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Although not without downsides, there are several advantages to working on a trade license (živno) rather than as an employee. For one, freelancers can deduct more costs from their income tax report (usually 60% of their revenue). Trade license holders also tend to pay less for social security and health insurance. Further, you can have a Živnostenský list and be a normal employee at the same time. You can pause the živno anytime, and your visa does not expire when you lose a client, unlike with full-time employment. Invoicing clients in the CZ and in foreign countries is also less complicated than creating employment contracts.

Many companies offer higher salaries to freelance workers to cover their social security and health insurance contributions. However, trade license activities can entail several downsides. First, freelance workers have less job security. They also give up sick days, paid holidays, bonuses, company benefits, high social security, maternity, and social benefits. There is the need for an accountant for annual income tax returns, or VAT returns. Freelancers as well are responsible for paying their own social security and health insurance.

The process to obtain a Czech trade license depends firstly on your country of origin and current visa status. In general, it is easier for expats from EU countries and for Czechs to become legally self-employed. EU citizens can even manage to get a Czech trade license sometimes in 5 to 7 business days without holding temporary residency. People from non-EU countries will need either a long-term visa or a residence permit. It is then necessary to register at a Trade Office in the Czech Republic, declaring your type of business activities. Your freelance work can then officially begin after approval and after registering for social and health insurance.

In most cases of employment, the employer is responsible for the annual tax return of the employee. However, in the Czech Republic, there are cases when an employee must file an employee tax return. It might be to declare capital gains, rental income, or other taxable revenue. In other cases, it can even be advantageous to voluntarily report your taxable income. These include declaring additional tax discounts, tax bonuses, or tax relief which employers have no responsibility to declare.

If you have full-time employment and want to earn income on the side, you must apply for a Czech trade license. However, note that your employer pays your monthly social and health insurance payments. This means you will not make any additional payments in the first year. After the end of this year, you must request an annual statement from the employer to see if you need to settle any remaining balance. The balance will depend on income from employment and the tax base from your trade license. 

Need to calculate your income tax from employment and freelancing? Estimate how much you’ll pay in taxes with our Side Income Tax Calculator.