Sale of alcohol 

The following establishments allow you to sell beer, wine, port and sherry without needing a license: 

• supermarket
• food store
• snack bar
• caterer
• tobacco store
• liquor store

Please note that you may not have alcohol tasting in your establishment.

Alcohol license (hospitality industry, associations and foundations)

An alcohol license allows you to serve and sell alcohol to persons 18 and older. 

You apply for the permit from the municipality where your business, association or foundation is located.

Requirements

You can get an alcohol license 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.

Additional Requirements for 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 managers is present or a bartender who has completed the "Responsible Alcohol Use" instruction.
• The house rules around alcohol consumption are in the board rules. 

Required documents 

When applying for an alcohol license, have the following documents handy: 

• 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.

Bibob form

The municipality may ask you to complete a Bibob questionnaire. A Bibob investigation prevents us as a government agency from unwittingly supporting crime, for example by granting a permit to a rogue entrepreneur. If there appears to be a high risk that a license will be misused for criminal purposes, the municipality can refuse the application or withdraw the issued 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.

Temporary alcohol serving waiver

Do you want to temporarily serve alcohol outside a pub or restaurant, for example at a party? Then you need an exemption. This is only allowed if the event is short (maximum 12 days).

Requirements

The serving of weak alcoholic beverages may only take place under the direction of someone who:

• is at least 21 years of age;
• is not of bad character;
• Holds an SVH Declaration of Social Hygiene.

Applying for temporary exemption

• Complete the online form at
  (have DigiD or eRecognition handy). 

How long does it take?

• You will be notified within 8 weeks.
• If you are applying 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.