Cleaning and Laundering of Textiles and Clothing
Field of activity No. 37 under the Trade Licensing Act.
What you need: Apprenticeship certificate, a relevant diploma or work experience (also possible via a responsible representative).
- Řemeslná živnost
- Field No. 37
- See conditions below
- 8 activity examples
A craft trade (field No. 37 of the content descriptions, listed in Annex 1 to the Trade Licensing Act) covering dry cleaning, laundering, ironing and mangling of textiles, clothing, furs and leather goods. To obtain it you must meet the general conditions under Sections 6 to 8 and prove your professional qualification under Section 21 or Section 22 of the Trade Licensing Act; the licence arises on the date of notification.
Professional qualification under Section 21 of the Trade Licensing Act (at least one of the variants):
- a certificate of due completion of secondary education with an apprenticeship certificate in the relevant field of education, or
- a certificate of due completion of secondary education with a school-leaving examination in the relevant field of education, or
- a certificate of due completion of higher vocational education in the relevant field of education, or
- a certificate of due completion of university education in the relevant area of study programmes and fields of study, or
- a certificate of recognition of professional qualification issued by the recognising authority.
Alternative professional qualification under Section 22 of the Trade Licensing Act (at least one of the variants):
- a certificate of due completion of secondary education with an apprenticeship certificate or with a school-leaving examination, higher vocational education or university education in a related field (area) + 1 year of experience in the field, or
- a certificate of due completion of retraining for the relevant work activity issued by an institution accredited under special regulations + 1 year of experience in the field, or
- proof of six years of experience in the field (without a certificate of education).
The professional qualification can be provided through a responsible representative under Section 11 of the Trade Licensing Act. One person may act as a responsible representative for no more than four entrepreneurs.
According to the database of regulated activities, medical fitness is not required. Liability insurance is not compulsory.
Examples of activities
- Dry cleaning of garments, suits, costumes and formal wear
- Laundering and drying of linen, bed linen and household textiles (laundry services for bulk customers and households)
- Ironing and mangling of textiles and clothing, making pleating forms and pleating
- Cleaning and maintenance of fur and leather goods and leather garments
- Cleaning of curtains, drapes, throws and decorative textiles
- Impregnation, finishing and water-repellent treatment of cleaned garments and textiles
- Minor repairs and maintenance of cleaned and laundered textiles
- Operation of a drop-off and collection point (receiving and handing over orders at a dry cleaner's and laundry)
What this trade is and what it is for
The trade "Cleaning and Laundering of Textiles and Clothing" is a craft trade listed in Annex 1 to the Trade Licensing Act (Part B), kept under field No. 37 in the content descriptions of craft trades. It entitles you to professionally provide dry-cleaning and laundry services, that is, dry cleaning, laundering, drying, ironing and mangling of textiles, clothing and other materials to order for individuals and businesses.
This trade covers the operation of a classic dry cleaner's and laundry, both wet and dry cleaning, as well as the operation of drop-off and collection points. It serves anyone who wishes to do business in the care of clothing, household textiles, furs or leather goods.
What falls under this trade (and what does not)
The field includes in particular the following activities:
- chemical-technological procedures for cleaning flat metre-length textiles and finished textile products,
- dry cleaning of garments, suits and formal wear,
- laundering and drying of personal, bed and household linen for bulk customers and households (laundry services),
- ironing and mangling of textiles and clothing, making pleating forms and pleating,
- cleaning and maintenance of fur and leather goods,
- cleaning of curtains, drapes, throws and decorative textiles,
- impregnation, finishing, water-repellent treatment and minor repairs of cleaned textiles,
- operation of a drop-off and collection point.
Boundaries with neighbouring trades: The dyeing and chemical treatment of textiles itself forms a separate field (the craft trade "Dyeing and Chemical Treatment of Textiles", also Part B of Annex 1). Bespoke tailoring and major tailoring alterations of garments fall under other trades. If you offer building cleaning and maintenance services or carpet cleaning directly at the customer's premises, assess the classification individually with the Trade Licensing Office, because it may be a different (usually unqualified) trade such as "Provision of Technical Services" or "Window Cleaning and Cleaning Work".
Conditions for obtaining the licence under the law
The applicant must meet the general conditions under Sections 6 to 8 of the Trade Licensing Act – namely full legal capacity and a clean criminal record (Section 8 defines the obstacles to operating a trade). Medical fitness is not required for this trade.
Because it is a craft trade, you must prove your professional qualification under Section 21 of the Trade Licensing Act, by one of the variants:
- an apprenticeship certificate from secondary education in the relevant field, or
- a school-leaving (maturita) certificate from secondary education in the relevant field, or
- a diploma of higher vocational education in the relevant field, or
- a university diploma in the relevant area of study programmes and fields, or
- a certificate of recognition of professional qualification issued by the recognising authority.
If you do not have education directly in the field, you can use the alternative qualification under Section 22 of the Trade Licensing Act:
- education (apprenticeship certificate, school-leaving exam, higher vocational or university education) in a related field supplemented by 1 year of experience in the field, or
- retraining for the relevant activity supplemented by 1 year of experience in the field, or
- 6 years of experience in the field without a certificate of education.
If you do not have the qualification yourself, you can prove it through a responsible representative under Section 11 of the Trade Licensing Act – that is, a person who meets the professional qualification and is responsible for the proper operation of the trade. One person may act as a responsible representative for no more than four entrepreneurs.
How to notify or obtain the trade step by step
- Prepare your documents – proof of identity and proof of professional qualification (Section 21 or Section 22), and where applicable documents on the responsible representative.
- Fill in the Unified Registration Form (URF) – a single form by which you notify the trade and can at the same time register for tax and for social and health insurance.
- Submit the notification at any municipal trade licensing office (the register is kept centrally by the Ministry of Industry and Trade), electronically via the rzp.gov.cz portal, or at a Czech POINT branch.
- Pay the administrative fee – CZK 1,000 on notification, or CZK 800 for electronic submission via rzp.gov.cz.
- Wait for the entry – the Trade Licensing Office will make the entry in the Trade Register within 5 working days of receiving the notification.
For a craft trade, the trade licence arises on the date of notification (provided the conditions are met), not only upon entry. You will find the detailed procedure in the guide How to start a trade.
Documents and fees
- Proof of identity (identity card or passport).
- Proof of professional qualification under Section 21, or alternative documents under Section 22 (education + experience, retraining + experience, or 6 years of experience).
- Consent and documents of the responsible representative (Section 11), if appointed.
- A completed Unified Registration Form (URF).
- Administrative fee: CZK 1,000 (paper notification) / CZK 800 (electronic notification).
- Time limit for entry: within 5 working days.
Frequently asked questions
Is cleaning and laundering of textiles an unqualified or a craft trade?
It is a craft trade (Annex 1 to the Trade Licensing Act, Part B; field No. 37 of the content descriptions). Unlike an unqualified (free) trade, you must here prove your professional qualification under Section 21, or Section 22.
Can I do business even if I do not have an apprenticeship certificate in the field?
Yes. You can use either the alternative qualification under Section 22 (a related field + 1 year of experience, retraining + 1 year of experience, or 6 years of experience in the field), or appoint a responsible representative under Section 11 who meets the qualification.
Do I need a health certificate or liability insurance?
No. According to the database of regulated activities, for this trade medical fitness is not required and liability insurance is not compulsory. Insurance may be taken out voluntarily.
How long does processing take and how much do I pay?
If the conditions are met, the licence arises on the date of notification and the entry in the register takes place within 5 working days. The fee is CZK 1,000, or CZK 800 for electronic submission.
Who decides on my classification and where do I appeal?
The municipal trade licensing office receives the notification and decides on the entry; the central administrative authority for trade business is the Ministry of Industry and Trade (Na Františku 32, 110 15 Prague 1 – Old Town). The appellate body in matters of regulated activity is the Minister of Industry and Trade. If in doubt about the boundaries of the field, contact the municipal trade licensing office directly.