Licenses (bevillinger) and approvals
What approvals does a restaurant need?
A simple overview of serveringsbevilling, skjenkebevilling, registration with Mattilsynet and clarifying the requirements for restaurant premises.
By TestPrep · 3 min read
No single approval covers everything
Official requirements for a restaurant cover several areas. The municipality handles serveringsbevilling, skjenkebevilling and building matters, while Mattilsynet oversees food regulations. Permission in one area does not replace the requirements in the others. Describe your business to the relevant authorities and ask for specific clarification.
serveringsbevilling: permission to operate a food service business
An establishment that provides facilities for food or drink to be consumed on the premises generally needs a serveringsbevilling from the municipality. The general manager must normally have passed Etablererprøven (Restaurant operator exam), and good-conduct requirements also apply. The exam certificate is one of the factors the municipality considers, not the licence itself.
skjenkebevilling: if you plan to serve alcohol
Alcohol consumed on the premises generally requires a separate skjenkebevilling. For standard restaurant operations, the styrer and stedfortreder must normally be approved and have passed Kunnskapsprøven for skjenking (Alcohol law exam for on-premises service). A serveringsbevilling alone does not entitle you to serve alcohol. The municipality provides information on the conditions, areas and hours covered by the licence.
Mattilsynet: registration and food safety
The restaurant must be registered as a food business with Mattilsynet before opening. Standard restaurant operations are normally subject to registration; registration must not be confused with general prior approval. You are responsible for ensuring that the food is safe and that your procedures comply with the regulations, even after the business has been registered.
Premises, change of use and any additional requirements
Check with the municipality whether the premises are approved for the planned use and whether any changes require a building application or a change of use. Outdoor seating may require further clarification, including with the landowner and the municipality. Other requirements may also apply to building work. The work, property and operations determine what is required, so a general checklist cannot replace the municipality’s assessment.
Who do you contact first?
Start with the municipality where the restaurant will be located, providing a brief description of the concept, premises and any planned alcohol service. Contact Mattilsynet about food business registration and hygiene requirements. Use TestPrep when preparing for Etablererprøven (Restaurant operator exam) or Kunnskapsprøven (Alcohol law exam). We are an independent practice service, not a public approval authority.
Create an overview of requirements and the relevant authorities
Keep the tasks separate: the municipality handles serveringsbevilling, skjenkebevilling and building-related clarifications, while Mattilsynet handles registration and oversight of the food business. Exam certificates document the knowledge of the people responsible. For each area, note what is required, who will follow up and which documentation shows that the matter has been clarified. A registration and a licence are not the same type of administrative decision.
Sources and official information
The information is based on official sources. Information from Oslo is used as local examples. Always check current requirements, fees and application procedures with your own municipality and the relevant authority.