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Restaurants and canteens
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Open a snack bar

If you want to open a mobile snack bar and operate it at different locations, you need a travelling trade licence.

Competent authority

Description

You must comply with hygiene regulations and fire safety requirements.

The City of Munich does not grant location permits for mobile food stalls on public land outside of events (such as the Christmas market). You may only operate these on private land during the statutory shop opening hours. To do so, you must obtain a private-law permit from the owner of the property.

Trade licence If you wish to open a mobile food stall, you will need a travelling trade licence. You can apply for this at the District Administration Office – Trade Authority. The travelling trade licence entitles you to carry out this activity throughout Germany.

You will only be issued with a travelling trade licence if Munich is your main place of residence or your company’s registered office.

The Trade Authority will assess your reliability and obtain information from, amongst others, the Federal Central Register and the Central Trade Register. If the licence can be granted, you will receive a notification to collect it.

You must be able to present the original travelling trade licence or a certified copy upon request when carrying out your commercial activity.

Food safety and fire safety regulations must always be observed.

Required documents

  • Identity card or passport
  • for foreign nationals (excluding EU countries): a valid residence permit authorising self-employment
  • for legal entities: extract from the commercial register (showing all entries)

Duration and costs

Processing time

Two to four weeks

Fees

  • Limited to one year: 150 euros
  • Unlimited: 270 Euro

additionally:

  • 13 euros (for information from the Federal Central Criminal Register)
  • 13 euros (for information from the central trade register)

Available payment methods

Questions & Answers

First contact the Local Building Commission in the Department of Urban Planning and Building Regulations. You must register your business once you have received the building permit from this authority.

First and foremost, contact the event organiser. You can apply for a licence to serve alcohol from the Events and Meetings Office.

Legal basis

Section 55 of the Trade Regulation Act (GewO)

Links and downloads

Find the relevant authority

Please enter the company address with street and house number

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If you run a food business that does not require a trade licence, you can register or deregister it online here or inform us of any changes.

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If you run a food business and require an EU authorisation, you will find the relevant information here.

Initial instruction for commercial handling of foodstuffs

Before you work in a kitchen or communal catering or otherwise have professional contact with food, you must receive instruction.

Locking periods

The statutory closing time applies to all restaurants. In individual cases, the district administration department may authorise a different regulation.