What is needed for a hospitality permit application in Amsterdam? For new businesses or renewals. KHN is here to help!

Background check on judicial and administrative history

When applying for a permit or renewal, you must also provide information about the past five years. The municipality will check whether you or other involved parties (such as co-owners or managers) have been involved in:

• Contact with police or the judiciary, including convictions, settlements or ongoing legal cases.
• Criminal orders or community service penalties issued by the Public Prosecution Service.
• Fines from the Dutch Tax Authority or other administrative bodies exceeding € 340.
• Revocation or refusal of permits, subsidies or real estate transactions due to integrity concerns.
• Closure of a business or premises by order of the mayor.
• Enforcement actions, such as administrative fines or orders under administrative coercion.

If any of these apply to you or your business partners, you must include copies of the relevant decisions. You don’t need to report traffic offenses unless they involved injury, hit-and-run, or driving under the influence. Fines under € 250 do not need to be declared.

This information is mandatory. Providing incorrect or incomplete information may lead to delays or rejection of your permit. The municipality always performs a check. Proof of good conduct is also required for foreign applicants.

New application

For a new application, you must submit the following information and documents:

• DigiD or eHerkenning for online submission.
• Copy of a valid ID, BSN, address, date and place of birth for all owners and managers.
• Company structure, including an organizational chart, shareholder register, articles of association and incorporation documents.
• Purchase or lease agreement, opening balance sheet, investment and financing budget.
• Financing details, with proof of origin of personal or borrowed funds.
• If funding comes from a business, financial statements for the past three years must be submitted.
• If investments are made by individuals, income tax returns must be provided.
• If personal funds come from the sale or equity of a home, inheritance or gifts, these must be supported by official documentation.
• Bank statements must be submitted for all financial transactions.

All of the above documents are always requested. Make sure to submit them completely and correctly the first time to avoid delays. Based on the submitted documents, the municipality may request additional information or evidence.

Are you taking over an existing business? You may temporarily operate under the previous owner’s valid permit, but only if it is still active at the time of the takeover and you submit a complete application, including the Bibob form, within four weeks.

Applications can be submitted via:

• New applications: www.amsterdam.nl/ondernemen/horeca/horecavergunning-aanvragen
• Permit renewals: Horecavergunning verlengen - gemeente Amsterdam
• Bibob forms and guidance: Wet Bibob - gemeente Amsterdam

Renewing your permit

Existing hospitality business owners can renew their permit. The initial permit is granted for three years. If your business has operated properly and without administrative sanctions, it may be extended to five years upon renewal.

For a renewal, you must submit

• Updated information for all owners and managers.
• Annual financial statements for the past three financial years.
• Relevant agreements, such as a new lease.
• If you were previously issued a Bibob certificate, be sure to mention it. A simplified process may apply in that case.

The official processing time for renewals is six weeks, but in practice it often takes longer. Actively monitor the progress yourself and avoid operating without a valid permit.

More information: www.amsterdam.nl/ondernemen/horeca/horecavergunning-verlengen.

Financing from abroad

If your business is financed from abroad, you must take extra care:

• Always submit original documents showing the origin of the funds.
• Have all documents translated by a sworn translator registered in the Rbtv.
• Legalisation or apostille may be required depending on the country of origin.
• You must demonstrate that the funds were obtained legally and ethically, even if financial rules differ in the country of origin.

Assistance from KHN regional managers

The hospitality permit application process is complex and not always clear or consistent. Technical issues can also occur in the online system. The regional managers of Koninklijke Horeca Nederland are highly experienced with the process and assist hospitality entrepreneurs in Amsterdam every week with successful applications.

They will review your situation in advance and check whether all documents and information are complete. If needed, they will schedule an appointment to walk through the process with you. This way, your application can be completed and submitted correctly within one and a half to two hours, helping to avoid errors and delays.

Good preparation is essential. Make sure all required information is submitted in full and on time. Contact your KHN regional manager if you have any questions or need support.

For more information
• Nathalie ter Heide: +31 6 12 25 54 79 / n.terheide@khn.nl
• Eveline Doornhegge: +31 6 51 49 07 09 / e.doornhegge@khn.nl