Documents for a trade licence in the Czech Republic: a case with a diploma translation

A client was setting up a trade (živnostenské oprávnění) in the Czech Republic in a skilled category — which, unlike the free categories, requires proof of professional qualification. He brought a diploma with a court translation, but the trade licensing office additionally requested recognition of the education and a translation of a statement on the content of the study programme.

What exactly is required

For a skilled (řemeslná) trade, qualification is proved by a relevant diploma or certificate plus, as a rule, a document of practical experience, or through a separate qualification-recognition procedure. A foreign diploma usually goes through nostrification or recognition via an authorised body, and for that a soudní překlad of the diploma and its supplement is needed, and sometimes the curriculum of the specialisation.

A police record from the country of origin (with an apostille and a court translation) is also part of the package: the trade licensing office checks the applicant's "integrity" (bezúhonnost). The requirements for a specific activity are worth clarifying with your živnostenský úřad in advance — the lists differ.

The order of steps

Before leaving the country that issued the documents: apostille the diploma with its supplement and the police record — later this is difficult and slow. In the Czech Republic: a court translation of all the documents, an application for recognition of the qualification or education, then the application for the trade.

Have the translation of the diploma and supplement done by a single soudní překladatel, so the names of subjects and the specialisation are consistent with what then goes to the recognising body. And do not order extra translations "just in case": every document here is a separate line on the invoice, and what is needed is a specific set for your type of activity.