Entrepreneur — Europe

🇨🇿Czech Republic

Živnostenský list (Trade Licence Visa)

Last verified · 31 May 2026

Prague-based freelancer route — low tax, central Europe, Schengen access.

Duration

1 year, renewable for 2; PR at 5

Threshold

≈ CZK 124,500 in a Czech bank account

Application fee

CZK 5,000 visa + CZK 2,500 permit

Path to PR

Permanent residency at 5 years; citizenship at 10.

Tax treatment

60/40 lump-sum expense regime — effective ~6% tax on freelance income.

Family

Family reunification after first renewal.

Required documents

·Czech trade licence (živnostenské oprávnění)
·Czech accommodation contract
·Health insurance (VZP or commercial)
·Criminal record (apostilled)

Things to know

·Filed at a Czech embassy — no in-country switch from tourist status.
·B1 Czech required at citizenship stage.

Apostille & legalization

Apostille route

Apostille only — both United States and Czech Republic are parties to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention.

Documents that must be apostilled

·Police / criminal-record clearance
·Document explicitly flagged for legalisation

Bank statements, employment contracts, photos, passport copies and the application form itself do not need an apostille.

Obtain originals or certified copies of each civil/criminal record (birth certificate, marriage certificate, police clearance, diploma, etc.).
Have each document apostilled by the competent authority in United States (U.S. Department of State — Office of Authentications).
Translate the apostilled document into the official language of Czech Republic — the apostille itself is also translated.
Submit the apostilled + translated bundle directly to the Czech Republic immigration authority or consulate; no further consular stamp is required.

Translation: Czech Republic only accepts translations from a court-sworn / officially recognised translator — agency translations are routinely rejected.

Issuing authority in United States: U.S. Department of State — Office of Authentications

Documents older than 3–6 months are often rejected. Plan to obtain fresh originals shortly before your visa application.

Official immigration portal

Last verified 31 May 2026 — reconfirm on the official portal before applying.