Types of licences for bars, restaurants and other hospitality businesses

According to the Spanish Hospitality Business Confederation, an organisation representing the bars, restaurants, cafés and pubs in our country, Spain has more than 315,000 hospitality establishments, contributing 6.4% of GDP and employing more than 1.7 million people. This is therefore an essential sector for the Spanish economy, governed by general regulations applicable throughout the country as well as others specific to each autonomous community or municipality. Among them, it is essential to know the different types of licences for bars, restaurants and other businesses.

The main general laws regulating the sector date back to 1965 and were amended by the Order of 29 June 1978 on amendments to menus and à la carte offerings in restaurants and cafés. In terms of health and hygiene, the regulatory basis is provided by Royal Decree 3484/2000, which sets out the hygiene rules for the preparation, distribution and sale of prepared foods. Any business owner wishing to start a hospitality business must take these into account and, depending on the type of business they operate, obtain the various licences required by law. Let’s take a look.  

What is the difference between a bar, a restaurant and other hospitality businesses?

Differences in the nature of the business are reflected in the requirements needed to obtain the different types of licences for bars, restaurants or other leisure venues. Here are the details. 

• A bar is an establishment that serves alcoholic drinks, soft drinks and coffee. However, depending on the licence, it may also serve different foods, provided they can be prepared using a microwave or electric griddle. The usual place of consumption is at the bar counter, although table service may also be offered. 
• The main products consumed in a café are hot drinks such as coffee or tea, accompanied by light foods such as pastries or sandwiches. They are more relaxed spaces than bars. They also do not have a separate dining room, and their licences allow for a griddle and microwave to prepare or heat food. In many cases, these products are supplied by external providers. 
• A restaurant is an establishment focused on serving lunches and dinners. The food served is much more elaborate, and it has a dining room, which must be at least 20 square metres, and a kitchen equipped with an extractor outlet, ovens, a griddle and all the necessary utensils, measuring more than 10 square metres.   

What types of licences are available for bars, restaurants and other hospitality businesses?  

If you want to open a new establishment in the hospitality sector, you should bear in mind that it is considered a Regulated Activity. This includes activities that may have an impact on the surrounding environment due to noise, odours, waste management, smoke or various health-related factors. 

This means that, before the licences required to begin operating can be granted, municipal technicians will inspect the establishment to ensure that it complies with environmental, health and safety regulations. Once the authorities give their approval, the licences must be processed, and these will differ depending on whether the business is a bar, restaurant or café. 

1. Activity licence 

This is the first step in being able to begin operating. This licence confirms that the premises meet the conditions required by regulations. Depending on the differences outlined above, there are different types of licences for a bar, restaurant or other hospitality business. 

To obtain the licence, a town-planning compatibility certificate is required to ensure that the activity complies with municipal regulations. 

In addition, a qualified architect or architectural technician must confirm that the establishment meets requirements such as an extractor outlet (for restaurants), an electrical installation in good condition, ventilation or the proper layout of the kitchen and dining room, among others. 

The type of licence for bars differs depending on whether a griddle and microwave are planned for preparing simple meals or whether it is simply a space where drinks will be served. 

Meanwhile, to obtain a restaurant licence, the technical project will take into account aspects such as whether it has a dining room and kitchen with the dimensions specified above, whether there is space for product storage, whether the extractor hood removes unpleasant odours, and whether basic water and electricity installations work properly. 

Within the hospitality sector, there is another category: music and entertainment venues. In these cases, sound insulation is essential for obtaining the licence. 

2. Building works licence 

With an activity licence, the authorities confirm that premises are potentially suitable for starting the business. However, it is most common for the business owner to want to renovate them to give them a personality in keeping with their brand image. Any renovation of the original space requires a building works licence allowing the desired changes to be made. 

These works may be extensive, meaning they involve structural remodelling of aspects such as access points or changing the layout of the spaces. In this case, an architect or municipal surveyor must grant a major works licence. 

If the changes are more superficial and relate, for example, to the decoration of the premises or minor changes to layouts, a minor works licence will be sufficient. 

3. Opening licence

The moment of truth has arrived. On paper, the premises meet the requirements needed to begin operating. However, a technical inspection is still required to confirm that every detail complies with legislation and that the completed works meet regulatory requirements. 

This is when the surveyor assesses whether there are sufficient safety measures, whether the structure meets municipal requirements, whether it complies with health and ventilation measures, or whether carrying out the activity will cause any inconvenience to third parties. Once verified, the opening licence is granted. The establishment can open its doors. 

4. Terrace licence

Among the types of licences for bars and other hospitality businesses, there is one authorisation that is particularly attractive in Spain: the terrace licence. The climate in our country means that, for many months of the year, customers prefer to consume products outdoors, so a terrace can provide significant benefits for owners. 

The requirements for obtaining it vary considerably depending on the municipality where the establishment is located. In general, to obtain it, the business owner must submit an acoustic study on the level of noise the terrace will generate and a description of the type of furniture and the number of tables and chairs they wish to have. 

Once you have obtained all the licences, your business can get up and running. And for it to operate optimally, it is essential that all your staff are satisfied. At Shoes For Crews, we know how important it is for your professionals to wear comfortable, safe footwear during their working hours. That is why we offer you a wide variety of models featuring our patented slip-resistant sole and ideal for hospitality professionals. Contact us and we will provide all the information you need.