Alcohol License

What is it?

  • If you sell or serve 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?

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 Requirements:

  • 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 Requirements 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.

What to do?

You apply for the permit at the municipality. Do this in the municipality where your business, association or foundation is located.

Bibob form

The municipality may ask you to complete a Bibob questionnaire. With this, the municipality assesses the reliability of your company. For example, if there is a criminal past, the municipality may decide not to give you a license.

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.

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.

How long does it take?

  • You will be notified within 8 weeks.
  • If you apply for the permit for an association or foundation, you will be notified within 6 months.

Objecting

If you disagree with the municipality's decision, you can object within 6 weeks.