How to Start a Business as a Virtual Assistant: From Obtaining a Business ID Number to Setting Up a Virtual Office

Whether you plan to assist companies as a virtual assistant with administrative tasks, social media management, or time management, there are several formal steps you’ll need to take. Find out how to obtain a business license, how to handle social security contributions and taxes, and why it’s worth registering a virtual address instead of your private residence.

How does a virtual assistant work?

As a virtual assistant, you help entrepreneurs and companies remotely. You take on administrative, technical, or creative tasks that they don’t have time for because of their own projects.

Most often, you handle:

• Communication and organization—you sort incoming emails, schedule meetings, and manage the calendar.
• Billing and finances—you issue invoices and prepare documents for accounting.
• Customer support—you handle customer inquiries via chat, email, or phone.
• Social media – you post updates to company profiles and respond to comments.

A major advantage of this profession is that you can get by without costly initial investments or equipment. To do the job, you mainly need a computer, a stable internet connection, and a phone. Plus, you can put your specific skills—such as graphic design or knowledge of specific software—to good use.

What business license should a virtual assistant choose?

To legally invoice for your services, you first need to obtain a business license. This will make you a self-employed individual (OSVČ), and you’ll be able to work from home (or the beach or a café) using your business ID number (IČO).

For most virtual assistant activities, a general business license is sufficient, for which you do not need to provide proof of any specific education or prior experience.

When registering with the Trade Licensing Office, select the category titled:“Production, Trade, and Services Not Listed in Annexes 1 through 3 of the Trade Licensing Act.” Within this category, you’ll then check the specific activities that best match your work. The most common fields are:

• Number 60: Advisory and consulting services; preparation of expert studies and reports
• Number 66: Advertising, marketing, and media representation
• Number 70: Administrative management services and services of an organizational and economic nature
• Number 72: Extracurricular education and training; organizing courses and training sessions, including lecturing

Primary vs. Secondary Activity for the Self-Employed: What’s the Difference?

When starting a business, you cannot simply decide on your own whether you’ll operate as a primary or secondary activity. Statutory rules determine which category you fall into.

From an income tax perspective, there is no difference between a primary and a secondary business activity. In both cases, income is taxed in the same manner at a rate of 15%. However, if your taxable income exceeds 36 times the average wage (which amounts to 1,762,812 CZK per year in 2026), the portion of your income above this limit will be subject to a 23% tax rate. Different rules therefore apply only to social security and health insurance contributions.

When Does It Make Sense to Start Your Own Limited Liability Company (s. r. o.)?

For most aspiring virtual assistants, operating as a sole proprietor is the easiest way to get started. It’s worth considering establishing a limited liability company (s. r. o.) when:

• Your income is growing significantly —transitioning to a legal entity becomes more advantageous from a tax and social security perspective.
• You plan to hire more people —you want to build your own agency that brings together multiple assistants under a single brand.
• You work with large corporate clients —for large companies, an s. r. o. represents a more transparent and stable partner.

How does a virtual office protect your privacy when working from home?

As a virtual assistant, you don’t need a traditional office open to the public or a brick-and-mortar location. Your workplace will typically be your living room, home office, a café, or a coworking space. However, the law requires that you provide a registered office address when registering your business, which is then entered into the public trade registry.

If you list your permanent residence as your registered address , this comes with three main disadvantages:

In such cases, a virtual business address for self-employed individuals is a suitable solution. For a few hundred crowns a month, you’ll get an official address for the Trade Licensing Office, fulfill your legal obligations, and keep your personal address separate from your business. When choosing a provider, however, make sure that the registered office includes the required building signage and reliable handling of incoming mail so that you don’t miss any important correspondence.

How can we help you get your business off the ground?

Are you interested in working as a virtual assistant and want to get started right away? Leave the paperwork to us so you can focus entirely on your clients. We’ll handle the registration of your self-employment business for you, secure a virtual business address in Prague or Brno, and take care of your tax return at the end of the year. Just contact us using the form below.