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🇨🇿 Zivno (trade licence) long-term visa
Czechia digital nomad visa for Americans
The Zivno (trade licence) long-term visa lets you live in Czechia while you keep working for clients or an employer outside the country. Income needed: ~€5,600+ savings (~140k CZK) + trade licence. Length: 1 yr.
🛂 Open to applications 🧾 Moderate tax Europe (Schengen)
The visa in numbers
📊 This is a savings test rather than an income bar: you show a bank balance. Compare all nomad visas →
Requirements and details
| 🛂 Visa | Zivno (trade licence) long-term visa |
| 💵 Income needed | ~€5,600+ savings (~140k CZK) + trade licence |
| 💳 Fees | ~€100 |
| ⏳ How long it lasts | 1 yr |
| 🔁 Renewal | Yes → converts to long-term residence |
| 📍 Where you apply | Consulate abroad only → zivno requires embassy filing + interview |
| 📆 Time you must spend there | Renewal expects genuine business activity + presence |
| 🏠 Path to permanent residency | Yes → zivno years count; PR at 5 yrs |
| 🧾 Tax | 183 days → tax resident; flat-tax regime for freelancers is generous (60/40 expense rule) 🟡 Moderate · Worldwide income · top rate 23% |
| 📝 Good to know | Actually a freelance business visa → CAN invoice Czech clients; more paperwork (zivno licence, interviews) |
| 📄 Documents |
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Can the income bar cover life in Czechia?
All-in monthly cost for one person (everyday living costs plus a 1-bedroom city-centre rent), from the cities we cover.
| City | All-in / month |
|---|---|
| 🇨🇿 Prague | $2,157 |
Data last updated · Source: Curated immigration research (confidence: medium)
Czechia nomad visa: common questions
How much income do I need for Czechia's digital nomad visa?
~€5,600+ savings (~140k CZK) + trade licence.
How long does the Zivno (trade licence) long-term visa last, and can I renew it?
1 yr. Renewal: Yes → converts to long-term residence.
Where do I apply?
Consulate abroad only → zivno requires embassy filing + interview.
What documents do I need?
Passport, trade licence (zivno) registration, ~140k CZK funds proof, accommodation (notarized lease), criminal record, insurance; interview. Requirements vary by consulate, so check the current list before you book an appointment.
Can it lead to permanent residency in Czechia?
Yes → zivno years count; PR at 5 yrs.
Will I pay tax in Czechia as a digital nomad?
183 days → tax resident; flat-tax regime for freelancers is generous (60/40 expense rule). As an American you also stay taxable by the IRS on your worldwide income wherever you live; the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion and foreign tax credits usually stop you paying twice. Compare taxes abroad for Americans.