Do you need legal services abroad?

ARROWS is a leading Prague-based law firm that serves as your dedicated legal compass. ARROWS specializes in guiding foreign investors through every step of their journey in the Czech Republic and the EU. The firm's services are tailored to meet your unique needs, ensuring a smooth and secure transition, so you can focus on what matters most: growing your business.

The ARROWS law firm offers a comprehensive suite of legal and tax services designed to address the most critical needs of international clients.

1. Corporate Operations, Transformations & Liquidations

Running a company abroad is not only about the right start but also about continuous compliance and the ability to adapt to change. ARROWS supports Czech businesses with the operation of their foreign subsidiaries – from statutory filings and corporate governance to cross-border registrations and annual reporting obligations.

Our team also advises on corporate transformations, including mergers, demergers, spin-offs, and cross-border conversions. These processes require precise coordination of local and EU rules, notarial certifications, and often the involvement of courts or regulators. We guide clients through the entire procedure, ensuring legal certainty and minimizing business disruption.

Where business goals shift, we also provide full support for the termination of companies or branches abroad. This includes voluntary liquidations, strike-offs, or restructuring into more efficient legal forms. Our lawyers coordinate with local authorities, liquidators, and tax advisors to make sure the winding-up process is both legally sound and financially efficient. With ARROWS, international entrepreneurs (Europe, Asia, Africa, USA, SAE) can rely on a partner who covers the entire corporate lifecycle – from day-to-day operations to complex reorganizations and final closures.

2. Intellectual Property (IP) Protection

Your intellectual property is a cornerstone of your business. In the Czech Republic and the EU, trademarks, patents, and industrial designs are protected by robust frameworks. ARROWS assists with the entire registration process, working with both the Czech Industrial Property Office and the EU Intellectual Property Office, to protect your innovations and brands from counterfeiting and piracy.

Foreign small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can also benefit from the EU-backed SME Fund, which can provide a refund of up to 90% of the costs for services like IP scans, and up to €700 for trademarks and designs. 

3. Resolving Disputes with Czech Partners

Business disputes are an unfortunate reality, but with a strong legal partner, they don't have to derail your success. ARROWS provides strategic representation in litigation and international arbitration to resolve disputes effectively, whether with local suppliers, distributors, or joint venture partners. The firm's goal is to protect your interests and minimize the impact on your business, leveraging its extensive experience to navigate Czech courts and global arbitration forums.  

4. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Screening & Regulatory Compliance

To protect national security, the Czech Republic has an FDI screening mechanism for investments in sensitive sectors. Failing to submit an application to the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MPO) can lead to fines of up to 1% of your total turnover. A negative decision from the MPO is final and cannot be appealed. The ARROWS law firm provides essential legal due diligence and guides you through the entire FDI screening process, ensuring full compliance and minimizing the risk of penalties.  

5. Labor Law & Employment

Hiring foreign employees in the Czech Republic is made simpler by the Employee Card, a combined work and residence permit that streamlines the process. Czech labor law guarantees foreign employees the same rights as local citizens, including equal pay for equal work and a minimum of four weeks of paid leave. ARROWS assists with visa applications, Employee Card processing, and drafting employment contracts that comply with all local labor regulations.  

6. Licensing & Regulatory Approvals

In the Czech Republic, many business activities require prior approval or a license from regulators – most notably the Czech National Bank (ČNB). This applies to payment institutions, electronic money institutions, consumer credit providers, investment firms, funds, insurance brokers, and crypto-asset service providers.

ARROWS assists foreign and domestic clients in preparing applications for ČNB licensing, ensuring compliance with AML/KYC obligations, capital requirements, and governance rules. We represent clients in proceedings before the regulator, help set up internal policies, and provide ongoing compliance support after licensing.

We also guide businesses in other regulated sectors, such as energy, healthcare, construction, and telecoms, where permits and sector-specific approvals are essential. Our team manages the entire process – from the initial feasibility check, through documentation and regulator communication, to final approval – so that your operations can launch without delays or legal risks.

ARROWS Regional Expertise: Tailored for Your Success

The ARROWS law firm understands that legal challenges are often intertwined with cultural and political nuances. The firm's deep expertise in serving clients from specific regions allows it to provide truly customized solutions.

For Clients from China: ARROWS helps Chinese investors navigate the complexities of a new legal system and overcome cultural barriers. The firm understands that business in China is built on guanxi and long-term trust. The firm acts as a trusted bridge, assisting with FDI screening , managing disputes with local partners, and advising on corporate restructuring while leveraging the double taxation treaty between the Czech Republic and China.

For Clients from the United Arab Emirates (UAE): For investors from the UAE, ARROWS provides guidance on structuring investments to take full advantage of the new double taxation treaty, which came into force in 2024. This is crucial for tax efficiency and profit protection. ARROWS is also culturally attuned to the fact that personal relationships are key in Middle Eastern business, and the firm is committed to building long-term, trustworthy partnerships with its clients.

For Clients from Africa: ARROWS offers a stable and predictable legal environment to businesses from Africa, where legal systems can be a complex blend of civil, common, and customary law. The firm protects your investments by drafting international contracts with arbitration clauses to ensure enforceability and a clear path to dispute resolution. ARROWS' expertise helps you establish the right legal structure and navigate regulatory processes to build a credible and successful business in the Czech Republic.

Why Choose ARROWS?

• Local Expertise, Global Reach: ARROWS is based in Prague, but its robust network of partners spans over 70 countries, providing you with local knowledge and global reach from a single point of contact.  

• A True One-Stop-Shop: The firm's integrated team of legal and tax experts provides comprehensive advice under one roof, saving you time and ensuring seamless coordination.

• Clear Communication: ARROWS eliminates language barriers by handling all legal communication in English, ensuring you fully understand every step of the process. The firm translates complex legal concepts and documents so you can make informed decisions.

• A Proven Track Record: The firm's experience includes managing significant cross-border acquisitions and corporate restructurings for clients in Europe and around the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What are the main steps for a foreigner to establish a company in the Czech Republic? A: The process is similar to that for Czech citizens, but with key requirements. All foreign documents (e.g., powers of attorney) must be translated by a court-appointed interpreter and may need an apostille or superlegalization. Future directors must also provide a criminal record check from their home country. The ARROWS law firm handles these steps, including navigating the complexities of opening a corporate bank account, which can be challenging due to strict anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) regulations.

Q2: How does the FDI screening law affect my investment? A: The Czech Republic has a mandatory FDI screening process for investments in sensitive sectors to protect national security. Failure to file an application can result in significant fines—up to 1% of your total turnover or CZK 50 million. A negative decision from the Ministry of Industry and Trade cannot be appealed, which is why expert legal guidance is crucial.  

Q3: How do you assist with hiring foreign employees? A: The ARROWS law firm helps streamline the process by assisting with the Employee Card, which is a combined work and residence permit issued by the Ministry of the Interior. This eliminates the need for two separate applications. ARROWS also ensures that all employment contracts comply with Czech labor law, which guarantees foreign workers the same rights as local employees, including equal pay and a minimum of four weeks of paid annual leave.  

Q4: Can I get financial support for protecting my intellectual property? A: Yes. Foreign small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can benefit from the EU's SME Fund. This program offers refunds for services like IP Scan, which provides legal advice on IP enforcement, with up to 90% of costs covered. You can also receive up to €700 for trademark and design fees and up to €1,500 for legal services related to patents. The firm guides its clients through the application process to help them secure these grants.  

Q5: What makes ARROWS a "one-stop-shop" for my legal needs? A: The ARROWS law firm integrates legal and tax expertise under one roof. The firm's team includes both lawyers and tax advisors, ensuring that your business structuring, acquisitions, or restructurings are not only legally sound but also tax-efficient. This approach saves you time and the administrative burden of coordinating multiple firms.

Q6: How do you help with disputes against local partners? A: The ARROWS law firm provides strategic representation in litigation and international arbitration. The firm's expertise ensures that disputes are resolved efficiently and that your interests are protected, whether in Czech courts or through international arbitration forums like those governed by ICC or UNCITRAL rules. 

Q7: How do you bridge cultural and legal differences for clients from China, the UAE, or Africa? A: ARROWS provides intercultural advice and has a deep understanding of business norms in different regions. For instance, the firm recognizes that Chinese business is built on guanxi and that personal relationships are key in the UAE. For African clients, ARROWS provides the stability of a transparent legal system and ensures contracts include internationally enforceable arbitration clauses to mitigate risks.

Q8: In which countries do you operate? A: While the ARROWS law firm's headquarters are in Prague, it leverages a global network of "best friends" partners and its membership in prestigious international legal networks to provide services in over 70 countries worldwide. This means you can have a single point of contact in Prague for legal matters across the globe.

Ready to launch your business in the Czech Republic or EUROPE?