Czech Freelance Visa (Zivno): Requirements and How to Apply

There is no visa called a "Czech freelance visa". Freelancers and self-employed non-EU citizens use the long-term visa for the purpose of business, normally built on a Czech trade licence known as a zivno (zivnostensky list). The visa is valid for up to 1 year and can be extended or converted into a long-term residence permit. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs lists a fee of CZK 5,000 (about €205).

The process is in person at a Czech consulate, document-heavy, and slow: the legal decision period is 90 days, extendable to 120. The Ministry's pages do not state the financial-means amount, so confirm it with the consulate. Check the official entrepreneurship visa page before you apply. For the wider picture, see our Moving to the Czech Republic guide and Living in Prague.

Who qualifies

The visa is for citizens of countries outside the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland who plan to run a business, work self-employed, or serve as a statutory organ of a company. It is not intended for family members of EU citizens who hold or have applied for residence cards.

The proof of purpose is a trade licence or company register extract, so a registered business activity is expected. Ask a Czech lawyer or accountant which trade licence fits your work.

Income and financial means

Financial means are required, but the consular page gives no CZK amount and refers to separate Ministry guidance. We do not state a figure because we could not read the official one. Accepted proof, according to the Ministry's overview, includes bank statements, a bank card accepted internationally, and evidence of salary or contracts.

Documents you'll need

• Passport (original) and two photos
• The application form, with "Business" checked in the purpose-of-stay field
• A trade licence extract or company register extract (originals)
• Proof of accommodation
• Proof of financial means
• A criminal record extract from your country of citizenship, apostilled
• Biometric data (fingerprints)
• Travel medical insurance, bought after approval, with a certified Czech translation of the policy to collect the visa

Supporting documents must be no older than 180 days, except the passport, registry documents, diplomas and the photo. Documents must be in Czech or accompanied by an official Czech translation, and foreign public documents must be apostilled or legalised.

Step-by-step application

1. Register the business and obtain your trade licence extract, with professional help.
2. Find the Czech consulate responsible for your country and book an appointment.
3. Apply in person. An interview is held and fingerprints are taken.
4. Wait for the decision. The legal period is 90 days, extendable to 120 in complex cases.
5. If approved, buy travel medical insurance.
6. Collect the visa. Before it expires, apply for an extension of up to 1 year at a Ministry of the Interior branch, or switch to a long-term residence permit.

Costs and timeline

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs fee schedule lists CZK 5,000 (about €205 at the ECB rate of 2026-10-07) for the long-term visa for entrepreneurship. Trade-licence registration, translations, apostilles and insurance are extra. Budget for health insurance, because non-EU nationals on a long-term business visa are generally required to hold commercial cover until they qualify for the public system, and we estimate private cover at about €40–120 a month for one adult.

Taxes once you're resident

Czech tax residents pay 15% income tax on annual income up to CZK 1,762,812 (about €72,166) and 23% above, plus social and health insurance contributions, which self-employed people pay on their own profit. Residency generally begins at 183 days or a permanent home. The US has an income tax treaty and a totalization agreement with Czechia, and the UK has a double-taxation treaty. This is not tax advice, so ask a Czech tax advisor how your trade licence will be taxed.

Family members

The consular page does not address dependants of the holder. Family reunification is generally a separate application after you hold a residence permit, so ask the consulate about timing before you bring relatives.

Alternatives

• Hungary White Card: a 1-year permit for remote workers earning EUR 3,000 net a month.
• Estonia Digital Nomad Visa: up to 1 year, with a higher income test.
• Poland work permit: an employer-sponsored route.