A business registration is always necessary if you start a standing business. This is the case when

• Setting up a new business,
• setting up a new branch office,
• setting up a dependent branch office,
• Takeover of an existing business, e.g. by purchase or lease,
• conversion of a sole proprietorship into another legal form,
• relocation of a business from the area of one authority to the area of another authority (counts as a discontinuation for one authority and as a new establishment for the other authority).

The business registration must be made at the same time as the start of operations.

The obligation to notify only applies if the activity is a commercial activity. Exempt from the obligation to register are, among others

• Primary production (livestock farming, agriculture, hunting, forestry and fishing)
• Liberal professions (including lawyers, notaries, tax consultants, auditors, doctors, scientific, artistic and literary activities)
• Education of children for remuneration
• Teaching

The purpose of registering a trade is to enable the competent authority to monitor the exercise of the trade and to carry out statistical surveys.

The business must be registered with the following authorities

• at the competent trade office by completing the prescribed form,
• at the competent local court for entry in the commercial register (if the business is run by a fully qualified merchant - this registration must be made in writing with a notarized signature),
• at the responsible tax office in oral or written form
• with the relevant health insurance fund for workers and employees,
• with the relevant employers' liability insurance association (accident insurance provider),
• the relevant Chamber of Industry and Commerce and possibly also
• the Chamber of Crafts.

These registrations are automatically completed by registering with the trade office. However, this does not release the trader from the obligation to contact the above-mentioned authorities and public bodies.