You need a beverage and hospitality license (DHV) to sell alcohol in your restaurant, café or bar. Without it, you can serve food but not beer, wine or spirits. The application process demands both time and money, so start well before your opening date.
What is a beverage and hospitality license?
The beverage and hospitality license grants you legal authority to sell alcoholic beverages in your hospitality business. This covers all drinks containing more than 0.5% alcohol - including beer and wine.
- Required for all hospitality businesses selling alcohol
- Issued per location (multiple businesses need separate licenses)
- Tied to the business owner, not the property
- Requires renewal (typically every 10 years)
⚠️ Attention:
Operating without a license carries serious penalties. You face fines up to €8,200 and forced business closure.
Types of beverage and hospitality licenses
Different license categories exist based on what you're selling:
- Beverage and hospitality license: For restaurants, cafés, bars
- Low-alcohol beverage license: Beer and wine only (up to 15% alcohol)
- Spirits license: All alcoholic beverages
- Temporary license: For events (maximum 10 days annually)
💡 Example:
You're opening a bistro serving wine and beer, but no spirits:
- Low-alcohol beverage license: €154
- Later expansion to spirits: €289 additional
Recommendation: Get the full license immediately, even without current spirits plans.
Requirements for a beverage and hospitality license
Several criteria must be met for license approval:
Personal requirements
- Minimum age of 18
- Clean criminal record for specific offenses
- Financial reliability (no outstanding tax debts)
- Social hygiene course completion (mandatory)
Business requirements
- Chamber of Commerce registration
- Appropriate location (proper zoning)
- Safety and health regulation compliance
💡 Social hygiene course:
Course curriculum includes:
- Responsible alcohol service practices
- Intoxication identification
- Managing disturbances and aggression
- Legal compliance obligations
Cost: €150-250, 10-year validity
Costs of a beverage and hospitality license
Fees differ between municipalities, but typical ranges include:
- Low-alcohol beverage: €150-300
- Full beverage and hospitality license: €400-800
- Social hygiene course: €150-250
- Municipal records extract: €15-25
💡 Total cost example (Amsterdam):
- Full beverage and hospitality license: €663
- Social hygiene course: €195
- Municipal records extract: €20
- Potential advisory fees: €300-500
Total: €1,178-1,378
How long does the application process take?
Processing times depend on your municipality:
- Standard procedure: 8-12 weeks
- With resident objections: 16-20 weeks
- Expedited application: 4-6 weeks (usually additional cost)
⚠️ Attention:
Submit your application at least 3 months before your planned opening. Delays mean no alcohol service, which severely impacts revenue potential.
What if your application is denied?
License denials happen for several reasons:
- Failing to meet personal requirements
- Unsuitable location (proximity to schools or churches)
- Municipality anticipating excessive nuisance
- Incomplete application documentation
Following denial, you have 6 weeks to file an objection with the municipality. Court proceedings become an option if the objection fails.
License and your insurance
A valid beverage and hospitality license often serves as a requirement for hospitality insurance coverage. Operating without proper licensing creates:
- No coverage for alcohol-related incident damage
- Potential complete liability exclusion
- Claim processing complications
💡 Financial impact:
Alcohol typically represents 60-70% of café revenue and 30-40% in restaurants. A pattern we see repeatedly in restaurant financials shows that without proper licensing you forfeit:
- Restaurant (€500k revenue): €150k-200k annually
- Café (€300k revenue): €180k-210k annually
License costs pay for themselves within 1-2 weeks of operation.
How do you apply for a beverage and hospitality license? (step by step)
Complete the social hygiene course
Register for the mandatory social hygiene course with an approved provider. This course takes 1 day and costs €150-250. The certificate is valid for 10 years.
Gather all required documents
Get a municipal records extract from your municipality, a Chamber of Commerce register extract and the social hygiene course certificate. Check with your municipality which documents they specifically require.
Fill out the application form
Download the form from your municipality's website or request it from the licensing department. Fill in everything completely - incomplete applications will be rejected or delayed.
Submit the application with fees
Submit the complete application to your municipality, digitally or in person. Pay the fees (license costs) immediately. Processing starts only after full payment.
Wait for the decision
The municipality has 8-12 weeks to decide. If there's doubt, they may organize a hearing. You'll receive written notice of the decision.
✨ Pro tip
Start your license application exactly 14 weeks before your planned opening date, even if you're only planning beer and wine initially. This buffer accounts for potential delays and objection periods that could otherwise postpone your launch.
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In the KitchenNmbrs app you can do this in just a few clicks. 7 days free, no credit card.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I start selling alcohol while my application is being processed?
No, alcohol sales are only permitted after license approval. Selling during the waiting period is illegal and can result in application rejection.
What happens if I sell my business?
The license stays with you personally and doesn't transfer automatically. The new owner must submit their own application, though they might qualify for a temporary license during processing.
Are there specific times when I can't sell alcohol?
Yes, most municipalities enforce closing times for alcohol sales. Typically, you can't sell between 02:00 and 08:00. Check your local APV (General Local Ordinance) for exact restrictions.
What if I only sell beer and wine?
You can operate with a low-alcohol beverage license, which costs less. However, this restricts you from selling spirits without obtaining additional licensing later.
📚 Sources consulted
- EU Verordening 852/2004 — Levensmiddelenhygiëne (2004) — Official source
- EU Verordening 853/2004 — Hygiënevoorschriften voor levensmiddelen van dierlijke oorsprong (2004) — Official source
- EU Verordening 1169/2011 — Voedselinformatie aan consumenten (2011) — Official source
- NVWA — Hygiënecode voor de horeca (2024) — Official source
- NVWA — Allergenen in voedsel (2024) — Official source
- Codex Alimentarius — International Food Standards (2024) — Official source
- FSA — Safer food, better business (HACCP) (2024) — Official source
- BVL — Lebensmittelhygiene (HACCP) (2024) — Official source
- Warenwetbesluit Bereiding en behandeling van levensmiddelen (2024) — Official source
- WHO — Foodborne diseases estimates (2024) — Official source
Food Standards Agency (FSA) — https://www.food.gov.uk
The HACCP standards shown in this application are for informational purposes only. KitchenNmbrs does not guarantee that displayed values are current or complete. Always consult the FSA or your local authority for the latest regulations.
Written by
Jeffrey Smit
Founder & CEO of KitchenNmbrs
Jeffrey Smit built KitchenNmbrs from 8 years of hands-on experience as kitchen manager at 1NUL8 Group in Rotterdam. His mission: give every restaurant owner control over food cost.
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