Work Contract for Freelancers in Czechia 2026: Smlouva o dílo vs DPP
Foreign freelancers and employers often confuse DPP (short employment agreement) with smlouva o dílo (contract for work with a deliverable). The wrong label can trigger labour inspection, back payments and penalties. Match the document to how work is actually performed.
Create a smlouva o dílo (work contract)
Czech PDF with scope, price, deadlines and handover.
Deliverable vs hours
Smlouva o dílo: specific result (website, design, translation) — Civil Code, invoice, copyright clauses.
DPP: work performed under employer direction — Labour Code, hour limits, minimum wage, ČSSZ reporting.
What freelancers should contract
- Clear scope and acceptance criteria.
- Payment milestones and late-payment interest.
- Copyright licence or transfer.
- Written change orders for extra scope.
Dependent-work risk
If you are subordinate, use employer tools, fixed “salary” and one client only, inspectors may treat the relationship as illegal employment — not B2B.
When in doubt, use employment/DPP or a genuinely independent work contract with deliverables.
Project-based freelance work or legitimate short DPP assignments.
Inspection proceedings, reclassification, large back-payment claims.
Is it actually short-term employment?
DPP with 2026 Labour Code elements — English guidance, Czech PDF.