The Czech business identification number assigned upon registration in the Commercial Register — required on all invoices, contracts, and official business correspondence.
IČO — Identifikační číslo osoby — is the Czech business identification number, an 8-digit number assigned to every legal entity, non-profit organisation, sole trader, and self-employed person registered in the Czech Republic. It is issued by the relevant court administering the Commercial Register (Obchodní rejstřík) upon registration and serves as the primary identifier for all business transactions, tax filings, public procurement, and official correspondence.
Every Czech company (whether s.r.o., a.s., or other legal form) and every OSVČ (self-employed person) must display their IČO on all invoices, quotations, contracts, and official correspondence. The IČO can be looked up free of charge in the Obchodní rejstřík database at justice.cz, which shows the company's registered address, statutory representatives, share capital, and filed accounts. This public register is one of the key due diligence tools when dealing with Czech business counterparties.
For foreign nationals setting up a Czech company (nejčastěji s.r.o. — společnost s ručením omezeným, the Czech private limited company), the IČO is issued by the registration court at the time of incorporation. The process requires a notarial deed of incorporation (společenská smlouva or zakladatelská listina), a registered Czech address, a bank statement confirming share capital deposit, and — for non-EU directors — a trade licence (živnostenský list) or equivalent. Czech company formation typically takes 1–4 weeks.
The IČO is distinct from the DIČ (tax identification number). The DIČ is the Czech VAT registration number, formed by prefixing the IČO with "CZ" (e.g. CZ12345678). A company must register for VAT (and thus obtain a DIČ) once its turnover exceeds 2,000,000 CZK per year, or may voluntarily register earlier. Non-VAT-registered companies display their IČO without the "CZ" prefix on invoices.
Foreign companies operating in the Czech Republic through a branch (odštěpný závod) must also register in the Obchodní rejstřík and obtain a Czech IČO. The branch is not a separate legal entity from the parent company, but it has its own IČO and must comply with Czech accounting and tax requirements. A Czech business lawyer can advise on the most appropriate structure for your Czech operations.
Search the free Obchodní rejstřík (Commercial Register) at justice.cz by the company name, registered address, or known IČO. The register shows the company's current status, registered address, directors, share capital, and filed accounts.
The IČO is the general business registration number used in the Commercial Register and on all business documents. The DIČ is the tax identification number — for VAT-registered companies, it is "CZ" + IČO. Companies not registered for VAT display their IČO only on invoices.
Yes. There are no nationality restrictions on Czech company directors. Non-EU directors typically need a Czech trade licence (živnostenský oprávnění) or a relevant professional qualification recognised in the Czech Republic. EU citizens can act as directors without a trade licence for most activities. A Czech business lawyer can advise on the requirements for your specific situation.
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