Research and development in the natural and technical sciences or the social sciences

An unqualified (free) trade (field no. 64) covering basic and applied research and experimental development in the natural, technical or social sciences. It requires no professional qualification; it is enough to meet the general conditions under Section 6 of the Trade Licensing Act.

Examples of activities

• basic research in the natural sciences (physics, chemistry, biology)
• applied research and experimental development in technical fields
• development of new materials, technologies and production processes
• social-science and humanities research (sociology, economics, psychology)
• preparation of research studies, analyses and expert opinions
• test measurements and experiments for research and development purposes
• contract research and development for firms and institutions
• carrying out building-historical surveys

What this trade is and what it is for

The trade "Research and development in the natural and technical sciences or the social sciences" is field no. 64 within the single unqualified (free) trade (Annex 4 to the Trade Licensing Act, Act No. 455/1991 Coll.). It entitles you to carry out research and development activity, systematically and independently, for profit.

This trade covers basic research (acquiring new knowledge without a specific practical aim), applied research (targeted at practical use) and experimental development (using knowledge to create new materials, products, processes or services). It concerns the natural sciences (physics, chemistry, biology, Earth sciences), technical sciences (mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, IT, construction) and the social sciences and humanities (economics, sociology, psychology, legal sciences, history). The field also includes carrying out building-historical surveys.

It is a typical trade for researchers working under contract, development and innovation studios, technology start-ups and consultants preparing expert analyses and opinions.

What falls under this trade (and what does not)

Field no. 64 covers in particular:

• theoretical and experimental research work in all the stated scientific areas,
• development of new technologies, materials, production processes and prototypes,
• preparation of research studies, analyses, surveys and expert opinions,
• test measurements and experiments carried out within research and development,
• carrying out building-historical surveys,
• research and development carried out under contract for third parties.

This is without prejudice to the freedom of scientific enquiry or to authors' ability to use the results of their intellectual creative activity.

What does not fall here under the content of the field (and where to direct it):

• The field does not cover research in geological works, in healthcare including the research of medicinal products, or the development of weapons, ammunition, explosives, security materials and aviation technology - these areas are governed by special regulations or belong to other trades.
• Advisory and consultancy services without one's own research and development activity fall rather under field no. 60, "Advisory and consultancy activity, preparation of expert studies and opinions".
• Routine testing, measurement and inspections (without a research element) belong under field no. 65, "Testing, measurement, analyses and inspections".
• Software development and IT consultancy is field no. 56, "Provision of software, consultancy in information technology...".
• Activities whose performance requires a special permit or accreditation under other laws (e.g. handling genetically modified organisms or sources of ionising radiation) additionally require the relevant permit outside the regime of the Trade Licensing Act.

The boundary between fields is often thin. If you are unsure about classification, it is better to choose several fields at once (this is at no extra charge) or to contact the Trade Licensing Office.

Conditions for obtaining it under the law

This trade is unqualified (free), so professional qualification is not proven - you need no university education, academic degree or experience in research. This is a fundamental difference from regulated and licensed (concession) trades.

It is enough to meet the general conditions under Section 6 of the Trade Licensing Act:

• full legal capacity (usually from the age of 18; exceptionally from the age of 16 with the court's consent),
• clean criminal record - for Czech citizens the office obtains the extract from the Criminal Records Register itself.

A natural person who themselves meets the general conditions need not appoint a responsible representative. If the trade is pursued by a legal entity (or a person who does not meet the conditions themselves), they appoint a responsible representative under Section 11 of the Trade Licensing Act; one person may act as responsible representative for no more than 4 entrepreneurs. The trade licence arises on the very day of notification (Section 10(1)).

How to notify or obtain the trade step by step

1. Fill in the Unified Registration Form (JRF). In the subject of business you select the unqualified trade and, within it, field no. 64; you may tick further fields straight away.
2. Submit the notification (Section 45). In person at any Trade Licensing Office (municipal Trade Licensing Office), at a Czech POINT branch, or electronically via the rzp.gov.cz portal.
3. Provide the necessary particulars (see below) and pay the fee.
4. Wait for the entry. The office makes the entry in the Trade Register within 5 working days of the notification being delivered and issues an extract (Section 47).

A detailed procedure is set out in the guide /jak-zalozit-zivnost.

Documents and fees

• Documents: completed JRF, proof of identity; foreigners and legal entities provide further documents under Section 46.
• Professional qualification: not proven (unqualified trade).
• Administrative fee: CZK 1,000 for the first trade notification, CZK 800 for an electronic submission.
• Adding another field of the unqualified trade later: free of charge (CZK 0).
• Time limit for the entry: within 5 working days of the notification.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a university education or a degree for this research?

No. This is an unqualified trade where professional qualification is not proven at all. The general conditions under Section 6 - legal capacity and a clean criminal record - are enough.

Can I add further fields of the unqualified trade to field no. 64?

Yes. There is a single unqualified trade with 82 fields; you may notify any number of them at once for a single fee. Adding another field later is free of charge.

When can I start doing business?

Immediately after notification - the licence arises on the day of notification (Section 10(1)). The office will issue the extract from the Trade Register within 5 working days.

Does any special permit outside the Trade Licensing Act apply to research?

The trade itself is unqualified, but the field does not cover research in geological works, in healthcare (including medicinal products), or the development of weapons, ammunition, explosives and aviation technology - those are governed by special regulations. Some further activities (e.g. work with GMOs or sources of ionising radiation) may also require a special permit under other laws. Check this according to the nature of your research.

What if I do routine tests rather than research?

Then field no. 65, "Testing, measurement, analyses and inspections", is more likely to apply to you. In case of doubt, notify both fields or seek advice at the Trade Licensing Office.

Sources

• Act No. 455/1991 Coll., the Trade Licensing Act
• Government Regulation No. 278/2008 Coll., on the content scope of individual trades
• Ministry of Industry and Trade (MPO)