Restaurant & Hospitality

Hotels, pensions, guest houses, vacation rentals, and other accommodation businesses in Germany must register their operation with the local trade office (Gewerbeamt) through an accommodation registration (Beherbergungsstättenanzeige). This is part of the standard trade registration requirement. Additionally, you must comply with guest registration obligations under the Federal Registration Act (Bundesmeldegesetz, BMG).Since January 2025, only foreign guests are required to fill out a registration form (Meldeschein) upon arrival. You must provide the forms and retain them for one year. Accommodation operators also have reporting obligations under the Accommodation Statistics Act (Beherbergungsstatistikgesetz), requiring monthly submissions of guest statistics to the statistical office. Violations of registration or reporting requirements can result in fines.

Issued by: Public Order Office

Operating a food truck (Foodtruck or Imbisswagen) in Germany typically requires an itinerant trade card (Reisegewerbekarte) if you sell at changing locations without a fixed establishment. The Reisegewerbekarte is issued once, applies nationwide, and is tied to you personally. If you operate from a fixed location for more than six weeks, you instead need a regular trade registration (Gewerbeanmeldung).For each location on public streets or squares, you need a special use permit (Sondernutzungserlaubnis) from the local road authority or municipality. You also need food business registration with the veterinary office, a hygiene concept, and compliance with the food safety rules under EU Regulation 852/2004. If you prepare food in the vehicle, it must meet commercial kitchen standards. Some municipalities also require proof of adequate waste disposal and noise protection.

Issued by: Trade Office / Veterinary Office

The Gaststättenerlaubnis (restaurant and pub license, also called Schanklizenz or Ausschankgenehmigung) may be required to operate a restaurant or pub serving alcohol, depending on the German state. Some states require only a notification (Gaststättenanzeige), others require the full license. You apply at your local Ordnungsamt or Gewerbeamt.

Issued by: Public Order Office

Every food business must register with the local food safety authority before starting operations. This applies to all businesses that produce, process, store, transport, or sell food, from restaurants and bakeries to grocery stores and market stalls.You register with the veterinary and food inspection office (Veterinär- und Lebensmittelüberwachungsamt) of your district or city. Registration is free and must be completed before you open. The process is straightforward: you submit a form listing your business type, address, and the food activities you plan to carry out. Once registered, your business is subject to regular official food safety inspections based on a risk assessment.

Issued by: Veterinary and Food Inspection Office

For temporary alcohol service at events such as festivals, club celebrations, or Christmas markets, you can obtain a temporary license (vorübergehende Gestattung). In states that still follow the federal Restaurant Act (GastG), this is governed by Section 12 GastG. However, several states have enacted their own restaurant legislation with equivalent provisions, so the exact legal basis varies by state.The temporary license replaces the full restaurant license for time-limited occasions. You typically need to apply at the local regulatory office (Ordnungsamt) several weeks before the event, providing details about the venue, duration, and type of beverages. The authority may impose conditions regarding noise, hygiene, and closing times.

Issued by: Public Order Office

Establishments that produce, process, or store food of animal origin (slaughterhouses, butcher shops, dairies, fish processors, egg packing centres) require EU approval under Regulation (EC) No 853/2004. This goes beyond the standard food business registration and involves a thorough inspection of premises and processes.You apply at the veterinary and food inspection office (Veterinäramt) of your district. The authority inspects your facility for compliance with the specific hygiene requirements in the regulation's annexes, covering building layout, equipment, temperature control, HACCP procedures, and traceability. After approval, your establishment receives an EU identification mark (Zulassungsnummer) that must appear on all products. The approval can be conditional initially, allowing you to begin operations while completing final adjustments within a set timeframe.

Issued by: Veterinary and Food Inspection Office

If you want to sell a novel food or a new food additive in Germany, you first need EU-level approval. This is not a German permit. The authorization process runs through the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and applies uniformly across all EU member states.You submit your application to the European Commission, which forwards it to EFSA for a safety assessment. The process typically takes 18 months or longer and requires extensive scientific data on safety, composition, and intended use. Once authorized, the product can be marketed throughout the EU. In Germany, the Bundesamt für Verbraucherschutz und Lebensmittelsicherheit (BVL) handles national coordination.

Issued by: Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL)