Starting a sole-trader licence — živnosť in Slovakia, živnost in Czechia — follows the same logic in both countries in 2026, but the fees, currencies and registration offices differ. In both, a notifiable trade usually lets you start on the day you file.
What types of trade licence exist in Slovakia and Czechia?
Both countries build on a shared law (No. 455/1991) and recognise the same four categories. A free (unqualified) trade needs no professional qualification; a craft trade requires a vocational certificate or practice; a regulated trade requires a specific qualification set by law; and a licensed trade (a concession) requires a separate state permit rather than a simple notification.
Because the structure is almost identical, entrepreneurs who operate in both markets rarely have to rethink their activity — the main differences are administrative, not conceptual.
What conditions must you meet?
In both Slovakia and Czechia you must be at least 18 years old, have full legal capacity and be of good standing (no relevant criminal record). The authority checks the criminal record itself, so you usually do not submit an extract.
Craft and regulated trades add a professional-qualification requirement in both countries; if you do not hold it personally, you can appoint a responsible representative who does. A free trade requires no qualification in either jurisdiction. If you later consider a company instead, see our guide on putting money into an s.r.o. in Slovakia and Czechia.
How and where do you register?
In Slovakia you notify the trade at the single point of contact (JKM) — the trade-licensing department of the district office — or electronically via slovensko.sk using an eID. In Czechia you file the single registration form (JRF) at any municipal trade office or Czech POINT, or electronically through the trade-register portal.
In both countries the one-stop form also handles follow-up registrations, so you do not have to visit the tax office, the social-security body and the health insurer separately.
How much does it cost in 2026?
The fee structures differ. In Slovakia, a free trade costs 7 € in person and is free of charge when filed electronically; each craft or regulated trade costs 22 € in person or 11 € online. In Czechia, the first trade notification costs 1,000 CZK regardless of type, each additional trade 500 CZK, and adding further fields within a free trade is free.
Example: three free-trade activities filed online in Slovakia cost nothing, while the same first registration in Czechia costs a flat 1,000 CZK. The Slovak online channel is therefore often the cheaper route.
What does the one-stop registration arrange for you?
In both countries the registration notifies the tax office (income-tax registration and a tax ID), the health insurer and the social-security authority. The timing of social contributions differs: a new Slovak sole trader generally starts paying social insurance only once income crosses a statutory threshold, typically from the following July, whereas a Czech OSVČ pays at least minimum social and health advances from the first year of a main activity.
Czech sole traders can also opt into a flat-tax (paušální) regime that merges tax and contributions into a single monthly payment. For context on invoicing once you start trading, see our guide on issuing a domestic invoice in Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
When does the licence take effect?
For a notifiable trade, the authorisation normally arises on the day of notification in both countries, so you can start trading immediately. Slovakia issues a certificate of trade authorisation within about three working days; Czechia enters you in the trade register and assigns an IČO within a few days, with a register extract replacing the old paper licence.
After launch, separate your business and personal finances, keep records of income and expenses, and decide between actual and lump-sum expenses — the same housekeeping applies on both sides of the border.
Thinking about starting a trade licence in Slovakia or Czechia and unsure how to set up taxes, contributions and bookkeeping from day one? We are happy to help you avoid costly mistakes.
FAQ
Can I run a trade licence alongside employment?
Yes. Both the Slovak and Czech rules allow you to combine a trade licence with a job, and you do not need your employer’s consent unless it competes with their business under your employment contract. You file a separate tax return for the trade income; as a secondary activity, social contributions are lower or deferred until your income passes a threshold. For many people it is a safe way to test self-employment alongside a stable salary.
How long does it take to get a trade licence?
For a notifiable trade, the authorisation usually arises on the day you file, so you can start trading at once. Slovakia issues the certificate of trade authorisation within about three working days of a complete notification, while Czechia enters you in the trade register and assigns an IČO within a few days. The one-stop form then forwards your registration to the tax office and insurers.
Do I need qualifications for a free trade?
No. A free (unqualified) trade requires no professional qualification in either country — you only need to be 18, have full legal capacity and be of good standing. Proof of qualification, such as a vocational certificate, practice or a specific statutory qualification, applies only to craft and regulated trades. If you lack it, you can appoint a responsible representative who holds it.