The authoritative source for Czech market regulations is the Czech government. This guidance links to official Czech sources wherever possible.
Czech rules
The Czech government has legislation that applies to:
- the movement of people and goods between the 2 countries
- British people living in Czech Republic
- Czech people living in the UK who return to Czech Republic
Find out how these Czech rules may affect your business on the Czech government’s site for business.
Trade and services regulations in the Czech Republic
If you are a UK business providing services in the Czech Republic, you need to follow regulations about:
- getting authorisations or licences to provide a service
- complying with specific local business regulations
- EEA nationality requirements which could prevent you from providing services in some sectors
The Czech e-government portal for service providers (in Czech) can help you to:
- find out about providing services in the Czech Republic
- understand local regulations
- complete the relevant administrative procedures online
Consider appointing an English-speaking lawyer in the Czech Republic to help you comply with specific regulations.
To find out if EEA nationality requirements apply to you, contact the appropriate competent authority.
You can also read guidance published by the Czech government for foreign nationals and foreign companies.
Trade reservations
To sell or provide services to customers in the Czech Republic, you must follow local laws. If in doubt, you should get professional advice.
Reservations are part of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. They reserve the right of each party to keep or make new laws restricting investment, or the sale of services, in ways that would otherwise breach the rules in the agreement.
Check which reservations apply to the sale of services from the UK to the Czech Republic. This includes an interactive tool to find reservations that are already in place.
VAT on sales of digital services
To use the UK’s VAT Mini One Stop Shop (MOSS) to declare sales of digital services to EU consumers, businesses need to register for MOSS in an EU member state.
Find out more about paying VAT on sales of digital services.
Ownership of companies registered in the Czech Republic
If you have a UK business, you might face restrictions on your ability to own, manage or direct a registered company in the Czech Republic or any other EEA country.
For information about setting up and running a business in the Czech Republic, visit CzechInvest.
Read more about this in our guidance relating to the EEA and Switzerland.
Ownership of legal firms in the Czech Republic
If you are a UK legal professional who has investments in law firms in the Czech Republic, you should contact the Bar Association of the Czech Republic (site in Czech) for information on the implications for your investment.
Business travel and entry requirements
UK business travellers and service providers may need a visa, work permit or other documentation. Check if you need a visa or permit for Europe.
The Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs and State Labour Inspection Office have more information about:
- visas including intra-corporate transfers
- work and residence permits
- supporting documentation
- other conditions
Check which actions travellers visiting Europe need to take.
Social security payments for employees
Find out if you need to pay National Insurance in the UK or social security contributions in the Czech Republic.
Recognition of professional qualifications
To check what you need to do in the Czech Republic read our guidance on professional qualifications in the EEA and Switzerland.
The Czech Republic has published guidance on professional qualifications for UK citizens in their Q&A.
If you need to take action to secure the recognition of your professional qualification in the Czech Republic, these sources can help you:
The UK Centre for Professional Qualifications (UK CPQ) provides practical assistance and advice to:
- professionals who qualified overseas and are interested in working in the UK
- UK professionals seeking to practise overseas
UK statutory auditors working in the Czech Republic
For UK statutory auditors, the Public Audit Oversight Board of the Czech Republic should be able to provide further information.
UK lawyers working in the Czech Republic
If you are a UK-qualified lawyer working in the Czech Republic, using either a Czech or UK professional title, you should contact the Czech Bar Association (site in Czech) for specific advice.
Data transfer and GDPR
As part of the wider UK–EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement, the free flow of personal data from the EEA to the UK will continue after 1 January 2021 for no longer than 6 months, until adequacy decisions come into effect.
As a sensible precaution during this 6 month period, it is recommended that you work organisations in EEA that transfer personal data to you to put in place alternative transfer mechanisms to safeguard against any interruption to the free flow of EU to UK personal data.
Read guidance on using personal data in your business or other organisation.
