Gastronomic trade - apply for a permission for a special occasion

Aktuelle Hinweise zu dieser Dienstleistung

Please note delays in processing!

The Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises is currently introducing new software for processing commercial law matters in Berlin's public order offices. This involves migrating extensive data sets. In addition, the new software must be integrated into workflows and the product further adapted for use in Berlin's public order offices. Due to this comprehensive system changeover, there may be delays in the processing of commercial law matters.
Such challenges are common during software conversions. We are actively working to stabilise the processes as soon as possible. Your applications and notifications will be processed as quickly as possible. We apologise for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding!

Please note: By submitting your business registration, you have already fulfilled your obligation under Section 14 (1) of the Trade Regulation Act (GewO). You can commence your commercial activities immediately after registration. However, this does not apply to activities that require official approval. The confirmation of your business registration is not an administrative act, but merely an acknowledgment of receipt of your registration. The delay in processing will not result any disadvantages for you under commercial law.

If you wish to serve alcoholic beverages on a temporary commercial basis as part of a special event that is open to the general public or a specific group of people, you must apply for a licence in accordance with the Restaurant Act. The prerequisite is always that there is a special occasion of short duration: this could be, for example, celebrations, anniversaries or similar occasions. A licence is granted under simplified conditions. However, it is only valid temporarily and is limited in time to the duration and location of the event.

If, on the other hand, you wish to operate a business serving alcohol on a permanent basis or for a longer period of time (usually more than 4 weeks), you will generally need a licence for the restaurant trade (see ‘Further information’). A licence for the restaurant trade can also be applied for and granted on a temporary basis.

A permit is also required in Berlin if you hold a travelling trade licence. Regardless of the permit discussed here and depending on your offering, you may have to fulfil additional registration and permit requirements, for example in accordance with the Trade Regulation Act.

Procedure:
  1. If you wish to open a restaurant business (serving alcohol) that requires a licence as part of a special event, you must apply for a restaurant licence before starting your business. The application can be submitted online. Please fill out the application form completely, upload the required documents and submit it.

  2. The competent authority will review your information and documents and request any missing evidence if necessary. You will receive instructions on how to proceed and will be informed of the processing status by email.

  3. If all requirements are met and the necessary documents are available, you will receive a fee notice and the permit by post. If not all requirements are met or the necessary documents are not available, your application will be rejected and a fee will be charged. In this case, you can read the reason for the rejection in the notice from the responsible authority.

You can also access this service online

Online processing

  • Do it online now
    For online processing, you do not need to register and can submit the application directly online.

Prerequisites

  • There is a special occasion of short duration.
    for example:
    • Street festivals (e.g. folk festivals or funfairs),
    • Christmas markets,
    • Sports events,
    • company anniversaries
  • Personal reliability
    Reliability is checked on the basis of various forms of evidence. The applicant must provide information from the Federal Central Register (certificate of good conduct) and information from the Central Trade Register.
  • Expert knowledge
    Proof of training in the necessary food law knowledge is only required if the catering activity is exercised regularly and sustainably on certain occasions.

Documents required

  • Application for a permission
    Submit the application online or in writing by post.
  • Identity document
    Identity card or other official identification document with photo.
    Residence permit if the applicant is not a national of an EU country.
  • Certificate of good conduct for presentation to an authority
    To verify personal reliability, an extract from the Federal Central Register (certificate of good conduct) is required for submission to an authority (document type O).
    The information must not be older than three months.
  • Excerpt from the central business register for presentation to an authority
    To verify personal reliability, information from the central business register is required for submission to an authority (document type 9).
    The information must not be older than three months.
  • If applicable, the catering instruction according to § 4 GastG
    In the case of repeated applications, a certificate from a Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) confirming participation in the catering training course or a comparable qualification (confirmation from the IHK required) must be submitted.
  • If applicable, a current extract from the commercial register
    Registered companies are required to submit an up to date excerpt from the Trade Register when applying. Legal entities that are in the process of being established (GmbH, AG) are required to submit their partnership agreement or statutes.

Fees

EUR 11.00 to EUR 869.00 per effort

Average time to process request

approx. 2 weeks

Notes on responsibility

The application for a permission must be submitted in sufficient time (at least 2 weeks in advance) to the public order office responsible for the event location.

Your point of contact

Please select a location to make an appointment