Massage, reconditioning and regeneration services
Field of activity No. 34 under the Trade Licensing Act.
What you need: Specific expertise set by law (education, experience, certification).
- Vázaná živnost
- Field No. 34
- See conditions below
- 8 activity examples
Massage, reconditioning and regeneration services is a regulated trade (field No. 34 of Annex 2 to the Trade Licensing Act) covering sports, reconditioning and regeneration massages performed on healthy individuals that do not induce a therapeutic process, with the exclusion of the reflex massage technique and therapeutic massages provided in healthcare. To obtain it, you must evidence professional qualification by one of five legally prescribed routes; experience is not required.
Neither the entrepreneur nor the responsible representative may be subject to obstacles to operating a trade under Section 8 of the Trade Licensing Act.
Professional qualification under Sections 7 and 24 of the Trade Licensing Act and Annex 2 to the Act – it is sufficient to meet one of the following options:
a) professional qualification to practise the profession of physician and specialised competence in the field of rehabilitation and physical medicine or sports medicine (under Act No. 95/2004 Coll.), or
b) professional qualification to practise the profession of physiotherapist or masseur or blind and partially sighted masseur (under Act No. 96/2004 Coll.), or
c) a university degree in a study programme and field of study focused on rehabilitation or physical education, or
d) a retraining certificate or another document on professional qualification for the relevant work activity issued by an institution accredited by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports or by the relevant ministry, or
e) a vocational qualification for classical massage or sports massage (under Act No. 179/2006 Coll.).
Experience is not required.
Medical fitness: no. Professional liability insurance: no.
A responsible representative may (but need not) be appointed under Section 11 of the Trade Licensing Act.
Examples of activities
- classical (Swedish) massage of the back, neck and whole body
- sports massages for regeneration and preparation before performance
- reconditioning and regeneration massages on healthy individuals
- hot stone massage, cupping, honey massage
- regeneration and reconditioning services (for example paraffin wraps)
- running a massage studio or salon
- mobile masseur – massages at the client's premises or at corporate events
- relaxation and wellness massages
What the trade is and what it is for
The trade “Massage, reconditioning and regeneration services” is a regulated trade listed as field No. 34 of Annex 2 to the Trade Licensing Act (Act No. 455/1991 Coll.). It entitles you to provide sports, reconditioning and regeneration massages and regeneration procedures aimed at relaxing the muscles, relaxation, improving fitness and the overall regeneration of the body. It is a typical choice for masseurs, operators of massage studios, wellness and relaxation centres, and for mobile masseurs who travel to clients.
A characteristic feature of this trade is that professional qualification is laid down directly by law (by Annex 2) and cannot be replaced by general experience as with craft trades. The licence takes effect on the day of notification, after evidencing the required qualification.
What falls under this trade (and what does not)
The scope of field No. 34 is defined by Government Regulation No. 278/2008 Coll. as the provision of sports, reconditioning and regeneration massages performed on healthy individuals that do not induce a therapeutic process, and the provision of regeneration and reconditioning services (for example paraffin wraps). It includes in particular:
- classical (Swedish) massages of the back, neck, limbs and whole body,
- sports massages for regeneration and preparation before performance,
- reconditioning and regeneration massages, relaxation and wellness procedures,
- regeneration procedures such as hot stone massage, cupping, honey massage or paraffin wraps,
- running a massage studio as well as mobile massage services.
Boundaries with neighbouring activities (important):
- The reflex massage technique is expressly excluded from this trade (Government Regulation No. 278/2008 Coll. removes it from the scope). Reflex massage therefore cannot be carried out on the basis of this trade licence.
- Therapeutic massages and physiotherapy provided as a health service (on the basis of indication, in the regime of Act No. 372/2011 Coll., on health services) do not fall under the Trade Licensing Act – they require registration of a provider of health services, not a trade licence. A masseur under the trade therefore provides exclusively reconditioning and regeneration massages performed on healthy individuals, not the treatment of illnesses.
- Cosmetic services, pedicure and manicure are separate trades – for these you need your own licence.
- Operating tanning salons (solaria) is a separate regulated trade.
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 (this can be replaced by the court's consent),
- a clean criminal record (the office obtains the extract from the Criminal Records Register itself).
At the same time, neither you (nor the responsible representative) may be subject to obstacles to operating a trade under Section 8 of the Trade Licensing Act.
You must also evidence professional qualification under Sections 7 and 24 of the Trade Licensing Act and Annex 2 to the Act. It is sufficient to meet one of five options:
| Option | Required qualification |
|---|---|
| a) | Physician with specialised competence in the field of rehabilitation and physical medicine or sports medicine (Act No. 95/2004 Coll.) |
| b) | Physiotherapist, masseur or blind and partially sighted masseur (Act No. 96/2004 Coll.) |
| c) | University degree in a field of study focused on rehabilitation or physical education |
| d) | Retraining certificate from an accredited institution (MEYS or the relevant ministry) |
| e) | Vocational qualification for classical or sports massage (Act No. 179/2006 Coll.) |
Experience is not required. The law requires neither medical fitness nor professional liability insurance.
Responsible representative (Section 11 of the Act). If you do not meet the professional qualification yourself (or a legal person is doing business), you can appoint a responsible representative who meets both the qualification and the general conditions on your behalf. One person may act as responsible representative for no more than four entrepreneurs.
How to notify or obtain the licence step by step
- Complete the Unified Registration Form (JRF) – with a single filing you notify the trade and at the same time register for income tax and social and health insurance.
- File the notification at any municipal Trade Licensing Office, electronically via the rzp.gov.cz portal, or at a Czech POINT branch.
- Evidence your professional qualification under one of the options above (e.g. a vocational qualification or retraining certificate) and proof of identity.
- Pay the administrative fee – CZK 1,000 on notification, or CZK 800 for an electronic filing.
- Wait for registration. The office enters you in the Trade Register within 5 working days of the conditions being met; the licence takes effect already on the day of notification.
A detailed procedure can be found in the guide How to start a trade.
Documents and fees
- Proof of identity (identity card or passport).
- Completed JRF (trade notification) marking field No. 34.
- Proof of professional qualification – one of options a) to e) (e.g. masseur vocational qualification, retraining, diploma, certificate).
- Proof of payment of the administrative fee: CZK 1,000 (on paper) / CZK 800 (electronically).
- Where applicable, documents for the responsible representative (Section 11 of the Act).
Frequently asked questions
Can I give massages solely on the basis of a completed massage course?
Yes, provided it is a retraining course at an accredited institution (option d) or a vocational qualification for classical or sports massage under Act No. 179/2006 Coll. (option e). An ordinary commercial course without accreditation is not sufficient.
Do I need experience in the field?
No. For this regulated trade, experience is not required – it is sufficient to evidence one of the five options of professional qualification.
Can I provide therapeutic massages or reflex massage?
No. Therapeutic and rehabilitation massages are health services (Act No. 372/2011 Coll.) and require registration of a provider of health services. The reflex massage technique is, moreover, expressly excluded from the scope of this trade (Government Regulation No. 278/2008 Coll.). The trade covers reconditioning and regeneration massages performed on healthy individuals.
What if it is not I but my employee who holds the qualification?
You can appoint a responsible representative under Section 11 of the Act who meets the professional qualification and is responsible for the proper running of the trade.
When can I start trading?
The trade licence takes effect on the day of notification. You will usually receive the extract from the Trade Register within 5 working days.