Which countries does this cover?
You must apply for this form when travelling to European Union and European Economic Area countries, and Switzerland. The requirement also applies to business trips to countries with which Czechia has international social insurance agreements, including the USA, Canada, Japan and South Korea. The full list is available on the ČSSZ website.
How do you apply for A1?
Fortunately, everything can be handled online, although the application is a very, very long form. 😀 It is available on the ČSSZ website for self-employed people or for employers applying on behalf of their employees. Besides the basic information required in practically every ČSSZ form, you will need to know what type of business trip it is. The two main types are:
- posting – a one-off trip to the country, applied for using the exact business trip dates
- activities in more than one country – repeated trips to the country, applied for over the period during which the trips will recur, up to 2 years
For example, if you travel to Slovakia 4 times a year for business meetings, one A1 application for activities in more than one country covering Slovakia is enough to give you peace of mind for 2 years. After those two years, apply for renewal.
Ideally, complete the entire A1 application directly in the ČSSZ ePortal. The advantage is that some details are pre-filled. Your completed A1 will also be available there a few days before it reaches your data box. 🙂
What happens if I do not have A1?
These forms may be checked, for example, on entry to conferences or trade fairs, or during an inspection at your business partner’s workplace. France, Austria and Poland currently have the strictest checks. Fines in member states can reach EUR 10,000.
If anything is unclear, please feel free to book a consultation with us.