Is a long-term visa or Czech residence permit required to set up or buy a company in the Czech Republic?

No, a visa or residence permit is not required for opening a new company or purchasing an existing legal entity in the Czech Republic.

Czech legislation DOES NOT REQUIRE founders and directors of a Czech firm to be residents of the country (by having a long-term visa, residence permit, or resident status). The law allows a company's founder and director to be a citizen of any country, with no restrictions. This means a business in the Czech Republic can be established for any foreigner from any nation. This applies to both registering a new company and buying an existing one, as the requirements are the same.

There is one specific requirement if the company director is a non-resident of the Czech Republic or any other EU country (so-called third-country nationals): a criminal record certificate from the director's country of citizenship will be necessary. This document will require an original wet ink stamp (mean not any electronic document) and, for a number of countries, an apostille certification.

Additionally, company directors and founders need to be represented in the Czech Republic by someone with a power of attorney. This person will organize the company incorporation or purchase and sign the required documents on behalf of the directors and founders. A power of attorney can always be arranged, but the specific place to have it certified depends on your location (typically this is done via local notaries or at Czech consulates, if one is available nearby). When you work with us, we take care of preparing the texts of the powers of attorney and guide you through the entire document certification process.