Operating a travel agency (tour operator)
Field of activity No. 13 under the Trade Licensing Act.
What you need: Expertise plus a state authorisation — a concession from the trade licensing office.
- Koncesovaná živnost
- Field No. 13
- See conditions below
- 8 activity examples
Operating a travel agency (tour operator) is a licensed (concession) trade listed in Annex 3 to the Trade Licensing Act, authorising the organisation of package tours and the facilitation of linked travel arrangements. A concession granted by the Trade Licensing Office in administrative proceedings is required, together with proof of professional qualification, a binding opinion from the Ministry for Regional Development, mandatory insolvency insurance and a contribution to the guarantee fund for travel agencies. The trade licence comes into existence only on the date on which the decision granting the concession becomes final.
Professional qualification under Annex 3 to the Trade Licensing Act (Sections 6 to 8 and Section 27 of Act No. 455/1991 Coll.) - satisfying one of the following variants:
1) university education in a study programme and field focused on tourism, or
2) higher professional education in a field of study focused on tourism, or
3) secondary education with a school-leaving examination (maturita) in a field of study focused on tourism, or
4) university education + 1 year of experience in the field, or
5) higher professional education + 3 years of experience in the field, or
6) secondary education with a maturita examination + 6 years of experience in the field, or
7) a retraining certificate or other proof of professional qualification + 6 years of experience in the field, or
8) proof of a partial (professional) qualification + 2 years of experience in the field, or
9) documents under Section 7(5)(b), (c), (f), (g), (h) or (i) of the Trade Licensing Act.
Special condition of the concession: a positive binding opinion from the Ministry for Regional Development as the relevant state administration body on the concession application (Section 27(3) of the Trade Licensing Act). Without this opinion the concession cannot be granted.
Mandatory contractual insolvency insurance for the travel agency (or a bank guarantee) and a mandatory annual contribution to the guarantee fund for travel agencies under Act No. 159/1999 Coll. The scope of insolvency protection must correspond to the scope of the concession applied for (organising package tours or facilitating linked travel arrangements).
Professional qualification may also be demonstrated through a responsible representative under Section 11 of the Trade Licensing Act; one person may act as responsible representative for no more than 4 entrepreneurs.
The trade licence comes into existence only on the date on which the decision granting the concession becomes final, not on submission of the application.
Examples of activities
- Organising and selling package tours (a combination of at least two tourism services, e.g. transport and accommodation)
- Assembling one's own package tours and offering them under one's own name
- Facilitating linked travel arrangements
- Selling another travel agency's package tours on the basis of a contract
- Organising trips abroad as well as domestic holiday and sightseeing tours
- Arranging transport, accommodation and a programme as a single package of services
- Selling flight-based tours and seaside holidays
- Issuing tour contracts and proof of insolvency insurance to customers
What this trade is and what it is for
The trade "Operating a travel agency" authorises the organisation and sale of package tours and the facilitation of linked travel arrangements. A package tour means a pre-arranged combination of at least two different tourism services (e.g. transport, accommodation, another service forming a significant part) sold at an inclusive price. A travel agency (tour operator) assembles these tours and offers them under its own name and on its own responsibility.
This is a licensed (concession) trade listed in Annex 3 to the Trade Licensing Act under the title "Operating a travel agency - organising package tours, facilitating linked travel arrangements". It is among the most strictly regulated activities, because it protects consumers - customers who pay in advance for a future trip.
What this trade covers (and what it does not)
The trade covers in particular:
- organising package tours and selling them under one's own name,
- facilitating linked travel arrangements,
- selling another travel agency's package tours on the basis of a contract.
The boundary with neighbouring activities: If you only wish to sell another travel agency's package tours and do not assemble or offer them under your own name, you act as a travel agent (retail agency). This can be carried out under the unqualified (free) trade "Production, trade and services not listed in Annexes 1 to 3" (field of activity "Operating a travel agency and guide activity"), which requires neither a concession nor insolvency insurance. The decisive factor is whether you create the tour yourself - if so, you need a tour operator's concession. Standalone guide activity is likewise an unqualified (free) trade.
Conditions for obtaining the trade under the law
You must satisfy the general conditions under Section 6 of the Trade Licensing Act - full legal capacity and a clean criminal record.
You must also demonstrate professional qualification under Annex 3 (Sections 6 to 8 and Section 27 of Act No. 455/1991 Coll.). One of the following variants is sufficient:
| Education / document | Required experience |
|---|---|
| University degree focused on tourism | no experience |
| Higher professional education focused on tourism | no experience |
| Secondary education with maturita focused on tourism | no experience |
| University degree (any) | 1 year in the field |
| Higher professional education (any) | 3 years in the field |
| Secondary education with maturita (any) | 6 years in the field |
| Retraining certificate / other proof of qualification | 6 years in the field |
| Proof of partial (professional) qualification | 2 years in the field |
Documents under Section 7(5)(b), (c), (f), (g), (h) or (i) of the Act are also recognised.
Because this is a concession, the Trade Licensing Office decides in administrative proceedings and requires a binding opinion from the Ministry for Regional Development as the relevant state administration body (Section 27(3)). Without a positive opinion it will not grant the concession. You must have arranged mandatory contractual insolvency insurance (or a bank guarantee) and pay an annual contribution to the guarantee fund for travel agencies (Act No. 159/1999 Coll.).
If you do not hold the qualification yourself, you may appoint a responsible representative under Section 11 of the Trade Licensing Act who meets the conditions; one person may act as responsible representative for no more than 4 entrepreneurs.
How to notify or obtain the trade step by step
Unlike notifiable trades, you do not notify this trade but apply for a concession.
- Complete the Unified Registration Form (URF) - the part for the concession application.
- Submit the application to any municipal Trade Licensing Office, electronically via the rzp.gov.cz portal, or through Czech POINT.
- Provide proof of professional qualification (diploma, certificates, proof of experience), proof of insolvency insurance (a contract or a bank guarantee) and other supporting documents.
- The office requests a binding opinion from the Ministry for Regional Development and conducts administrative proceedings.
- The trade licence comes into existence only on the date on which the decision granting the concession becomes final - not on submission of the application.
Time limit: a concession is normally decided within 30 days; the Ministry for Regional Development also issues its opinion within a 30-day period. The detailed procedure can be found in the guide How to start a trade.
Documents and fees
- Unified Registration Form (concession application).
- Proof of identity.
- Proof of professional qualification (education and experience) or the responsible representative's documents.
- Proof of the travel agency's insolvency insurance (a contract or a bank guarantee) and proof of the contribution to the guarantee fund.
- Administrative fee of CZK 1,000 for a concession application on first entry into business; CZK 500 for an application for a further concession.
- Any register extracts (the office verifies a clean criminal record itself).
Frequently asked questions
Is an unqualified (free) trade enough to sell package tours?
Only if you sell another travel agency's tours as a travel agent. As soon as you assemble a tour yourself and offer it under your own name, you need a tour operator's concession.
When may I start trading?
Only on the date on which the decision granting the concession becomes final. Merely submitting the application does not authorise you to trade.
Do I need an education in tourism?
Not necessarily. Another university, higher professional or secondary education with a maturita, supplemented by appropriate experience in the field, will suffice, as may retraining or a professional qualification per the table above.
Why is insolvency insurance required?
It protects customers in case the travel agency goes bankrupt. Without arranged insurance (or a bank guarantee) and a contribution to the guarantee fund, the trade cannot be operated (Act No. 159/1999 Coll.).
What is the binding opinion of the Ministry for Regional Development?
It is an opinion of the relevant state administration body which the Trade Licensing Office requests as part of the concession proceedings and without which it will not grant the concession (Section 27(3) of the Trade Licensing Act).