Painting, lacquering and decorating
Field of activity No. 30 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. 30
- See conditions below
- 8 activity examples
Painting, lacquering and decorating is a craft trade (Annex 1 to the Trade Licensing Act) covering painting, lacquering and decorating work in interiors and on facades. To operate it you must meet the general conditions under Section 6 and demonstrate professional qualification under Section 21 or Section 22 of the Trade Licensing Act.
Professional qualification (a special condition under Section 7) is demonstrated by one of the routes under Section 21:
- secondary education with an apprenticeship certificate in the relevant field
- secondary education with a school-leaving examination (maturita) in the relevant field
- higher vocational education in the relevant field
- university education in the relevant area
- recognition of professional qualification (Directive 2005/36/EC)
Alternative professional qualification under Section 22:
- secondary education with an apprenticeship certificate in a related field + 1 year of experience in the field
- secondary education with a school-leaving examination (maturita) in a related field + 1 year of experience in the field
- higher vocational education in a related field + 1 year of experience in the field
- university education in a related area (no experience requirement)
- completion of retraining + 1 year of experience in the field
Alternatively, without a document of education: completion of six years of experience in the field.
Professional qualification may be demonstrated through a responsible representative under Section 11.
Medical fitness and liability insurance are not required.
Examples of activities
- painting interiors and decorating flats
- painting facades and exterior renders
- lacquering windows, doors and door frames
- anti-corrosion coatings of metal structures, fences and railings
- painting wooden cladding, fences and pergolas
- decorative and textured wall techniques
- wallpapering and wall coverings
- minor plastering and plasterboard finishing before painting
What this trade is and what it is for
Painting, lacquering and decorating is a craft trade listed in Annex 1 to the Trade Licensing Act (Act No. 455/1991 Coll.), in Part A. It entitles you to surface finishing of walls, ceilings, facades and a wide range of structures using painting, lacquering and decorating techniques. It is a classic building trade that combines preparation of the substrate, application of coating and painting materials, and decorative surface finishes in both interior and exterior.
The trade serves tradespeople who want to run their own business - whether painting flats and offices, carrying out facade coatings of buildings, lacquering joinery products, or protecting metal structures with anti-corrosion coatings.
What falls under this trade (and what does not)
The trade typically covers:
- painting and decorating interiors (flats, offices, business premises);
- coatings and renovation of facades and exterior renders;
- lacquering windows, doors, door frames, furniture and other wooden elements;
- anti-corrosion and protective coatings of metal structures, fences and railings;
- decorative techniques, textured renders, wallpapering and wall coverings.
Conversely, activities falling under neighbouring trades and fields remain outside this trade. Larger-scale bricklaying and rendering work falls under the trade Bricklaying; the application of thermal insulation systems and contact facades falls under the field Bricklaying, plastering. The lacquering of vehicle bodywork in specialised paint shops relates to vehicle repair. If an activity goes beyond ordinary decorating (for example, specialised industrial surface finishes), check the classification directly with the Trade Licensing Office.
Conditions for obtaining it under the law
The applicant must meet the general conditions under Section 6 of the Trade Licensing Act - that is, full legal capacity and a clean criminal record. The law does not require medical fitness or liability insurance for this trade.
As a craft trade, it additionally requires professional qualification (a special condition under Section 7). This can be demonstrated in several ways.
Under Section 21 (standard routes):
- secondary education with an apprenticeship certificate in the relevant field;
- secondary education with a school-leaving examination (maturita) in the relevant field;
- higher vocational education in the relevant field;
- university education in the relevant area;
- recognition of professional qualification (in accordance with Directive 2005/36/EC).
Under Section 22 (alternative routes):
- apprenticeship certificate in a related field + 1 year of experience in the field;
- maturita in a related field + 1 year of experience in the field;
- higher vocational education in a related field + 1 year of experience in the field;
- university education in a related area (no experience requirement);
- retraining + 1 year of experience in the field.
Alternatively, professional competence can be demonstrated by six years of experience in the field even without a document of education.
If you do not hold the required qualification yourself, you can demonstrate it through a responsible representative under Section 11, who guarantees the professional qualification on your behalf. One person may act as responsible representative for no more than four entrepreneurs.
How to notify or obtain the trade step by step
- Prepare your proof of professional qualification (apprenticeship certificate, school-leaving certificate, diploma, proof of experience or of retraining).
- Complete the Unified Registration Form (JRF).
- Submit the notification at any Trade Licensing Office (municipal Trade Licensing Office), electronically via the rzp.gov.cz portal, or at a Czech POINT contact point.
- Pay the administrative fee.
- The Trade Licensing Office will enter the trade in the Trade Register and issue an extract within 5 working days of notification.
The trade licence arises on the day of notification (provided the conditions are met), not only on registration or issue of the extract. You will find the detailed procedure in the guide How to start a trade.
Documents and fees
- Completed JRF (notification of the trade).
- Proof of identity.
- Proof of professional qualification under Section 21 or Section 22 (or documents of the responsible representative under Section 11).
- Administrative fee of CZK 1,000 for notification at the office, CZK 800 for electronic submission.
- Period for registration and issue of the extract: within 5 working days.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an apprenticeship certificate as a painter, or is experience enough?
An apprenticeship certificate is not the only route. You can also demonstrate professional competence through related education with a year of experience, retraining with a year of experience, or on its own through six years of experience in the field without a document of education.
Can I run the business even if I do not hold the qualification myself?
Yes. The professional qualification can be ensured on your behalf by a responsible representative under Section 11 who meets the requirements of Section 21 or Section 22. The same person may act as representative for no more than four entrepreneurs.
When can I start work?
The licence arises on the day of notification, provided you meet both the general and the special conditions. The office has 5 working days for the actual registration and issue of the extract.
How much does notification cost?
The administrative fee is CZK 1,000 when submitting at the Trade Licensing Office and CZK 800 for electronic notification via rzp.gov.cz.
Do I have to provide proof of medical fitness?
No. For this trade, neither medical fitness nor liability insurance is required.