Before setting up abroad, decide where your customers, employees and effective management will be based. Compare a local company, a branch of your Czech company and providing services across borders. The right option depends on your activities and the rules in the destination country.
Choosing how to enter a market
- A local company is a separate legal entity. Consider it if you need to sign contracts, hire staff or take on a local investor in that country.
- A branch operates as part of the existing Czech company. Check local requirements for registration, representation, licensing, accounting and tax.
- Cross-border services can in some cases be supplied within the EU by a Czech company without forming a local entity. The nature, temporary character and way the activity is carried out all matter. Check notification and licensing rules for regulated sectors.
Where to check the requirements in each country
| Country | Where to start and what to check |
|---|---|
| Slovakia | On Slovensko.sk, check whether the proposed s.r.o. qualifies for simplified formation and whether the selected activities are covered by that procedure. |
| Poland | Biznes.gov.pl explains the registration procedure for each legal form. For a sp. z o.o., compare the S24 electronic procedure with the procedure for individually prepared documents. |
| Cyprus | The Business in Cyprus portal covers the steps from selecting a legal form and registering to obtaining permits. Check tax and employment obligations in advance as well. |
| Italy | Registro Imprese explains company formation and the subsequent Comunicazione Unica electronic filing. For your chosen legal form, check whether a notary is involved and what information the local register requires. |
| Georgia | The National Agency of Public Registry publishes registration time frames and fees. Plan for tax registration and bank checks alongside company registration. |
| UAE – Dubai | Use Invest in Dubai to compare mainland and free zone options. Before choosing, confirm where you will trade and which activities the specific licence covers. |
What to check before signing and issuing your first invoice
Ask for a list of founders’ documents, registered office and capital requirements, bank conditions and a first-year budget. Separate one-off formation costs from recurring costs for the registered office, accounting, licences and filings. For cross-border operations, check tax residence, VAT and any permanent establishment in light of how you actually operate and the applicable double tax treaty.
In your enquiry, state the country, business activity, type of client, number of founders and where the company will be managed. Say whether you need a local office, employees or administrative support only. If a foreign company is entering Czechia, see the procedure for a Czech registered branch.