A practical guide to trade licences, self-employment and business in Czechia

Business account OSVČ

Business account for the self-employed (OSVČ) in 2026

No law requires you, as a self-employed person (OSVČ), to have a separate business account — you can conduct business using a personal account too. The exceptions are DPH (VAT) payers and those drawing a business loan. Even so, it pays to keep business and personal money separate, and with Fio banka and Air Bank it costs nothing extra.

Fio and Air Bank 0 Kč/month Air Bank 1% cashback fees are tax-deductible mandatory only for DPH (VAT) payers

Quick answer: do I need a business account?

By law, no — an ordinary self-employed person (OSVČ) can invoice and receive payments to a personal account. A separate account is mandatory if you are a DPH (VAT) payer (you must report to the tax authority the numbers of accounts used for economic activity, which then become public in the VAT payer register) or if you want a business loan, or if you belong to a regulated profession. Even so, it is recommended to keep a separate account: better financial overview, easier tax records and a more professional impression. With Fio banka and Air Bank you can run a business account for free. Source: Finanční správa, Fakturoid — verified 2026.

Comparison of business accounts 2026

Bank / accountMonthly feeDomestic paymentsCard / cashbackBest for
Fio banka — Business account0 KčUnlimited and free (incl. SEPA)2 cards free (Visa + Mastercard)Most OSVČ — account in up to 14 currencies, transparent account free
Air Bank — Business account0 KčDomestic, SEPA, instant and standing orders with no monthly fee1% cashback on payments with the business card (CZK)Those who want cashback and mobile invoicing; now also for multi-member s.r.o.
Revolut BusinessBasic 0 Kč, higher plans from ~250 Kč/monthLimited number of free payments on lower plansAccounts in 25+ currencies, multi-currency account freeThose who invoice abroad frequently (international payments on Basic ~150 Kč)
Raiffeisenbank — business accountOften 0 Kč on promotion when turnover/conditions are metPer tariffBrick-and-mortar branchesThose who want branch service and in-person dealings
mBank — mKonto BusinessBasic maintenance 0 Kč if conditions are metPer conditionsATM network, simple online managementThose who prefer a purely online, free bank

Comparison based on the banks' official price lists (fio.cz, airbank.cz, revolut.com) and Finmag / Měšec comparisons — verified 2026. Bank fees change on an ongoing basis, and with Raiffeisenbank and mBank conditions apply for keeping the account free (turnover, number of payments) — always verify the provider's current price list before opening an account. Recommendation for most OSVČ starting out: a fully free account with Fio banka or Air Bank. Choose Revolut Business if you invoice abroad frequently or need accounts in multiple currencies.

When you really need an account

DPH (VAT) payers are required to report to the tax authority the numbers of accounts used for economic activity; these then become public in the VAT payer register. This is linked to liability for VAT and payments to a so-called published account — which is why VAT payers generally keep a separate business account and do not list their personal account in the register. A separate account is also required for drawing a business loan and for certain regulated professions (lawyers, notaries, etc.). Furthermore, many banks prohibit using a private account for business purposes in their terms and conditions — so a separate business account is also the safer choice. Source: Finanční správa, Fakturoid — verified 2026.

Account fees are tax-deductible

If you keep a business account, you have one further advantage: the fees for maintaining it are a tax-deductible expense. If you declare your expenses on an actual basis, they therefore reduce your tax base. This applies to the account maintenance fee, the payment card fee and fees for payments connected with your business.

With free accounts (Fio, Air Bank) you pay no monthly fee, but any fees for foreign payments, currency conversion or premium plans (e.g. higher Revolut Business tariffs) are also tax-deductible. Conversely, if you conduct business on a personal account, tracing and separating business fees from private ones is more complicated — which is another practical reason to keep the account separate. Source: Fakturoid — verified 2026.

How to choose the right account

You are starting out and want a free account

Go for Fio banka or Air Bank — unlimited domestic payments free, a free card and invoicing directly in the app. Air Bank also gives 1% cashback on card payments.

You invoice abroad

Choose Revolut Business — accounts in 25+ currencies and favourable exchange rates. Note: international payments are charged on the free Basic plan (around 150 Kč), and higher plans cost from ~250 Kč/month.

You want a branch and in-person service

Raiffeisenbank offers brick-and-mortar branches and an account that is often free on promotion when turnover conditions are met. mBank is a purely online alternative with free maintenance if conditions are met.

Frequently asked questions about business accounts

Do I, as a self-employed person (OSVČ), have to have a business account?
By law, no — no regulation requires a self-employed person (OSVČ) to keep a separate business account, and you can conduct business on a personal account too. The exceptions are DPH (VAT) payers, who must report to the tax authority the numbers of accounts used for economic activity, as well as those drawing a business loan and certain regulated professions. Even so, a separate account is recommended for the sake of financial overview and tax records.
Which business account is free?
You can run a business account with no monthly fee at all with Fio banka and Air Bank — both offer unlimited domestic payments free and a free card. Air Bank also gives 1% cashback on payments with the business card. Revolut Business has a free Basic plan, but foreign payments on it are charged. With Raiffeisenbank and mBank, free maintenance is usually conditional on meeting a turnover target or minimum number of payments.
Can I conduct business on a personal (private) account?
Technically yes, if you are not a DPH (VAT) payer — the law does not prohibit it. However, be aware of the bank's terms and conditions: many banks prohibit using a private account for business in their terms, so you risk having it closed. A separate business account is therefore more practical and safer, and on top of that free with Fio or Air Bank.
Are business account fees tax-deductible?
Yes. Fees for maintaining a business account, for the payment card and for payments connected with your business are a tax-deductible expense, and when you declare expenses on an actual basis they reduce your tax base. This is another reason to separate business money from personal money.
Is Revolut Business worth it for a Czech self-employed person (OSVČ)?
It depends on how you invoice. For an ordinary domestic OSVČ, a completely free account with Fio or Air Bank is more advantageous. Revolut Business is worth it if you invoice abroad frequently or need accounts in multiple currencies — it offers accounts in 25+ currencies. Bear in mind, however, that international payments are charged on the free Basic plan and higher plans cost from approximately 250 Kč per month.

Get your business off the ground without mistakes

The account is just one piece of the puzzle. Take a look at the complete starter pack of tools for a new self-employed person (OSVČ) — account, data box (datová schránka), invoicing and e-mail on your own domain, all clearly in one place. And for issuing invoices, we also help you with our comparison of invoicing software.

OSVČ starter pack