Catering and Hospitality Services

Catering and hospitality services is a craft trade listed in Annex 1 (Part C) to the Trade Licensing Act. It covers the preparation and sale of meals and beverages for immediate consumption on the premises where they are sold. To obtain it you must prove your professional qualification under Section 21 or Section 22 of the Trade Licensing Act and meet the general conditions of business under Section 6.

Examples of activities

• Operation of a restaurant, inn or canteen with the preparation of hot and cold meals
• Operation of a café, patisserie or tea room serving beverages and desserts
• Operation of a bar, taproom or pub selling alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
• Operation of fast food, a bistro and a stall selling meals for immediate consumption
• Catering and the provision of receptions, banquets and mass catering for events
• Preparation and sale of takeaway meals and delivery of food to customers
• Workplace catering and operation of canteens
• Supplementary sale (for example tobacco products, souvenirs, basic hygiene items) within the hospitality activity

What this trade is and what it is for

Catering and hospitality services is a craft trade listed in Annex 1 (Part C) to the Trade Licensing Act. It entitles you to prepare and sell meals and beverages intended for immediate consumption on the premises where they are sold. It typically covers the operation of restaurants, inns, cafés, bars, bistros, patisseries and catering. It is one of the most frequently notified craft trades in the Czech Republic.

What falls under this trade (and what does not)

The content of this trade is defined by Government Regulation No. 278/2008 Coll. Catering and hospitality services include in particular:

• preparation and sale of hot and cold meals for immediate consumption (restaurants, canteens, bistros, fast food),
• sale and serving of beverages, including alcoholic ones (bars, taprooms, cafés, tea rooms),
• catering, receptions, banquets and mass catering,
• sale of takeaway meals and delivery of food,
• supplementary sale (for example tobacco products, souvenirs, basic hygiene items), provided the nature of the hospitality activity is preserved.

Mind the boundaries with neighbouring trades. Bakery and confectionery production for the purpose of further sale (not for immediate consumption) falls under the separate craft trade "Bakery, Confectionery". The mere sale of packaged foods and beverages without the preparation of meals is an unqualified (free) trade (the field "Wholesale and Retail"). Accommodation without catering is dealt with under the trade "Accommodation Services". When in doubt, contact the Trade Licensing Office.

Conditions for obtaining the licence under the law

You must meet the general conditions under Section 6 of the Trade Licensing Act – full legal capacity and a clean criminal record; at the same time, there must be no ongoing obstacles to operating a trade under Section 8. The Act requires neither medical fitness nor liability insurance (hygiene regulations, however, apply separately).

You must also prove your professional qualification. Under Section 21 of Act No. 455/1991 Coll., one of the following documents is sufficient: an apprenticeship certificate, a school-leaving certificate or a higher vocational or university diploma in the relevant field of education, a certificate of recognition of professional qualification issued by the recognising authority, or a certificate of verification or recognition of an attained full professional qualification under Act No. 179/2006 Coll.

If you do not have education directly in the field, use the alternative qualification under Section 22 of Act No. 455/1991 Coll.:

• education in a related field (apprenticeship certificate, school-leaving exam, higher vocational or university education) + 1 year of experience in the field, or
• retraining for the relevant work activity (an accredited institution or an institution accredited by the Ministry of Education) + 1 year of experience in the field, or
• 6 years of experience in the field without a certificate of education.

You do not have to hold the professional qualification in person. Under Section 11 you can prove it through a responsible representative – a person who meets the conditions and is responsible for the proper operation of the trade. One person may act as a responsible representative for no more than 4 entrepreneurs.

How to notify or obtain the trade step by step

1. Fill in the Unified Registration Form (URF), by which you make the notification.
2. Submit it at any municipal trade licensing office, online via the rzp.gov.cz portal, or at a Czech POINT contact point.
3. Provide proof of professional qualification (see above) and identity; the office verifies a clean criminal record itself from the criminal records register.
4. Pay the administrative fee of CZK 1,000 on first notification, or CZK 800 for electronic submission.
5. The trade licence arises on the date of notification; the office makes the entry in the Trade Register within 5 working days.

You will find the detailed procedure in the guide How to start a trade.

Documents and fees

• a completed Unified Registration Form (URF),
• proof of identity,
• proof of professional qualification under Section 21 or Section 22 (education, experience, retraining, recognition of qualification),
• for a responsible representative, their documents and consent to appointment,
• a fee of CZK 1,000 (notification), or CZK 800 (electronically).

Frequently asked questions

Do I need an apprenticeship certificate to run a restaurant?

Not necessarily. Any document under Section 21 is sufficient, or the alternative route under Section 22 – for example 6 years of experience in the field without a certificate of education, or retraining with one year of experience. You can also cover the qualification with a responsible representative.

Can I use another person to prove the qualification?

Yes. Under Section 11 you appoint a responsible representative who meets the professional qualification and is responsible for the proper operation of the trade. One person may perform this role for no more than 4 entrepreneurs.

When can I start doing business?

The trade licence arises as early as the date of notification. You do not have to wait for the entry in the register within 5 working days.

Do I need a health certificate and hygiene approval for catering?

The Trade Licensing Act requires neither medical fitness nor insurance. The operation of catering services is, however, subject to hygiene and food regulations and to inspection by the regional public health authority – you deal with these obligations separately.

How much do I pay for the notification?

The administrative fee is CZK 1,000, or CZK 800 for electronic submission.

Sources

• Ministry of Education – database of regulated activities (trade detail)
• Trade Licensing Act No. 455/1991 Coll.
• Government Regulation No. 278/2008 Coll. (content of trades)
• Ministry of Industry and Trade