Česká verze
The Export support section contains contacts to institutions providing export services. The section of SME support describes specific SME support programmes provided by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Agriculture of the Czech Republic. In Commercial Activities information for entrepreneurs such as various certificates, recognition of qualifications or electronic submissions can be found. Information on the EDUCA programme is contained in the Human Resources section.
Those interested in innovation or support of research and development may find useful information on related projects and public tenders in the sections Innovation and Human resources. The project of Green cards for key personnel is described in the Green card section. The Other Business Support section contains information on operational programmes Enterprise and Innovation and Rural Development Programme.
Export Promotion
CzechTrade, the National Trade Promotion Agency, provides contacts and information on export opportunities worldwide and financial assistance towards market research, export catalogues and establishment of business contacts.
The Czech Export Bank provides Czech exporters with state-supported financing in order to create export conditions comparable to those available to their foreign competitors.
The Export Guarantee and Insurance Company EGAP enables exporters to purchase insurance against risks of non-payment by a foreign customer due to commercial or political risks.
The Czech government offers a range of benefits that are targeted at small and medium-sized enterprises (SME). Small and medium-sized enterprises are the driving force of business, growth, innovation and competitiveness. They play a key role in job creation. In the Czech Republic, SME account for 61.52 % of the employment and contribute by 35.17 % to the production of GDP (data for 2008).
Programme period 2014-2020
The basic document focused on the programme period 2014 – 2020 is a part of the objective “Investment for Growth and Employment” and includes eight operational programmes:
- Business and Innovation for Competitiveness managed by the Ministry of Industry and Trade
- Research, Development and Education managed by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport
- Employment managed by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs
- Transport managed by the Ministry of Transport
- Environment managed by the Ministry of Environment
- Integrated Regional Operational Programme managed by the Ministry for Regional Development
- Prague – pole of growth in the Czech Republic managed by the Prague City Hal
- Technical Assistance managed by the Ministry for Regional Development
The Integrated Regional Operational Programme (IROP) shall reducing regional differences, enhance the use of local potential to the maximum extent as well as decrease the unemployment and strengthen regions‘ competitiveness.&nb is also intended to focus on strengthening the role of urban centres as natural growth areas in regions, to support education, and to ensure the sustainable growth in regions with an emphasis on improving the environment.
The „Prague – field of growth in the Czech Republic“ programme should increase the competitiveness of the capital city as a development area of the country and is expected to ensure a quality life for inhabitants.
The aim of the operational programme „Business and Innovation for Competitiveness“ managed by the Ministry of Industry and Trade is to promote innovations in manufacturing sector and services, handling of energy and development of ICT in the business sphere.
The operational programme devoted to science and research is called „Research, Development and Education“ and is managed by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport. Investments into the development of new skills and qualified human resources are intended to ensure the Czech economy’s shift towards a knowledge economy, one with an educated labour force that uses top technology and that produces quality results of research and their transformation to innovations and competitive advantages for Czech companies.
The operational programme „Transport“ managed by the Ministry of Transport will focus on ensuring completion of backbone roadways and connection of traffic and transport systems with the help of terminals for passenger and freight transport. It also supports sustainable urban transport and modernisation of vehicle fleets for public transport.
Commercial Activities
Basic information on business support for entrepreneurs performing business activities in the Czech Republic in compliance with the Trade Licensing Act, a brief description of obligations of entrepreneurs providing temporarily services in the CR, information on how and where to apply for various certificates, basic principles of the recognition of professional qualifications, a reference to the one stop shop and information on integration of foreigners.
Trade Licensing Act
The Trade Licensing Act governs specific responsibilities of entrepreneurs doing business in the CR as well as notification or authorisation procedures.
Obligations of persons temporarily providing services in the Czech Republic
Persons temporarily or occasionally providing entrepreneur services in the territory of the Czech Republic must meet certain criteria and fulfil obligations set by law.
Issue of certificate of professional skills and performance of relevant activities
Information for natural persons intending to perform regulated activity classified as a trade activity (according to the Trade Licensing Act) in another member state on issuing certificate of professional skills and performance of relevant activities in the Czech Republic.
Recognition of qualifications in business
Information for nationals of the EU Member States, the Czech Republic, the European Economic Area countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) and Switzerland who wish to practise a regulated profession or professional activity in the Czech Republic. A regulated profession or activity is a profession/activity which is subject to legislative requirements (qualification requirements and, in some cases, requirements concerning integrity, physical fitness etc.) which, if not met, do not allow the person to pursue the given profession/activity in the Czech Republic.
One-stop shop: Electronic submission to the Trade Register on-line
Information on a Unified Registration Form, an application enabling to create and send a submission to the Central Electronic Registry of the Trade Register of the Czech Republic from entrepreneur’s computer.
Integration of foreigners
Information material of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic for foreign natural persons performing business activities in the Czech Republic under the Trade Licensing Act. The document makes the orientation of a foreigner in the field of a licensed trade easier.
Research and Development
Research and Development is considered a key area for the future development of Czech economy.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade, in cooperation with CzechInvest, is providing various forms of financial support (from structural funds, the state budget and community resources). CzechInvest actively seeks out and, using the most various instruments (consultation, information service, active cooperation in seeking partners, etc.), supports private firms with innovation potential and focuses on increasing the involvement of public-sector institutions in the innovation process.
Information on supported Research and Development projects from the budget of the Ministry of Industry and Trade is published on the information portal of the R&D in the CzechRepublic.
Operational programme Research and Development
In the field of industrial research and development, public institutions may utilise financial resources from the Operational programme Research and Development. Its objective is to make the cooperation between universities and industrial enterprises more intense, primarily through support of capacities for research and development at universities or research institutions and through better knowledgeability of supply and demand of the industrial research and development. The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports is the managing body for this Operational programme.
Film Industry Support
The Czech Republic is a very popular destination for foreign film producers. The long-lasting tradition of film production, the professional approach and attitude of Czech production teams, stage crews, film decorators as well as the uniqueness of the sites have all contributed to the good reputation of the Czech Republic as a quality film destination.
Well-established film studios, such as the Barrandov Studios or the younger Prague Studios offer professional production and high-quality services. The Film Commission established within the Czech Film Chamber provides services for new-coming productions.
In order to support foreign film producers and investment in the Czech Republic, the Czech government has adopted a programme facilitated by the European Commission called the Film Industry Support Programme which provides film investment incentives of up to 20 percent of eligible costs.
Relocating to the CR
As the Czech Republic is a member of the Schengen area, common rules concerning the movement of individuals in the entire Schengen area apply, including conditions for crossing external borders. Individuals having the right of free movement within of the EU (nationals of the EU member states, and Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland) may freely enter and stay in the Czech Republic for any purpose without a permit or visa up to 3 months.
The following document contains more information on registration of place of residence in the Czech Republic as well as temporary residence permit. Non EU nationals may also find information on different types of visas, work permits or blue and green cards.
Other Business Support
National Training Fund
The National Training Fund runs a variety of human resources development programs and is the national co-ordinating body for the EU’s Leonardo da Vinci Program. The Program subsidizes in-house company training programs (up to 75 % of total costs) and study trips to parent companies located in EU countries (up to 5,000 EUR per visit).
Business Innovation Centres, Technology Parks and Business Incubators
There are over 25 Business Innovation Centres (BIC’s), Science and Technology Parks and Business Incubators in the Czech Republic.