Logistics Company Formation in the Czech Republic

The company is registered first, in person or remotely; the transport concession, EURO Licence, TAHO card and Mýto registration are then carried out in parallel. Under Czech law, the concession for transport with large vehicles is granted only to a company with its registered office in the Czech Republic. An operator already authorised for such transport in another EU member state cannot obtain it.

Tailored articles of association are drafted to address the specific needs of the logistics company.

EUR 9,000 for the first vehicle and EUR 5,000 for each additional vehicle. Proof may be provided by bank statement, bank guarantee or a specialist financial standing insurance policy. A newly formed company that keeps accounts may prove it with its opening balance sheet.

A natural person holding a valid Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) in road freight transport. Must be named in the concession application and contractually engaged with the company. COREDO provides the service of acting as Odpovědný zástupce directly. The certificate is issued by the regional transport authority (krajský úřad) after a written exam in Czech, made up of a test and a case study. One representative may act for no more than 4 carriers with a combined fleet of up to 50 large vehicles.

A virtual address is not acceptable for the transport concession. A physical office address with the written consent of the property owner is required. The concession application must include a document proving the company’s right to use these premises and one proving its right to use at least 1 large vehicle once the concession is granted.

International passport (original or notarised copy) and criminal record certificate — for Czech residents the standard extract, for non-EU nationals from the country of origin with apostille and certified translation.

Czech law treats as large any goods vehicle or combination over 3.5 t, and one over 2.5 t up to 3.5 t when used in international transport. Carrying goods for hire with such vehicles requires a stable establishment, good repute, financial standing and professional competence. Good repute follows the clean-record test of the Trade Licensing Act, and EU rules treat manipulating a tachograph as a serious infringement leading to its loss.

The Czech road transport association through which CEMT permits, TIR carnets and bilateral transport permits are issued. Membership is required for transport operations outside the EU. COREDO can assist with the membership application process.

Carrier’s liability insurance under the CMR Convention is the industry standard for international freight. While not a statutory requirement, it is a practical prerequisite for operations. CMR insurance is separate from and does not substitute the financial standing requirement. Czech law also applies the CMR rules on the contract of carriage and the carrier’s liability, by analogy, to domestic road freight.

EORI number (mandatory for customs, approximately 2 working days), CEMT permits (multilateral, via ČESMAD BOHEMIA), TIR carnet (required for cross-border transit), Belarus transit permit (required per journey).

Bezpečnostní poradce ADR (Safety Adviser) is mandatory (in-house or external), ADR vehicle inspection required, ADR driver certificate (valid for 5 years), extended insurance coverage required.

Drivers who are nationals of non-EU countries require a Driver Certificate pursuant to EU Regulation. The transport authority issues it on application, with documents such as the driver’s passport, residence permit, employment contract and driving licence. It is valid for up to 5 years and only while the conditions of issue are met; the original travels in the vehicle and a certified copy stays at the company’s premises.

With the EURO Licence, the company may carry out up to 3 domestic transport operations in another EU member state after delivering an incoming international load there. The last unloading must take place within 7 days of that delivery; drivers from non-EU countries need the driver certificate for this too.

Preparation and submission of the VAT registration application. Required supporting documentation: letters of intent with clients and confirmation of vehicle ownership or lease.

Accountancy costs are not included in COREDO’s fees; accountancy services are quoted separately.

Every year by 31 August, the company proves to the transport authority that it still meets the financial standing requirement; EU rules base this on annual accounts certified by an auditor or a duly accredited person. Changes to the details in the EURO Licence or a driver certificate are reported within 15 days. The licence copy for a vehicle that stops operating is returned within 1 month.