What is a registered office?

It is the place where a business owner:

  • administers their business activities
  • manages their business activities
  • enters into legal relationships with business partners. 

This is the address where all official documents are delivered relating to the business. That is precisely why you must have a mailbox at the registered office address labelled with your first name and surname. The registered office address is entered in the public Trade Register. 

The law also distinguishes business premises, meaning the place where you actually carry out your business and receive customers. 

Where can my registered office be? 
Registered office at your permanent address

Probably the most common arrangement for sole traders. With this option, you do not have to put up any special registered office signage. 

If your permanent address is in a rented flat or house, remember to read your tenancy agreement carefully. The landlord very often has to give written consent for you to locate your business’s registered office in their property. 

Registered office at a contact address

Your registered office does not have to be at your permanent home address. With this option, you must provide proof that you may use the premises for business. A lease or sublease permitting this use of the property is sufficient, as is a statement from the property owner consenting to your registered office being located there.

Virtual registered office

Virtual registered offices are provided by companies that let you register their property as your business address for an annual fee. This is particularly useful for business owners wishing to protect their privacy or those without a suitable address (because their landlord refuses consent, their permanent address is at a municipal office or they are foreign nationals). 

Companies providing virtual registered offices are mainly found in larger cities. Alongside the address, they often offer additional services, primarily forwarding incoming correspondence.

However, note that your business’s registered office does not determine which tax office, Czech Social Security Administration or health insurer branch you fall under. The relevant branch of these institutions is always determined by your permanent address. 

Changing your registered office

If you want to change your registered office, simply visit your trade licensing office or handle everything through your data box using the Unified Registration Form on the Trade Licensing Portal.

If your registered office matched your permanent address and you have changed that permanent address, you only need to report a change of correspondence address to your health insurer. You do not even need to notify the trade licensing office: it automatically obtains your new home address from the register of persons.

If you change your registered office for another reason, you must notify not only the trade licensing office but also the Czech Social Security Administration and your health insurer. The notification deadline for both institutions is 8 days after reporting the change to the trade licensing office (i.e. 8 days after changing the registered office). 

Failure to report a registered office change

Even if you are only a small fish, you can still face a trade licensing office inspection. Inspections most often follow a complaint, so someone merely disliking you can be enough to bring an inspector to your door. A particular feature is that inspectors often visit sites and document everything. If you move your registered office without properly notifying all the necessary institutions, you can expect a fine in the low thousands of korunas. 

If you have further questions about starting your business, please get in touch. During a consultation, we will certainly be able to cover everything you need. 🙂