Display of a restaurant
- Anyone wishing to operate a standing catering business must notify the competent authority at least 4 weeks before offering drinks or prepared food, even if it is to be operated for a short period of time.
- This also applies to the operation of a branch, a dependent branch, to the transfer of the permanent establishment and to the extension of the offer to alcoholic beverages or prepared food.
- A restaurant business also exists if the offer of prepared food and / or drinks for consumption on the spot as an ancillary business - e.g. as a supplementary offer of a bakery, butcher's shop, etc. - or as an incentive to consume.
Process flow
- You notify the competent authority that you wish to operate a catering business using the form set out in the Annex to Paragraph 2(2) of the NGastG.
- Indicate whether you also want to sell alcoholic beverages. In this case, you must additionally
- attach proof that you have submitted an application for a certificate of good conduct in accordance with § 30 paragraph 5 of the Federal Central Register Act and
- submit information from the Central Trade Register in accordance with Section 150 (1) of the Industrial Code.
- If you have reported the restaurant, the competent authority transmits the information to the authorities responsible for building supervision, immission control, youth protection, food control and the fight against undeclared work and illegal employment, as well as to the tax office.
Who should I contact?
This procedure can also be carried out through a "Point of Single Contact". The "Point of Single Contact" is a special service offered by municipalities and the state for service providers.
Competent authority
The commune in whose territorial jurisdiction the operation is to be started.
Which documents are required?
- Identity card or comparable identity document
- Power of attorney, if applicable
- Residence permit, if applicable
- In the case of legal entities, an extract from the trade or association register or a copy of the partnership agreement or the articles of association
- For the serving of alcohol:
- Proof of the application for a certificate of good conduct pursuant to § 30 paragraph 5 of the Federal Central Register Act (BZRG) as well as
- Information from the Central Trade Register according to § 150 paragraph 1 of the Industrial Code (GewO) or
- an official certificate attesting to a verification of the reliability of trade law provided for by law.
Section 30 (5) of the Central Register and Education Register Act (BZRG)
What are the fees?
There are fees according to tariff number 40.5.1 of the Annex to § 1 paragraph 1 General Schedule of Fees of the State of Lower Saxony (AllGO).
Fee: 280,00 EURPayment in advance: Yes
Annex 1 to § 1 paragraph 1 of the General Rules of Fees (AllGO)
What deadlines do I have to pay attention to?
- Before you are allowed to start operating a catering business, you must notify the competent authority at least 4 weeks in advance.
- The authority may allow an earlier start of the catering industry if compliance with the deadline is not reasonable for the operator.
Notification Period: 4 Weeksbefore commencing work
Processing duration
If the documents are complete, the notification will be processed promptly. Operation can be commenced 4 weeks after notification, even without further feedback from the competent authority, unless special legal requirements (e.g. building or food law) preclude this.
Applications / forms
- Forms: Notification of a restaurant business
- Alternatively, the notification can also be refunded by the business advertisement, using the advertising forms GewA 1 and GewA 2. However, the prerequisite is that the business registration is then reimbursed at least 4 weeks before the first offering of drinks or prepared food and that the business registration indicates whether alcoholic beverages and/or prepared food are to be administered for consumption on the spot.
- Online procedure possible: yes
- Written form required: yes
- Personal appearance required: if necessary.
What else should I know?
The notification does not replace the requirements of other specialist laws (e.g. building permit, food law information).
Technically approved by
Lower Saxony Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour, Transport and Digitalisation
