In this chapter, you will learn under what conditions you, as a foreigner, can do business in the Czech Republic. We explain the rules both for those who are planning to come to the CR and for those who have already been residing here for some time. An important factor is also your country of origin, in particular whether you come from an EU country or a not.

• Are you planning to come to the Czech Republic and would you like to do business here?
• Have you been residing in the CR with a different purpose of stay and would you like to start doing business?

Are you planning to come to the Czech Republic and would you like to do business here?

Citizens of EU, EEA and Switzerland

Citizens of a member state of the European Union or another contracting state of the Agreement on the European Economic Area, and citizens of the Swiss Confederation may do business in the Czech Republic under the same conditions as Czech citizens.

Third-country nationals (non-EU)

If you are a citizen of a non-EU country, you may apply for a long-term visa for the purpose of business at the Czech embassy in your country. You will have to prove that you have  sufficient financial means necessary for your long-term stay. If you meet the conditions, you may generally do business in the CR under the same conditions as Czech citizens.

Have you been residing in the CR with a different purpose of stay and would you like to start doing business?

If you have permanent residence in the CR, you can do business under the same conditions as Czech citizens.

If you are a foreigner from a third country (outside the EU), you have been residing in the CR and want to obtain a long-term residence permit for the purpose of business, it is possible only after five years of residence in the CR. If your purpose of stay is family reunification, you may apply for the purpose of business after three years.

However, you may do business while maintaining another purpose of stay/visa, such as studies, employment, or family reunification. Business may serve as an additional source of income, but you must continue to fulfil the primary purpose of stay approved by the Ministry of the Interior (e.g. continue studying, working, or maintaining family reunification).

Let’s explain this using model situations:

I am a foreigner studying in the CR and I would like to earn some extra money by doing business.

Yes, it is possible. Foreigners in the CR can earn money as self-employed persons while studying. Common sources of extra income are translation, interpreting, or guiding in Prague in foreign languages but there are also many more activities you can do based on your skills and abilities. As long as you continue to fulfil your study obligations, you may combine studies with business or employment. However, your primary purpose of stay must remain studies.

I have a visa/residence permit with the purpose of family reunification with my husband and I would like to do business.

Yes, it is possible to do business in this case, too. You may run a business or be employed as long as you continue to fulfil the purpose of family reunification. If you meet the conditions for the chosen trade, you may apply for a trade licence. You may also improve your qualifications or retrain for a new profession in the Czech Republic.

There are two ways of doing business in the CR: as a natural person or as a legal entity. More detailed information can be found in the individual chapters.

• Entrepreneurship of natural persons – self-employed (esp. trade license business and liberal professions)
• Entrepreneurship of legal entities (establishing business corporations)

Last update: 4 March 2025