Can employees of foreign companies use the živno route?

No. The živno is strictly for the self-employed. Remote employees need an employee card, which requires a Czech employer as sponsor — a different process entirely.

How long does the Czech application take?

Allow 60–90 days from a complete filing at the consulate. The trade license registration itself — often handled via a representative in Czechia before you apply — is the quick part of the process.

Czechia Digital Nomad Visa 2026: Requirements, Income & How to Apply

Q: How much money do I need for the Czech živno route?

There is no published monthly income threshold. Instead you must show funds comfortably above the Czech subsistence minimum — around €5,000 in an accessible account is the commonly cited figure — plus evidence of stable freelance income.

Q: What taxes will I pay in Czechia as a freelancer?

Tax residents pay 15% income tax up to about CZK 1.58M/year and 23% above it, can claim 60% flat-rate expenses within caps, and must pay mandatory social and health insurance contributions. Budget for the contributions — they are significant.

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Key facts at a glance

Minimum income

€1,000/month

approximately — no official monthly income threshold is published for the živno route; applicants typically demonstrate stable income around €1,000+/month or the lump-sum funds below

Savings required

€5,000

approximately — applicants must show funds comfortably above the Czech subsistence minimum; around €5,000 in an accessible account is the commonly cited figure

Maximum stay

Up to 2 years

Renewable

Processing time

60–90 days is typical from a complete consulate filing

the trade-license registration itself (often via a representative in Czechia) is the quick part.

Application fee

CZK 5

000 (approximately €200) for the long-term residence application; trade license registration around CZK 1,000.

Degree required

Income does the filtering

Full requirements

Program: Živnostenský list (Trade License) + Long-Term Business Residence
Minimum income: €1,000 per month (approximately — no official monthly income threshold is published for the živno route; applicants typically demonstrate stable income around €1,000+/month or the lump-sum funds below)
Savings: €5,000 — approximately — applicants must show funds comfortably above the Czech subsistence minimum; around €5,000 in an accessible account is the commonly cited figure
Duration & renewal: Up to 2 years. Long-term residence for business purposes is typically issued for up to 2 years and is renewable as long as the trade license remains active and funds are sufficient.
Processing time: 60–90 days is typical from a complete consulate filing; the trade-license registration itself (often via a representative in Czechia) is the quick part.
Fees: CZK 5,000 (approximately €200) for the long-term residence application; trade license registration around CZK 1,000.
Family: Family reunification is available under standard Czech rules once you hold long-term residence.
Apply from abroad: Yes — Apply at the Czech embassy or consulate in your country of residence. The trade license itself can be arranged via a representative in Czechia before you file.
Apply in country: No — First-time applicants must apply from abroad; extensions are filed in-country at the Ministry of the Interior.
Degree / experience: Not required — No degree required; some regulated trades require proof of professional qualification for that specific activity.
Remote work history: Not officially specified — No fixed minimum is published; a stable freelance client history strengthens the file.
Health insurance: Required — must be valid for the full stay

Tax notes

Czech tax residents pay 15% income tax up to about CZK 1.58M/year and 23% above it, can claim 60% flat-rate expenses (within caps), and must pay mandatory social and health insurance contributions — budget for the contributions, which are significant.

Tax rules are simplified here and change often. Confirm your position with a qualified tax advisor before making decisions.

Frequently asked questions

Not technically: the živnostenský list is a trade license for freelancers, not a visa. But paired with a long-term residence permit for business purposes, it functions as the Czech Republic's de facto remote-work route — and one with decades of precedent behind it.

Sources & verification

Official source: Czech Ministry of the Interior — long-term residence ↗
Last verified: October 8, 2026
Something changed? Report an error and we will review it against the official source.

Not legal advice. Visa rules change frequently and consulates interpret them differently. Always verify current requirements with the official consulate or immigration authority before applying.

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