Trade License Types in the Czech Republic: Complete Guide for Foreign Entrepreneurs
Starting a business in the Czech Republic often begins with obtaining a Czech trade license (“živnostenské oprávnění” or “zivno” for short). Under the Trade Licensing Act No. 455/1991 Coll., trades are divided into two main categories:
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Notifiable trades (established by notification)
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Concession trades (require state permission)
Understanding the difference is essential — both from a legal and immigration perspective — as the type of trade determines qualification requirements, processing time, and supporting documents.
In our daily practice at Move To Prague, choosing the correct trade type is one of the first and most important steps when setting up a freelance residence permit or business activity.
1. Notifiable Trades (Ohlašovací živnosti)
Notifiable trades are established simply by notifying the Trade Licensing Office, provided all conditions are met. They are further divided into three sub-categories:
A. Free Trade/Unqualified trade (Volná živnost)
Free trades are the most accessible and most commonly used business activities — especially among freelancers and expats. The main advantage of unqualified trades is that you do not need to provide any education or qualification proves to include these trades into your trade license.
This primarily means faster and easier set up of your trade license – we usually get the trade license for our clients within 3-5 business days).
Typical examples of unqualified trades/free trades:
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E-commerce / online stores
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Consulting services
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Marketing & advertising
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Administrative services
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Accommodation & rental services
You can find the full list here:
https://movetoprague.com/list-of-unqualified-trades-for-czech-trade-license/
In our experience, the majority of foreign entrepreneurs start with free trades due to flexibility and minimal administrative burden.
B. Craft Trade (Řemeslná živnost)
Craft trades require proof of professional competence.
You must demonstrate qualification via:
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Vocational certificate (apprenticeship)
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Secondary school diploma in the field
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Several years of professional experience
Examples include:
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Bricklaying / construction
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Hairdressing
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Carpentry
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Butchery
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Bakery production
If you obtained education or experience abroad, it may need official recognition or nostrification in the Czech Republic.
C. Bound Trade (Vázaná živnost)
Bound trades also require professional competence, but qualifications are defined more strictly by law.
Typical requirements:
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University degree in the field
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State exams or certifications
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Specialized training
Examples include:
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Accounting services
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Massage services
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Tourist guiding
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Driving school operation
Each activity has clearly defined qualification criteria set by legislation.
2. Concession Trades (Koncesované živnosti)
Concession trades are the most regulated category.
In addition to proving professional competence, you must obtain special state approval (concession) from the relevant authority.
Authorities assess:
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Education and experience
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Financial reliability
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Technical readiness
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Public safety considerations
Examples include:
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Travel agencies
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Taxi services
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Driving schools
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Production of spirits
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Weapons sales
Processing times are longer, and approval is discretionary — meaning it is not automatically granted even if qualifications are met.
General Conditions for Establishing a Trade License
Regardless of trade type, every applicant must meet the following universal requirements:
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Minimum age: 18
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Full legal capacity
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Clean criminal record
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Registered business address
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Proof of qualification (if required)
For foreign nationals, additional steps apply — such as residence permits, extract translations, and Criminal Record Apostilles.
We describe the whole process and required documents in this article: Trade License Hub – Complete Guide on Czech Trade License in 2025. We will also be happy to get the trade license for you completely in your behalf – simply contact us and let us take care of everything.
Immigration & Business Connection
For many expats, a Czech trade license is directly linked to:
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Freelance residence permits
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Business visa applications
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Long-term stay extensions
Incorrectly selected trade types or missing qualifications can delay or jeopardize immigration proceedings.
This is why proper classification from the beginning is critical.
If needed, schedule a consultation and assess which trade category fits your business activity and immigration strategy.
