**Don't terminate just interrupt**

You can interrupt your trade for any length of time and if you decide to return to the business at some point in the future, you can renew your trade again and continue your business. If there is even a slight possibility that you will return to the business at some point, even if in a different form, this is certainly a better option, as it avoids the CZK 1,000 fee for setting up the business again. You only have to report the interruption to the Trade Licensing Office, there is no need to explain or prove anything.

**When you decide to terminate your trade licence**

If you are adamant that your business has been a dead end and you will never rebuild it in the future, then a real and final closure of the trade is in order. However, along with the trip to the trade office, think about other important steps.

**Deal with your employees**

Most sole traders work for themselves, so the livelihood of other people is not tied to them (except for their own family). However, if you are one of the minority who employ other people, you need to think about terminating the ties with them as well. While termination of a trade is one of the reasons under the Labour Code when you can give notice, it also comes with other obligations such as two months' notice and payment of severance pay of up to three times the average salary (depending on how long the employee has worked for you). In this situation, the employment relationship can also be terminated by a termination agreement, but the employee must agree to it.

**Sort out your debts and liabilities**

If you have outstanding debts or liabilities, it is definitely advisable to invoice or pay everything before you close the business. However, if you were to close the business and fail to pay an invoice, you are unlikely to avoid paying it anyway, as the amount owed would probably be recovered from you even after the business has closed.

**Termination at the Trade Licensing Office**

The termination of a trade must first of all be notified to the central registration point (CRM) (trade offices, Czech POINTs). For this purpose, a special form called a change sheet is filled in, which is also used in cases where, for example, the name, address or other important data related to the business changes. You can fill in the change sheet directly at the trade office or Czech POINT. You will list here all the trades you wish to close. If you reported more than one trade at the beginning of your business, then you must terminate each trade individually. The declaration can be made by:

_in person at a central registration point_ - An application for termination of a trade licence can be made at any trade office throughout the country, as local jurisdiction has been revoked. The registration in the trade register will be made by the trade office that received the application first.

_online_ (with an electronic signature, or to a data box),
or send the completed and signed form to the relevant trade licensing office by post.

You can cancel your trade on the date you fill it in, or you can choose a later date. However, it is not possible to end a trade retrospectively. If you do not fill in any date and leave this box blank, the trade will be terminated on the date the decision to terminate it becomes final (this is the 16th day after the decision is issued or delivered to you). From the date of receipt of the decision, you have 15 days in which to lodge an appeal. However, you can also waive your right to appeal and thus shorten the time limit considerably.

After the termination of the trade, information about your business will remain available and visible in the public trade register for 4 years. After this period, it will be moved to the non-public part of the register.

**Tip**: You can also notify other institutions, such as the Tax Office, the health insurance office or the district social security office, of the closure of your business via the change certificate. This will save you a lot of time and work.

Please note that you are still obliged to pay social security and health insurance contributions, as well as to keep accounting or tax records during the waiting period in which the trade office assesses your application. The waiting period is up to 30 days, during which you are still considered an entrepreneur.

**Bypass other authorities**

Unless you have taken our well-intentioned advice and notified the other authorities of the end of your business via the change sheet, you must now inform all these places individually. They have different notification deadlines, so plan your visits so you can get everything done in time.

**Notify the health insurer within 8 days of closing your business.**

**Notify the tax office by the 15th day after you close your business.**

**Submit the notification to the district social security office no later than the 8th day of the month following the month in which the business was closed.**

If you fail to meet the deadlines and thus breach your notification obligation, you may be fined **up to CZK 10,000**. The good news is that you don't have to pay anything to close your business. The authorities will provide all services free of charge.

**Don't forget to file your tax return next year**

Don't forget to submit your tax returns and reports to the district social security office and health insurance office on time and correctly in March next year, even if you are already a full-time employee, for example. In this case, your employer will not process the taxes for you and it is up to you or your tax adviser or accountant.


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How to cancel a trade licence?

Prague, the heart of the Czech Republic, is an enchanting and vibrant city that attracts expats from all corners of the world. Whether you're here for work, study, or simply to experience the rich history and culture, there are several apps that can make your life as an expat in Prague significantly more convenient. We're here to introduce you to five essential apps that every expat should consider having in their smartphone.

##### **1. ZÁCHRANKA: Immediate Access to Emergency Services**

No matter where you are, unexpected events can occur at any time. With Záchranka on your mobile phone, you can swiftly connect to emergency services or mountain rescue personnel at the press of a single button. Moreover, this application offers a range of intelligent features and connectivity options designed to assist you during critical situations.

##### **2. IDOS: Mastering Public Transportation**

Prague boasts an excellent public transportation system, including trams, buses, and the metro. IDOS is an indispensable app for expats as it provides comprehensive schedules, route planning, and real-time updates. Say goodbye to the stress of missing a tram or wondering when the next metro will arrive - IDOS has got you covered.

##### **3. MAPY.CZ: Explore Prague with Local Insight**

Mapy.cz is a fantastic app for expats seeking an in-depth understanding of Prague's neighborhoods and attractions. It not only offers detailed maps but also provides information about local businesses, tourist spots, and even hiking and biking trails. This app is particularly useful for those who want to explore the city off the beaten path and find hidden gems known mostly to locals. With Mapy.cz, you can navigate Prague with a touch of local insight, enhancing your overall experience in this remarkable city.

##### **4. PID LÍTAČKA: Your Public Transport Companion**

For expats relying on public transportation in Prague, the PID Lítačka app is an absolute must-have. It allows you to purchase and store electronic tickets, check schedules, and receive real-time updates on trams, buses, and the metro. With PID Lítačka, you can easily plan your routes, ensuring you never miss a tram or bus and can seamlessly explore the city's vibrant neighborhoods and attractions.

##### **5. PRAGUER: Essential information at one place**

The application provides comprehensive information on life in Prague, thoughtfully organized by topics to serve as your daily guide. It covers various aspects, from insights into the Czech social and educational system to valuable resources for business support.
Within the application, you'll discover essential contact details for various organizations, institutions, and their respective departments. This includes entities that handle housing matters, medical facilities specializing in foreigner healthcare, and non-profit organizations offering free consultancy services.
The application also features an interactive map to help you locate relevant institutions in your vicinity and navigate the quickest route to reach them.
It is also multilingual, offering accessibility in six different languages: Czech, English, Russian, Vietnamese, Ukrainian, Chinese, and Arabic.


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5 Must-Have Apps for Expats in Prague

The City of Prague is praised not only for its astonishing sights, galleries, and museums (placing **4th in the world in Museums Category**) but also for the development undergone during the pandemic. The city flexibly modified public spaces to accommodate the current requirements in order to maintain a **high standard of living** for its citizens. The city, traditionally rich in sights and culture, is now becoming an **enticing destination for international companies**, such as Microsoft, Cisco and Oracle, attracting plenty of expats and young talents.

In the **World’s Best Cities Report**, cities are ranked on business and education development, prosperity alongside with infrastructure, housing, culture and overall atmosphere of the area.

Full report to be found at the [World's Best Cities Website](https://www.worldsbestcities.com/rankings/worlds-best-cities/).

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Prague Ranking 12th World’s Best City

We all have many common and a number of specific requirements that quality design and architecture help address, which is why we want to know yours!

Whether you are part of any group, whether you walk, use public transportation, a car, a bicycle, or combine all options, your feedback will help us incorporate your needs into the emerging wayfinding and make it the best for everyone.

If you are interested in participating in the research, please sign up using the [questionnaire](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdF6Uiz-AWi-WMwzme5lEkeZel375Ueg5VzzEntitsQl8j7-A/viewform).


Currently, we are looking for respondents for the autumn research at the HolKa location near the Štvanická lávka, where we are piloting elements of pedestrian navigation – an obelisk and directional sign. For a 30-minute interview at the location, respondents will be rewarded with a gift package and the opportunity to be among those who help make Prague more legible for everyone.

Source: Czechdesign

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Help your city to navigate better

orientation

#### **General Information**

Granting scholarships to citizens from developing and specific countries listed below for studies at the Czech public higher education institutions is an important part of the foreign development cooperation of the Czech Republic and has a long tradition. From the late 1950s to the present day over 20 000 foreign nationals have completed their studies at Czech universities with a scholarship of the Government of the Czech Republic.

**Eligible Countries and Study Programmes**
Scholarships for the academic year 2024/2025 are offered only to the citizens of the following countries:

**Belarus,
Bosnia and Herzegovina,
Cambodia,
Ethiopia, 
Georgia, 
Moldova, 
Ukraine, 
and Zambia.**

The Government Scholarships are structured to cover the standard duration of study in the following ways:

**Follow-up Master Study Programs**
This includes a one-year preparatory course in the Czech language (integrated with field-specific training). These scholarships are offered to graduates of Bachelor's degree programs. Applicants can only enroll in study programs within select areas where instruction is conducted in Czech. Depending on the subject matter, applicants may be required to pass entrance examinations at the relevant university as a prerequisite for scholarship consideration.


**Follow-up Master and Doctoral Study Programs**
These scholarships are available for graduates of Bachelor or Master study programs, respectively, who enroll in study programs with instruction in the English language.

Each applicant is obliged to fill in an electronic application form at the latest by **30 September 2023**. The successful applicant starts studying in the academic year **2024/2025**.

Detailed information on the terms and conditions of scholarship awards is provided in the binding ["Guidelines for Granting Scholarships of the Government of the Czech Republic"](https://www.msmt.cz/eu-and-international-affairs/government-scholarships-developing-countries-2), issued in Czech and English.



**Source:** Website of the Ministry of Education Youth and Sports




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Deadline for Government Scholarships Approaching

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Do you already have your **BIO bin**? You can throw away the peelings from your kitchen in the BIO bin instead of the regular bin, and the second chance for your waste is here! Plant waste will be turned into useful **compost**. You will reduce a huge amount of mixed urban waste and benefit the parks, orchards and gardens that improve our air.

#### **Information about the service**

Plant waste makes up to **20% of the contents of normal bins**. A fifth of the rubbish that could still be used to improve the air ends up in an incinerator... But it's a lousy fuel, and it burns badly. The nutrients go up the chimney without any benefit.

#### **About the bio waste bin**

Over 16,000 Prague households already deposit their vegetable waste in the brown BIObin (November 2021). Do you want to be one of them? If you're a property owner, just take a few minutes to fill in a few details in the [form](https://bio.praha.eu/formular/) (unfortunately only in Czech for now) and submit. Members of owners' associations, condominiums, etc. need to agree first. As a regular tenant, you can ask the building owner or someone acting for the owner to order a BIO bin for your building. In addition, a BIObin can reduce your waste removal charges!

#### **What will a BIO bin cost me?**

There is **no charge** for providing a BIO bin and arranging regular collections from 2022.

If the BIO bin will be placed in a public place and/or used by six or more households, it must have a lock on the lid. The container with a lock and two keys is also supplied free of charge to the owner of the premises by the collection company.

Costs may be incurred with the service if more keys are ordered. 

Get more information about the BIO waste bin arrangement here: [https://bioodpad.praha.eu/](https://bioodpad.praha.eu/)

And about the specifics of the BIO waste recycling rules [here](https://portalzp.praha.eu/file/3426189/HMP_012022_bioodpad_A4_AJ_nahled.pdf).

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Separate BIO waste with free of charge bins for vegetation

BIO waste

The Czech government has presented plans for an initiative aimed at facilitating the **voluntary return of refugees to Ukraine**. The plan, which is outlined in the draft sixth amendment to the “lex Ukraine” law, will see the Czech government providing **assistance and partial coverage of associated costs** for those opting to return. 

This move comes as the country seeks to address the recently increasing demand from refugees wishing to return to their homeland. While acknowledging the ongoing challenges faced by Ukraine, the Czech government perceives the provision of assistance to those opting for return as a progressive step.

The voluntary return program will involve the Czech Ministry of the Interior **arranging transportation** (paying for it) and providing **free guidance with regards to paperwork**. 

Eligibility for the program extends to **asylum seekers, individuals with revoked or non-renewed residence permits, as well as those who were previously deported.**

While offering aid to those who wish to return, the government also recognizes the need to ensure that the <u>decision is fully informed</u> and <u>free from undue pressure</u>. This delicate balance between support and individual agency remains at the forefront of the Czech Republic's approach to managing the refugee situation.

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Repatriation travel costs assistance for Ukrainian refugees

Czech government set to cover the repatriation costs

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Expat Workshop: Build a Competitive CV

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EXPAT WORKSHOP: Renting vs. Buying: Which is Right for You as an Expat?

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Expat Workshop: Job Interview

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Interactive Workshop on Empowering Young Refugees and Fostering Active Citizenship

Interactive Workshop

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inbaze conference

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Expat Movie Night: Women Behind the Wheel

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Expat Workshop: Conflict management

conflict management

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