Alcohol License

If you serve or sell alcohol, you need a liquor and hospitality license from the municipality.

If you want to serve alcohol during an event, you must apply to the municipality for an exemption.

No permit required

You may sell beer, wine, port and sherry in the following establishments:

  • supermarket
  • food store
  • snack bar
  • caterer 
  • tobacco store
  • liquor store

You do not then need a license. You may not have alcohol tasting in your business.

How does it work?

You apply for the permit from the municipality where your business, association or foundation is located. You can download the application form at the bottom of this page. 

You will be notified within 8 weeks. Are you applying for a permit for an association or foundation? Then you will be notified within 6 months.

Always notify new supervisor

If a new manager is added, you must notify the municipality. You do not need to apply for a new permit for this.

Terms

A liquor and hospitality license allows you to sell and serve alcohol to persons 18 and older.

You can get the permit if you meet the following conditions:

  • Your staff members are 16 years of age or older.
  • Your bartender under 18 may sell alcohol but not drink it.
  • All managers are at least 21 years old and have an SVH Declaration of Social Hygiene or Declaration of Professional Competence. You can look this up in the Register of Social Hygiene.
  • None of the executives has a criminal record.
  • An executive must always be present in your business. This manager is also listed on your license.

Associations and foundations

Additional conditions apply to associations and foundations that serve alcohol:

  • The hours when alcohol is served and the age limit is posted in a highly visible place.
  • There are at least two managers within the association or foundation with an SVH Certificate of Social Hygiene.
  • When alcohol is served, one of these supervisors is present.
  • The house rules around alcohol consumption are in the board rules.

Bibob Act

When applying for a liquor and hospitality license, a Bibob test is always done. You can find everything about Bibob and the application form on the page about Bibob.

What should I bring?

  • valid ID of each person named on the permit
  • plan of the company, including terrace
  • Official board regulations (this applies only to associations and foundations)

The municipality may ask for additional documents, such as employment contracts of the executives.

What does it cost?

The cost for a Beverage and Catering license: € 390.10.

The cost for amending an existing Beverage and Catering license: €22.85.

Any other fees for applying for a waiver can be found in the fee regulations.

Documents