Freelancing in Prague

Freelancing is an option for a number of different occupations, including writers, web designers, IT consultants, translators, online tutors, graphic designers, photographers and counselors, just to name a few. Austrian native Cris Rieder , who has lived in Prague as an expat for eight years, and works as a freelance counselor and web designer, says, “I always tried my best to live and work on my own terms, so freelancing–being independent, being my own boss, choosing what and for whom to work–was the only way to go. No question about that. I am lucky to have two (freelance) businesses that represent both the right and the left side of my brain. My intuitive/feeling side and my logical/technical side. So I stay right in balance.”

Paul Pacey , a native of Toronto, has been working as a freelance photographer in Prague for four years, although he admits that photographers in Prague are “a dime a dozen. It’s so easy these days for someone to buy a digital camera, and overnight, they’re a photographer. Even large clients are often inclined to hire someone who has little experience just because they are inexpensive.”

Pacey, like Rieder, finds clients via networking and word-of-mouth, adding that it “doesn’t matter how good your website is or how many email campaigns you do. Building business here starts with meeting people face-to-face and maintaining a good reputation. Often, the best way to get work is simply to do work.”
Pacey’s advice to those looking to freelance in any field? “Simply…get out there and network as much as possible. Aligning one’s self with strategic partners who can act as a conduit to more potential clients is also quite important in maximizing one’s exposure,” he says.

Co-Working
Co-working is a great new way for freelancers to get out of the house and recover that sorely missed social interaction and water cooler gossip from your cubicle days of yore. This trend is sweeping the globe, recently arriving in Prague in the form of shared workspaces and co-working “jellies;” freelancer meet-ups at a local cafe for a full day of work. You can rent a desk or a meeting room for a few hours or a few weeks, or just join a jelly from time to time to mix and mingle with others who know what it means to be a freelancer. Some co-working organizations in Prague include Hub Prague , Locus Workspace, The Works, Coffice and Creators .

Resources
It can be useful to join a regional, national or even international professional association for your profession, such as the International Association of Journalists . Other websites that can come in handy for freelancers in all categories include FreelanceFolder.com, Guru.com, Linkedin.com and Burryman.com.

If you need a visa to remain in the Czech Republic for over 90 days, you can apply for a business visa. For this long-term visa, your purpose of stay will be your freelance work, which must be documented by obtaining a Živnostenský list—a trade license. When you acquire a Živnostenský list, you will get your own tax ID number, and you will start paying social security and taxes, just like any Czech citizen. If you don’t require a visa to stay in the Czech Republic, but still need to invoice for services rendered, you will also need to apply for a Živnostenský list.

Renting a virtual office or business address is also an option for freelancers who need to secure a trade license. If you need an address for the incorporation or registration of a company in Prague, you can contact companies like Chronos Business Centre or Aitken who provide such services.

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