Restaurant & Hospitality

An alcohol license (alcoholvergunning) is required for hospitality businesses that wish to serve alcoholic beverages and for liquor stores that wish to sell spirits. Paracommercial establishments such as sports canteens and community centers also need a license to serve alcohol.There are two models: Model A for hospitality businesses and liquor stores, and Model B for paracommercial establishments. The license must be applied for at the municipality at least 8 weeks in advance. The license is granted under the Alcohol Act (Alcoholwet).

Issued by: Municipality

Any business operating a hospitality establishment in the Netherlands needs a horeca-exploitatievergunning (hospitality operating license) from the mayor. This applies to restaurants, cafés, snack bars, and similar venues where food or drinks are served on the premises. You apply through your municipality, typically online via eHerkenning, and must have the license before you open.

Issued by: Mayor

A hospitality hours exemption (horecatijdenontheffing) allows you to keep your hospitality establishment open beyond the standard opening hours, which are typically 06:00 to 01:00 (or 02:00 on weekends, depending on the municipality). This exemption is available for bars, restaurants, cafes, nightclubs, and other hospitality venues that want to operate later than the regular closing time.You apply for the exemption at your municipality, which assesses your request based on the potential nuisance to nearby residents, public order considerations, and the character of the neighbourhood. The exemption can be granted for incidental occasions, such as a special event, or structurally for ongoing extended hours. Conditions may include a maximum closing time, noise restrictions, and requirements for door security staff.

Issued by: Municipality

A camping exemption is required if you want to allow camping on your land in locations where this is not normally permitted under the municipal regulations. This applies to farmers offering seasonal camping spots, event organizers wanting temporary campsites, or landowners who want to allow recreational camping outside designated camping areas.You apply for the exemption at the municipality, which assesses the application based on the location, duration, number of camping spots, and potential impact on the surroundings. The municipality may set conditions regarding sanitary facilities, waste collection, parking, and maximum duration of stay. Costs and processing times vary by municipality. You can file an objection and appeal against the decision if your application is rejected.

Issued by: Municipality

If you want to place a terrace at your catering establishment, you often need an environmental permit (omgevingsvergunning) for the activity 'terrace'. This permit regulates the use of public space for terrace purposes and ensures that the terrace fits within the streetscape and does not affect the livability of the area.The permit applies to terraces on public grounds such as sidewalks, squares and parking spaces. Depending on the size, location and duration of the terrace, different conditions may apply. Municipalities have their own policies for terrace operations.

Issued by: Municipality

A tasting exemption (proeverijvrijstelling) is a temporary permit under the Alcohol Act (Alcoholwet) that allows you to serve alcoholic beverages at tastings without holding a full hospitality license. This is relevant for wine shops, breweries, distilleries, and food producers who want to offer tastings at their premises or during events.The exemption is granted by the municipality and is limited to specific occasions, locations, and timeframes. You must apply in advance and comply with conditions such as maximum quantities served and the presence of a qualified supervisor. The exemption does not cover regular commercial alcohol service, which requires a separate hospitality license (drank- en horecavergunning).

Issued by: Municipality

A registration number is required for renting out your home or a room to tourists in municipalities that have adopted a tourist rental registration scheme. You must apply for this number from your municipality and include it in all advertisements offering your property for tourist rental. Municipalities have been implementing these registration requirements at different dates.The registration number enables municipalities to monitor which homes are offered for tourist rental and provides better oversight and enforcement in the short-stay rental market. The scheme is based on Article 23a of the Housing Act 2014 (Huisvestingswet 2014) and is implemented by each municipality according to its own local housing regulations and timeline.

Issued by: Municipality

A tapontheffing (temporary alcohol exemption) allows you to sell low-alcohol beverages (up to 15% alcohol) at a temporary event. You need this exemption for occasions such as street fairs, music festivals, sports events, flea markets, and neighborhood parties where alcohol will be served outside a licensed premises.The exemption is granted by the municipality under Article 35 of the Alcohol Act (Alcoholwet). You must apply several weeks before the event and designate a person responsible for supervising alcohol service. Conditions typically include serving hours, the designated area, and a minimum age verification requirement. The exemption does not cover strong spirits above 15%.

Issued by: Municipality

A temporary alcohol license (tapontheffing) for a para-commercial institution allows organizations such as sports clubs, cultural associations, and other non-profit entities to serve alcoholic beverages during events and activities. These institutions operate under special rules because their primary purpose is not commercial alcohol sales.The exemption is granted by the municipality based on Article 35 of the Alcohol Act (Alcoholwet). The municipality sets conditions regarding permitted serving hours, types of events, and the scope of alcohol sales. Para-commercial institutions must ensure they do not unfairly compete with nearby commercial hospitality businesses, and the exemption is typically limited to specific occasions rather than permanent service.

Issued by: Municipality

A terrace permit is required for placing a terrace at a hospitality establishment, regardless of whether it concerns municipal land or private land. The terrace is a part of the public space located outside the enclosed area of a hospitality establishment where tables, chairs, and other objects are placed for hospitality activities.The permit is issued by the municipality and ensures that terraces are placed in an orderly manner, taking into account public space, safety, and nuisance for residents. The General Local Ordinance (APV) of the municipality regulates the conditions.

Issued by: Municipality

Tourist tax is a municipal tax levied on operators of accommodations that offer overnight stays to tourists for a fee. The tax is paid per person per overnight stay and applies to various types of accommodations such as hotels, bed & breakfasts, holiday homes, campsites, and Airbnb rentals.The operator of the accommodation is responsible for collecting the tourist tax from guests and remitting it to the municipality. An annual declaration must be filed for this purpose. The revenues from the tourist tax are often used for tourism purposes in the municipality. Rates and exceptions (such as for children under 16 years) vary by municipality.

Issued by: Municipality

If you operate a hospitality establishment that serves alcoholic beverages, your premises must meet the minimum floor space requirement of 35 m2 as set out in the Alcoholwet. The 2021 Alcoholwet abolished most of the establishment requirements (inrichtingseisen) that previously existed under the old Drank- en Horecawet.Fire safety and building requirements for hospitality establishments are now governed by the Besluit bouwwerken leefomgeving (Bbl), which sets standards for structural safety, fire resistance, ventilation and emergency exits. Hygiene requirements fall under food safety regulations. You should check with your municipality which specific local rules apply to your premises.

Issued by: Municipality

Entrepreneurs who sell travel, holidays, timeshare or other long-term holiday products must comply with legal requirements regarding information provision and contract terms. These rules are stated in Book 7 of the Civil Code (Burgerlijk Wetboek).When selling long-term holiday products (such as timeshare, vacation clubs or discount cards), the entrepreneur must be clear about what is being sold, at what price and under what conditions. Consumers have specific withdrawal rights and there are requirements for contracts and payments. The entrepreneur must be transparent and fully inform consumers.

Issued by: Ministry of Economic Affairs

A food business approval (levensmiddelenbedrijf erkenning) is mandatory for certain categories of food businesses, including dairy enterprises. This approval is granted by the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) and is required for businesses that process, store, or distribute products of animal origin.The approval ensures that the business complies with strict hygiene and safety requirements in accordance with European legislation. Businesses must demonstrate that they have adequate facilities, procedures, and a HACCP system. The NVWA assesses this prior to granting approval and monitors compliance.

Issued by: Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA)

Food business registration (levensmiddelenbedrijf registratie) is mandatory for all food business operators who are not subject to the approval requirement. Registration must take place before the business becomes operational and is carried out by the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA).Registration is intended to enable supervision of businesses that produce, process, store, or distribute food. This concerns businesses without products of animal origin that are not subject to stricter approval requirements. Registration is done by means of a notification to the NVWA.

Issued by: Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA)

The night register obligation (nachtregisterplicht) requires all accommodation providers to record details of overnight guests. If you run a hotel, guesthouse, bed and breakfast, campsite, or holiday rental, you must maintain a guest register with names, addresses, dates of birth, and arrival and departure dates.This obligation is set out in the Criminal Code (Wetboek van Strafrecht) and applies nationwide. Municipalities use the register for tourist tax collection and enforcement. The police may also inspect the register to trace missing persons or wanted individuals. Failure to keep the register can result in fines.

Issued by: Municipality