Craft Trades. You need to follow a special guideline in order to operate a business in the Craft fields.

Another 32 trades (optician, driving instruction, water rescue service, etc.) are within Professional Trades. You must provide related education and/or experience if you want to include Professional Trades in your Trade License. Please find a full list of them including descriptions here.

How to get a Trade License - General requirements (Unqualified Trades only)

General requirements for getting the Trade License are as follows:

- being over 18 years old
- having to criminal record in the chosen fields

(Please contact us for all requirements regarding a Trade License with Craft or Professional Trades included)

Not really complicated, right? 😊 Let´s see what documents are required in odred to get the Trade License.

How to get a Trade License - Required documents (Unqualfied Trades only)

You need to prepare the following documents in order to get the Trade License:

- application form
- passport
- proof of business address
- list of chosen Trades
- 1 000 CZK administrative fee for the Trade License authority
- Criminal Background Check from your country of origin/Affidavit saying that you have never been convicted for any crime (the affidavit only applies to certain nationalities)

Note: The Criminal Background Check must be apostilled/superlegalised and than translated into Czech.

How to get a Trade License - Step by step guide

Well, you have collected all the required documents, what to do now? How to get the Trade License? Follow our guide and it will be easy 😊

Let´s now divide the process of getting a Trade License in two parts. First part will talk about obtaining Trade License needed for your first long-term business visa. The other part will describe the process of obtaining the Trade License when you already have a visa or residence permit (different than business though) or if you are from the EU, which means that you do not need to have any type of visa.

1. How to get a Trade license for your first long-term business visa application (Non-EU citizens)?

• Collect all the required documents (see above)
• Submit all the documents to the closest Trade License authority (list of Trade License offices here) - TIP - most Trade License offices are only open on Mondays and Wednesdays so plan wisely
• Wait 3-5 business days for your Trade License to be processed
• Pick up the TEMPORARY Trade License (temporary Trade License does not include a Trade License number which means that you can use it for your visa application but CAN NOT use it for earning money yet)
• Apply for the long-term business visa using your temporary Trade License
• Wait up to 2-3 months to get your visa approved (make sure your visa is approved within 180 after receiving your temporary Trade License otherwise the Trade License will be canceled and you´ll have start the process from the beginning
• Pick up the visa
• Visit Foreign Police within three days after your arrival to get a stamp with your address (find out more about Registering at the Foreign Police office here)
• Go show the stamp with your address to the Trade License authority where you got your temporary Trade License
• Wait another 3-5 business to get a real Trade License - including your Trade License number
• Pick up the real Trade License and register for paying Taxes and Social Insurance
• Start earning millions 😊

Download our Trade License guide infographic for free below 😊

Trade License Step By Step

2. How to get a Trade License if you already have a visa or do not need it at all (EU citizens)?

The process of obtaining the Trade License is much easier and faster if you already have a VISA (student, work, etc.) or if you do not need a VISA at all (EU citizens). The main advantage is that you will receive the permanent Trade License directly as you will not have to carry a temporary Trade License beforehand.

• Collect all the required documents (see above)
• Submit all the documents to the closest Trade License authority (list of Trade License offices here) - TIP - most Trade License offices are only open on Mondays and Wednesdays so plan wisely
• Wait 3-5 business days for your Trade License to be processed
• Pick up the real Trade License
• Pick up the real Trade License and register for paying Taxes, Social Insurance and Health Insurance (applies only in some cases)
• Start earning millions 😊

Well, that´s basically it 😊 The process is not that complicated if you know what to do, where to go and if you speak at least some Czech. Unfortunately, older Czechs who do not really speak a word of English typically work in Trade License Offices as well as the Tax, Social and Health Insurance Offices.

To summarize, if you are brave or curious enough to deal with Czech bureaucracy then try going through the process on your own. If you are not confident enough or you want to obtain the Trade License as soon as possible, let us professionals do it on your behalf.

We hope our "How to get a Trade License" blog answered all of your questions 😊 If you still have any, read our other blog posts, go to the Trade License (Zivno) service page, or contact us by using the contact form on the right or by other forms of contacts. Also, feel free to download the Trade License step by step info-graphic above.

Thank you! 😊

Jan and Daria on behalf of the whole Move To Prague team 😊