Restaurant license

The Restaurant Licence: Requirements, Conditions and Important Notes

Anyone wishing to work in the hospitality industry and open a restaurant, café or bar must deal with the topic of restaurant licence (also known as restaurant permission). This is essential for operating a hospitality business that serves alcoholic beverages. In this article, you will learn what a restaurant licence is, which requirements must be met, and what additional conditions apply to hospitality businesses.

What is a restaurant licence?

The restaurant licence is an official permit that is necessary if you wish to serve alcoholic beverages in your establishment. If your hospitality business does not intend to serve alcohol, the requirement to apply for the licence is waived – after registering your business, you can start immediately in this case.

The licence is:

1. Personal: Only the applicant may operate the hospitality business.

2. Location-specific: The permit only applies to the approved premises.

3. Business-specific: Each place of business requires its own restaurant licence.

How do you apply for a restaurant licence?

The application for the licence is made at the trade office of the responsible city or municipality. Here, it will also be checked whether the necessary requirements are fulfilled.

Necessary evidence and documents

To obtain a restaurant licence, you must meet certain requirements. These include:

1. Proof of personal reliability

   • Police clearance certificate: It must not contain any entries relating to criminal offenses.

   • Information from the trade central register: This provides information on whether you have violated legal regulations in the past.

   • Certificate of no objection: It is issued by the tax office and business tax authority and confirms that there are no tax debts.

2. Proof of professional suitability

   • Participation in an initial briefing from the health department, during which you will be informed about hygiene regulations and health protection in the food sector.

   • Proof of participation in a IHK seminar that explains food law requirements.

   • Note: Training in the hospitality sector (e.g., chef, restaurant specialist) is helpful, but not mandatory. You could theoretically also hire employees to handle the cooking.

3. Proof of suitability of the premises

   • Submission of a lease, rental, or purchase agreement for the restaurant premises.

   • Proof that the premises meet the requirements for a hospitality business (e.g., sanitary facilities for guests and staff).

   • If structural changes are made or the premises were previously used differently, coordination with the building authority is necessary. Additional permits may be required.

Additional requirements in the hospitality sector

1. Hygiene regulations

Compliance with strict hygiene regulations is a must in the hospitality sector. These include:

• Regular hygiene training for all employees.

• Compliance with the HACCP guidelines for food safety.
  Further information on this is provided by the professional association DEHOGA.

• Sundae OS can assist with this: Hygiene concepts can be created using the stored standard concepts and new employees can be efficiently trained on various learning levels.

2. Youth protection and smoking ban

• According to the Youth Protection Act, no alcoholic beverages may be served to minors.

• Smoking ban: A smoking ban applies in public buildings – and thus also in hospitality businesses – which guests increasingly appreciate.

3. Price labeling regulation

All food and beverages offered must be labeled with prices to ensure transparency for guests.

Special regulations for outdoor hospitality

For businesses with outdoor hospitality, additional requirements apply:

• Noise protection: In residential areas, the prescribed limit values must be adhered to and the night rest (from 10 PM) observed.

• Special use permit: If you wish to use public spaces such as sidewalks, you must apply for a permit from the municipality.

• Closing times: These can vary from city to city, even though in many federal states there is no general closing time anymore.

Note: For special occasions such as city festivals or sporting events, exceptions to the night rest and closing time regulations may apply.

Conclusion: Why is the restaurant licence so important?

The restaurant licence is far more than a bureaucratic hurdle – it forms the basis for a legally secure and responsible hospitality business. The licence ensures that businesses comply with important legal requirements, such as in the areas of hygiene, youth protection, noise protection, and safety. Thus, it not only protects the health and well-being of guests, but also strengthens trust in the hospitality industry as a sector.

For operators, the licence means planning security and a clear set of rules they can follow. Those who diligently implement the requirements create a professional operational structure, avoid legal risks, and lay the foundation for sustainable success. In short: the restaurant licence is a central instrument to ensure quality, safety, and reliability in the hospitality sector over the long term.