Restaurant and Pub License

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.

Regulations by State

Notification only (Gaststättenanzeige instead of full license): Brandenburg, Thüringen, Saarland, Sachsen, Niedersachsen, Hessen, Sachsen-Anhalt, Bremen (alcohol service only), and Baden-Württemberg (since January 2026). A reliability check for alcohol service is still required.

Full license required: Bayern, Berlin, Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, NRW, Rheinland-Pfalz, and Schleswig-Holstein. The license is tied to both the operator and the specific premises.

Requirements

  • Personal reliability: Proof via police clearance certificate (type O) and extract from the Central Trade Register
  • Food safety training: Proof of participation in an IHK briefing on food law requirements (replaced by professional exam for certain qualifications)
  • Business premises: Compliance with building, hygiene, and fire safety requirements
  • No tax arrears: Tax clearance certificate from the tax office

Required Documents

  • Police clearance certificate (type O, max. 3 months old)
  • Extract from the Central Trade Register
  • Proof of IHK restaurant briefing or equivalent qualification
  • Tax clearance certificate
  • Lease agreement or proof of ownership for the premises
  • Floor plan with area calculations
  • Food hygiene training certificate per IfSG § 43 (health certificate)
  • ID card or passport
  • For legal entities: commercial register extract and articles of association

Procedure and Costs

  • Application to the local regulatory office (Ordnungsamt or Gewerbeamt)
  • Processing time: approx. 4–8 weeks
  • Fees vary by municipality and business type: Berlin approx. €200, Munich approx. €300–500, smaller cities from approx. €100
  • IHK restaurant briefing: approx. €80–150
  • Police clearance certificate: €13
  • Central Trade Register extract: €13
  • For new construction or major changes to premises, an additional building permit is required
  • A provisional license (Gestattung) can be granted for temporary events

Operating Obligations

  • Price display: Mandatory visible display of food and beverage prices per Price Indication Ordinance
  • Youth protection: Compliance with the Youth Protection Act — alcohol service to minors prohibited, mandatory signage
  • Closing hours: Observance of state-specific closing time regulations (varies by state, e.g. Bavaria 5:00–6:00 AM)
  • Hygiene standards: Compliance with HACCP guidelines and regular health authority inspections
  • Non-smoker protection: Smoking bans per state law, smoking rooms only under specific conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Gaststättenerlaubnis cost?
Fees vary by municipality: approx. €200 in Berlin, €300–500 in Munich, from €100 in smaller cities. Additional costs include police clearance (€13), trade register extract (€13), and IHK briefing (€80–150).
How long does the application take?
Processing typically takes 4 to 8 weeks. With a complete application and early coordination with the regulatory office, it can be faster.
Do I need a Schanklizenz or is a trade registration enough?
In nine states (Brandenburg, Thüringen, Saarland, Sachsen, Niedersachsen, Hessen, Sachsen-Anhalt, Bremen, Baden-Württemberg), a notification suffices. In the remaining seven states, a full license is required.
What is the difference between Gaststättenerlaubnis and Schankerlaubnis?
The terms Gaststättenerlaubnis, Schanklizenz, Schankerlaubnis, Ausschankgenehmigung, and Gaststättenkonzession all refer essentially to the same thing: the official permit for serving alcoholic beverages in a restaurant or pub.