Mandatory Information on a Business Website: What's Missing = a Fine
Do you have a business website or e-shop? Then the law requires you to display certain identifying information on it. And yet, a surprisingly large number of websites are missing this information — or have it incomplete. That can result in a fine of up to CZK 100,000. In this article, we'll walk through exactly what information you're required to display as a sole trader (OSVČ), as a company registered in the commercial register, and as an e-shop operator. We'll explain where these obligations come from in law, and show you how to meet them correctly.
Why the law requires information on websites
The obligation to display identifying information on websites stems from the principle of transparency in commercial dealings. A customer, business partner, or authority must be able to easily find out who they're dealing with. This obligation predates the internet — it originally applied to commercial documents (letters, invoices, orders). Websites are now treated as the equivalent of commercial documents.
Key legislation
The mandatory website information requirements are governed primarily by:
- Section 435 of Act No. 89/2012 Coll., the Civil Code — obligations when acting in public.
- Section 7 of Act No. 90/2012 Coll., the Business Corporations Act — obligations for commercial companies.
- Act No. 634/1992 Coll., on Consumer Protection — information obligations towards consumers.
- Act No. 127/2005 Coll., on Electronic Communications — cookies.
- GDPR (EU Regulation 2016/679) — personal data protection.
- Act No. 480/2004 Coll., on Certain Information Society Services — commercial communications.
Mandatory information for all businesses (sole traders and limited companies)
Under Section 435 of the Civil Code, a business must display the following on its website:
📋Basic mandatory information on a business website
Sole traders (OSVČ — self-employed individuals)
Template — mandatory sole trader information on a website
Jan Novák Company registration number (IČO): 12345678 Place of business: Hlavní 123, 110 00 Praha 1 Registered in the Trade Licensing Register maintained by the Prague City Authority
Optional but recommended: VAT number (DIČ): CZ12345678 (if VAT-registered) Phone: +420 123 456 789 Email: jan@novak.cz
Limited liability company (s.r.o.)
For limited liability companies and other business corporations, additional obligations apply under Section 7 of the Business Corporations Act:
Template — mandatory s.r.o. information on a website
Novák Design s.r.o. Company registration number (IČO): 87654321 VAT number (DIČ): CZ87654321 Registered address: Vodičkova 30, 110 00 Praha 1 Registered in the Commercial Register maintained by the Municipal Court in Prague, Section C, File 123456 Share capital: CZK 200,000 (fully paid up)
Optional but recommended: Director: Jan Novák Data mailbox: abc1234 Phone: +420 123 456 789
Register details must be precise
It's not enough to write "registered in the commercial register." You must state the specific registration court (e.g. Municipal Court in Prague), the section (e.g. C), and the file number (e.g. 123456). You can find these details in your commercial register extract on the justice.cz portal.
VAT number (DIČ) — is it mandatory on a website?
The VAT number (DIČ) is not a mandatory item on a website under the Civil Code. However, it is mandatory on tax documents (invoices) for VAT-registered businesses under the VAT Act. We recommend including it on your website because:
- Business partners need it to verify VAT registration in the ARES/VIES system.
- It increases your website's credibility.
- Customers expect to see it on e-shops.
Special requirements for e-shops
If you run an online shop (e-shop), additional obligations apply under the Consumer Protection Act and the Civil Code provisions governing consumer contracts concluded at a distance.
Information an e-shop must provide before a contract is concluded
📊Mandatory e-shop information before a contract is concluded
Obligation to inform customers about alternative dispute resolution (ADR)
Since 2016, e-shops have been required to inform consumers about the body responsible for alternative consumer dispute resolution (ADR). For most e-shops, this body is the Czech Trade Inspection Authority (ČOI).
Template — alternative dispute resolution information
Alternative Consumer Dispute Resolution
In the event of a dispute between a consumer and a seller that cannot be resolved by mutual agreement, the consumer may submit a proposal for alternative dispute resolution to the Czech Trade Inspection Authority.
Czech Trade Inspection Authority Central Inspectorate — ADR Department Štěpánská 15 120 00 Praha 2
Email: adr@coi.gov.cz Website: coi.gov.cz
ODR platform — information obligation has ended
Previously, e-shops were required to include a link to the online dispute resolution (ODR) platform. This obligation ended on 20 March 2025, when the ODR platform was shut down. You no longer need to include a link to the ODR platform on your website.
Cookies and consent for their use
If your website uses cookies (and almost every website does), you must comply with the requirements of Act No. 127/2005 Coll., on Electronic Communications, as amended by the amendment effective from 1 January 2022.
Cookie rules
📊Cookies — what you must and don't have to do
Requirements for a cookie banner
A cookie banner must meet the following conditions:
📋A compliant cookie banner
Watch out with Google Analytics
If you use Google Analytics, you must not load it before a visitor has given their consent. This means the GA code must be conditional on consent from the cookie banner. Without consent, you may only collect strictly necessary data — or not measure anything at all. An alternative is to use privacy-respecting analytics tools that do not require consent (e.g. those that don't store cookies or process personal data).
Personal data protection (GDPR) on your website
Your website must make personal data processing information (a privacy policy) available in accordance with Articles 13 and 14 of GDPR. We've covered this in detail in our article on GDPR for sole traders (OSVČ); here's a summary of what your website must include.
Minimum content of a GDPR statement on a website
| Item | Example | |------|---------| | Identity of the controller | Name, registration number, address, email | | Purposes of processing | Contact form, orders, newsletter, analytics | | Legal basis | Performance of a contract, consent, legitimate interest | | Recipients of data | Hosting provider, accountant, mailing tool | | Retention period | Stated separately for each purpose | | Data subject rights | Access, rectification, erasure, portability, objection | | Contact for exercising rights | Email, or a form | | Right to lodge a complaint | Office for Personal Data Protection (uoou.gov.cz) |
Commercial communications (newsletter)
If you collect email addresses on your website for a newsletter, you must comply with Act No. 480/2004 Coll., on Certain Information Society Services:
📋Rules for sending commercial communications
Where to place the information on your website
Mandatory information should be easily accessible from every page of your website. Recommended placement:
📊Recommended placement of mandatory information
The footer is your foundation
The simplest way to meet your legal obligations is to include the basic identifying information (name/company name, registration number, address, register details) directly in the website footer, which appears on every page. Add links to your terms and conditions, privacy policy, and contact page. This covers the majority of your legal requirements.
Penalties for non-compliance
Missing identifying information on a website
For failing to display mandatory information on a website, the Trade Licensing Authority or the Czech Trade Inspection Authority may impose a fine:
| Violation | Penalty | Imposed by | |-----------|---------|------------| | Missing identifying information (registration number, address, register details) | Up to CZK 100,000 | Trade Licensing Authority | | Failure to meet consumer information obligations | Up to CZK 5,000,000 | Czech Trade Inspection Authority | | Breach of cookie obligations | Up to CZK 10,000,000 (under GDPR) | Office for Personal Data Protection | | Sending unsolicited commercial communications | Up to CZK 10,000,000 | Office for Personal Data Protection |
Inspections happen online too
The Czech Trade Inspection Authority and trade licensing offices carry out website checks remotely — they don't need to visit you in person. An inspector simply visits your website and checks whether all mandatory information is present. Tips often come in from dissatisfied customers.
Checklist: a full audit of your website
Go through this list and check whether anything is missing from your website:
📋Mandatory website information checklist
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Does a sole trader (OSVČ) have to display their registration number on their website, even without an e-shop?
Yes. The obligation to display identifying information on a website applies to all businesses that operate a website — regardless of whether they sell anything on it. A simple business presentation website is sufficient to trigger this requirement.
Is it enough to display the registration number only on the Contact page?
The law states that the information must be on the business's website. The best practice is to include it in the footer on every page, so it's always easy to find. If it only appears on the Contact page, the obligation is technically met, but the footer is a better choice from an accessibility standpoint.
What if I run my business from my home address and don't want to make it public?
If your place of business is the same as your home address, you are unfortunately required to display it — it's a legal obligation. One alternative is to register a virtual office at a different address and use that as your place of business.
Do I have to display my trade licence number on my website?
No. Trade licences are no longer issued (they've been replaced by extracts from the trade licensing register). It's sufficient to include a statement of registration in the trade licensing register, for example: "Registered in the Trade Licensing Register maintained by the Brno City Authority."
Do these obligations also apply to social media profiles?
The law explicitly refers to "websites." Social media profiles (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn) are not formally considered business websites. That said, we recommend including your identifying information there too — at minimum in the profile description — to improve transparency and credibility.
DokladBot: your digital accounting assistant
Running a business properly involves more than just having the right information on your website — it also means keeping your documents and invoices in perfect order. DokladBot is an AI accounting assistant on WhatsApp that helps you track documents, stay on top of deadlines, and keep your finances in view. Take a photo of an invoice, DokladBot processes it — and you can get on with the rest of your day.
Try DokladBot for free at dokladbot.cz — run your business without the admin stress.
Official sources
- Ministry of Industry and Trade (MPO) — Consumer Protection
- Czech Trade Inspection Authority (ČOI) — Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
- Office for Personal Data Protection (ÚOOÚ)
- Trade Licensing Register (RŽP)
- Public Register and Collection of Documents (justice.cz)
- Act No. 89/2012 Coll., Civil Code — Section 435
This article is intended as a general information guide and does not constitute legal advice. The information reflects the legal position as of February 2026. For guidance on your specific situation, we recommend consulting a solicitor or legal adviser.
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