Operating tanning salons (solaria)

Operating tanning salons (solaria) is a regulated trade listed in Annex 2 to the Trade Licensing Act (Act No. 455/1991 Coll.), covering the running of tanning studios and the operation of solaria using UV radiation. To notify it, in addition to the general conditions under Section 6 you must evidence one of the legally prescribed options of professional qualification. The trade licence takes effect already on the day of notification (Section 10(1)(a) of Act No. 455/1991 Coll.).

Examples of activities

• running a tanning salon
• operating solaria
• a tanning studio
• running a turbo solarium
• operating both horizontal and vertical tanning beds
• setting the duration and intensity of tanning
• advice on safe tanning in a solarium

What the trade is and what it is for

Operating tanning salons (solaria) is a regulated trade listed in Annex 2 to the Trade Licensing Act (Act No. 455/1991 Coll.). It entitles you to commercially operate facilities with tanning beds and panels using ultraviolet (UV) radiation, that is, classical solaria, turbo solaria and so-called tanning studios.

A regulated trade means that, unlike an unqualified (free) trade, you must evidence professional qualification, which the law lays down separately directly in Annex 2. The reason is the protection of customers' health: an incorrectly set tanning time or improper operation of the device can lead to skin damage. Solaria therefore require an expert basis for safe operation and advice.

What falls under this trade (and what does not)

The trade covers in particular:

• running a solarium for the public (horizontal and vertical beds, turbo solaria),
• operating tanning devices and setting the duration and intensity of tanning,
• advising customers on safe tanning, skin phototype and eye protection.

Where the boundaries lie with neighbouring trades: the mere sale of tanning cosmetics without running a solarium falls under the unqualified (free) trade “Wholesale and retail”. Cosmetic services and skin care fall under the regulated trade “Cosmetic services”, or the craft trade “Pedicure, manicure”. Conversely, the therapeutic use of UV or light therapy in healthcare is not a trade under the Trade Licensing Act but the provision of health services under special legislation.

Conditions for obtaining the licence under the law

You must meet the general conditions under Section 6 of the Trade Licensing Act: be fully legally capable (Section 6(1)(a)) and have a clean criminal record (Section 6(1)(b) and Section 6(2)). The clean criminal record is evidenced by an extract from the Criminal Records Register, which the office obtains itself. According to the database of regulated activities, this trade does not require special medical fitness or professional liability insurance. At the same time, there must be no obstacle to operating a trade under Section 8 (e.g. a court-imposed ban on the activity in the field or the statutory consequences of insolvency).

You must also evidence professional qualification (the special condition under Section 7), which for this trade is defined by Annex 2 (to Sections 23 and 24) to the Trade Licensing Act. The procedure follows Sections 6 to 8 and Section 24 of Act No. 455/1991 Coll. and, in accordance with EU Directive 2005/36/EC, one of these options applies:

1. professional qualification to practise the profession of physician or dentist (Act No. 95/2004 Coll.) and a retraining certificate from an accredited institution;
2. professional qualification to practise the profession of healthcare worker (nurse, midwife, physiotherapist and others under Act No. 96/2004 Coll.) and a retraining certificate;
3. a university degree in a field of study focused on physical culture, physical education and sport and a retraining certificate;
4. a retraining certificate for non-healthcare workers (or another document on professional qualification) issued by an accredited institution and 1 year of experience in the field;
5. a vocational qualification for the activity of operating a tanning salon under Act No. 179/2006 Coll. (National Register of Qualifications) and 1 year of experience in the field.

For a regulated trade, the qualification cannot be replaced by mere experience, as is the case with craft trades. If you do not meet the conditions yourself, you can appoint a responsible representative under Section 11 who will meet them on your behalf (one person may act in this capacity for no more than four entrepreneurs).

How to notify or obtain the licence step by step

Operating tanning salons is a notifiable trade, so you do not wait for a permit – it is sufficient to notify it to the Trade Licensing Office.

1. Complete the Unified Registration Form (JRF) issued by the Ministry of Industry and Trade. On it you also handle registration for income tax and social and health insurance.
2. File the notification at any municipal Trade Licensing Office, electronically via the rzp.gov.cz portal, or at a Czech POINT contact point.
3. Attach the documents: proof of professional qualification under one of the options above, where applicable the declaration and documents of the responsible representative, proof of the legal grounds for using the registered seat, and proof of payment of the fee.
4. Pay the administrative fee of CZK 1,000, or CZK 800 for an electronic filing.

The licence takes effect on the day of notification (Section 10(1)(a) of the Trade Licensing Act). If you meet the conditions, the office enters you in the Trade Register and issues an extract within 5 working days. A detailed procedure can be found in the guide How to start a trade.

Documents and fees

• Proof of professional qualification under one of the five options (options 4 and 5 additionally + 1 year of experience in the field).
• Proof of identity, where applicable the declaration and documents of the responsible representative (Section 11).
• Proof of the legal grounds for using the registered seat.
• The office verifies the clean criminal record itself from the Criminal Records Register.
• Administrative fee CZK 1,000 (on paper) / CZK 800 (electronically via rzp.gov.cz).
• Time limit for registration and issue of the extract: 5 working days from a flawless notification.

Frequently asked questions

Can I run a solarium if I do not have a healthcare education?

Yes. Option 4 suffices – a retraining certificate (or a document on professional qualification) from an accredited institution and 1 year of experience in the field, or option 5 – a vocational qualification for operating a tanning salon from the National Register of Qualifications and 1 year of experience. Neither a healthcare nor a university education is therefore required.

Do I need a health card or insurance to run a solarium?

According to the database of regulated activities, this trade requires neither medical fitness nor professional liability insurance. You must, however, always meet the general conditions under Section 6, that is, legal capacity and a clean criminal record.

What if it is not I but my employee who holds the professional qualification?

You can appoint a responsible representative under Section 11 of the Trade Licensing Act. They must meet both the professional qualification and the general conditions and are in fact responsible for the proper running of the trade. One person may act in this capacity for no more than four entrepreneurs.

How much does notification cost and how long does it take?

The fee is CZK 1,000, or CZK 800 electronically. The licence takes effect on the day of notification (Section 10(1)(a)) and the office issues the extract within 5 working days, provided the notification is flawless.

Where exactly is the notification filed?

At any municipal Trade Licensing Office, via the rzp.gov.cz portal or at a Czech POINT. Local jurisdiction is not restricted.

Sources

• MEYS – database of regulated activities, Operating tanning salons (id=143)
• Act No. 455/1991 Coll., the Trade Licensing Act
• Ministry of Industry and Trade