Starting a business in hospitality? You need these licences

A licence is official permission to do something. For example, to sell alcohol. For a restaurant, you usually need these licences:

• Environment and planning permit
• Operating licence
• Alcohol licence
• Terrace permit

Do you want to set up a food truck at the market? Then you need a market permit. A home catering business usually does not need a licence.

Applying for a horeca licence

Applying for a licence can take weeks or even months. You pay for the application, so even if you do not get the licence, you will not get your money back. Did you complete the application form incorrectly? Then you run the risk of the application period starting all over again. So, check with the municipality to know exactly how to fill in the form.

Environment and planning permit

Your horeca establishment must fit within your municipality's environment plan (omgevingsvergunning). Before signing the rental or purchase contract, check whether you are allowed to start a hospitality business at the location of your choice. You can do this by following the rules on the map (Regels op de kaart, in Dutch) at the Omgevingsloket, an online service counter.

 

If the environment plan does not allow you to start a hospitality business, you will need to apply for an environment permit (omgevingsvergunning). It is possible that your municipality has not yet entered all their rules in the Omgevingsloket. If you receive a rejection, check with the municipality to see if this is correct.

Sometimes your plans fit within the environment plan, but you still need an environment and planning permit. For example, if you are going to renovate, or if you want to advertise with a light box on the building or letters on the windows.

• Costs: these vary per municipality and per application.
• Application period: this depends on how complicated the application is.

Operating permit

You need an operating permit for a catering establishment (exploitatievergunning) if customers eat and drink in your business. Can people only collect or have food delivered from your business? Then you do not need to apply for an operating permit.

On the operating permit page at business.gov.nl and enter the municipality where you are starting your business. You will be linked to your municipality's application form. Or you can see how and where to apply for the licence.

• Cost: between €500 and €3,500
• Application period: up to 8 weeks. This can be extended once by 8 weeks.

Alcohol licence

Do you want to sell or serve alcohol in your horeca establishment? Then you need an alcohol licence (alcoholvergunning). The following requirements apply:

• You must be at least 21 years old.
• You must have a Social Hygiene diploma.
• You must be registered in the Register of Social Hygiene.

Are you starting a business with several people? Then each owner must comply with these rules.

During opening hours, there must always be someone present who complies with the rules of the Alcohol Act. This may also be a staff member (a business manager). You must also set up your business according to the rules and regulations for horeca establishments. For example, there are rules for ventilation, and for the toilet area.

On the page Selling and serving alcohol at business.gov.nl, fill in the municipality where you are starting your business. You will be linked to the application form. Or you can see how and where you can apply for an alcohol licence.

• Costs: between €120 and €1,800 for the licence. Between €80 and €400 to have a business manager included on the licence (this can also be done later).
• Application period: a maximum of 8 weeks. Can be extended once by 8 weeks.

Online sale of alcohol

Some entrepreneurs will also start an online shop selling alcoholic beverages in addition to their hospitality business. You do not need an alcohol licence for the online sale of beer and wine. You do need one for beverages that contain more than 15% alcohol.

Terrace permit

You do not always need to apply for a terrace permit (terrasvergunning) if you want to have an outside seating area at your horeca business, or if you want to expand an existing seating area. Sometimes you only need to report it, or you can adjust the existing permit. Check with the municipality what the rules are.

In many municipalities, you have to reapply for the terrace permit every year. In some municipalities, you also have to adjust the alcohol licence and the operating licence, and/or apply for an environment and planning permit.

• Cost: between €25 and €650.
• Application period: varies per municipality.

Market permit

You need a market permit if you want to sell food or drink at a market. You apply for this licence at each municipality where you want to sell at the market. Do you want to sell at a carnival, festival, or fair? Then you do not need a market licence.

• Costs: vary per municipality and depend on the location and market day.

Application period: varies per municipality. In some municipalities, there is a waiting list of months or even years.